2-0! The prince is in a double ring, Manchester City starts a winning streak, and Liverpool Arsenal is trembling
Manchester City, who won the treble last season, showed signs of a significant decline in dominance after the start of this season, but the Club World Cup victory injected a shot in the arm for the Blues, and after a 3-1 reversal of Everton in the last round, they temporarily returned to the Champions League zone. This, combined with rivals Liverpool and Arsenal making mistakes, has left City with title hopes. On this matchday, Manchester City ushered in the final game of the year, hosting promoted Sheffield United, who are still standalone after 18 rounds and have booked a relegation spot. In the face of such a weak team, Manchester City were firmly in control from the beginning of the game, Foden provided two assists, Rodri and Alvarez scored successively, Manchester City easily won 2-0, won four consecutive games in all competitions, and only two points away from Liverpool at the top of the table.
Erling Haaland and Doku continued to miss out through injury, Pep Guardiola stuck with a 4-2-3-1 formation, Ederson continued to guard the goal, Walker, Akanji, Ake and Gvardiol formed a back four, Rodri partnered new signing Mateo Kovacic in the midfield, Bench B, Foden and Grealish lined up, and Alvarez stepped forward. It is worth mentioning that De Bruyne has recovered from injury and has been in the squad for the first time this season, sitting on the bench.
After the start of the game, Manchester City took the initiative with no suspense and used the familiar passing and control combination. Just two minutes into the game, Grealish crossed from the left, Foden stepped in with a backheel and Alvarez volleyed in a straight shot just wide of the post.
In the 14th minute, Akanji made a direct pass from the backfield, Foden took the ball with his back and fell to the ground, Rodri followed up to intercept the ball, and advanced to the front of the penalty area.
Rodri is a man of the big picture, not only playing at the MVP level in the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup finals, but also acting as a corkscrew in the Premier League. He has four goals and two assists in 16 league games this season, which is quite efficient as a midfielder.
In the 20th minute, Manchester City played another gorgeous combination, Foden suddenly kicked straight in front, and after the B seat, he volleyed into the far corner from a small angle, and Fodelingham flew to save the ball with one palm, and the Blue Moon Army failed to go to the next city. In the 37th minute, Rodri sent another overhead cross, Walker fell to the ground on the right and crossed, Grealish followed up, but Fodelingham took the lead to confiscate the ball.
In the 45th minute, Kovacic split the ball at the edge of the penalty area, Rodri shook off the angle, shot from 23 meters out of goal, the ball went over the crossbar and went out of bounds, and the blue moon still returned to the locker room with a one-goal advantage. Obviously, only 1 goal ahead, Guardiola was not very satisfied, only 5 minutes after coming back in the second half, he replaced the inactive Grealish with teenager Oscar Bob, so that Mr. 120 million was gloomy, but Guardiola's substitution had an immediate effect.
In the 55th minute, Rodri's long ball over the top was just right, Foden singled past the goalkeeper, but unfortunately the Sheffield United defender chased back and cleared the ball, missing a great opportunity. In the 61st minute, Manchester City made a fuss from the left side, Oscar Bob's diagonal plug penetrated Sheffield United's defense, Foden calmly inserted, Manchester City's prince selflessly crossed in front of the goal, Alvarez easily ate cakes, 2-0!
The 23-year-old Alvarez is one of the most efficient players in the Manchester City squad, with 12 goals and 8 assists in 28 appearances in all competitions this season, and has been directly involved in 20 goals.
In the 75th minute, Foden fired a powerful shot from outside the box, and Foeldingham responded with a world-class save. Despite missing a goal, the Prince of Manchester City provided two assists, converted five passes into shots and two dribbles to crown him the best of the game with 8.9 points.
The 2-0 win over Sheffield United ushered in Manchester City's fourth consecutive win in all competitions, and the points have equaled Arsenal and only two points away from Liverpool. There is no doubt that Manchester City have started a winning streak and they remain the favourites to win the title.