Manchester City
Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Manchester City vs Manchester United
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for the upcoming derby between Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League. The Cityzens have been in exceptional form over the past few months and they recently won their 21st straight game across all competitions. In league terms, they have won 15 in a row and are clear at the top of the standings with a 14-point lead over arch-rivals United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were considered as potential title challengers just four weeks ago, but that no longer appears the case. They have suffered just one league defeat this year, but their regular tendency to play stalemates has cost them in the bid to keep up with the Cityzens. Ahead of the Manchester derby, they have played three successive 0-0 draws with two of th...
10 VAR decisions that show Arsenal, Liverpool & other PL clubs are right in asking for better refereeing
The introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in 2019 was heralded as a massive step forward for the Premier League. The days where controversial decisions were made were supposed to become a thing of the past, and football would be a better place for it. However, the reality has proved to be much different, with barely a week going by without some VAR-related nonsense occurring in England’s top flight. Whether it’s diving going unpunished or penalties not being given, VAR has not cleaned up the mistakes many thought it would have upon introduction. We’ve waded our way through the list of VAR decisions in the Premier League to pick out 10 of the most contentious since it was introduced. Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool – October 2019 Liverpool were unstoppable during the 2019...
Owen’s late-late goal, that overhead kick and more: best Manchester derby highlights
The Manchester derby is widely viewed as one of the biggest football rivalries in the world. Meetings between City and United often produce memorable moments, and that has certainly been the case over the past few years. Ahead of the Premier League clash between the two sides on Sunday, we look at 10 recent defining moments of the rivalry. Benjani shows United no mercy United staged a memorial for the 50-year anniversary of the Munich air disaster ahead of their game against City in February 2008. The City fans and players showed their class by playing a respectful part in proceedings, but the gloves came off when the action got underway. Goals from Darius Vassell and Benjani secured a 2-1 victory for City – the first time they had won at Old Trafford in the league since 1974. Owen the unl...
‘Outstanding’, ‘Deserves more’: Some Man City fans react to 30-year-old’s display vs Wolves
A selection of Manchester City fans on Twitter heaped praise on Riyad Mahrez following his impressive display against Wolverhampton Wanderers last night. The Algeria international had gone into the game in a good run of form with a goal or an assist in each of his previous three Premier League appearances. He produced another top-notch showing against Nuno’s side where he was involved in three of the four goals scored by the Cityzens. The 30-year-old produced a delightful pass in the 15th minute which led to Leandro Dendocker’s own goal as he tried to intercept the ball ahead of Raheem Sterling. Prior to the interval, Mahrez delivered a cross which was headed home by Aymeric Laporte, but the goal was chalked off by VAR for offside by the finest of margins. Wolves scored against the run of ...
Manchester City in bizarre spat with Opta
Manchester City are in another battle with stats boffins Opta over Pep Guardiola’s managerial record. But Opta acknowledged Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham as the moment Pep reached his double ton. The Athletic report that City officials made the case in a meeting with Opta. The report adds that games that are decided on penalties are what’s causing the stats imbalance. Opta and City also held differing views over their incredible winning streak. The stats experts said that the win against Swansea made it an English record of 15 wins in a row in all competitions. But City think they already hold the record when they won 20 in a row during a dominant 2017-18 season. However, one of those games was won on penalties against Wolves in the Carabao Cup. Opta stats recorded that as a draw, which...
Pep Guardiola provides Manchester City injury update ahead of Wolves clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an injury update ahead of the Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow. The Cityzens recently sealed a 2-1 win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium and they have now won a stunning 20 games on the bounce in all competitions. Up next, they face the challenge from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have proved a tricky opposition for them over the past few seasons. Ahead of the game, Guardiola provided an injury update where he confirmed that there are no fresh concerns from the recent victory over the Hammers. However, he added that Nathan Ake will continue to remain on the sidelines as he continues to work his way back to fitness after a long-term hamstring injury. “Everything is fine. Except Nathan, the rest of the pl...
