manchester city Archives - Dunda Football

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023

Ten Hag Is Banking on this Player for the FA Cup Finals

Ten Haag celebrating a past win for United. The Holland national will be looking forward to beat Manchester City to the FA Cup

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag will be banking on Raphael Varane to help his defence when they take on Manchester City in a crunch FA Cup tie in a month. The 3^rd of May has been set aside as the D-day for two Manchester giants to battle it out for England’s oldest and arguably their most prestigious domestic cup.

Manchester City qualified for the finals after dismantling Sheffield United by three goals to nil (3:0) in the semi-finals. On the other hand, Manchester United had to win the penalty shootout against Brighton and Hove Albion to qualify for their second domestic finals this season. The defensive pairing of Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw had to be utilised during the game. Both first-choice defenders, Varane and Lisandro Martinez were out injured.

Raphael Varane celebrating Manchester United’s past win against Manchester City in the Premier League. Manchester United won 2:1 in the game. The two will face each other in the FA Cup finals. Photo Credits: Manchester United

An injured Manchester United back line: Raphael Varane and co.

Raphael Varane got injured in the Europa League first-leg clash with Sevilla and was pulled out at halftime with United leading by two goals. Harry Maguire stepped in but had an error-filled game culminating in an unfortunate goal. In the second leg, Harry Maguire was again on the receiving end, making a mistake that gifted Sevilla a goal. United lost the game, with Maguire failing to fill in the shoes of the absent French national.

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The seemingly impenetrable pairing of Shaw and Lindelof

Lindelof and an improvised Luke Shaw have been impressive in the centre-back position keeping two clean sheets in three games. However, Erik Ten Hag knows how lethal the Manchester City attack is and will need Varane back for the game. The World cup winning defender was present when the Red Devils beat Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford. He played a crucial role in taming Erling Haaland, who did not manage a single shot on target for the entire game.

Cityzen’s great run of form

Currently, Manchester City are in good form and it will need a confident Manchester United to stop their ambition of completing a domestic treble with the premier league in their sights. With Lisandro Martinez set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season, Varane will be needed at the club. He is being treated and assessed by the physios at the Carrington to see how soon he might return to the squad.

The Premier League title is Manchester City’s to lose

by Bruce Mandela

Haaland celebrates scoring vs Arsenal in a 4:1 thriller

The Premier League title is Manchester City’s to lose after impressively firing 4 goals past Arsenal in an entertaining premier league clash at the Etihad. The Cityzens came into the match inspired to reduce the gap on top of the table to two points and proved they were serious in the first half when they struck twice.

Kevin De Bruyne scored the first goal to put Man City in front before John Stones slotted the second home from a well taken free kick. In the second half Kevin De Bruyne scored another to put the game to rest. Rob Holding scored a late consolation before Erling Haaland scored deep into extra time to dent Arsenal’s title hopes.

The Premier League title is in sight for Guardiola’s side..

Pep Guardiola celebrating his sides victory over Arsenal in a crucial league match. — Pep Guardiola celebrating his sides victory over Arsenal in a Premier League title determining match. Photo Credits: Manchester City

The win has left Manchester City just 2 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal who have played two more games than Manchester City. Arsenal were once 8 points clear of Manchester City before a poor run of four games denied them maximum points. Three consecutive draws to Liverpool, West Ham United and Southampton messed up Arteta’s good form before Manchester City hammered them to make the title race even more interesting. At the same time, Manchester City have been winning their games and collecting crucial points that have now made the EPL trophy visible to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Manchester City are now considered clear favorites to win the league courtesy of the two games in hand they have. They are in good form and almost all conditions look favorable to them. Arsenal will need to show character as they are yet to face Chelsea and Newcastle United in the next few days.

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Manchester City still have a treble to fight for with a two legged semi finals against Real Madrid on the cards. They also have an FA Cup final to play against rivals Manchester United. This means that they face a congestion of fixtures with 7 premier league games to play. Manchester City might seem like the ultimate winners of the premier league but the race is still on.

Manchester City’s Quest for the treble

by Bruce Mandela

Pep Guardiola celebrating his side proceeding to the FA cup finals. Photo Credits: Manchester City

Manchester City is leading a charge for a treble after qualifying for the FA Cup finals over the weekend. A hat trick from Riyad Mahrez was enough to spur the Pep Guardiola-coached side to victory over Championship side Sheffield United. Pep Guardiola would aim to win the FA Cup after missing out on the other domestic cup, the Carabao, to bitter rivals Manchester United.

