MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola's Manchester City eased to a 2-0 win over Cardiff at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (April 3) to retake top spot in the Premier League from title rivals Liverpool.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane were enough to lift City back into top spot, at least until Friday, when Jurgen Klopp's team visit Southampton.
City now have a maximum of 13 games remaining in a potentially historic season that could see them add the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League to the League Cup they lifted against Chelsea in February.
But, whatever the remaining two months holds for Guardiola's team, they are back in the driving seat in the Premier League on 80 points, one ahead of Liverpool. Both sides have six league games remaining.
Guardiola, whose side play Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, was able to make seven changes against Neil Warnock's struggling side, resting key players in the process.
The alterations did not dull City's attacking intent but Gabriel Jesus, chosen with Sergio Aguero having been left out as a precaution, was guilty of a string of first-half misses.
De Bruyne claimed the first goal, after just five minutes, from Aymeric Laporte's through ball, with a strong run and blistering shot from a tight angle that left questions over Neil Etheridge, beaten at his near post.
Sane struck just before half-time, driving a technically brilliant low shot into the far corner after Riyad Mahrez's cross had been cushioned into his path by Jesus.
CITY DOMINATION
But the Brazilian should have done better from any number of first-half chances, one coming after just 34 seconds when he slid in and narrowly missed converting De Bruyne's low cross into an open net.
Mahrez forced Etheridge into a diving, full-stretch save with an early, curling effort, Jesus skied a shot over from 12 yards and the City striker, again, miscued a close-range effort, under pressure from two defenders, after more good play from De Bruyne.
Guardiola's side also launched a breathtaking counter-attack that saw four of their players break against two from Cardiff only for De Bruyne to free Jesus who again wasted a shot that was deflected behind.
The only minor concern for Guardiola, with an eye on the remaining fixtures, was the loss of left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko after just 18 minutes to an apparent hamstring injury, although the introduction of substitute Kyle Walker hardly represented a downgrade.
City goalkeeper Ederson remained completely untroubled as the second half followed the same pattern.
Phil Foden, making his first ever Premier League start a month short of turning 19, saw his shot saved from just six yards out while De Bruyne's long-distance free-kick bounced just wide.
Sean Morrison almost turned a De Bruyne cross into his own goal and, in one intoxicating five-minute spell after the hour, six good City chances came and went, Etheridge saving well from Foden twice, a Laporte header, Mahrez and Sane while Fernandinho struck a post for good measure.
By the time Oumar Niasse steered Cardiff's first on-target shot of the evening directly at Ederson, after 74 minutes, the outcome had long since been decided and his shot even drew ironic cheers from his own supporters.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Friday Cristiano Ronaldo is an injury doubt for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Ajax on April 10.
Champions League: Allegri: Cristiano Ronaldo risks missing
Play at 'world-class' level, Poch tells Spurs
A woman has accused Brazil football star Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report seen by Reuters. Neymar's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazil soccer star Neymar denies alleged rape in Paris
NEWCASTLE, England (REUTERS) - Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at
Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle - Football
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
Soccer Football - Championship Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg - West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain - May 14, 2019 Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings in action with Wes
Aston Villa beat West Bromwich Albion to reach Championship
Napoli 'keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare
Good afternoon, and welcome to St. Mary's for Mauricio Pochettino's post-match press conference after the 2-1 defeat at Southampton. Dele Alli made his return to training this week, and was put straight into the starting line up by Pochettino, while Kyle Walker-Peters was handed a rare start at right-back with Kieran Trippier missing out through injury and Serge Aurier rested.
The tactic that frustrates a lot of Spurs fans arguably the
The victory saw Madrid climb to third place on 36 points, three ahead of Sevilla who have failed to win in their last four league outings, while Barcelona, who host Leganes on Sunday, are top with 43.
La Liga: Real Madrid climb to third with vital win over Sevilla
Neymar heads to Aspetar for medical assessment 2.6.0.0 Paris Saint-Germain F.C and Brazilian football player Neymar Jr has arrived at Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital in Qatar, to undertake a complete assessment after six weeks into an injury sustained to his foot.
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment - France - RFI
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190307-neymar-heads-qatar-medical-assessment
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment. Neymar will travel to Qatar to undergo a "complete assessment" six weeks into his recovery from a fractured right foot, the club said on Thursday
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment - france24.com
feb 27, 2019 football news Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk both scored twice as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a dominant performance against Watford to stay top of the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp's side were 2-0 up in 20 minutes at Anfield as Senegal forward Mane headed the first before doubling the lead with an outrageous backheel
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of league
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case Date created : 28/12/2018 - 23:29 FIFPro and UEFA are "very concerned" that the Inter v Napoli match played on despite racist abuse
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
5 things to know about Liverpool's 4-0 Champions League win over Barcelona. Liverpool are just the fourth team to overturn a deficit of three goals or more to win a Champions League knockout tie.
Barcelona Vs. Liverpool Champions League 2019 Semifinal First
Cristiano Ronaldo losing battle to be fit for Juventus' Champions League clash with Ajax, reveals boss Max Allegri The Portugal star pulled his hamstring on international duty and missed the
Cristiano Ronaldo fit for Juventus clash with Ajax, says
0 comments:
Post a Comment