“We are going to win the Premier. People don't believe it anymore, but we will do it again," Pep Guardiola stated emphatically, without an iota of doubt on his serious face, a few weeks ago, when his Manchester City team was going through the worst streak since 2017, with four games without winning. The Catalan's predictions are beginning to take shape. The cityzens were six points off the lead, even outside the Champions League places. Now, the panorama has changed. With this Saturday's victory against bottom team Sheffield United (2-0), they are already two points behind the leader, Liverpool.
Without De Bruyne since the beginning of the season due to a torn hamstring and with Håland also injured, even without a clear date for his reappearance, the skyblue went to the Club World Cup with many doubts, increased after giving up a draw against the Crystal Palace before traveling to Saudi Arabia. But the victory against the Brazilian Fluminense (4-0) has revitalized a group that has redirected the situation in the domestic competition.
Liverpool, Arsenal and to a lesser extent the outsider Aston Villa, the other candidates to win the Premier League, know how City spends their time. Both the Reds and Gunners have challenged the Manchester team in the title race in recent years. Except in 2020, when Klopp's men sang the alirón, the cityzens always had the pulse. Arteta's pupils had five points of advantage last year, but ended up succumbing to a City that had the best season in its history with the treble (Champions, Premier and Cup).
This year's film is beginning to resemble the one the skyblues performed last season. City did their homework yesterday at the Etihad Stadium against a rival that chose to put the bus in due to their absolute inferiority, last in the table with nine points. Up to nine players guarded the front of the visiting area throughout the match, even when the locals already won by two goals, the first from Rodri in the 14th minute and the one from Julián Álvarez in the second half.
Guardiola's men calmly amassed possession, with hardly any offensive threat from Sheffield. The goal that opened the scoring came from an all-terrain action by the Spanish midfielder. The man from Madrid took the ball from Bogle with a subtle, classy touch, before starting a powerful drive that ended with a cross shot into the back of the net. It was the signature for the best year of his career, fifth in the Ballon d'Or and scorer of the goal in the Champions League final.
With the wind in their favor, City continued to strike. Bernardo Silva was able to put the ball in the way with a cross kick that was deflected by the goalkeeper. The visitors' only offensive adventure came in the 41st minute. Akanji blocked Osula's free shot. After the resumption, the script remained intact. The locals played and played until at game time they created a brilliant play between a sea of legs. The young Bobb filtered the ball into the area for Foden, who raised his head and gave the pass of death for the spider Álvarez. The only news for the rest of the game was De Bruyne, who came out to warm up although without actually taking the field. With half an hour remaining, City dedicated themselves to keeping the ball, at a slow pace, until they certified three points that once again placed them among the leaders of the Premier League.
Aston Villa had to suffer much more at home to remain at the top of the Premier League, with the villains now tied for first place with Liverpool but with one more game. Emery's team beat Burnley (3-2), penultimate in the table, thanks to a penalty converted by Douglas Luiz in the 89th minute. Before, the locals advanced twice, with goals from Bailey and Diaby, but Emery's team Kompany responded with goals from Amdouni and Foster, the latter being inferior due to Berge's expulsion in the 56th minute.
