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Showing posts with the label MCFC

Manchester City looking to boost Champions League hopes

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Manchester City v West Ham United preview Manchester City kick off their 2025 Premier League campaign with a home fixture against a struggling West Ham United side. Author - Macca The reigning champions have endured a tough spell, winning just one of their previous 13 games across all competitions before last weekend’s trip to the King Power Stadium. However, they managed a much-needed, albeit scrappy, win in the East Midlands, with Savinho playing a starring role.  On paper, a visit from West Ham might seem like a straightforward task for Pep Guardiola’s side, but City’s recent form at the Etihad has been anything but convincing. They’ve managed just one win in their last five home matches and were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Everton in their most recent outing on home soil. As for West Ham, their form had been on the up before a humbling 5-0 defeat to league leaders Liverpool halted their progress. Head coach Julen Lopetegui had been under less pressure in recent weeks,...

Crisis continues at Manchester City

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Manchester City 1 - 1 Everton Erling Haaland saw his second-half penalty saved by Jordan Pickford as Manchester City’s struggles continued with a lacklustre Premier League draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Author - Macca Pep Guardiola’s side, once an unstoppable force, now find themselves in uncharted waters, having won just once in their last 13 matches across all competitions. The result leaves the reigning champions in sixth place, five points behind Arsenal in fourth and a daunting 14 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. City came close to a dream start in the third minute when Josko Gvardiol’s towering header struck the post. Their early dominance eventually paid off in the 14th minute, as Bernardo Silva capitalised on Jeremy Doku’s pass, squeezing a deflected shot past Jarrad Branthwaite into the far corner. Phil Foden nearly doubled the lead, setting up Silva in the box, but the Portuguese midfielder’s first-time effort went wide. Everton, however, made their...

Manchester City lose again

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Aston Villa 2 - 1 Manchester City Manchester City's crisis intensified as they slipped to another damaging defeat at Aston Villa. Author - Macca Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers goals meant Phil Foden's late reply for the visitors was little consolation. Defending champions City have dropped to sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Liverpool having played two games more, while Villa have moved above them into fifth. It is now nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions for City, who are winless in their last eight away matches, as their season continues to spiral downwards. Pep Guardiola made six changes from the Manchester derby defeat last week but it made little difference during another laboured performance. The latest Manchester City news and stories What's going wrong for the Premier League champions?  Villa, who had won just three of their previous 11 top-flight games, earned a much-needed victory, one which keeps their top-four hopes firmly alive....

Manchester is red this Christmas

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Manchester City 1 - 2 Manchester United Manchester United delivered a sensational late comeback to snatch victory from Manchester City in a dramatic derby at the Etihad Stadium. Author - Olivia T City had looked set for the win after Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, but United turned the game on its head in the dying moments, securing a crucial early triumph for new manager Ruben Amorim. The standout performer was Amad Diallo, who won an 88th-minute penalty after being brought down by Matheus Nunes. Bruno Fernandes coolly converted to level the score. Moments later, Diallo capitalised again, slotting home from a tight angle to complete the turnaround. It was a game of few clear chances, with both sides struggling to create much of note. United appeared to have squandered their best opportunity to equalise when Fernandes, put through by Rasmus Højlund, chipped Ederson but missed the target with 17 minutes remaining. However, the match erupted in the final moments, leaving City’s ...

Manchester City consider shock move for Paul Pogba

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Could Paul Pogba be returning to Manchester? Reports suggest Manchester City are exploring the possibility of signing Paul Pogba as the midfielder prepares to return to professional football in March.  Author - Macca It is believed that Pogba is hesitant about a move back to Manchester due to his previous experiences with City’s fierce rivals, Manchester United. Pogba’s career has been on hold following a doping ban that initially sidelined him for four years. That suspension was recently reduced to 18 months, making him eligible to return to action in March 2025. The 31-year-old parted ways with Juventus in November, leaving him as a free agent. City are reportedly considering Pogba as they navigate one of the most challenging campaigns of Pep Guardiola’s tenure. A combination of injuries and recruitment struggles has left their squad stretched thin, particularly in midfield.  What's going wrong for Manchester City? Tottenham thrash Premier League champions Rodri’s absenc...