The Cityzens had a smooth run in the Champions League and eliminated German giants Bayern Munich from last week’s competition. They are now set to meet Real Madrid in the semi-final set for May. Despite never winning the competition, they have been rated as the cup’s favorites.

In the league, Manchester City is only five (5) points behind Arsenal with two games in hand. The Gunners were 11 points on top before slipping in their last three games and losing six crucial points. This slip has rekindled the fight for the title, with Manchester City also looking like a possible winner.

Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick in the Wembley Stadium versus Sheffield United guiding his side to a semi-final victory. — Mahrez celebrating a goal as Manchester City played Sheffield United in the FA cup semi-finals. Photo credits: Manchester City

A footprint in Premier League’s hall of fame: Manchester City treble

Two of Sir Alex Ferguson’s records are on the verge of being broken by Pep Guardiola’s side if they can win the elusive treble. They would have replicated his famous three-peat, where he is the only EPL manager to win the premier league title thrice in a row. Furthermore, winning the treble would also mean Sir Alex Ferguson ceases to be the only EPL manager to manage that feat.

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The odds of winning the treble are in Manchester City’s favour due to their superb form and squad depth that can sustain them in all competitions. However, they have to floor three football heritage giants to achieve this feat. Firstly, they will have to battle it out with a wounded Arsenal in the league on Wednesday to prove they have the nerves to win the league. Secondly, they have to eliminate the Champions League defending Real Madrid from the competition’s semi-final. Finally, they have to beat rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup finals to lift the coveted domestic cup. If they manage these three wins, Manchester City could be on the verge of becoming the second EPL side to win a treble.

Popular/Premier League

January 21, 2021

Exciting fixtures beckon this week in EPL, how long will they last atop?

by marina

Antonio cel;ebrating his goal vs West Brom

The Title Race

The English Premier League title race is shaping up with a host of fixtures set to be played this week. Manchester United top the English Premier League table. Manchester City comes second and Leicester City third. Liverpool has slumped to 4^th position after the recent draw with Manchester United. The point difference between position one and four is 6 points currently. This week’s results will, therefore play a big role in changing the table.

The other notable clubs are Tottenham Hotspurs, Chelsea and Arsenal. However, they sit in positions 5, 8 and 10, respectively. They form a part of the traditional big six clubs of England. With more efforts, they could also mount a title challenge.

Premier League table standings. Photo credits: Premier League

This Week’s Fixtures

Arsenal opened the week with a crucial match against Newcastle United, where they won by three goals to nil. Emile Smithe Rowe has proofed to be a good midfield option for the Gunners. Aubameyang scored a brace, with Saka netting in the other goal. Emile Smithe Rowe and Saka have been crucial to Arsenal’s return to form.

Leicester City played host to the Blues. Everyone looked forward to this fixture, owing to its importance on the Premier League top 6 table standings. Fortunately or unfortunately, Chelsea lost two goals to nil to the host and consequentially dropped to position eight. Relegation-threatened Westbrom lost two goals to one as they visited Moyes’ Westham United. West Brom have recorded three losses in the last 5 EPL games, winning one and drawing the other

A race between two rivals, Manchester

Manchester was buzzing with chants from fans. On one end you could hear, “Glory Glory Man United” chants, on the other, you could overhear names like De’ Bruyne, Pep and the likes. Both teams were playing on the same day. The results would determine the amount of Twitter activity we would experience. Well, both teams won, Manchester United won 2 – 1 vs Fulham. A goal from ‘El-Matador’ and a great strike from Labile Pogba did the trick. De Gea conceded a goal, thanks to an early Lookman goal.

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Manchester City, on the other hand, got two past a prolific goalkeeper-cum-Arsenal reject, Emiliano Martinez. Emiliano made seven saves in this match, seven saves! That is quite a performance. He conceded one open play goal and a late penalty by Gundogan. Bernado Silva was responsible for the open play goal. The results leave Manchester City second in the Premier League, with a game in hand.

Bernado Silva celebrating with Pep Guardiola after he scored vs Aston Villa. Photo Credit: Manchester City

Upcoming Fixtures

Liverpool is set to play Burnley tonight. Whatever, the results, they remain fourth. Aston Villa has several games in hand. They play Newcastle tomorrow; if they win they will be level with Chelsea and Southampton at 29 points, the goal difference will be the distinguishing factor.

