Tag: the Etihad

Manchester City stroll in FA Cup Fourth Round with Birmingham City win

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

City were dominant through at the Etihad with the game wrapped up inside their first half thanks to a brace from Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden’s brilliant strike.

Silva has found himself on the edge of Guardiola’s plans so far this season but the Portuguese star crashed home a fine opener.

Birmingham never really recover form that setback as Silva quickly made it 2-0 before fans favourite Foden bulleted home a third.

And it was all one-way traffic again after the break as Silva was expertly denied a hat trick by visiting keeper Andre Prieto.

Birmingham did almost nick a consolation late on as winger Jeremie Bela tested Zak Steffen but it wasn’t to be on a straightforward afternoon for City.

Full Time at the Etihad Stadium it’s Manchester City 3 Birmingham City 0

Kevin De Bruyne inspires Manchester City to 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

City put five past Burnley last weekend and they were unlucky not to beat that total after completing outclassing Scott Parker’s struggling visitors.

The hosts were right on their A-game from kick off at the Etihad as Raheem Sterling got the ball rolling inside the first five minutes.

Kevin De Bruyne’s perfect pass split the Fulham defence in two and Sterling raced on to calmly clip over the stranded Alphonse Areola.

The talismanic De Bruyne continued to the beating heart of City’s first half dominance, firstly forcing a smart stop from Areola before making it 2-0 on the half hour.

Sterling was caught by Joachim Anderson inside the box and the Belgian routinely tucked past Areola from the spot.

City clicked back into top gear after the break, with Fulham looking to batten down the hatches, as De Bruyne cracked another fine effort against the bar.

Parker’s side did show some signs of life in the final 20 as Ivan Cavaleiro forced a reaction stop from Ederson on the break.

But in reality, Guardiola’s side could and should have added to the lead in the closing minutes as Ruben Dias headed wide and Gabriel Jesus fired over.

Full Time at the Etihad Stadium it’s Manchester City 2 Fulham 0

Riyad Mahrez nets a hat trick as Manchester City crush Burnley 5-0

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Pep Guardiola’s side have been in dire need of a dominant performance in recent weeks, and a hat trick from Riyad Mahrez power his side to all three points.

City dominated this one from start to finish at the Etihad, with Mahrez edging them in front after six minutes.

James Tarkowski gifted possession to Kevin De Bruyne just inside his own half and the Belgian fed the rampaging Mahrez to fire a brilliant effort past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

And Burnley were to shoot themselves in the foot yet again on 24 minutes, as Mahrez seized on a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable effort home.

With the Clarets simply chasing shadows before the break, a brilliant team goal from Benjamin Mendy essentially sealed the tie before the break.

De Bruyne was once again at the heart of it for City, finding Mendy on the overlap after a 25 pass move, and the French full back powered into the far corner.

And there was to be no slowing down from Pep’s men after the break as they continued to tear Burnley to bits.

Ferran Torres got himself in on the act on the hour as he tucked home another City passing carousel, before Mahrez completed a hat trick just after.

The Algerian was unplayable for Burnley on the day and he bulleted home a header from Phil Foden’s clever cross to make five goals and three points for Pep.

Full Time at the Etihad Stadium it’s Manchester City 5 Burnley 0

Jamie Vardy Inspired Leicester City Win 5-2 at Manchester City

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

The veteran striker has been a thorn in City’s side down the years, and he produced a textbook Vardy display to upset the form book at the Etihad.

Despite finding themselves undone after the break, Pep Guardiola’s side enjoyed a perfect start in this one, as Riyad Mahrez rocketed home against his former side.

But, as Leicester fans know all too well, where there’s Vardy there is always a chance, as he hauled them level from the penalty spot just before the break.

And despite struggling to get going in the first half, Vardy and Leicester handed out a lesson in efficiency after the restart.

Vardy made it 2-1 on 54 minutes, gambling in front of Eric Garcia at the front post, before bagging another penalty after the Spanish defender dragged him down.

Guardiola brought on Premier League debutant Liam Delap to try and shock his team into life, and the teenager almost set up a fight back as he crashed a header off the bar.

However, Vardy’s quickfire double knocked the life out of the hosts, as James Maddison added a spectacular fourth.

The England international reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box, and he unleashed a rocket past Ederson.

The hosts did rally in the final ten minutes, with Nathan Ake nodding in home his first City goal.

But Leicester were in no mood for any late drama, as Belgian international Youri Tielemens slotted home another penalty.

FULL TIME AT A BONKERS ETIHAD STADIUM IT’S MANCHESTER CITY 2 LEICESTER CITY 5

Manchester City to sell Pedro Porro

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The defender – who hasn’t played a single game for City’s first team – arrived at the Etihad from Spanish side Girona last summer for €12m.

After spending the 2019/20 season on loan in La Liga at Real Valladolid, it now appears that the 20-year-old could be on his way out of Manchester City permanently if Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon activate his €8.5m release clause.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, City and Sporting enjoy a healthy relationship and the two sides have reached a ‘total agreement’ for the player on a two-year loan deal with an option to buy, despite him not having played a single competitive match for Pep Guardiola’s side.