Good game for Jesus, he scored at last. Bad day for Walker, almost all the chances for Everton came from his flank. Even the goal - it came after his unfortunate clearance. If Everton was more clinical (like Chelsea last week), it would have been the other game. KDB return might help City to be on the right track again.
No demerit for Calvert-Lewin, was a good headed goal and took the right position, but IMO Nico Otamendi had some responsibility on it, just lost his placement. Irrelevant for the final score though.
@Champion Yes, he's tallet. 1,83 cm according to EPL's official site.Let's me say he looks like a little overweight too, maybe this month he spent injured took its toll on him.
City have a fear factor and this has been really crucial to their success in England. They usually press very well but from time to time they don't press very well like this game. Everton clearly could have done much better in that aspect. Once you break from their initial pressing line, they are vulnerable and I don't see many teams exploiting that especially when they don't press very well. What you have to realize is that they have many players that are not good defending big spaces and from that you could do much better against them. Most of the English teams lack the technical quality to implement these things. That is one of the reason that they are not the same team in Champions League.
@CirdomAkul The managers are more scared than the players. The problem is the players have to do what their manager tells them. The ultra defensive tactics almost every uses against Man City makes it almost impossible to cause their defence and problems.
@koevasd123 Guardiola prefers Sterling. Look at the total starts by Sterling in Premier League and Champions League compared to the others. In terms of who's better out of Sane, Sterling and Mahrez it depends on who the opponent is, who the opposition have to try to stop them. I also believe Sane operates better with Delph at full back, rather than Mendy. Sterling can operate just as effectively with Mendy at full back. Mendy is preferred to Delph when fit. In terms of what the best team is for Man City, depends on the opponent and rotation is important with a squad like this playing multiple competitions and wanting to win them all. It's more of a squad as so many players are on a similar very high level.
@Champion he made the same to Sane last season, it just 4-5 games he doesnt play him and u will see he will always play him till the end, it motivates the player and he is unstopabble since then. That was the case last season too, Sane is more maturated, Mahrez is also very good, their squad is spot on.
@koevasd123 Yes, but Sterling has started all UCL games. He's number one choice. Not saying he's a better player. They all have their pros and cons (Sane, Sterling, Mahrez). Overall contribution to the team Sane and Sterling are probably above Mahrez for me.
I like how Everton's back three looks on a paper, their defense didn't looks good against Watford and Zouma could offer much needed support against City's well combining forwards. Three-man defense would also allow Digne and Coleman push forward little more as Everton's full backs have been much bigger threat than their wingers this season. I'd start Lookman ahead of Bernadr as the former could give City a lot of trouble with dynamic Richarlison in the front. This could turn out to be difficult match for City but given their rotation policy, I'd expect Sane or Sterling given a rest, probably Sane as his started six matches a row. Aguero and KDB could make some minutes here at best and continue to build fitness against Leicester in midweek but they really shouldn't be rushed back. City have a good chance to be back on top of the table after this game, but given D. Silva's injury and tight schedule, there's a remarkable chance for 1-1 draw.
@Castle- I had a long reply written out but the page froze, refreshed and the comment was lost. The short version (for me) is: although I doubt Marco Silva is bold enough, I would go with a 3-4-1-2 with Sigurdsson in the #10. It makes more sense regarding pressing City while they are attempting to play out from the back plus you can man-mark the whole outfield 10 to prevent a positional overload. I would fancy a couple of matchups Everton have against THIS City XI but it does require the Toffees' FBs to go high and is high risk with Sane/Mahrez in the team. I think it's certainly a better option than inviting pressure for 90 minutes and hoping for counter-attacking scraps when City have a 100% home record.
@SteveHyland Sadly managers aren't tactically apt enough to operate man to man all over the park to prevent possession based teams dominating. Stopping their back four and deep lying midfielder operating on the ball with hardly any pressure is key to stopping Man City. As well as fitting in as much pace, agility, stamina and concentration all over the park as possible from your resources. Parking the bus and playing on the break with 5-4-1 in a more conventional style is another way to frustrate, with a proper back five and disciplined flat midfield four. But it's a more of a set up hoping for a 0-0, rather than a man to man marking system which could cause more mistakes and counter attacking opportunities. Obviously many managers are scared they'll lose their jobs with interesting and outside the box tactics, but they get a full pay off if sacked anyway and usually find another job fast so they shouldn't be afraid.