Manchester City's current malaise continues with Champions League defeat

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Juventus 2 - 0 Manchester City Manchester City’s struggles continued as they suffered a potentially damaging defeat to Juventus, leaving their Champions League knockout stage hopes hanging by a thread. Author - Macca Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie sealed a crucial win for the Italian side, bolstering their chances of progressing automatically as one of the top eight teams in the league phase. For City, however, it marked yet another setback in a torrid run of form, with just one win from their last 10 games in all competitions and a seventh defeat during this miserable spell. The result leaves City languishing in 22nd place in the Champions League standings, with only two group games remaining. They face Paris Saint-Germain away on 22 January and host Club Brugge a week later. The top eight teams secure automatic progression, while those finishing between ninth and 24th must navigate a two-legged play-off. City remain just one point above PSG in 25th...

City drop more Premier League points

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Crystal Palace 2 - 2 Manchester City Manchester City battled back twice to secure a draw against Crystal Palace but their inconsistent form shows no signs of improving. Author - Macca Manchester City drop more points More reaction here - eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/search/label... Watch highlights here courtesy of Sky Sports - www.youtube.com/watch?v=tysO... [image or embed] — European Super Football ( @superfootball.bsky.social ) 7 December 2024 at 17:26 City’s midweek victory over Nottingham Forest had sparked hopes of a resurgence, but Palace might feel hard done by not to have claimed all three points at Selhurst Park. The home side made a dream start, with Will Hughes finding wing-back Daniel Muñoz in acres of space to fire in the opener after just four minutes. Palace could have doubled their lead before Erling Haaland rose brilliantly to head in Matheus Nunes' cross and bring City level. Palace regained the advantage when Maxence Lacroix met Hughes’ corner with ...

What's going wrong for Manchester City?

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Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester City Liverpool increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points and added to the woes of fading champions Manchester City with a thoroughly deserved victory at Anfield. Author - Macca City fell behind on 12 minutes to a Cody Gapko goal and withstood further pressure from the home side, but dug in and went into break trailing only 1-0. The blues were much more cohesive in the second-half. However, their failure to create any clearcut opportunities was eventually punished by a Mo Salah penalty on 78 minutes. Pep Guardiola made a cheeky gesture towards Liverpool fans, raising six fingers to signify his Premier League title haul, as they gleefully belted out "sacked in the morning" near the end of the match. Premier League: 2024/2025 season The idea of Guardiola facing the sack is, of course, absurd. In a show of mutual respect, he applauded the Liverpool supporters at full-time, and they responded in kind. However, this was an...

Feyenoord silence Etihad with late comeback

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Manchester City 3 - 3 Feyenoord Manchester City squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League, extending their dismal run of form at a shell-shocked Etihad Stadium. Author - Macca A remarkable evening in Manchester https://t.co/SoSZpMS13p https://t.co/g5nOKIUHZj — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) November 28, 2024 The above tweet probably sums it up quite well.  A closer look at what happened Pep Guardiola’s team appeared to be in full control after Erling Haaland netted twice and Ilkay Gundogan added a third, giving the hosts a commanding lead. However, Feyenoord mounted a remarkable comeback, delighting their 5,000 travelling supporters. Anis Hadj Moussa capitalised on a Josko Gvardiol error to spark the revival, before substitute Santiago Gimenez scored in the 82nd minute. David Hancko completed the dramatic turnaround in the 89th minute, leaving Guardiola visibly frustrated and some City fans voicing their displeasure at full-time. City,...

Tottenham thrash City

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Manchester City 0 - 4 Tottenham Hotspur A remarkable evening in Manchester. Who saw this result coming? James Maddison netted a brace as Tottenham swept past Manchester City, handing them a fifth consecutive defeat – a streak they hadn’t endured since 2006. Author - Macca Pedro Porro smashed in a third, and Brennan Johnson sealed the victory with a last-minute fourth on a remarkable night that saw City’s 52-match unbeaten run at the Etihad come to an end. That streak had stretched back to just before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This was City’s heaviest home defeat since their 5-1 drubbing by Arsenal in 2003. It also marked the first time Pep Guardiola’s side had suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats under his leadership, just 48 hours after he signed a new two-year contract extension. For Spurs, it was a stunning turnaround. Despite being without both first-choice centre-backs, fielding five teenagers on the bench, and coming off a 2-1 home loss to Ipswich two weeks ag...

