■Stats don’t make good reading
On Friday, Pep Guardiola flipped the statistic that Manchester City had won once in five Premier League games by pointing out they’d only lost one in 12. That is now one defeat in 13 after the Crystal Palace draw, which looks like a team in good form, but the reality is this was another lead thrown away and further ground lost in the title race.
It’s also one win in six in the league and three home league games without a win. The ‘machine’ Rodri said was starting up again has had another technical hitch.
The concerning stats go on. This was the eighth time in 10 Premier League games when City have conceded in the last 20 minutes, and the fourth time in six where they have dropped points from a winning position. They haven’t kept a league clean sheet in seven, with just five in the last 26 in all competitions. One defeat in 13 is fine, but in the league it’s four wins from 11.
City had 74 per cent possession vs Palace, 19 shots to five, and nine on target compared to two. It means little when the result is two more dropped points. Guardiola said the Luton turnaround showed the fight and steel he wants to see, but they regressed against Palace. The boss knows many of the same issues remain as his side sacrificed the control offered by a two-goal lead. Some stats can’t be hidden.
■First choice midfield emerges for Club World Cup
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Suspect 'known to victim' as two dead in stabbing
POLICE DESCRIBE DOUBLE KILLING AS 'ISOLATED' AS THEY REASSURE SHOCKED COMMUNITY
Red dawn as boss Amorim takes training
RUBEN Amorim will take training as United head coach for the first time today after his visa to officially start work in the role was approved.
Lollipop man Barry has job he'll stick at
A LOLLIPOP man has become the fifth member of his family to take on the job.
STAR-STUDDED GALA RAISES RECORD SUM TO AID CHILDREN
MOVIE stars joined TV favourites and football legends in Manchester at the city's biggest fundraising ball for another record-breaking night.
Why Reds should Let Leny sink or swim at Ipswich
'THERE IS NO REASON TO EASE YORO INTO ACTION'
Player audit shows need for squad 'surgery' in January
CITY LOOK A PLAYER SHORT IN DEFENCE, MIDFIELD AND ATTACK
I didn't make it at City but now I'm worth £83m
FORMER RIGHT-BACK REECE WABARA SHOWED FLAIR AT ETIHAD ACADEMY BUT EVEN MORE AS A BUSINESSMAN IN FASHION
Rory's World best wins the race again
RORY McIlroy finished the 2024 season in style by adding his third DP World Tour Championship win after winning the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career.
Carsley signs off in style with rout against Ireland
INTERIM boss Lee Carsley signed off in style as England capitalised on Liam Scales' sending off in a 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland that sealed promotion back to the Nations League top tier.
Bizet's maiden goal helps Reds end run
CELIN Bizet scored her maiden United goal to help them break their three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Leicester in the Women's Super League.