@Champion- Everton didn't get close to Fernandinho and he was able to control the game resulting in a City win......as expected by literally everybody I have spoken to about football, online and off. Everton had a few chances on the break, Richarlison should have scored at least once, but City didn't need to exert much effort. Marco Silva made some bold moves while Hull manager but it seems like the higher up the football team food chain he has climbed, the more conservative his tactics away from home have become. I've seen nothing to suggest sitting back and marking space works against this City (or any Pep) team unless you have top counter attacking ability (Atletico Madrid, Juventus, even Arsenal once upon a time), I hope Emery doesn't plan something similar when we visit.
@SteveHyland Yeah that's untypically short reply :D Lookman and Richarlison would indeed make a good pair both defensively and offensively against City. Sigurdsson is well able to send them forward with his opening passes if he's allowed to turn with the ball. When City are in possession, he should occupy Fernandinho, at least when he's not dropping between CBs. It's important to press City at times but Everton have to also prevent City players turning between the lines as in those moments City are at their best. Gueye will be vital for Everton in midfield as he's capable of closing down opposition effectively which is needed against Silva and co. Chelsea made a good effort against CIty and it's not impossible for Everton to reach similar performance, although it requires almost perfect match for them.
Attendance please!
Good game for Jesus, he scored at last. Bad day for Walker, almost all the chances for Everton came from his flank. Even the goal - it came after his unfortunate clearance. If Everton was more clinical (like Chelsea last week), it would have been the other game. KDB return might help City to be on the right track again.
No demerit for Calvert-Lewin, was a good headed goal and took the right position, but IMO Nico Otamendi had some responsibility on it, just lost his placement. Irrelevant for the final score though.
@dib They need to update his height, he's taller than 176cm
@Champion Yes, he's tallet. 1,83 cm according to EPL's official site.Let's me say he looks like a little overweight too, maybe this month he spent injured took its toll on him.
Sané to shine again ...
how long will mahrez stay in first XI
City have a fear factor and this has been really crucial to their success in England. They usually press very well but from time to time they don't press very well like this game. Everton clearly could have done much better in that aspect. Once you break from their initial pressing line, they are vulnerable and I don't see many teams exploiting that especially when they don't press very well. What you have to realize is that they have many players that are not good defending big spaces and from that you could do much better against them. Most of the English teams lack the technical quality to implement these things. That is one of the reason that they are not the same team in Champions League.
@CirdomAkul makes sense, especially the games with Lyon were the proof.
@CirdomAkul The managers are more scared than the players. The problem is the players have to do what their manager tells them. The ultra defensive tactics almost every uses against Man City makes it almost impossible to cause their defence and problems.
Mina plays terribly. At fault for the goal and so many inaccurate passes
i feel like Guardioala likes Sane more than Sterling and i believe Sane is the better one between. Sterling is also worldclass tho
@koevasd123 Guardiola prefers Sterling. Look at the total starts by Sterling in Premier League and Champions League compared to the others. In terms of who's better out of Sane, Sterling and Mahrez it depends on who the opponent is, who the opposition have to try to stop them. I also believe Sane operates better with Delph at full back, rather than Mendy. Sterling can operate just as effectively with Mendy at full back. Mendy is preferred to Delph when fit. In terms of what the best team is for Man City, depends on the opponent and rotation is important with a squad like this playing multiple competitions and wanting to win them all. It's more of a squad as so many players are on a similar very high level.
@Champion he made the same to Sane last season, it just 4-5 games he doesnt play him and u will see he will always play him till the end, it motivates the player and he is unstopabble since then. That was the case last season too, Sane is more maturated, Mahrez is also very good, their squad is spot on.
@koevasd123 Yes, but Sterling has started all UCL games. He's number one choice. Not saying he's a better player. They all have their pros and cons (Sane, Sterling, Mahrez). Overall contribution to the team Sane and Sterling are probably above Mahrez for me.
