Predicted Lineup For Newcastle

The late game on Saturday will see Manchester City with an opportunity to put their Premier League trophy defense back on track. Last weekend was a slight disappointment for the Blues fans, although Wolves really played their part.

I had stated earlier that you could point to a couple of incidents which didn't go our way, but essentially Wolves played very well, and should be a test for other sides this season.

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.

Manchester City Molineux Player Rating

It was always going to be a tough game for the Blues. Wolverhampton Wanderers, at their own ground, had nothing to lose. But there was more to their game than that, and it would be disingenuous to say that Manchester City were poor. 

Although City were far from their free flowing best, it was down to the way Wolves played which thwarted a lot of Pep Guardiola’s plans. Yes you could point to the handball goal which was allowed to stand and the penalty which wasn’t given, but these were all decisions which were, in real-time and without VAR, not easily spotted. So how did the players rate?

Training Ground Injuries Mounting Up

It has been less than a week since we heard of Kevin DeBruyne's training ground injury. Hosting Huddersfield Town at the Etihad went off without a hitch, despite being short one of our most influential players. It was a great illustration of the depth of the squad with Pep Guardiola opting to leave Walker, Sterling, Sane and Mahrez on the bench.

The issue now becomes, with the transfer window already closed for English sides, how will we deal with the season ending injury to Claudio Bravo. The second choice goalkeeper for the Blues didn't have the best of first seasons with City. Last season though, with him out of the spotlight, he was massive in our journey towards the Carabao Cup progress and eventual trophy lift.

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.

Classy City Sweep Aside Terriers - Players Rated

Manchester City made it two for two at the weekend with a sublime performance against Huddersfield Town on Sunday. On a day which saw players from the 1987, 10-1 demolition invited back to City, Peps boys put on a celebratory display.

In a later article I will look at the different talking points from the game. For now though, lets get down to the player ratings. There were a number of fine performances, and even an appearance from young Phil Foden, something I had suggested might happen in my preview a few days ago.

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.