Think I have to disagree a bit there. We were the better team in the first half yesterday, but no team is going to Anfield and dominating for 90 minutes so despite some of our horrendous 2nd half performances of late, Liverpool were always going to have a spell of dominance during the match. Sure, they had some good chances but so did we so no, there was no "rub if the green" - it was a thoroughly deserved away win.As great as winning away at Anfield was, I don't think our overall performance level was too dissimilar to previous weeks. The major difference being the 'rub of the green'. The Chelsea favourable ball bounce leading to the late equaliser, the Dalot non red card, Solanke foul and goal that he'll never score again in 10 lifetimes all were examples when our luck was out.
Arsenal are playing at a more consistent level with a far more methodical and controlled approach. Dirge to watch but effective at the minute. I'm hoping beating the scourers lifts the mood and confidence levels in the squad and fan base.
If we can use this to go on a run and apply pressure then who knows how close we can get. A full stadium at home and lots of noise will be a start.
15 to go:
Arsenal - 50 points City - 46 points Villa - 46 points Kairat (H) - CL - 28th Jan Galatasaray (H) - CL - 28th Jan RB Salzburg (H) - EL - 29th Jan Leeds (A) - 31st Jan Spurs (A) - 1st Feb Brentford (H) - 1st Feb Chelsea (H) - LC - 3rd Feb (3-2) Newcastle (H) - LC - 4th Feb (2-0) Sunderland (H) - 7th Feb Liverpool (A) - 8th Feb Bournemouth (A) - 7th Feb Brentford (A) - 12th Feb Fulham (H) - 11th Feb Brighton (H) - 11th Feb Wigan (H) - FAC - 15th Feb Salford (H) - FAC - 14th Feb Newcastle (H) - FAC - 14th Feb CL Playoff 1st leg - 17th/18th Feb Spurs (A) - 22nd Feb Newcastle (H) - 21st Feb Leeds (H) - 21st Feb CL Playoff 2nd leg - 24th/25th Feb Chelsea (H) - 1st Mar Leeds (A) - 28th Feb Wolves (A) - 27th Feb Brighton (A) - 4th Mar Forest (H) - 4th Mar Chelsea (H) - 4th Mar FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar CL Ro16 1st leg - 10th/11th Mar CL Ro16 1st leg - 10th/11th Mar EL Ro16 1st leg -12th Mar Everton (H) - 15th Mar West Ham (A) - 14th Mar United (A) - 14th Mar CL Ro16 2nd leg - 17th/18th Mar CL Ro16 2nd leg - 17th/18th Mar EL Ro16 2nd leg - 19th Mar Wolves (A) - 21st Mar* Palace (H) - 21st Mar* West Ham (H) - 21st Mar* City (N) - LC Final - 22nd Mar Arsenal (N) - LC Final - 22nd Mar FA Cup QF - 4th Apr FA Cup QF - 4th Apr FA Cup QF - 4th Apr CL QF 1st leg - 7th/8th Apr CL QF 1st leg - 7th/8th Apr EL QF 1st leg - 9th Apr Bournemouth (H) - 11th Apr* Chelsea (A) - 11th Apr* Forest (A) - 11th Apr* CL QF 2nd leg - 14th/15th Apr CL QF 2nd leg - 14th/15th Apr EL QF 2nd leg - 16th Apr City (A) - 18th Apr* Arsenal (H) - 18th Apr* Sunderland (H) - 18th Apr* Newcastle (H) - 25th Apr* Burnley (A) - 25th Apr* Fulham (A) - 25th Apr* FA Cup SF - 25th Apr FA Cup SF - 25th Apr FA Cup SF - 25th Apr CL SF 1st leg - 28th/29th Apr CL SF 1st leg - 28th/29th Apr EL SF 1st leg - 30th Apr Fulham (H) - 2nd May* Everton (A) - 2nd May* Spurs (H) - 2nd May* CL SF 2nd leg - 5th/6th May CL SF 2nd leg - 5th/6th May EL SF 2nd leg - 7th May West Ham (A) - 9th May* Brentford (H) - 9th May* Burnley (A) - 9th May* FA Cup Final - 16th May FA Cup Final - 16th May FA Cup Final - 16th May Burnley (H) - 17th May* Bournemouth (A) - 17th May* Liverpool (H) - 17th May* EL Final - 20th May Palace (A) - 24th May Villa (H) - 24th May City (A) - 24th May CL Final - 30th May CL Final - 30th May
*Date may change.
