City Lose From Winning Position...Again

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola certainly have a lot to contemplate as they travel back up the M1 this afternoon. A 2-1 defeat to Leicester on a traditional Boxing Day fixture alone is not a cause for concern. What is a concern though, is the manner in which it happened.

Following an unexpected defeat only a few days prior, to Crystal Palace, a reaction was expected from the defending Champions. Today, as with Saturday, it would be City who would take the lead through some intricate play.

City Stunned By Townsend Beauty

I think it is fair to say that the game at the Etihad against Crystal Palace did not go exactly to plan. Our first league defeat at our home ground since the United game last season came less than 24 hours after Liverpool had extended their lead over us at the top of the table.

Pundits and commentators alike believe Christmas has come early with the trifector of incidents. Our surprise loss, hot on the heels of a Liverpool victory, conspired to make it a weekend of delight for those who see City as an annoyance. Add to that a resurgent Manchester United rolling over a Cardiff City side and you might be forgiven in thinking you’d been transported back to the 1990’s.

Champions League: Shakhtar Reaction

It has been quite a while since I last sat down at the computer to write something about Manchester City. An increased work load combined with other issues led to the absence which, despite this piece, may continue. I did feel that I needed to write about Manchester City's victory over Shakhtar last night in the Champions League.

Firstly, after the initial defeat against Lyon on match day one, City have cruised to the top of Group F and look good to progress with a victory in France at the end of the month securing top spot. Analysis of the demolition of the Ukranian side by our boys in blue was somewhat brushed under the carpet in favor of a critique of Raheem Sterling.

Blues Top The League: Brighton Talking Points

The scoreline makes it seem the game was closer than it actually was. Certainly a sigh of relief was audible when Sergio Aguero slotted home the second in the 65th minute. The result, along with Liverpools failure to beat Chelsea, means Pep Guardiola's side return to the summit after only seven games.

The two will meet in the League next weekend, and the chance for one to put daylight between the other. Focusing on our previous match though, what lessons do we take away from that result and overall performance.

City Dominate Brighton: Players Rated

Manchester City will go into next weekends six pointer ahead of their opposition after this past victory against Brighton. The three points gained at the Etihad now put them level on all stats with Liverpool who have a poorer goal difference.

It was a comprehensive win for the Blues, as you might expect. However it did take a piece of solo running from Sergio Aguero to make the result safe in the 65th minute. So, how did I rate the players?

Blues Against Brighton: History Of The Fixture

After, what was eventually, a comprehensive defeat of Oxford United City return to Premier League action. Welcoming Chris Hughtons Brighton side who are enjoying their second successive season in the Premier League.

Currently 13th in the Premier League, Hughton will be looking at securing the Seagulls stature and making them established in England's top flight. In order to do this games like tomorrow will not be ones pinpointed as ones where that future is made or broken.

That's not to say they will not put out a decent lineup and make it tough for us. They did last season, and they will again.

Carabao Check-up: Player Ratings

It was a tale of two Phils for Manchester last night. Our very own Phil Foden put in a man of the match performance away to Oxford in the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, at the Stadium of Dreams, Phil Jones put the icing on a poor United performance. 

A gift that keeps on giving with players in Red, who were slated as not giving 100% for the shirt, were shown up by Frank Lampards Championship side, Derby County. Meanwhile, 160 miles south, Manchester City's youth and fringe players were securing the win in a very comprehensive victory.

Lessons From The Carabao

A heavily rotated Manchester City side did the job away to League One side Oxford United last night although, at times, it was hard work. In the end it was comfortable for the Blues, and gave Pep Guardiola some more insight into some of his fringe players.

Starts were given to youngsters Muric, Foden and Diaz while some more experienced heads were welcomed back into the first team. It was good, for example, to see Vincent Kompany back in the side. So what would we have learnt from yesterdays progression to the next round?

Manchester City: Player Ratings

It was just more than a victory on Saturday the Blues required. After the lacklustre performance midweek against Lyon in the Champions League, the side needed to show dominance. And that's exactly what they did on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Cardiff. 

A total masterclass in football left me wondering in Neil Warnock was, in some ways, enjoying the football on display. Certainly this was never going to be a game he and his staff would circle as one which could make or break their season. 

So how did the players do in the 5-0 victory? Here are my player ratings for the side who moved to second in the Premier League this weekend:

Blues Back To Winning Ways In Cardiff

I don't think any Manchester City fan ever imagined it would be anything other than a Blues win. I had said, after the Champions League result midweek, that a reaction was needed. How we played in the following game would show us a lot of the character of the team.

In the end it was comfortable, and wrapped up by half time. Pep Guardiola's side now moves to second, ahead of Chelsea, who couldn't break down a Zabaleta led Hammers defence. So what of that performance from Manchester City yesterday? What positives and negatives arose from the 90 minutes in Wales?

