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?

Manchester City Tame Tough Toon

After four games of our record breaking season last season, Manchester City had ten points scored ten goals and conceded two. It was said, as Kompany raised the Premier League trophy, that it was something Manchester City would struggle to repeat.

Four games in this season though and we have those same ten points. Undefeated as we were last season, Manchester City have scored eleven and conceded three. That means, heading into the International break, 2018/19 Manchester City would be above 2017/18 Manchester City, if only on goals scored.

Yet it seems, with a draw against Wolves last weekend and struggling against Newcastle this, there is starting to be some unrest among City fans. Criticism I think is unfair and certainly, from a fan who witnessed the third tier of English football, a little weird to hear.

I think it is part of a new set of fans, brought up not knowing life in the bottom half of the League, never mind another division! It is something I think we are going to have to accept but for me, even yesterday’s game, as frustrating as it was at times, had many positives.

City v Huddersfield: Predicted Starting XI

The Blues open up their title defense with the first game at the Etihad. A fantastic start to the title defense down in London last weekend, Pep will look to Sunday's game as a chance to collect points dropped last season.

When these two sides met last season, Manchester City were already Champions. The goalless draw was forgotten soon after the final whistle as Vincent Kompany would, once again, lift the Premier League trophy.

Opening Day: City's Sterling Performance

The defending Champions, Manchester City, came through a tricky game. Opening day fixtures are somewhat unpredictable. Add a new regime at the Emirates to the fact many players have only just returned from the World Cup, any anything can happen.

In the end, Manchester City ran out comfortable winners, with a sublime performance. That said, there were still parts of the game which had Pep visibly frustrated.

Manchester City Shoot Down Gunners: Players Rated

I must admit, I was a little nervous heading into this opening game. With a new manager at the helm of the Gunners you never really know what you'll actually get. Add to that the lack of preparation for Manchester City and many of their 'first' team players and a trip to the Emirates was not ideal.

Turns out though, there was nothing to worry about. Arsenal are a side in transition though, and it showed during parts in the game. Some City players shone in the Nations capital while others displayed a little bit of rust coming in for their first competitive game. So how did the City players rate?

Premier League Predictions

It's a little later than I would have liked but I always try to work out the final Premier League standings. Manchester City have been made favorites to retain the title, but will their focus switch to the Champions League?

Wolves, Fulham and Cardiff all come up to the Premier League but how will they cope with the step up in competition? All three promoted sides stayed in the division last time out, but will that happen again?

City Lift Community Shield: Sarri Not Sarri

Manchester City welcomed back some more World Cup stars for the English traditional curtain raiser at Wembley. In a previous article I had written that it would be no big deal, in the grand scheme of things, if City were to lose this game. Certainly it would not be something we would, as fans, reflect on negatively if we would go on to win the League again, or Champions League.

Manchester City Pre Season: Boys Beat Bayern

Manchester City lined up for their final of the three International Champions Cup against Bayern at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Pep went with his usual starting eleven which includes numerous youngsters, along with new signing Riyad Mahrez.

Using the competition to give minutes for the younger players, Pep has been impressed with the hunger and desire shown by his young charges. Early on in the game they showed exactly what they could do, with good quick interplay in the opposition half.

Why Jorginho To Chelsea Could Be Good For City

It was a deal which, according to reports, was agreed in principle many weeks ago. At the end of the latest Premier League season, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola stated he wanted business done quickly. Before the start of the World Cup was the inference from the newly crowned Premier League winning manager.

However, with the World Cup officially ending on Sunday, Manchester City have only secured one of their targets. A fantastic purchase of Riyad Mahrez from rivals Leicester City in what has been reported to be £60 million. That, for those of you keeping track is £35 million less than the price quoted six months ago.