Posts

Showing posts with the label champions

Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace: Player ratings as champions throw away two-goal lead

Image
Manchester City have won just one of their last six Premier League games after a late Crystal Palace penalty from Michael Olise resulted in a 2-2 draw between the sides at the Etihad Stadium. City had dominated the Game and were cruising at 2-0 thanks to goals in either half from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis. But Palace pulled one back against the run of play through Jean-Philippe Mateta and were then awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time. Pep Guardiola’s haven’t won a home Game in the Premier League since their 4 November thrashing of Bournemouth and now head off to Saudi Arabia in the FIFA Club World Cup stewing on that uncharacteristic barren stretch. How the game unfolded As City were looking for a way to pick holes in the tightly-packed Palace defensive line, a chipped cross from Kyle Walker almost presented Julian Alvarez with an early opener. The Eagles had the reactions of goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank for tipping the header to safety. As City probed, Ruben Dias and...

Man City 3-0 Bayern Munich: Player ratings as English champions thrash Bundesliga holders

Image
Manchester City have one foot in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after hammering Bayern Munich 3-0 on Tuesday night. Pep Guardiola's men were imperious at the Etihad Stadium and put the Bundesliga champions to the sword on a memorable evening. Thomas Tuchel was left bewildered by the Bavarians' collapse and they have it all to do in order to reach the last four. The hosts controlled the game's opening stages, carving out half a sight of goal after seven minutes. Bernardo Silva managed to scamper away from Alphonso Davies and pulled the ball back for Kevin De Bruyne to cross for Ilkay Gundogan, whose header sailed over the top. Yann Sommer was nearly guilty of gifting Man City a goal when he took his time to clear the ball off the line, with Erling Haaland getting a deflection on his pass from mere yards out after charging down the Bayern goalkeeper. Gundogan looked destined to tap the ball in at the near post following a neat Man City move but was denied at t...