Manchester City must eradicate their soft centre. They work hard to score patient, deftly-constructed goals, 60 of them in the Premier League, but their opponents rarely need to show the same creativity for the same outcome. Simple balls over the top and pace in forward areas has often been enough to unhinge City’s poor defence:… Read more →
Alexis Sanchez is Arsenal’s only player who has performed to the standard of a team with supposed title-ambitions. It seems increasingly clear that the Chilean wishes to leave the North London club, given their current predicament. At 28-years-old, this may be the last couple of years during which he has the same pace and tenacity… Read more →
When Kevin De Bruyne first turned up in England, he was a very different player to the one he is now. Whilst having great creativity and dribbling ability, he was criticized for a lack of tactical intelligence and defensive qualities. Those things would take time to develop, time that then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho did… Read more →
In a game packed with chances and goal-mouth action, it is hard to believe that it finished with only two goals. They came when James Milner converted a second half penalty and Sergio Aguero responded late on – but how did players on both teams rate? Manchester City Willy Caballero – a strong second half performance. No coincidence… Read more →
In a game packed with chances and goal-mouth action, it is hard to believe that it finished with only two goals. They came when James Milner converted a second half penalty and Sergio Aguero responded late on – but what have we learnt from the game? City’s early pressing Manchester City have often been criticized of… Read more →
A stubborn defensive display saw Stoke City hold Manchester City to a goalless draw, despite a late rally from the hosts. But how do players on both teams rate? Manchester City Willy Caballero – one sharp save from Diouf early on and a simpler one from Martins Indi, otherwise untested. 5 Bacary Sagna – struggled… Read more →
A stubborn defensive display saw Stoke City hold Manchester City to a goalless draw, despite a late rally from the hosts. But what have we learnt from the game? City’s cautious full-backs Gael Clichy was shy to get forward in the first half, which made it hard for City to isolate Phil Bardsley against Leroy… Read more →
After an early scare in their FA Cup fifth round tie with Huddersfield, Manchester City hit back with five fine goals helped by a sublime performance from Sergio Aguero – but what have we learnt from the game? Huddersfield exploited Bravo’s frailties It was an open start with both sides threatening, Leroy Sane’s tight-angled shot striking the… Read more →
In Pep Guardiola’s first nine months in charge of Manchester City, he has tried to find a perfect possession system. At times, his side have looked a couple of tweaks away from getting there. They have created numerous openings and been exciting to watch at times, but a combination of wasteful finishing and vulnerability to… Read more →
Here are The Football Lab’s predictions for the weekend’s FA Cup clashes. Lincoln hope to bridge a gap of three divisions when they travel to Turf Moor while Huddersfield must bridge a gap of wealth against Man City, without the key man their forthcoming opponents had leant them. Burnley v Lincoln Lincoln City have already… Read more →