Four goals against Burton was Brazilian’s telling response to manager’s challenge to dislodge Sergio Agüero in City sideGabriel Jesus’s first four-goal haul for Manchester City could not have been better timed. After Pep Guardiola’s pre-game stance that the Brazilian and Sergio Agüero have to compete to be his centre-forward this was a big chance to bid for a place when Wolves visit on Monday. Related: Gabriel Jesus hits four in Manchester City’s 9-0 destruction of Burton Albion Related: Nigel Clough: ‘I hope Guardiola’s got more than a glass of wine for me’ Continue reading...
Pep Guardiola revised his philosophy as the champions’ physical display secured a vital win to end Liverpool’s unbeaten runWhen Crystal Palace visit Anfield in a couple of weeks Roy Hodgson will doubtless be reminded of his pre-Christmas remark – a slightly tactless one for a former Liverpool manager – that a four-point gap at the top of the table was nothing for Pep Guardiola to worry about.That may still be the case, with 17 rather than 20 games left, though what Guardiola would really appreciate from Hodgson is the sort of Palace display against Liverpool that took the points at the Etihad and spooked Manchester City to such an extent they went on to lose their next game against Leicester....
In the Premier League and beyond clubs have a set place in the pecking order and despite the odd Leicester-style success that is not likely to changeIn politics it is said that when America sneezes, the world catches a cold. In sport when Manchester United fire a manager – which is rather often nowadays – the chain reaction is felt throughout football. And nowhere more, at present, than at Tottenham. The way the media reacted after José Mourinho was ousted from Old Trafford, it seemed it was already a done deal that Mauricio Pochettino would be United’s new manager next season. It was almost as if it was an embarrassing inconvenience that he had to play along with being Spurs...
Striker moves with thoroughbred assurance to lift Manchester City in the face of ferocious Liverpool’s muscular approachGame on. At a frantic, slightly wild Etihad Stadium Manchester City defibrillated their own hopes of retaining the title with a 2-1 defeat of Liverpool that was by turns fearful, fretful and often funny.That they did so owed much to their fighting spirit, a little more to good fortune and even more to Sergio Agüero, the blue-grey rinse at the front of this team who played for 45 minutes like the only City player not afraid of the moment, still cold and cool in the middle of all that fury – of which there was quite a lot. Related: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool: Premier...
Jürgen Klopp’s men face Manchester City as unbeaten league leaders and no one has played more of a part in that than their Dutch midfielderIn every title-winning team there is a player whose crucial contribution is largely overlooked by the wider public. A subtle operator among the standout performers who generates few headlines and even fewer accolades. But the fans love him, as does the manager, because they know without him there would be no success, no glory, no shiny silver trophy in the middle of May.It is too early to decide who that figure is in Liverpool’s current side, mainly because it is too early to say for sure that Liverpool are going to win the title. But ahead...