There are as many German or Brazilian players as English players in this ManCity team..
@leZickzack Chelsea started with no English players against Man City.
though city has many injured players, still best team in europe...
@watari Team looks very strong on paper considering the injury list.
Ladies & Gentlemen Tips for today:Bournemouth 2X @1.75 / Fulham 1X @1.55 / Stuttgart 1X @1.50 / Dusseldorf 1X @1.60 / Schalke 2X @1.50 / Valencia 2X @1.50 , Total odds @13.00, Good Luck Guys
Both teams to score
Man City 3-0 Everton
@MartinArmenia089 I'll be shocked if Citeh do not win 4-1.
I like how Everton's back three looks on a paper, their defense didn't looks good against Watford and Zouma could offer much needed support against City's well combining forwards. Three-man defense would also allow Digne and Coleman push forward little more as Everton's full backs have been much bigger threat than their wingers this season. I'd start Lookman ahead of Bernadr as the former could give City a lot of trouble with dynamic Richarlison in the front. This could turn out to be difficult match for City but given their rotation policy, I'd expect Sane or Sterling given a rest, probably Sane as his started six matches a row. Aguero and KDB could make some minutes here at best and continue to build fitness against Leicester in midweek but they really shouldn't be rushed back. City have a good chance to be back on top of the table after this game, but given D. Silva's injury and tight schedule, there's a remarkable chance for 1-1 draw.
@Castle- I had a long reply written out but the page froze, refreshed and the comment was lost. The short version (for me) is: although I doubt Marco Silva is bold enough, I would go with a 3-4-1-2 with Sigurdsson in the #10. It makes more sense regarding pressing City while they are attempting to play out from the back plus you can man-mark the whole outfield 10 to prevent a positional overload. I would fancy a couple of matchups Everton have against THIS City XI but it does require the Toffees' FBs to go high and is high risk with Sane/Mahrez in the team. I think it's certainly a better option than inviting pressure for 90 minutes and hoping for counter-attacking scraps when City have a 100% home record.
@SteveHyland Sadly managers aren't tactically apt enough to operate man to man all over the park to prevent possession based teams dominating. Stopping their back four and deep lying midfielder operating on the ball with hardly any pressure is key to stopping Man City. As well as fitting in as much pace, agility, stamina and concentration all over the park as possible from your resources. Parking the bus and playing on the break with 5-4-1 in a more conventional style is another way to frustrate, with a proper back five and disciplined flat midfield four. But it's a more of a set up hoping for a 0-0, rather than a man to man marking system which could cause more mistakes and counter attacking opportunities. Obviously many managers are scared they'll lose their jobs with interesting and outside the box tactics, but they get a full pay off if sacked anyway and usually find another job fast so they shouldn't be afraid.
@Champion- Everton didn't get close to Fernandinho and he was able to control the game resulting in a City win......as expected by literally everybody I have spoken to about football, online and off. Everton had a few chances on the break, Richarlison should have scored at least once, but City didn't need to exert much effort. Marco Silva made some bold moves while Hull manager but it seems like the higher up the football team food chain he has climbed, the more conservative his tactics away from home have become. I've seen nothing to suggest sitting back and marking space works against this City (or any Pep) team unless you have top counter attacking ability (Atletico Madrid, Juventus, even Arsenal once upon a time), I hope Emery doesn't plan something similar when we visit.
@SteveHyland Yeah that's untypically short reply :D Lookman and Richarlison would indeed make a good pair both defensively and offensively against City. Sigurdsson is well able to send them forward with his opening passes if he's allowed to turn with the ball. When City are in possession, he should occupy Fernandinho, at least when he's not dropping between CBs. It's important to press City at times but Everton have to also prevent City players turning between the lines as in those moments City are at their best. Gueye will be vital for Everton in midfield as he's capable of closing down opposition effectively which is needed against Silva and co. Chelsea made a good effort against CIty and it's not impossible for Everton to reach similar performance, although it requires almost perfect match for them.
Away win or draw
Nap man city
either 1-1 or 4-0 city
2-1 City
4-1 -- beter)
2-1