Potentially more cup games than league games left, it'll be some season if that pans out. The colour coding doesn't really mean much because all 3 teams have dropped unexpected points in the last few weeks, it's a rough guide.
The next 2 league games are so important for us, just need to stay in touch.
| Arsenal - 56 points | City - 50 points | Villa - 47 points |
| Brentford (A) - 12th Feb | Fulham (H) - 11th Feb | Brighton (H) - 11th Feb |
| Wigan (H) - FAC - 15th Feb | Salford (H) - FAC - 14th Feb | Newcastle (H) - FAC - 14th Feb |
| Wolves (A) - 18th Feb | ||
| Spurs (A) - 22nd Feb | Newcastle (H) - 21st Feb | Leeds (H) - 21st Feb |
| Chelsea (H) - 1st Mar | Leeds (A) - 28th Feb | Wolves (A) - 27th Feb |
| Brighton (A) - 4th Mar | Forest (H) - 4th Mar | Chelsea (H) - 4th Mar |
| FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar | FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar | FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar |
| CL Ro16 1st leg - 10th/11th Mar | CL Ro16 1st leg - 10th/11th Mar | EL Ro16 1st leg -12th Mar |
| Everton (H) - 15th Mar | West Ham (A) - 14th Mar | United (A) - 14th Mar |
| CL Ro16 2nd leg - 17th/18th Mar | CL Ro16 2nd leg - 17th/18th Mar | EL Ro16 2nd leg - 19th Mar |
| Palace (H) - 21st Mar* | West Ham (H) - 21st Mar* | |
| City (N) - LC Final - 22nd Mar | Arsenal (N) - LC Final - 22nd Mar | |
| FA Cup QF - 4th Apr | FA Cup QF - 4th Apr | FA Cup QF - 4th Apr |
| CL QF 1st leg - 7th/8th Apr | CL QF 1st leg - 7th/8th Apr | EL QF 1st leg - 9th Apr |
| Bournemouth (H) - 11th Apr* | Chelsea (A) - 11th Apr* | Forest (A) - 11th Apr* |
| CL QF 2nd leg - 14th/15th Apr | CL QF 2nd leg - 14th/15th Apr | EL QF 2nd leg - 16th Apr |
| City (A) - 18th Apr* | Arsenal (H) - 18th Apr* | Sunderland (H) - 18th Apr* |
| Newcastle (H) - 25th Apr* | Burnley (A) - 25th Apr* | Fulham (A) - 25th Apr* |
| FA Cup SF - 25th Apr | FA Cup SF - 25th Apr | FA Cup SF - 25th Apr |
| CL SF 1st leg - 28th/29th Apr | CL SF 1st leg - 28th/29th Apr | EL SF 1st leg - 30th Apr |
| Fulham (H) - 2nd May* | Everton (A) - 2nd May* | Spurs (H) - 2nd May* |
| CL SF 2nd leg - 5th/6th May | CL SF 2nd leg - 5th/6th May | EL SF 2nd leg - 7th May |
| West Ham (A) - 9th May* | Brentford (H) - 9th May* | Burnley (A) - 9th May* |
| FA Cup Final - 16th May | FA Cup Final - 16th May | FA Cup Final - 16th May |
| Burnley (H) - 17th May* | Bournemouth (A) - 17th May* | Liverpool (H) - 17th May* |
| EL Final - 20th May | ||
| Palace (A) - 24th May | Villa (H) - 24th May | City (A) - 24th May |
| CL Final - 30th May | CL Final - 30th May |
| Arsenal | City |
| Brentford (A) | Fulham (H) |
| Wolves (A) | |
| Spurs (A) | Newcastle (H) |
| Chelsea (H) | Leeds (A) |
| Brighton (A) | Forest (H) |
| Everton (H) | West Ham (A) |
You could argue that toss all day long for me the crucial thing is it has lifted a big heavy monkey off our backs and as such should prove a massive psychological boost. The big question of course remains unanswered. Can we build upon this win and apply serious pressure on Arenal. The experience of the season so far suggests maybe not. But we are back in the race and if we keep the gap at 6 or under until we play them then all is up for grabs. Perhaps the CF might prove crucial in terms of confidence moving into the final weeks. One things for sure, it all looks a lot more interesting then it did yesterday evening with 80 mins on the clockThink I have to disagree a bit there. We were the better team in the first half yesterday, but no team is going to Anfield and dominating for 90 minutes so despite some of our horrendous 2nd half performances of late, Liverpool were always going to have a spell of dominance during the match. Sure, they had some good chances but so did we so no, there was no "rub if the green" - it was a thoroughly deserved away win.
