Liverpool’s victory against Pep Guardiola’s somewhat passive Manchester City was based around a mobile front three that dropped back to help out in midfieldIt was somewhat surprising that Liverpool and Manchester City, two teams renowned for their attacking firepower and defensive shortcomings, produced only three shots on target combined in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory on New Year’s Eve. But that statistic should be considered evidence of Liverpool’s excellent game management – after going ahead in the eighth minute through Georginio Wijnaldum’s bullet header from Adam Lallana’s left-wing cross, they shut down the game impressively.In truth, Pep Guardiola’s side had started better and Wijnaldum’s goal was somewhat against the run of play. But thereafter, Liverpool’s first-half performance was outstanding, a brilliant demonstration...
Two of the Premier League’s highest scorers meet at Anfield on New Year’s Eve. It promises to be an explosive encounter in a tightly fought title contestOne can only imagine how many dustbins have been kicked and desks banged by Sky Sports’ department for hyperbole as they come to terms with not having the rights to show the New Year’s Eve game between Liverpool and Manchester City. After Red Monday and Mersey Monday this could have been Shit-hot Saturday. Instead BT Sport is broadcasting it and no doubt banking on a sizeable number of people tuning in before heading out to celebrate the arrival of 2017. Related: Daniel Sturridge happy with Liverpool support role as he nears full fitness Continue...
Manchester City’s playmaker dovetailed beautifully with Kevin De Bruyne to wrestle control of the Premier League match with Arsenal for a 2-1 victoryMuch has been made of the fact that this Pep‑project Manchester City is a work in progress, a mutable thing, still looking to find its rhythms and shapes. At the Etihad Stadium, for 20 minutes either side of half-time, City seemed to be evolving at an irradiated speed as first David Silva and then Kevin De Bruyne dug their fingernails into this game and wrenched it their way.Until that point Alexis Sánchez had been the outstanding figure on show. So keen right now to assert his own market value, Sánchez had whirled and sprinted at Manchester City’s defence in...
Manchester City steamrollered Arsenal in the second half to stay in touch with Chelsea while Arsène Wenger’s side showed a familiar Jekyll-and-Hyde personaBefore the game Pep Guardiola said: “Today we can make further progress by beating one of the best and most consistent sides in the league. Today’s match is our last here in 2016 and we want to say goodbye with a great performance. If we can do that we have moved back above one of the big rivals for the title.” After a torrid first half this was how the contest ended as City transformed from an aimless bunch to a menacing proposition that steamrollered Arsenal in the second period. Given that Guardiola’s men were watery despite defeating...
History shows Guardiola needs time but he has not helped himself by buying players City do not need rather than those they do and by endless subtle changes that leave the team vulnerable before facing Arsenal“I know we are not going to win at some point … I know what’s going to happen to me when we don’t.” Manchester City were unbeaten and still freewheeling through the light traffic of early season when Pep Guardiola was asked in September about his chances of winning the quadruple. His reply was most memorable for its exasperated, commendably fluent grasp of English swearing. More significant was his realism about the traps already laid, the sense of semi-crisis, real or imagined, that has always...