We played slightly better than Liverpool in both games, but got bossed by City in both.

While Pep is in charge it’s gonna be difficult to finish above them in the league. They’re too consistent.

It annoys me because the hallmark of Tuchel last year was that we looked like we could beat anyone

180 mins this year of just being inferior to City

We weren't 'bossed' imo, certainly not compared to the 1-0 defeats Pep inflicted on Conte in 2017/18.

Instead we were beaten by a deflection and one moment of quality in two turgid games where City edged it by being slightly less crap than us.

We weren't 'schooled' as such, and I still think we are basically four reliable wing backs and a consistent front line from being able to win the league.

Im not defending CSTP's choice of language that you take issue with

But i think City more than edged the first game. We were lucky that was 1-0

I do blame the tactics we employed for that game. Seemed quite the gamble from TT

This one today just seems like we arent able to match them with our dynamic WB options out

If you say so - my point is I think that people catastrophise on here way too much. We were Kepa's silly shuffle away from getting a credible point today.

As said earlier - we need four top quality WBs if they are that crucial to our collective performance.

I thought we did basically match City today, despite our absentees.

comment by NPE - I hate splosions (U22712)
posted 2 minutes ago
If you say so - my point is I think that people catastrophise on here way too much. We were Kepa's silly shuffle away from getting a credible point today.
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Yes but you dont have to misrepresent the first game to counter that catastrophising

xG was like 0.19 v 1.65 in the first game we played. Its one of our worst in terms of chances created all season

today it was 0.9 v 0.6

It was way more even

The reason I’m not mad at Kepa is because I thought we played badly today, and in the home game.

Normally we control games which granted is tough against City. But on the ball it felt like we had no proper rhythm to our play, struggling to string a few passes together or get out of our half. They stopped our attacks pretty comfortably.

But yes admittedly we defended ok in both games. I don’t have an issue with playing defensively but we weren’t a threat even when counterattacking, except a couple times early in the game.

FWIW in the first game we created nothing but TBF neither did City until they scored.

Almost all their xG came after they scored and we opened up in an attempt to equalise.



Today their only decent chance came from Kova giving the ball away. They created no more than us, and I maintain, though the KDB strike was good, a decent keeper saves it.

I missed a few minutes at the start of both halves, but can’t remember us even having a half chance today worth any xG. Our best openings led to a poor pass before a shot could even be taken.

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 1 minute ago
The reason I’m not mad at Kepa is because I thought we played badly today, and in the home game.

Normally we control games which granted is tough against City. But on the ball it felt like we had no proper rhythm to our play, struggling to string a few passes together or get out of our half. They stopped our attacks pretty comfortably.

But yes admittedly we defended ok in both games. I don’t have an issue with playing defensively but we weren’t a threat even when counterattacking, except a couple times early in the game.
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We stopped our own attacks mate

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 32 seconds ago
I missed a few minutes at the start of both halves, but can’t remember us even having a half chance today worth any xG. Our best openings led to a poor pass before a shot could even be taken.
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Lukaku got played through one on one with the keeper for one of the only two clear cut chances in the game mate - other being Grealish

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted less than a minute ago
I missed a few minutes at the start of both halves, but can’t remember us even having a half chance today worth any xG. Our best openings led to a poor pass before a shot could even be taken.
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Lukaku had a 1v1 and Ederson parried to Ziyech who blazed over.

Other than that we had no shots of note.

Oh damn I must’ve missed the Lukaku chance

comment by g7 (U12473)
posted 2 minutes ago
FWIW in the first game we created nothing but TBF neither did City until they scored.

Almost all their xG came after they scored and we opened up in an attempt to equalise.

Today their only decent chance came from Kova giving the ball away. They created no more than us, and I maintain, though the KDB strike was good, a decent keeper saves it.
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Completely agree

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 8 seconds ago
Oh damn I must’ve missed the Lukaku chance
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1:27 in this video mate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHRh1n-n2L4

comment by g7 (U12473)
posted 2 minutes ago
FWIW in the first game we created nothing but TBF neither did City until they scored.

Almost all their xG came after they scored and we opened up in an attempt to equalise.



Today their only decent chance came from Kova giving the ball away. They created no more than us, and I maintain, though the KDB strike was good, a decent keeper saves it.
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0.19 is basically less than nothing, I think that was what Norwich managed against us

I do agree we limited their clear chances, which is why I think the defence did ok. Watching us try to build attacks was so painful that I wasn’t really that disappointed to lose.

Compare that to the Utd draw for example where I thought we played well and was furious to not win.

I remember about four counter attacks where we messed up the final pass in that game - which wouldn't appear on XG but were still massive moments for us.

A value of like 0.19 more or less implies you didnt get the ball in their half all game

Yes but my point was though we created nothing we defended ok.

Understate has City's xG at 0.45 when Jesus scored from the deflected shot in the 1st game. So, although we had no offence at all, they were hardly tearing us apart.

Only two clear cut chances in the whole match - one for each side, both spurned.

I actually thought we were starting to wake up before KDB scored, it came just as I was getting optimistic lol