Dec 16, 2020 - 12:08 am By Staff Reporter
Manchester City lost further ground on the Premier League pacesetters after dropping points against West Bromwich Albion on home soil.
After failing to beat Manchester United over the weekend, Pep Guardiola recalled the talented Phil Foden at the expense of Algeria international Riyad Mahrez.
The visitors looked lively early on as Darnell Furlong and Karlan Grant went close to breaking the deadlock in the early stages.
After failing to get the early goal, the Citizens had to wait until the 30th minute as Ilkay Gundogan found the back of the net with a neat finish from close range.
‘Not good enough at this level’: Tim Sherwood lets rip at two Man City stars after WBA result
Tim Sherwood has told
The former Aston Villa boss also made it clear that he’s ‘not having’ Rodri, whose performance for Man City was ‘ponderous’ and negative last night.
With Sergio Aguero returning from injury, it will only be a matter of time before he dethrones Jesus from the starting XI, as the Brazilian simply hasn’t taken his chances.
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Sherwood shared his thoughts on Man City’s performance last night and he was ultra-critical of the above two players.
We were better in every department. We are creating, but we cannot do it.”
Guardiola could not hide his frustration and it was the fourth official Anthony Taylor who bore the brunt of his unhappiness as City ran out of time.
His team have consistently brushed aside newly-promoted clubs at the Etihad Stadium since he joined, winning their previous eight matches against former Championship sides going back to May 2018 when they drew with Huddersfield with the title already in the bag.
This time it mattered but they paid the price for yet another sluggish start, which has become a big problem recently.
The Baggies are currently 19th in the Premier League table with seven points from 13 fixtures.
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Football - Premier League - Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 15, 2020. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts as West Bromwich Albion manager Slaven Bilic looks on. [Pool via REUTERS/Martin Rickett]
Man City were held again in the Premier League as West Brom snatched a 1-1 draw thanks to Ruben Dias own goal on Tuesday.
He said after the match: “We are giving our best and tonight we got the reward.
When the opening goal arrived after half an hour it was pleasingly uncomplicated, Sterling making a run behind the West Brom defence on the right, reaching the ball on the goalline then standing up the covering Kieran Gibbs to lay a pass back for Gündogan. He beat Johnstone from close to the penalty spot. Bilic looked disappointed but resigned. It was the sort of goal it is difficult to stop City scoring once they have possession and men to spare on the edge of your area.
West Brom’s task was to reach the interval without conceding again, and they must have feared the worst when Gallagher was booked for sliding, studs up, into Gabriel Jesus on the edge of the area, but though De Bruyne immediately took responsibility for the free-kick his delivery was uncharacteristically overhit.