The fixtures this week were exciting all along. How long will Manchester United remain on top?

Calvert-Lewin the goal Machine, Pogba laser and Torres’ debut goal

by marina

It was an exciting football night in EFL as Calvert-Lewin bagged a hat-trick, Pogba pulled a master class, and Manchester City got a victory vs Burnley.

Ancelloti’s squad

Following the new additions of players, Everton seem a formidable opponent to all Premier League teams. Everton has won all six games they have played, both in EPL and EFL. Of the six games that Everton has played, the Calvert-Lewin has started in five. He has scored in four of the games, eight goals. The English striker now averages 1.6 goals per game. He bagged a hat-trick helping his side beat Westham 4:1. Allan and Richarlison were subbed out following injuries they got. The severity of the injuries is yet to be clarified. Everton will now proceed to the quarter final round of EFL.

Everton has won all six games they have played, both in EPL and EFL. Ancellotti's new signings have been pivotal to Everton's success. — Carlo Ancelloti. Photo Credit opta

Manchester City vs Burnley

Manchester City was away to Burnley. However, they managed to win the game 0:3. Since 2016, Manchester City is yet to lose to Burnley in all competitions. During this time, they have drawn only once and won the rest of the matches. Pep Guardiola made three changes to the team that lost to Leicester. Sterling started upfront again since the Cityzen’s are without their natural strikers, Aguero and Jesus. Ferran Torres made his debut for the Cityzens.

Torres celebrating debut goal with teammate Rodri. Manchester City won the match 3:0 to progress to the quarter finals of EFL, Carabao cup — Torres celebrating debut goal with teammate Rodri. Photo Credit: Manchester City

Moreover, he netted the winning goal for Manchester City. Raheem Sterling made a through ball that found Torres. The 20-year-old Spanish winger found the top corner of the goal. Pep Guardiola fielded Sterling as a striker, and he scored a brace. Moreover, he made an assist. Indeed, a superb performance from him.

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The lost rematch vs Manchester United

On Saturday, Manchester United won against Brighton. Brighton had An excellent performance in this game but were not able to outscore the Red devils. Like Arsenal or Liverpool, United were to play the same team in the EFL as they did in the weekend.

Pogba celebrating freekick goal vs Brighton in Carabao. Manchester Unite won 3:0 — Pogba celebrating freekick goal vs Brighton in Carabao. Photo Credit: Manchester United

Van De Beek started for United. Moreover, Diogo Dalot made an appearance for United at the fullbacks position. Precisely, his first appearance for United this season. Scott McTominay found the back of the net in the first half, following a freekick by Juan Mata. Later on, Juan Mata found the back of the net from open play. A splendid connection with the new signing from Ajax, Van de Beek. In the 80^th minute, Pogba scored. Indeed, it was a magnificent shot past the Brighton wall. Jason Steele, Brighton’s keeper, did not move a muscle as he watched the ball get into the net. Above all, Dean Henderson’s performance was a 10 over 10. The English keeper made two superb saves. It was a well-deserved win for United.

Manchester United, Everton, Manchester City, and Newcastle have all proceeded to the quarter-finals of the Carabao cup.

England/Main Stories/Premier League

September 28, 2020

Vardy bags hat-trick as Leicester beat Manchester City

by marina

Hat-trick double

Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick as Leicester played against Manchester City, a second in his career against Manchester City. Manchester City hosted the Foxes, in what was supposed to be a close match. Manchester City lost to Leicester City, 2:5. Following this defeat, this is the first time Pep has conceded five goals as a coach. Guardiola has faced losses, but never lost by five goals.

A top corner shot by Mahrez opened the scoring charts. The game at then seemed to be going Manchester City’s way. However, this was short-lived. Jamie Vardy was fouled in the box by Kyle Walker. As a result, Michael Oliver, the referee, did not hesitate to point to the spot. Well, the English striker hardly misses this kind of chances. Vardy superbly flicked the ball past Ederson following a great pass by Timothy Castagne.

More goals …

Eric Garcia committed a foul in the box, which resulted to a penalty. As expected, Vardy found the back of the net. The striker’s goal completed his second hat-trick ever against Pep Guardiola’s side. Afterward, James Maddison was subbed in for Praet. It did not take long for him to find the back of the net. A magnificent strike to the top corner from outside the box ensured Leicester is 3 goals ahead. At this moment, the score was 4:1.

