Man City 1 City 0 - Post Match

Here are your post-match links for Man City, including MOTM vote, highlights, reaction, vlogs, and The LAST Word.

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The LAST Word

I don't think I've ever been happier with a defeat. City went to the Etihad with most people assuming we were going to get hammered. City were 14-1 to win with 1.6 million people triple-captaining Haaland in the FPL. There was a lot of negativity around City after Hull, but this should dispel that. City went away to one of the top clubs in the world whose starting 11 and 9 subs have an estimated value of nearly £1 billion and, on another day, would have got a point or even 3.

SFL went with the widely predicted 3 at the back, and as we predicted with the new LAST Line Up Builder when the team came out, were 5-4-1 without the ball, then EMC, Rudoni, Dasilva, and MVE pressing forward with it. So mainly 5-4-1!

City could easily have been 2-0 up early on. The first chance was nearly an own goal; Donnarumma made a meal of a simple back pass, and half the ball crossed the line before he managed to scoop it out. City were hassling, keeping a low, well-organised block, and that caused the second chance. Semenyo passed across the pitch with no other options, and Awoniyi read it, charged forward with pace, and went one-on-one before dragging the ball wide. He had to score or at least hit the target—what a start that would have been.

Man City then got more into the game. Haaland was played through the middle, held off Thomas, and got his shot away, which was smartly saved by Rushy. Another break and cross saw Cherki jink inside and hit the post. A minute later, City had another great chance from a long throw by MVE. Thomas flicked it on, and it fell to Rudi's head, but Donnarumma was out quick, made himself big and palmed the ball around the post. City would pay for their misses as 2 minutes later Man City were in front. Semenyo made a great run in behind Dasilva, crossing the ball from the line over Rushworth. Meanwhile, Haaland had dodged in behind Amenda and beat him to the ball to head home. It was a great goal. To City's credit, they stuck to the game plan and carried on working. City had to get to the break at 1-0, and they did, thanks to another smart save by Rushy from Haaland; this game should give him some confidence back.

Man City had 83% of the ball and an xG of 0.99, while amazingly City weren't far behind with an xG of 0.59 from just 17% possession.

So, unlike the Arsenal game, they were still well in the match at half-time. The question was whether they could stay in it deep into the second half and not concede an early second like at the Emirates. They did that and more, growing in confidence. The back 3 dealt with balls in the box and through balls, and a Haaland tap-in was disallowed for offside. I thought SFL was spot on with his subs today, and his first 2 came on the hour, with Tuna and Yirenkiyi replacing Rudi and Onyeka—fresh legs were what was needed, and that's what they gave. Tuna was bright, quick, and positive, and Yirenkiyi was everything. City got a free kick on 68 minutes to massive ironic cheers from the superb travelling SBA; that would be the first of several free kicks they won. On 70 minutes, Tuna was set free down the right after good work from Yirenkiyi and Awoniyi. Grimes then had a shot that zipped wide before SFL made 2 more subs, Simms and BTA, for Awoniyi and EMC. There was more good work from Thomas with 10 minutes to go as he cleared off the line from Foden's effort. City's big chance came shortly after; Yirenkiyi was put in down the right, and the ball fell to Simms at the back post, but his shot hit the on-rushing keeper in the face and Man City survived again. Dasilva was replaced by Hamer with 5 minutes to go as City went to a back 4 in search of the deserved equaliser. City had a couple of corners late on but just could not gain their first point.

This was massive for City on the back of the first 2 performances. If they had been hammered by 4 or 5, it would have drained whatever confidence they had left. As it happens, they were outstanding and to a man worked tirelessly for the whole game. Rushworth made some crucial saves, the back 3 were solid and read the game—particularly Thomas, whilst Pinnock looks like he will be essential. Grimes and Onyeka kept things organised in the middle whilst EMC was a bundle of energy. Awoniyi was also excellent up front on his own—big, strong, quick, and held the ball up well. Tuna and Yirenkiyi also upped City's tempo when they came on.

All in all, a good defeat, if there is such a thing and we couldn't ask for much more than that. Donnarumma was MOTM so we must have done something right. 3 at the back is the way forward.

#PUSB #LAST #SOTV

Highlights:

CCFC

Reaction:

Official Reaction from SFL and Amenda

BBC

Reports:

BBC

CCFC

Stats:

Opta

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