I understand what you're saying but we have too many players not performing. If it wasn't for Donarumma this season we would have been a lot further behind Arsenal.Arsenal are not head and shoulders above anyone!
They have dropped 7 points in their last five league games while convincing themselves that they will win the league! and tell everyone how good they are!
City have the same 7 points in five games and are fuming coz we have been shit!
They are 6 points in front of us with a long way to go! they are not Head and Shoulders above us!
Comfortably? Come on Paul…Still think arsenal win the title and do it comfortably BUT results can make a difference and we where dead and buried when the Magyar scored for Liverpool but the character we showed was that off champions so if arsenal do wobble we have now got to be ready and play into form .
Arsenal have also not won a trophy in five years? Methodical is fine but how does it stand up against pressure?As great as winning away at Anfield was, I don't think our overall performance level was too dissimilar to previous weeks. The major difference being the 'rub of the green'. The Chelsea favourable ball bounce leading to the late equaliser, the Dalot non red card, Solanke foul and goal that he'll never score again in 10 lifetimes all were examples when our luck was out.
Arsenal are playing at a more consistent level with a far more methodical and controlled approach. Dirge to watch but effective at the minute. I'm hoping beating the scourers lifts the mood and confidence levels in the squad and fan base.
If we can use this to go on a run and apply pressure then who knows how close we can get. A full stadium at home and lots of noise will be a start.
115 ...gulp.... and got relegated as champions the year after - oh the good old 'typical city' days!
Shock horror world class goal keeper contributes to team accumulating pointsI understand what you're saying but we have too many players not performing. If it wasn't for Donarumma this season we would have been a lot further behind Arsenal.
Yeah that's fair enough, rub of the green probably not quite the right phrase. It's just the elements in the game that go for you. We 100% deserved to win.Think I have to disagree a bit there. We were the better team in the first half yesterday, but no team is going to Anfield and dominating for 90 minutes so despite some of our horrendous 2nd half performances of late, Liverpool were always going to have a spell of dominance during the match. Sure, they had some good chances but so did we so no, there was no "rub if the green" - it was a thoroughly deserved away win.
That's the point, we need to keep the pressure on. Just lately we haven't with the draws, and I'm hoping this is the tipping point that gives us the belief to turn the draws into wins.Arsenal have also not won a trophy in five years? Methodical is fine but how does it stand up against pressure?
What im saying is you cant keep relying on the goalkeeper to save us not matter how good he isShock horror world class goal keeper contributes to team accumulating points
Thats all part of a football season and we have been badly hit with injuries. Everything you say makes sense but on the other hand, we have not gained any ground on arsenal.We had the chance, but also we lost Gvardiol, Dias and Gonzalez due to injuries, Doku as well. Haaland and Foden lost form due to being overplayed in December (because we didn't have Marmoush, Semenyo and Doku).
Thats all part of a football season and we have been badly hit with injuries. Everything you say makes sense but on the other hand, we have not gained any ground on arsenal.
They have to be the more content team as they have increased their lead on villa and ourselves since Xmas.
Yesterday's result may be a psychological blow to them but there is nothing to suggest that yet.
