I wasn’t saying the goal itself was a fluke from a tactics working point of view, but rather in the context of the match it was a fluke, as it was a single moment entirely against the run of play throughout.Just one thing I've got to disagree with you about, and it's important. Their goal wasn't a fluke, and it's something that Pep and the players should take careful note of. The dippers are extremely good at that kind of goal (even now, in their diminished state), and it's exactly the kind of three-pass counter-attack goal that we've so often been sucker punched with in the Champion's League. And not just by Liverpool. You can actually win the whole bloody thing, from group stage through to the final, by getting that down to a fine art, and there are teams that have done exactly that. It doesn't matter so much in the league because you can usually recover from it, both within the game, and over several games. But in the CL you're punished by it, and you're out for yet another year. We've got to learn to watch out better for it, if only in Europe.
Yea, i was thinking back to that game, but to be fair to Walker everybody was off that night.You’ve clearly forgotten the Soton away game in the Carabao. Walker was awful
in that match and the issue is his passing range isn’t good enough to play the role. For me he is a brilliant RB but I wouldn’t play him anywhere else.
It was a complete performance by the team; an absolute joy to watch, and a privilege to be there.That's one hell of a claim, but I think it can be argued. What was striking — and it becomes even more flagrant on second viewing — was that there wasn't one player who didn't appear to be playing almost at his maximum. Obviously there are different levels of potential between, say, a De Bruyne and an Akanji, but both players were giving it everything they reasonably could. As was everyone, all over the pitch. Ed can't easily be judged, because he had almost nothing to do. (Once or twice I noticed his distribution was right off the mark, but he also pinged out several balls worthy of any midfield player).
An astonishing performance, for sure.
There was a lot of tension in the first half, but it felt like a game where we would have all the possession and the chances, but they could score with a couple of lucky breaks.Still savouring this one, and will do for days to come.
Normally, if I've seen a match live, I don't re-watch it in its entirety. For once I decided to do it for this one on City +, to get a clearer-eyed view of the whole ninety minutes. Because I was tense as hell for most of the match, and didn't really relax until we stuck the fourth in. I can't say I was really, fully enjoying it till then. Even then, I'd have preferred a fifth!
In fact, what clearly emerged on second viewing was that we thoroughly dominated them, and over both halves, not just the second. I had the impression watching it live that the first half was close, but that we'd just edged it. Not so. We actually thoroughly managed them. They had one serious shot on target — one only — and that was their goal. Otherwise Ed had almost nothing to do. They had two or three moments that appeared to be dangerous, but only because the lino kept his flag down following this stupid rule that he is supposed to do that and only if it's in the back of the net is it referred to VAR. On at least two occasions the Liverpool player was miles offside, with clear daylight between him and our last defender. By contrast, although we didn't create a lot of clear chances, you can see that they're really straining to hold us at bay. We're thinking faster, we've moving on and off the ball faster, we're much more inventive all over the pitch.
I'm actually having difficulty remembering a match where we have dominated this lot so thoroughly. The Mané sending off game doesn't rival it, in my view. Yes, we were already dominating the dippers in that one, but once Mané was off it did definitely change the whole nature of the game. There was no sending off here, no major players absent on their side (although there were on ours), but even if it isn't reflected in the number of goals scored, make no mistake, this was an absolute thrashing of the dippers all over the pitch. Watch it a second time right through and it becomes glaringly obvious.
That wasn't him mateTerrence-Trent-Alexander-Arnold did a much worse pull back on Grealish near the end of the first half which didn't even get punished, in fact the ref gave a free-kick to them after Grealish eventually got free of the holding arms and T-T-A-A fell to the ground.
He'd tried to grab someone earlier but the ref played advantage.
In my defence, I've only watched it once and my memory's not what it was. Not a FOC yet but getting there :)That wasn't him mate
Konate.In my defence, I've only watched it once and my memory's not what it was. Not a FOC yet but getting there :)
Who was it? Could've sworn it was mop'ed
I agree. If was a footballing display of sheer skill and pace. City from 2017 are the best team to ever play in England bar none.It was a complete performance by the team; an absolute joy to watch, and a privilege to be there.
We are so, so lucky to be witnessing these special days.
After reading that Liverpool are going to be "punished" for surrounding the ref/not being able to control their players, it got me thinking about Rodri's yellow against Arsenal.
I know loads of teams have been charged after the game and been fined for the offence, but is anybody aware (genuine question that I don't know the answer to) of how many players have been booked for being the "3rd player" to approach the ref?
Every year new "law interpretations" are implemented "strongly" at first and then tweaked over the following weeks until they're workable, but I honestly can't recall another player getting a yellow for this, and teams, both prior and since, have been fined post match for it.
Obviously, one punishment affects the game, the other, not.
Weird how we often seem to be the solitary example, isn't it?
Bit like the pen in the same game, eh
YepKonate.
Even it the first was an accumulation of minor fouls you wouldn’t give a second yellow for the next one.Just watched the first half upto where Rodri was booked. Ref indicated it was an accumulation of fouls. Rodri had not committed one, up to that point.
Hope you weren't entering stadia without a ticket, or getting teargassed.Just watching it properly now after missing being there due to being in Paris.
I'd have given you 2 likes if I could.I agree. If was a footballing display of sheer skill and pace. City from 2017 are the best team to ever play in England bar none.
Chelsea (a) 2017/18, "purple" kit, KDB special.Agreed, but, I don't need to rewatch. I've been buzzing about it since Saturday and honestly feel that's the best football from a whole team that I've ever seen.
True.Even it the first was an accumulation of minor fouls you wouldn’t give a second yellow for the next one.