Manchester United rages at penalty talk as team draw another blank
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United are being negatively influenced by opposition managers referring to their penalty record after being denied a spot-kick in a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday. United was furious that referee Stuart Attwell stuck to his original call not to award a penalty for handball by Callum Hudson-Odoi despite being asked to review the incident by VAR in the first-half. The Red Devils have been awarded 22 penalties in the Premier League since the start of last season, four more than any other club, which led Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard to question why their sides failed to get the same treatment from officials. “It’s all these outside influences. That’s influencing referees,” said an unusually irate Solskjaer. “We’ve ...
Big blow for West Ham, Man City star returns, Chelsea man misses out
The 26th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some key match-ups at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action is already underway, with Manchester City going head-to-head with West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. Ruben Dias and John Stones got the City goals, with Michail Antonio replying for the visitors. West Bromwich Albion versus Brighton & Hove Albion is the 3.00 pm kick-off, with Leeds United vs Aston Villa following. Newcastle United round off proceedings today with a tough home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. There are five games on Sunday, with the clash between Chelsea and Manchester United the pick of the bunch. The Blues will be witho...
‘Calm Buddha life’: Guardiola makes interesting comment on Everton man ahead of West Ham clash
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti by saying he is like a Buddha because he is so calm. Ahead of the game against West Ham United, Guardiola has made this interesting comment. The Spaniard says that Ancelotti remains calm in both good and bad moments, and he gives that serene vibe of Gautama Buddha. 🗣”They live like a calm Budha life” 🤣 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola compared Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti to Budha in his press conference earlier as he is so calm pic.twitter.com/jNPOiDlhMU — Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 26, 2021 Ancelotti is one of the most decorated managers in world football. The Italian, who has won league titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, a...
Liverpool take risky approach at the back, Barcelona set to attack
The Champions League has reached the knockout stage and the round of 16 features some exciting UCL fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Champions League highlights as the first-leg games are played. Paris Saint-Germain produced a superb performance to demolish Barcelona 4-1 at the Nou Camp – Kylian Mbappe (3) and Moise Kean got the goals. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were on target as Liverpool triumphed 2-0 against RB Leipzig in Budapest. Erling Braut Haaland (2) and Mahmoud Dahoud bagged the goals as Borussia Dortmund triumphed 3-2 at Sevilla. Porto secured a 2-1 victory at home to Juventus – Mehdi Taremi and Moussa Marega were on the scoresheet for the Portuguese side. Olivier Giroud scored a stunning goal as Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners on the road agai...
Defender misses out for Man City, Monchengladbach forward may return
Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City meet in the Champions League knockout stage for the first time on Wednesday. Monchengladbach will not enjoy the privilege of playing at Borussia-Park. Due to the ongoing restrictions imposed on English travellers, the encounter will be staged at Puskas Arena in Budapest. Gladbach’s wobble on various fronts continued last weekend as they succumbed to a shocking 2-1 loss to relegation-threatened Mainz 05. The Foals have now failed to win four of their previous five competitive fixtures (D2, L2), including the last four. It is not the kind of statistic Marco Rose’s side will be looking to dwell on ahead of their meeting with one of the best European teams at the moment. A 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League back in November 2020 was...
Pep Guardiola provides fresh Man City injury update ahead of Monchengladbach clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh injury update ahead of the club’s Champions League clash against Borussia Monchengladbach tomorrow. The Cityzens are currently on a stunning 18-match winning streak in all competitions and are favourites to beat the Bundesliga outfit at the Puskas Arena. Ahead of the game, Guardiola confirmed that there are no fresh injury concerns and Ake is the only player out of contention as he is recovering following a hamstring problem. He told Mancity.com “Everyone except Nathan is fit. Right now I am thinking about team selection. I am not clear because I need to see how the players recover and feel. We will decide tomorrow.” Sportslens view: The Cityzens are currently on an exceptional run of 18 consecutive victories and, overall, they are...