13 to go:
Arsenal - 56 points City - 50 points Villa - 47 points Kairat (H) - CL - 28th JanGalatasaray (H) - CL - 28th JanRB Salzburg (H) - EL - 29th JanLeeds (A) - 31st JanSpurs (A) - 1st FebBrentford (H) - 1st FebChelsea (H) - LC - 3rd Feb (3-2)Newcastle (H) - LC - 4th Feb (2-0)Sunderland (H) - 7th FebLiverpool (A) - 8th FebBournemouth (A) - 7th FebBrentford (A) - 12th Feb Fulham (H) - 11th Feb Brighton (H) - 11th Feb Wigan (H) - FAC - 15th Feb Salford (H) - FAC - 14th Feb Newcastle (H) - FAC - 14th Feb Wolves (A) - 18th Feb CL Playoff 1st leg - 17th/18th FebSpurs (A) - 22nd Feb Newcastle (H) - 21st Feb Leeds (H) - 21st Feb CL Playoff 2nd leg - 24th/25th FebChelsea (H) - 1st Mar Leeds (A) - 28th Feb Wolves (A) - 27th Feb Brighton (A) - 4th Mar Forest (H) - 4th Mar Chelsea (H) - 4th Mar FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar FA Cup 5th Ro - 7th Mar CL Ro16 1st leg - 10th/11th Mar CL Ro16 1st leg - 10th/11th Mar EL Ro16 1st leg -12th Mar Everton (H) - 15th Mar West Ham (A) - 14th Mar United (A) - 14th Mar CL Ro16 2nd leg - 17th/18th Mar CL Ro16 2nd leg - 17th/18th Mar EL Ro16 2nd leg - 19th Mar Wolves (A) - 21st Mar*Palace (H) - 21st Mar* West Ham (H) - 21st Mar* City (N) - LC Final - 22nd Mar Arsenal (N) - LC Final - 22nd Mar FA Cup QF - 4th Apr FA Cup QF - 4th Apr FA Cup QF - 4th Apr CL QF 1st leg - 7th/8th Apr CL QF 1st leg - 7th/8th Apr EL QF 1st leg - 9th Apr Bournemouth (H) - 11th Apr* Chelsea (A) - 11th Apr* Forest (A) - 11th Apr* CL QF 2nd leg - 14th/15th Apr CL QF 2nd leg - 14th/15th Apr EL QF 2nd leg - 16th Apr City (A) - 18th Apr* Arsenal (H) - 18th Apr* Sunderland (H) - 18th Apr* Newcastle (H) - 25th Apr* Burnley (A) - 25th Apr* Fulham (A) - 25th Apr* FA Cup SF - 25th Apr FA Cup SF - 25th Apr FA Cup SF - 25th Apr CL SF 1st leg - 28th/29th Apr CL SF 1st leg - 28th/29th Apr EL SF 1st leg - 30th Apr Fulham (H) - 2nd May* Everton (A) - 2nd May* Spurs (H) - 2nd May* CL SF 2nd leg - 5th/6th May CL SF 2nd leg - 5th/6th May EL SF 2nd leg - 7th May West Ham (A) - 9th May* Brentford (H) - 9th May* Burnley (A) - 9th May* FA Cup Final - 16th May FA Cup Final - 16th May FA Cup Final - 16th May Burnley (H) - 17th May* Bournemouth (A) - 17th May* Liverpool (H) - 17th May* EL Final - 20th May Palace (A) - 24th May Villa (H) - 24th May City (A) - 24th May CL Final - 30th May CL Final - 30th May
2 league games since last update, important notes:
- 2 extra CL games avoided for City.
- 2 points dropped for City but 2 hard games ticked off.
- 5 points dropped for Villa and some significant injuries.
- Arsenal's game v Wolves (A) has moved from March 21st to Feb 18th because of the League Cup Final. So they'll be ahead 1 game for a while. Unfortunately we were due to play one of the 3 English sides in a European playoff, so our game v Palace can't move to the same mid-week!
I said it was doable if we were within 6 after Liverpool...well we are, so here we go.
I'll add another caveat now. I think we need 15 points from our next 15, 13 probably still acceptable but we need to land another big punch, like the Anfield result and I think we need to be in a position to get 1st when we play them at the Etihad. They have a kind run of games to finish the season, we don't:
Arsenal City Brentford (A) Fulham (H) Wolves (A) Spurs (A) Newcastle (H) Chelsea (H) Leeds (A) Brighton (A) Forest (H) Everton (H) West Ham (A)
I think on their day Newcastle and Leeds can be tricky, although we have a great record against Newcastle.
If they get 18/18 in the same time period, you just have to say fair play.