Michail Antonio has praised Manchester City’s John Stones for his crucial finish that kickstarted his team’s scoring against Liverpool.
Stones, the English defender, sealed off a cleverly executed set-piece by City, courtesy of a precise delivery from Kevin De Bruyne into the Reds’ penalty area, catching them off guard. With Nathan Ake drawing Alexis Mac Allister towards him, Stones found himself unmarked, positioned perfectly to slot the ball into the net effortlessly.
Antonio emphasizes that the brilliance of Stones’ finish might be overlooked by many, especially considering his defensive role. Despite the goal coming from close range, executing such a finish is far from simple for a defender, highlighting Stones’ skill and composure in front of goal.
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Danny Murphy names ‘the only’ hope Arsenal and Liverpool have of beating Man City to the title
Manchester City is pursuing their fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, but pundit Danny Murphy suggests that Arsenal or Liverpool could thwart their dominance. The 2023/24 title race is intensifying, with City’s recent win over Brentford narrowing the gap to just two points among the top three teams.
Erling Haaland secured the lone goal in the game at the Etihad Stadium, marking a more satisfying evening for him compared to the previous match against Chelsea. The title race may go down to the wire this season, with City, Arsenal, and Liverpool emerging as strong contenders.
Despite being the bookies’ favorites, City has shown defensive vulnerabilities this season. Players like Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, and Ederson have not performed as well as last season, and new signing Josko Gvardiol is adapting to English football in his debut season. City has conceded 26 goals in the league, two more than Liverpool and four more than Arsenal.
Danny Murphy points out that City’s defensive frailties provide hope for Arsenal and Liverpool. According to Murphy, a notable change in City’s system has made them more vulnerable this season. Last season, they often deployed a full-back in midfield to create an extra midfielder. However, this season, the tweak involves a central defender, either Akanji or Stones, moving into midfield from a central position, making them more susceptible.
Former City manager Stuart Pearce also suggests that the high defensive line could be exploited by other teams. City’s defensive struggles this season are evident, and adjustments are needed to regain the solidity they displayed in the second half of the previous season.
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‘Always’… Pundit says Man City have a player who can just singlehandedly win them games out of nothing
Paul Dickov has asserted that Erling Haaland possesses the capability to singlehandedly secure victories for Manchester City, evident in his decisive contribution against Brentford where he broke the deadlock. Despite City not being at their dominant best, Haaland’s goal proved instrumental in securing the crucial three points.
Dickov praised Haaland’s ability to impact games even when the team is not performing at its peak, emphasizing the confidence it instills in City to have a striker of Haaland’s caliber. The sentiment echoes Vitaliy Mykolenko’s belief that Haaland is currently the best player in the Premier League.
While critics may attribute Haaland’s success to moments of fortune, Dickov emphasized that match-winners possess a unique ability to find ways to secure victories, as seen in Haaland’s performance against Brentford. The striker’s consistent ability to rescue teams he has played for throughout his career is highlighted, with examples including his acrobatic finish against Borussia Dortmund and an incredible overhead kick in a 4-0 win against Southampton.
Haaland’s knack for scoring crucial goals, including last-gasp winners, sets him apart as a player capable of influencing the outcome of games. Dickov drew parallels between Haaland and football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well as current world-class performers like Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappe. Contrary to attributing Haaland’s success to luck, Dickov views his impact as a defining quality associated with football’s elite players.
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Stuart Pearce admits he’s spotted one worrying weakness where Man City can ‘get done’
Stuart Pearce has identified a potential vulnerability in Manchester City’s gameplay despite their recent win against Brentford. While City secured a narrow victory after a disappointing draw with Chelsea, Pearce observed a pattern in recent performances.
In an interview with TalkSport, Pearce expressed his concern, stating, “They are too composed on the ball, not giving it away easily. They lure you into chasing, and then they turn and move beyond you. It resembles a basketball defense, defending the goal area while allowing width. However, in both the Chelsea game and yesterday’s match, City has shown susceptibility to being exploited behind.”
Pearce elaborated, “They play with a relatively high line during turnovers, and Brentford missed a couple of chances in the first half. Teams with pace and the ability to break City’s press quickly can expose this vulnerability.”
While City’s recent win elevated them to second place, just one point behind Liverpool, Pearce highlighted instances where opponents have exploited their high defensive line. He pointed out the challenges City faced against Wolves earlier in the season and how Chelsea scored by capitalizing on defensive lapses.
Although City’s pressing game is formidable, Pearce emphasized that teams capable of repeatedly breaking through and exploiting their defensive line with speed have found success. Despite occasional vulnerabilities, City’s overall dominance and pressing prowess make it challenging for opponents to capitalize consistently.
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