Published: November 23, 2024, at 20:32Last updated: November 23, 2024, at 21:05
In the last five matches, City has scored four goals and conceded 14. The horror streak began with the exit in the League Cup against none other than Tottenham on October 30.
Never before has a Guardiola team conceded two or more goals in five consecutive matches, writes Statman Dave on X. The Spaniard extended his contract with Manchester City earlier this week.
– What on earth are we actually witnessing? It’s a Manchester City team that is being completely stripped bare, said Viaplay expert Lars Tjærnås after Pedro Porro had given Tottenham a 3-0 lead shortly after the start of the second half.
If Liverpool wins against Southampton on Sunday, City will be eight points behind the top of the table.
Spectacular Goals
Before the break, birthday boy James Maddison played the lead role in Manchester.
A little less than a quarter into the match, Swedish player Dejan Kulusevski found teammate Maddison with a perfect cross, and the Englishman deftly guided the ball into the net.
– A fantastic individual effort by Kulusevski. He creates a lot out of nothing, and that cross is precise, said Viaplay expert Pål André Helland.
– It illustrates all the problems Manchester City is currently having, but takes nothing away from what Tottenham is doing, was colleague Jan Åge Fjørtoft’s analysis of the goal.
Velvet Smooth
A little over five minutes later, Maddison and Son Heung-min combined brilliantly, with the former delicately chipping in the second goal.
– Velvet smooth from Maddison, praised Helland.
Four minutes into the match, Haaland had a big chance out on the right, but the attempt was averted. Just before the guests’ 1-0 goal, the Norwegian fired a shot from inside the penalty area, but Vicario stopped the shot. Halfway through the first half, Haaland was threatening again, but once again, he was unsuccessful.
Tottenham also created several big chances besides the goal, but it was “only” 2-0 at halftime in favor of the visitors. Shortly after the halftime break, Porro extended to 3-0 after a beautiful attacking play. Just before the hour mark, Haaland hit the crossbar with a shot, and later in the match, he had one or two more big chances.
However, things just wouldn’t go Haaland’s way on Saturday. In added time, Brennan Johnson sealed the result at 4-0.
Next Tuesday, crisis-hit City will face Feyenoord in the Champions League, before a big match against Liverpool at Anfield next weekend.
How has Tottenham’s performance influenced Manchester City’s current struggles?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Football Expert Lars Tjærnås
Editor: Good evening, Lars. Thanks for joining us today. We’re diving into a rather unusual phase for Manchester City, especially considering Pep Guardiola’s recent contract extension. What do you make of their current form?
Lars Tjærnås: Good evening! It’s indeed a perplexing situation for City. The team is historically known for its offensive flair, yet we’re witnessing them concede an alarming number of goals—14 in just five matches. That’s unprecedented for a Guardiola side.
Editor: Very true. In fact, they’ve never before conceded two or more goals in five consecutive games under him. What do you think is behind this sudden decline?
Lars Tjærnås: It appears that the team is undergoing significant structural issues on the pitch. They look disorganized defensively, and key players may be lacking confidence. Losing to Tottenham, especially in the League Cup, must have been a major psychological blow. After Pedro Porro scored to put Tottenham ahead 3-0, City seemed stripped bare, as I said during the match commentary.
Editor: Yes, that match made headlines. Liverpool has a chance to extend the gap to eight points at the top of the table if they win against Southampton. How critical is the upcoming match for Manchester City?
Lars Tjærnås: It’s quite critical. Falling eight points behind could place immense pressure on the squad, especially with the high expectations surrounding Guardiola’s contract renewal. The next few games could define their season; they need to rally quickly and regain that defensive solidity.
Editor: On a more positive note, despite City’s struggles, we saw some spectacular performances from players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for Tottenham. Would you say Tottenham is capitalizing on City’s vulnerabilities?
Lars Tjærnås: Absolutely. While it’s crucial to highlight Manchester City’s issues, we must also credit Tottenham’s resilience and talent. Kulusevski’s cross to Maddison was a fantastic example of exploiting the spaces that City left open. The precision in that play underscored how well organized Tottenham is right now.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. Do you believe Guardiola has the tools necessary to turn this situation around, or could there be deeper issues at play?
Lars Tjærnås: Guardiola is certainly one of the best managers in the world, and he has what it takes to navigate through this. However, if the players themselves are struggling with their confidence or if there are motivational issues, it becomes a more complex problem. It’s essential for him to find a quick fix while keeping the squad’s morale high.
Editor: Fascinating insights, Lars. As we look ahead to the rest of the season, what must City prioritize to get back on track?
Lars Tjærnås: They need a strong focus on defensive organization and clear communication on the pitch. Simultaneously, they must find a way to rekindle their attacking prowess. If they can achieve that balance, there’s no doubt that they can become contenders again.
Editor: Thank you, Lars. Your analysis provides a deeper understanding of Manchester City’s current challenges. Fans will certainly be keen to see how this unfolds in the coming matches.
Lars Tjærnås: Thank you for having me! It will certainly be an intriguing chapter in the Premier League this season.