Manuel Akanji received praise from Michael Brown for his outstanding performance in Manchester City’s Tuesday night victory over Brentford, a match where City closed the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just one point. Erling Haaland secured the only goal at the Etihad Stadium, marking his 17th Premier League goal of the season and achieving a unique feat by scoring against every Premier League opponent he has faced.
Speaking on City’s Matchday Live show on YouTube after the game, former City midfielder Michael Brown lauded Akanji’s contribution. Brown, who spoke with City presenter FG live from the Etihad Stadium, expressed satisfaction with City’s performance, highlighting their patience against a resolute Brentford side that defended with their entire team behind the ball for most of the game.
Despite Haaland’s decisive goal, Brown emphasized Akanji’s standout performance, naming him the man of the match. Akanji, usually playing in the middle or occasionally on the right, was a surprising starter at left-back. Brown acknowledged the difficulty of playing in that position, particularly stepping forward, and commended Akanji’s deserving recognition as the man of the match.
Akanji’s versatility shone through as he adapted seamlessly to the left-back role, showcasing comfort and excellence in his use of the ball. Beyond defensive contributions, he provided an attacking threat, with a notable long-range shot in the first half that tested the opposing goalkeeper, Mark Flekken. Brown noted Akanji’s ability to break the lines and contribute teasing balls into the box.
Despite City having solid left-back options in Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake, Akanji’s impressive performance demonstrated his ability to seamlessly slot into the left side, providing Pep Guardiola with valuable flexibility and depth in defensive positions.
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Tim Sherwood shares who he reckons will win the PL title – Arsenal or Man City
Tim Sherwood has weighed in on the Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City. Currently, City trail Arsenal by just one point, but they have a game in hand. Following their recent 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, City now have only four matches left in the season. As the race heats up, Sherwood, a pundit well-versed in Premier League triumphs, has offered his insights on this crucial battle at the summit.
Sherwood drops title verdict
In a recent video posted on the Premier League website, Sherwood shared his thoughts on how he believes the rest of the title race will unfold.
He stated, “I anticipate Arsenal winning their last three matches, but I doubt it will suffice. My prediction is that Man City will clinch victories in their final four games.”
Sherwood added, “While Tottenham historically poses a challenge for Man City, judging from their performance today [in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal], if they afford City the same opportunities, they’ll be vulnerable to exploitation.”
Manchester City boasts a record of 24 wins, seven draws, and three losses in their 34 league matches, scoring 82 goals and conceding 32.
In contrast, Arsenal has secured victory in 25 out of 35 games, with five draws and five losses, tallying 85 goals scored and 28 conceded.
City need to be perfect to win the title
As Sherwood highlighted, one of City’s upcoming challenges involves a trip to north London to face Tottenham Hotspur among their remaining four fixtures.
Thankfully for City, they dispelled their previous struggles at this venue by securing a 1-0 victory against Ange Postecoglou’s side in the FA Cup earlier this season.
Moreover, City possesses the experience of closing out Premier League campaigns with a string of victories, a crucial factor, as Sherwood pointed out, if they aim to claim another trophy.
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Manchester City met with one agent of Kylian Mbappe
There have been bold assertions that one of Kylian Mbappe’s agents held a meeting with Manchester City officials a day before the French superstar reportedly informed Paris Saint-Germain of his intention to leave on a free transfer this summer. While speculation surrounds Mbappe’s next destination, with Real Madrid frequently mentioned, an unexpected claim by Cadena SER suggests that an agent of Mbappe was seen in Manchester meeting with City officials in an informal capacity.
This meeting allegedly occurred on Monday, just before Mbappe’s announcement to PSG. The representative, one of three for Mbappe, reportedly engaged with various City officials, even catching the attention of some City players. Interestingly, another representative, a childhood friend of Mbappe, attended Real Madrid’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig in the VIP area.
Despite the intriguing speculation, the likelihood of Manchester City signing Kylian Mbappe appears slim. City, equipped with Erling Haaland, may not have a pressing need for Mbappe. While the Frenchman could be available on a free transfer, the presence of Haaland, a formidable talent in his own right and a potential rival for the Ballon d’Or, raises doubts about Mbappe’s inclination to join City. Previous claims that City’s owners desired Mbappe to play alongside Haaland seem implausible.
Given Mbappe’s outstanding reputation and the long-standing speculation linking him with Real Madrid, it remains a logical choice for the French forward. Real Madrid, despite performing well without him, may still seek a replacement for Karim Benzema. The possibility of City pursuing Mbappe only arises if Haaland were to be sold, a scenario that currently appears unlikely.
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Gary Lineker can’t believe what he’s heard from Jude Bellingham after Man City game
Lineker’s Surprise at Bellingham’s Comments
Introduction: Former footballer and pundit Gary Lineker expresses disbelief at comments made by Jude Bellingham following the recent Champions League clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
The Match Recap:
- Manchester City and Real Madrid drew 1-1 in the second-leg quarter-final tie.
- City lost on penalties after extra time, allowing Real Madrid to advance to the semifinals.
Bellingham’s Remarks Critiqued:
- Lineker highlights Bellingham’s praise for Real Madrid’s tactical freedom under Ancelotti.
- Lineker questions the notion of “freedom” given Real Madrid’s defensive approach resembling that of a less attacking team like Luton.
- Lineker suggests that while Real Madrid defended well, they were fortunate not to lose the game.
Real Lack of Freedom Against City:
- Despite Bellingham’s comments, statistical analysis reveals City’s dominance.
- City had 67% possession, 92% passing accuracy, and 33 shots compared to Real’s 33% possession, 82% passing accuracy, and eight shots.
- The stark contrast in performance suggests Bellingham and Real Madrid had limited freedom on the field, with City dictating play throughout.
Conclusion:
- Lineker’s surprise at Bellingham’s comments stems from the stark reality of City’s dominance over Real Madrid during the match, contradicting Bellingham’s assertion of tactical freedom.