A big weekend of fantasy football awaits

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Are you looking to make some changes in fantasy football this weekend? This article will explore the players you may want to bring in. Author - Mark Lee Jurrien Timber - Arsenal The Dutchman is poised to secure a run of starts in Arsenal’s back four due to an injury to fellow defender Ben White.  Timber's potential for assists is underscored by his impressive statistics. Despite starting only eight of the first 11 matches of the season, he has recorded 10 key passes, placing him fourth among Arsenal players. The 23-year-old also took six shots, which is second only to Gabriel among his side's defenders. After facing a difficult set of opponents, Mikel Arteta's team is now entering a more favorable schedule, making their defenders worth considering for your picks. Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa The Aston Villa forward has been struggling with his performance, scoring just one goal in his last five matches. However, with three favourable home games in the next few weeks, W...

Rumours suggest Spurs want Grealish

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Jack Grealish moving to North London? Tottenham are eyeing a sensational move for Jack Grealish amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester City. Author - Macca Could Jack Grealish be moving to Spurs? https://t.co/8dEkMVPVu0 https://t.co/dqUjAtT0y4 — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) November 13, 2024 Ange Postecoglou is eager to strengthen his attacking options and feels the 29-year-old could bring a fresh dynamic to his squad. Spurs are seeking to add both quality and experience up front, and Grealish’s ball-carrying prowess is seen as a valuable asset. There’s a sense within the club that they need a player who can help control the tempo, with Grealish’s ability to draw fouls and move play forward seen as crucial. However, a January move seems unlikely, as City are reluctant to part with squad players while managing an ongoing injury crisis. Despite this, Tottenham are setting ambitious goals for the transfer market and are keen to pursue Grealish if a deal becomes...

Manchester City lose again

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Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 1 Manchester City Pep Guardiola endured a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in his Manchester City tenure, as Brighton staged a comeback to overcome the Premier League champions. It marks City’s first run of four successive losses since 2006. Author - Macca City looked set to break their losing streak when Erling Haaland found the net in the 23rd minute at the Amex Stadium, finishing on his second attempt from Mateo Kovacic's pass in a promising start. Brighton, however, kept their composure and gained control after the interval. Poor finishing prevented them from equalising earlier, but substitute Joao Pedro eventually struck amidst a goalmouth scramble 12 minutes from time. City, showing signs of vulnerability, were soon under immense pressure. Brighton claimed a deserved lead when Matt O'Riley , recently returned from injury since joining from Celtic, sliced through City’s exposed defence and slotted past Ederson just five minut...

Amorim saves greatest Sporting victory until near the end

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Sporting 4 - 1 Manchester City New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim marked his final home game with Sporting by delivering one of his greatest triumphs, inflicting a third straight defeat on Manchester City. Author - Macca This was City’s heaviest loss since September 2020 and only the second time Pep Guardiola has suffered three consecutive defeats in a single season during his trophy-filled tenure. To add to City’s misery, star forward Erling Haaland smashed a second-half penalty against the crossbar. Sporting’s own Scandinavian star, Viktor Gyökeres, played a leading role with a fantastic hat-trick. He levelled Phil Foden’s early opener in the 38th minute, then held his nerve to score twice more from the spot in the second half. The first penalty followed a disastrous start to the second half for City, as Sporting took the lead just seconds after the restart when Maximiliano Araújo latched onto a through ball and struck a precise shot into the corner. Find more Champions...

Premier League: Bournemouth end City’s unbeaten run

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Bournemouth 2 - 1 Manchester City Semenyo and Evanilson score a goal in each half to topple the leaders and claim an historic Premier League win. Author - Macca Semenyo opened the scoring for Bournemouth within the first 10 minutes, skilfully turning and firing in from the centre of the box to the far post. Evanilson then extended their lead shortly after half-time. Josko Gvardiol pulled one back for City with a stunning header at the back post in the 82nd minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. Erling Haaland was twice thwarted, first by a brilliant save from Bournemouth’s keeper Mark Travers and then by the post with his rebound, but Bournemouth held their ground to secure a historic victory. City now slip to second, missing the chance to capitalise on Arsenal's earlier stumble, while Bournemouth climb to eighth. A closer look at what happened The Cherries, buoyed by recent form after taking four points from their last two games against Aston Villa and Arsenal, sta...

