Viktor Gyokores deserves a mention too. I've been very very critical of him this season but what a time to deliver that performance.
He's never going to be the most technical or the most tidy but as long as he makes defenders work and gets a few goals who cares
Performance was just as important as the result today. Delivered on both fronts. One or two individual moments but I'd say that was our most dominant, in control and intentional performance in some time.
A rare week off now. 10 games to go. We can do this.
I think Mikel will have a fantastic managerial career but the pressure of the getting the first one is now influencing the style of play and results. They have the perfect game Sunday to respond. Needs to be more than a 1-0 set piece win. They need to show they believe they are the best team in PL.
There's just not been a lot to get behind this season so while I'm very much annoyed about our collapse I don't feel surprised by it or hard done by. Some of the results we've got what we deserve including last night.
I expected to be more angry than I am today. I think I've ran out of energy.
22-24 felt different because I genuinely believed we deserved to be Champions.
This season not so much. Sunday is the perfect fixture for them to change the mood and perception anything but a win and it's over.
Jose Mourinho confirming to anyone that doubted it that he's a massive cunt.
Would like to see at least one of the youngsters start today.
Closest to first team this season have been Salmon, Harriman-Annous & Bailey-Joseph.
Can understand the last two maybe being off the bench as we have attackers that need minutes but not the case at the back, Salmon should start today.
If we go 4/4 in the league between now and the international break my confidence will return.
Would put us on 69 points with 8 to play but it's not an easy run at all. North London Derby away, Chelsea & Brighton away but this is where the players can really earn the league title.
That's a point you can accept if you beat Nottingham Forest away. Champions in waiting react to their lead being halved. They react to their nearest challengers picking up momentum as City have since Sunday.
No aggression, no intent and no spark again.
Pep jumping up and down
"Look at him, look at his eyes. It's like a Demon, he knows it's on"
Arteta strays outside of his technical are:
"Deport him"
About last night
Look at the reactions of the Arsenal players last night and then tell me this competition doesn't matter.
I've never been a huge fan of it but this group absolutely needs to experience a win. 5 of the last 7 winners of the Carabao have then gone on to win another trophy in the same season.
Surprised to see so much praise for Rosenior and his approach last night. It was naive & cowardly. The game suited us perfectly. Imagine turning up to play Arsenal who have a goal advantage with a back 5? It's knockout football, you can't turn a semi final that you're losing into a 25 minute game.
Manchester City haven't won at Anfield with fans in the stadium since 2003 btw
Would enjoy this but he's currently managing 'Al Qadsiah' in Saudi which is something I'd like to see being covered by a behind the scenes Amazon special.
Wrestling just got a whole lot less Phenomenal.
Thank you AJ, for everything
Focus now shifts today's true main event ☝🏽
7 point gap restored and City have to respond tomorrow. Same opportunity again next weekend with them going to Anfield after we play on Saturday.
Helps that we have a game at the Emirates Tuesday before the league game too. Good performance and progression to a final should help the #vibes
Main thing I'm taking away from that is that Arteta used his bench really well. Leeds really started to grow and make us nervous. The Martinelli and Ødegaard subs changed the momentum entirely.
Big result, helps our GD too.
I think either way the summer might be the end. I worry the psychological impact on the group if we don't do it this year might be a massive blow going forwards unless we get the manager absolutely spot on in the summer.
I feel like for this group of players and manager it's now or never. That might feel dramatic but I think we're at a vital moment that will shape the next few years.
Time for them to show us and everyone else what they're made of.
City's next two league games are not ideal. They have a massive game midweek and we can make the gap 7 again on Saturday before they play and then can do the same again next weekend.
We need to make a statement in the next few weeks and we need to go into the upcoming international break unscathed.
If you offered me that going into February I 100% would've taken it. That's not to excuse the shambles of the last few league performances. It needs fixing and needs fixing fast.
However, looking at the bigger picture we've played Villa, B'mouth(a), Liverpool, P'mouth(a), Chelsea (a), Forest(a), Inter(a), United in 26 days.
We've come out of it 4 points clear, leading a semi final, in a position of advantage going into the CL knockouts and having progressed in the FA Cup.
I have calmed down a little bit from yesterday.
Yesterday's performance was unacceptable and not the response needed to two missed opportunities against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
I think we've used up our 'free hits' now. Especially with a game at the Etihad still to come.
Yeah I'm not his biggest fan but feel like vs lesser teams it should be Eze 10 and then one of Zubimendi or Ødegaard to complete the midfield. Rice's role obviously depends on which one he goes with.
I'm also not against seeing Trossard #9 again. No interest in Gyokores or G Jesus there.
I think my change would be having Rice and Zubimendi as a duo rather than one holding at the base. Small change but think could have big impact.
Having the FBs hold the width rather than inverting and having our LW, #10, RW much closer to eachother & to the box, let their positions be fluid too.
This is very crap but it's hilarious that Sky have used a different statistic for each player to make it look as bad as possible.
Big big fan of Mateus Fernandes
Yeah agree if it has to be but I would be really worried about him Vs Mbeumo or Amad 1v1