Manchester City Predicted Welsh Lineup

The good thing about playing football is that you don't have to wait too long for another game. When you have a poor performance, like Manchester City did on Wednesday, you don't have to wait to long to rectify the situation.

I was pretty harsh on the players after the defeat by Lyon at the Etihad, and rightly so. Now it's a whole different competition and a chance to keep pace with the front runners, Liverpool and a chance to leap frog Chelsea. So how should Pep lineup for the trip to the Cardiff City Stadium?

Pep Hopes For Welsh Reset

It wasn't the greatest of European nights for the Blues. A 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon was not what was expected, although with the performance on the night, it was all we deserved. Saturday sees the Blues back to domestic competition, and the continuation of the defense of their title.

Pep Guardiola will be back on the sidelines with Sergio Aguero likely being recalled to the starting lineup. Unfortunately Kevin De Bruyne, Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo remain side lined for this game.

Champions League: City Tamed By Lyon

It wasn't the result many expected from Manchester City in their opening fixture in this seasons Champions League. Defeat at the Etihad has been very rare for the Blues over the last few seasons, yet from the first whistle it never felt quite right in the stadium.

It was not so much the defeat, although not great, but the manner in which the Blues started their European campaign which would be most disappointing for City fans. Pep Guardiola was, of course, a spectator for the opening fixture. A ban carried over from last season for his particular seat for this game.

A few supporters have come down very hard on their side, but is that justified? Certainly Lyon deserved to get points from the game with City very lethargic for large portions of the game. Even the referee, who booked Aguero for arguing a decision, then agreeing with him by reversing the decision, cannot shoulder much blame. It was just one of those nights and it will tell us much of the side with how they respond in Wales at the weekend.

Talking Points From Fulham Win

Pep Guardiola’s side moved up to third, and remained undefeated after hosting Fulham at the Etihad on Saturday. One of only three sides in the Premier League to remain undefeated, with Liverpool and Chelsea the other two, with five wins from five. Previously I had posted the player ratings, with Bernardo Silva being my man of the match. Now though I want to talk about some of the interesting points from the game.

It certainly was a positive performance and a good result to get before we head into Champions League football against Lyon on Wednesday, but what did that performance tell us about Pep Guardiola and his side?

City v Newcastle: Player Ratings

Manchester City returned to winning ways in the late game on Saturday, although Newcastle made it tough for the Blues. Initially, after a bright start and a Raheem strike, it looked as if it would be an easy day for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Just before half time though, Newcastle pulled level with what was their only shot of the whole first 45. Manchester City came out in the second half determined to get the three points, which they eventually did. Now they can go into the International break in the top four. But how did the players do?

Manchester City Host Magpies As Blues Look To Bounce Back

It wasn't the result Manchester City fans were expecting considering the roaring start. For me, although I never thought we'd drop points, I thought it would be tough. The Terriers are just that, biting at your ankles, and not giving you a second on the ball.

Yes there were a couple of debatable decisions during the game, but they really were close. With the naked eye, and without VAR, both the handball and penalty shout had to be looked at several times before I even made a decision.

Blues Top Table After SIX-sational Performance

Manchester City moved to their rightful place, atop the Premier League table, with a 6-1 victory over Huddersfield. I think the Terriers will find it much more difficult this season from last and were my pre-season tip to be relegated. 

That said, you can only beat whats put out in front of you. Focusing on Manchester City's performance only, you cannot be anything other than excited. So, having focused on player ratings last time (link found toward the bottom of the page) now its time for what was learnt.

Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne Injured

He came on for 30 minutes last weekend, just in time to see Bernardo Silva double the Blues lead. It was meant to be a slow introduction back into the pace of the Premier League for KDB, who had just returned to the side.

Having been part of the Belgium side to secure third spot in the recent World Cup, his subsequent vacation had seen him miss taking part in the Community Shield victory seven days prior. He would surely have got his first start this weekend against Huddersfield before injuring himself during training.

Silva Says 'Adios' To National Side

It has been quite a past few months for David Silva. Lifting the Premier League trophy with Manchester City came five months after his son was born extremely prematurely.

In December it was announced he was unavailable for selection and had returned to Spain for 'personal reasons' A little over a week later and it was announced that little Matteo was fighting for his life.

Is Racism The Reason For Raheem Repulsion

The first weekend of the new Premier League season is in the books. Manchester City were dominant in London for the second Sunday in a row to unsettle a lot of our rivals. Some, I don't doubt, were hoping Arsenal could dent our title defense before it began.

Of course they didn't as Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners against Unai Emrey's side. Raheem Sterling, criticized during the summer for 'poor' England performances, got on the score sheet. It is this player I wish to talk about today.