Premier League: Southampton remain winless

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Manchester City 1 - 0 Southampton Manchester City reclaimed their spot at the top of the Premier League table after an early goal from Erling Haaland secured a narrow victory over struggling Southampton. Author - Sean M Haaland muscled past Jan Bednarek to connect with Matheus Nunes' cross just five minutes in, slipping the ball past Saints’ goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for his 11th league goal of the season. At that moment, it seemed as though the visitors were in for a tough afternoon. However, a combination of resilient defending from Southampton and some wasteful finishing by City—Haaland being a notable offender—left the home fans feeling a bit uneasy until the final whistle. This win extended City’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to 32 matches. They are now only six weeks away from going a full year without a league defeat, their last loss coming against Aston Villa on 6 December. While Southampton deserve credit for their determined display , the result did little to ea...

Premier League: Stones scores controversial winner

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Wolves 1 - 2 Manchester City The Premier League champions secured their sixth win in eight games this season with a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Author - Sean M The match ended in controversy when John Stones scored a dramatic header in the 95th minute from Phil Foden’s corner. Initially, the goal was disallowed for offside, but after a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh reversed the decision, allowing the goal to stand, much to Wolves' frustration. Earlier in the match, Josko Gvardiol equalised for the hosts after Jorgen Strand Larsen had given Wolves the lead. Unfortunately for Wolves, they remain winless this season and currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table. What happened then? In the final seconds of stoppage time, Foden delivered a corner kick that Stones headed powerfully into the net.  However, as the Manchester City players celebrated, the linesman raised his flag to signal an offside, noting that Bernardo Silva was standing in fro...

Premier League: City eventually see off Fulham

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Manchester City 3 - 2 Fulham Mateo Kovacic netted twice as Manchester City battled past a resilient Fulham to secure their first Premier League victory in three matches. City started strongly, but Raul Jimenez’s brilliant backheel set up Andreas Pereira for a close-range finish, putting Fulham ahead against the run of play. Adama Traore had two golden opportunities on either side of Pereira's goal, but he was denied by Ederson in a one-on-one and later blazed a shot over the bar from inside the box. Kovacic made sure to capitalise on Fulham's missed chances. His first came from a half-cleared corner, a shot that took a deflection on its way in. His second, early in the second half, was a much cleaner strike from the edge of the box. Click here for more news and stories from Manchester City Premier League: 2024/2025 season (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) There was nearly a dramatic twist when Traore outpaced Kyle Walker, only to be thwarted again by Ederson. City, however, ...

Premier League: City and Arsenal produce a chaotic classic

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Manchester City 2 - 2 Arsenal John Stones snatched a dramatic late equaliser in the dying seconds, amid chaos and controversy, denying Arsenal a memorable victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. A closer look at what happened in Manchester Arsenal had produced a superb defensive display after Leandro Trossard was sent off in the first half and were just moments away from what would have been a defining moment in Mikel Arteta's tenure. However, substitute Stones found the net after a well-executed short corner during the seventh minute of added time. Arsenal will feel both pride and heartache. They had initially fallen behind to Erling Haaland’s 100th goal for City but turned the game on its head, taking the lead before the break. In a series of crucial moments, City lost key player Rodri to a knee injury after 21 minutes, adding to Pep Guardiola’s frustrations as Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori fired a high, angled shot past Ederson just seconds later. Premier League: ...

UCL: Inter hold City

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Manchester City 0 - 0 Inter Milan Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by a determined Inter side, as the Premier League champions experienced a frustrating start to their Champions League campaign. Despite City controlling possession, Inter posed a real threat on the counter-attack, managing 10 shots in the first half – the most City have faced under Pep Guardiola in a home Champions League match, and more than they’ve conceded in any Premier League game. City's chances were limited, with Phil Foden’s effort on his return the closest they came, while Ilkay Gundogan missed two promising headers. It was far from a vintage performance from Guardiola’s men. On the other hand, Inter’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, will likely be frustrated by his team’s inability to capitalise on their counter-attacking opportunities. Champions League: 2024/2025 (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) A closer look at what happened in Manchester and the wider context of the result The extended format...