Jamie Vardy after being awarded the match ball vs Manchester City. — Jamie Vardy after he was awarded the match ball vs Manchester City. Photo Credits Jamie Vardy

Nathan Ake, the new signing from Bournemouth, headed in a corner kick to increase the Cityzen’s tally in this game to two. The presence of VAR in the Premier League has resulted to the awarding of 15 penalties so far. A foul by Mendy led to the third penalty of the game. Tielemans fired the fifth goal past Ederson. The goal sealed Leicester City’s win against Manchester City.

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League Standings

As things stand, the Foxes are on top of the table with 9 points. They have a better goal difference compared to Everton, with whom they have tied at 9 points. The Cityzens face Bielsa’s, Leeds United, in their next game. On the other hand, Leicester plays host to Westham United. Will Pep bounce back from this defeat?

England/Premier League/Serie A

August 25, 2020

Lazio Set to Sign Manchester City Playmaker David Silva

by Quincy Charles

According to Sky Sports Italia and the Guardian, Lazio have plans of signing Man City playmaker David Silva this summer.

Silva has played over 400 games for Man City in the last ten years he has been at the club. He played his final Premier League match against Norwich in July where they won 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

In his last game for Man City in the Premier League, he said:

â€œI have enjoyed the ten years here, today was the last game in the Premier League, but now we have to be focused on the Champions League.

â€œIt was emotional, I have been here for ten years, I love all of the players and staff, we have a good relationship and I am going to miss all of them.

â€œI couldnâ€™t imagine winning so many titles in the way we did when I first came here. I am a lucky guy; Iâ€™ve had a lot of nice moments. I will miss everything, even the weather!â€

He is currently a free agent but will still play for Man City in the ongoing Champions League games. According to the Guardian, Lazio offered the Spaniard Â£50,000 a week but he wants around Â£100,000 a week to sign a new deal with the club. The club is still negotiating with Silva hoping to close a deal soon.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

England/Popular/Premier League

August 25, 2020

Man City’s two-year Champions League ban lifted

by Quincy Charles

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has today lifted Man City’s two-year ban from the UEFA Champions League. Man City will now compete in the next year’s competition.

Manchester City were punished in February this year by UEFA following the accusations of breaching club licensing and financial fair play regulations.

From reports, the club breached the regulations between 2012 and 2016 and was later fined â‚¬30million after being found guilty of violating the Financial Fair Play (FFP) laws.

The Court today ruled in favour of Man City and reduced the initial fine that they were to pay to â‚¬10million. According to the Court’s ruling, the club did not disguise funds from their owners as sponsorship donations but will still have to pay the fine for failing to cooperate with the investigations.

Pep Guardiola is a happy man wherever he is, knowing his team will be in the UEFA competitions next season. Man City are currently at position two on the EPL table, a direct qualification of competing in the Champions League.

Photo Credit: Getty

England/Europe

August 24, 2020

Manchester City wins in a double game week as project restart becomes a success

by Peter Ongalo

Manchester City wins have marked them the most successful club so far, since the restart of the English Premier League on 17th June. This came after two comfortable wins against Arsenal and Burnley consecutively.

Triumph over Arsenal

The defending league champions easily got three points from a defensively struggling Arsenal on the night of Wednesday 17th June. Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil foden each scored in their 3-0 win. Manchester city and Arsenal have had quite a bitter rivalry. The Cityzens have won their last six matches against the gunners. This result did not come as a surprise for many since the Londoners were deemed as the weaker side. Arsenal suffered two injuries from Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari which led to unplanned substitution.

Thrashed Burnley

The Cityzens extended their winning streak on Monday, June 22nd, with a phenomenal 5-0 home win against Burnley. Phil Foden and Riyadh Mahrez both scored two goals and David Silva netting one. Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes were out on injury for Burnley. This really affected Burnley’s game play. This was an easy win for Manchester City since they massively outclassed the Clarets despite starting the game with some of their key players on the bench. This added to the number of Manchester City wins.

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Pep Guardiola, City’s Head Coach, has been quite efficient in rotating his squad to give all his players enough game time. Moreover, rotation is now easier for him since clubs can now make up to five substitutions in a single game. Manchester City are to set face Chelsea on Thursday at Stamford Bridge, hoping to win and stretch the gap between them and Leicester City on the league table.

Photo credits: Manchester City Official Twitter account:@Mancity