Couldn't ask more than the team gave against the wounded Champs.We matched them 1st half, hung in second, but their experience and their great players got them home. De Bruyne is a great player, if only........... Couple of wobbles as you'd expect, a brain fade from Kepa, later matched by Citys' goalie, Emerson off his game and Tammy simply shut down all game by excellent defence. We scrambled a couple of times, but so did City, and we showed terrific grit to keep going.Thought a few too many 50-50 incidents went against us 2nd half, but the result was about right. We are within touching distance of City now, and Liverpool for that matter, a great achievement by all.
It was strange how Dave became a different player when switched to the right. He seemed the weak link in the first half and was much more positive and forward thinking when the changes were made. It was definitely a litmus test for us and I was pleased with the performance but not the result. There were many positives and a few negatives, as I saw it so I'll leave it there. Agree with the 50/50 calls that CP mentioned the one that stuck for me was, KDB shot Kepa held a hand out to, flew over the bar...Corner? Willian shot on the volley Ederson fingertips it over, clear and obvious contract, Goal kick? Jorginho is starting to win me over, first half made some immense tackles and interceptions Kovacic is a fine ball player, Kante I am in love with, even when he looses the ball or makes a stray pass, no one works harder than him to win it back, Valencia next in a must win game. Hey we are better playing away.
Encouraging performance despite the result - first setback in 7 outings; crunch game coming up against Valencia hopefully we can get the win we need.
A bit of a reality check in all honesty. However, coming up against the champions is always the benchmark of success. We aren’t that far away, but we’re a long way in comparison still. I have no complaints against the way we played. City have been clinical for a long time now and took their chances. We even had more possession than them for long periods of the game. I think next year we will be in with a shout for some trophies.
Agree, City showed character and experience. We matched them for character and I believe they were genuinely impressed by how good we were. Nevertheless 2nd half we couldn't go with them for pace or cleverness, especially de Bruyne, what a player. Too often our back 4 were passing sideways over and over until we gathered our senses, and our attack died off a bit. That said, they couldn't score due to our amazing never say die defending by everyone. Great game for neutrals, great respect earned for our Club, right result. Valencia will be another serious examination of our credentials. We should be afraid of no one , and change nothing in our approach. Absolutely certain that Valencia will stretched to their limit if they are to beat us, and we will worry the life out of them. Not expecting many changes in line up, but think Giroud might just play a part. Can't wait.
Watched first half then had to go out so didn't catch the second. We were brilliant that first half how we went in 2-1 down mystifies me. We had loads of opportunities to go score but for a few poor passes in the final third and kdbs goal was so fortunate. The defending for mahrez goal was poor but i really liked the look of how we played and we are not too far away now.
Aye top 4 finish this year hopefully, then with a years experience and a couple of quality signings in the summer, hopefully we will be able to challenge next year
First half we matched them and ran the game, bar a couple of lucky legs they went in ahead. we never did much 2nd half but thats ok, we now know wheres the bar set.
Didnt get too many opportunities but was fine. Azpi however lifted when he swapped sides for Reece. Might be the answer until Emerson or Alonso finds some better form
