Match Report

Mahrez Strike Sends City Top!!! 

Algerian Winger Riyad Mahrez climbed off the bench to score the only goal of the game as City beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality stadium. Mahrez came on as a sub for injured Kevin De Bruyne and bagged a priceless winner ten minutes after the restart to send City back to the top of the league for at least 24 hours before Liverpool play their next fixture against Everton.

The first half was a bit dull due to Bournemouth overloading their defense after naming a total of 6 defenders in their starting line up against City. It was more like an attack vs defense training session with Bournemouth pretty much camped in their 18 yard box making life difficult for City as there was no space to operate.

The best chance fell to David Silva as Bernardo found De Bruyne on the right side of the box and his low cross fell for El Mago but he side-footed his effort wide from 10 yards. Things started to slightly open up as the Sky Blues started to create some half chances and Nicolas Otamendi would have shocked the whole world if he had been able to convert his spectacular overhead kick but the Argentine center back sent his effort over the top.

Then came the heart breaking moment for every Cityzen around the world as Kevin De Bruyne pulled up with a hamstring injury (not officially confirmed at this moment) after he played a through pass just before half time and he could be out for a while again. Kevin was then replaced by today's hero Riyad Mahrez and the Algerian wasted no time making his mark after delivering a corner which caused some scrambles in the Bournemouth penalty area but City were again crowded out by a resolute Bournemouth defense.

John Stones also came off the pitch to be replaced by captain Vincent Kompany due to a minor injury. Tiny gaps began to open up as City began to turn up the heat and on 55 minutes at last came the break through. Zinchenko's dinked pass to Silva was nudged into the path of Mahrez who hit it low past Artur Boruc and bang City were in front.

Bournemouth then abandoned their initial park the bus tactic and inducted a more adventurous tactic and this just opened up space for Man City to operate and so they did. City quickly counter attacked and Bernardo released Sterling who fired a low shot which was well saved by Boruc. Sterling then teed up Aguero who saw his effort saved by Boruc. Jack Simpson's mistake would have resulted into another goal if not for the intervention of Artur Boruc again to deny Sterling and Mahrez then skied the rebound.

Aguero also tried something spectacular as he saw his deft cross-cum-shot tipped unto the cross-bar by Boruc. Boruc then saved another effort from Mahrez keeping the scores 1-0 and surely Bournemouth would be the happier side after this game.

Star Man: Oleksandr Zinchenko

Another impressive display from the Ukrainian as he totally bossed that left side.

Awards

Aguero and Pep Nominated For Monthly Awards

Manchester City Legend Sergio Aguero has been nominated for the EA Sports Player of The Month award, Alongside City boss Pep Guardiola who was nominated for the Manager of the Month award and Man City's young Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong who was nominated for the PL2 Player of the month awards.

Aguero is up against the likes of Sadio Mane, Van Dijk, Manchester United's Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba, Newcastle wonderkid Sean Longstaff, Wilfried Zaha and of course Ashley Barnes. These players have been fantastic this month but obviously not as fantastic as City's main man Sergio Aguero.

Aguero has been active in all City's games this month and scored back to back home hat-tricks against EPL giants Chelsea and Arsenal before converting the decisive penalty in City's 1-0 win against West Ham.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also been nominated for the Manager of the month awards and faces competition from Arsenal's Unai Emery and fierce rival boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pep won all four games with City this month with an aggregate score of 12-1. This performance puts him in the front row seat for the awards.

 Jeremie Frimpong impressed with some good performances against Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion. He was nominated with 5 other players including Southampton's hot prospect Jonathan Afolabi and Everton's Bassala Sambou.

Manchester City swing back to action on Saturday as they travel to the Vitality stadium for a test against a staggering Bournemouth side. Every point is crucial now as City look to defend their title for the first time in their Premier League history.


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Manchester City vs West Ham

Manchester City Keep Up Pressure On Liverpool

Manchester City made it 14 victories from 16 matches after recording a vital 1-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday at the Etihad stadium. This result will keep Manchester just one point apart from Liverpool at the top of the table.

It wasn't a vintage City display but following our exertions at Wembley on Sunday, Pep will view this win as a vital 3 points in our bid to become the first side in a decade to retain the Premier league trophy.

City started the match on a high note as Kevin De Bruyne hit a beautiful Effort from distance that looked to have beaten Fabianski but only for the ball to sail wide. The Sky Blues had already created 3 beautiful chances after just 5 minutes and the visitors looked rattled. The flow of the game changed after a while, West Ham played more conservatively and with men like Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang safe guarding a back four it was surely going to be difficult to create chances.

West Ham soon had their chance but Andy Carroll failed to beat a masterclass Ederson. Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling were soon introduced into the game and Bernardo Silva showed us why he is one of the best midfielders in the world as he attracted a foul in the box. Aguero cooly slotted in the spot kick to send City into the lead. 

Sterling had two chances later on in the game but a last-ditch tackle from Ryan Fredericks and a decent save from Fabianski kept the scores at 1-0. Surely it wasn't City at it's best as they failed to score at least two goals at home for the first time this season.

 Watch Extended Highlights Here

Transfers

Trio Heading for The Etihad next season??

     Recent rumours have linked Tanguy Ndombele, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leicester city's star left back Ben Chilwell with a move to the City of Manchester Stadium but the Sky Blues have to fight off some stern competition like Juventus and fierce rivals Manchester United to secure these hot prospects.

     There's been a recent snippet of gossip as Sports Mole claim Juventus are hot on Man City's tail to secure Ndombele's signature. According to Daniel Lewis: "The 22 year old is already believed to be high on the lists of targets for Manchester United and Manchester City after starring for the French Outfit this season." Italian outlet Rai Sport also indicated that Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is also looking forward to bolster his midfield ranks despit agreeing to sign Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer.

Ndombele is said to be valued at £78m. 

     Another young prospect on City's radar is Ben Chilwell. Chilwell has been enjoying the time of his life at Leicester this season and his top notch form hasn't gone unnoticed as it has earned him 5 caps for the Three Lions through out the autumn. Man City are currently lacking depth in the left back position with only one natural left back at the club. This move could be a chance for Chilwell to establish himself at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

     Aaron Wan-Bissaka has unarguably been one of the best Premier League defenders this season. The young defender has been on top notch form since breaking into the Crystal Palace matchday squad. Wan-Bissaka would be a very useful signing to City as they look to boost their home-grown players. Should City make a move for Aaron, it would be a very hard decision to turn down a move to the Etihad. Former City defender Richard Dunne in an interview had some things to say about this deal: "Aaron looked a very good player when he played City. He's got great pace and gets up and down the pitch. He's not as great on the ball as Walker, but defensively he's excellent and very hard to beat."

Benjamin Mendy

Benjamin Mendy set to resume first team duties.

     Benjamin Mendy could be eyeing a return to first team football for Manchester city on Wednesday as the Cityzens go head to head in a Premier League clash with West Ham United. City Boss Pep Guardiola has reportedly stated that Mendy has been looking good in recent trainings. "Benjamin Mendy is better, he has trained for the last few days and the reaction has been good. He could be fit." Guardiola mentioned in a recent interview.

     Mendy has sustained a number of injuries since joining the club and thus the Frenchman has made just 19 appearances after signing for the club. He has made 11 appearances for the club this season and has been on tremendous form creating 5 assists for his teammates.

     The return of Ben Mendy is obviously great news for city fans all around the world as the left-back would surely bolster the team in their press for glory this season. Could he be the missing piece in City's title charge?