Manchester City 3-3 Tottenham: Something not quite right at Premier League champions, says Micah Richards
Micah Richards is concerned about Manchester City's lack of defensive structure which is currently non-existent. He also worries that their failure to hold on to leads during the latter stages of a match could result in them losing their fourth successive Premier League championship title.
In an exciting Super Sunday match, Tottenham managed to secure a 3-3 draw against the defending champions with a last-minute goal from Dejan Kulusevski.
The City team had a much higher Expected Goals (xG) score of 2.64 compared to their opponents who only scored 0.49. Nonetheless, the Spurs managed to prevent their fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League for the first time in 19 years.
The team playing on their own turf were left regretting their missed opportunities as the opposing side didn't give up and managed to score with a powerful header from Kulusevski towards the end of the match, resulting in a tie for Ange Postecoglou's squad.
During an interview with Sky Sports, Richards expressed his concern about Man City's current situation, stating that something is not quite right. He noted that the team is susceptible to counter attacks, and there are frequent instances of individual mistakes.
In order to successfully finish a game, one must focus their attention and remain attentive. This was not achieved by the players during crucial moments, leading to their downfall.
Kudos to Spurs, they displayed a remarkable performance and managed to succeed. However, it is apparent that Man City's midfield and defensive sectors have certain flaws. Currently, their organization appears to be lacking.
There is a clear decline in performance. The City team heavily depends on their forwards to rescue them. Usually, when the score is tied at 1-1, the City attackers are able to score two or three goals.
Currently, that is not taking place. Yet, they are permitting teams to resume playing and it is essential that they improve their defensive performance.
It is recommended that you use the Chrome web browser in order to access and view the video player with greater ease.
Manchester City has not been able to secure a victory for three consecutive Premier League games, despite having a lead in all three matches. They ended up drawing in all three games, which is the first time this has happened since Mark Hughes' team had a streak of three draws in November 2009.
Ruben Dias is considered to be among the top players in the league while Nathan Ake should step up his game and prevent Kulusevski's header. Such errors are made on a personal level. Their defense is open and opponents are not intimidated by them anymore.
Pep Guardiola's team was ahead 2-1 during halftime with goals scored by Phil Foden and Heung-min Son (who scored for both teams). However, Giovani Lo Celso's impressive goal tied up the game at 2-2.
Spurs made lots of mistakes, which gave City many opportunities to secure a solid win. However, due to their inefficiency, they had to suffer the consequences. According to statistics, there has been a decline in performance over the last four matches in the league.
Is it becoming simpler to face City in matches?
Richards added that John Stones has the ability to neutralize any potential danger by taking on a more central role in the game. Although Akanji is a skilled defender, he doesn't seem to be as effective in blocking attacks when he moves forward into midfield. This could be due to him either standing too far ahead of the ball or not being close enough to it.
In my opinion, the desire to win the championship again is still present and I have no doubts about that. The team has already claimed the title for three consecutive seasons and even achieved the treble last year. However, it's understandable that there may come a point where the momentum starts to slow down.
Keane is noting that City is doing well with their scoring, but there seems to be an issue with their defensive play.
Roy Keane from Sky Sports stated that if a team has won a few trophies, observing the enthusiastic drive in the dressing room is crucial. According to Keane, the manager exemplifies this quality.
If we take a closer look at the initial score made by Spurs today, it's apparent that the goalkeeper was supposed to save it. He would have managed to do it last year. On the other hand, Haaland, who usually gets his chances converted, missed out on a few opportunities today.
"When the players slightly lower their performance and have set high standards in the past few years, it is difficult to criticize City because of their previous success. However, when they come off their game, one might question what is lacking within the team."
Despite their continued ability to score a substantial amount of goals, there is a growing concern regarding their defensive performance over the past few weeks. Even a small decrease in their defensive capability can result in negative outcomes when it comes to the final score.
City drew for the third time in a row and to add to their disappointment, Rodri received a booking, meaning he won't be able to play in their upcoming game against Aston Villa. Additionally, Jack Grealish, who used to play for Aston Villa, will also be suspended for this game.
Richards mentioned that Grealish is his friend, which is why he has a bit more concern. However, the cost of £100 million and his record of goals and assists are not meeting our standards.
However, he continues to have an impact on the game. Although Doku attracts attention, his statistics are significantly more impressive. It was necessary for him to have that pivotal moment- when people begin to doubt your abilities, it is imperative that you rise to the occasion.
When he stepped onto the field, he should aim to perform more consistently in that manner.
In Villa games, he was able to effortlessly sprint past players and score goals. However, since joining a new team with a different playing style, there are instances where he appears to be restricting his abilities.
Mahrez may not have performed at his absolute best, however, he managed to successfully score goals and provide assists during the game.
We recommend utilizing the Chrome web browser to make viewing the video player much easier.
During The Gary Neville Podcast, Gary Neville shared his thoughts by saying: "We were aware that Tottenham would pose a challenge today, however, I had anticipated them being easily defeated but they proved me wrong. I hadn't expected City to allow three goals nor Tottenham to keep them out."
Today, a trend emerged: City let the game slip away. It seemed like they were not fully aware of the potential risks during the game, which shows a lack of urgency. This ultimately results in complacency.
It was a common occurrence in the seasons following a league win. The manager would question if the team was bored and waiting for a big game. These warning signs were always present.
The issue lies with City, as we are used to them not being lazy and underperforming. There appears to be a trend of them assuming the game will be simple and not putting in their best effort. It is uncharacteristic of Manchester City to have let in nine goals in just four games.
You are unable to view this on Spotify because of your chosen consent preferences. Please open the privacy options.
You cannot access this content on Apple Podcasts because of your current consent preferences. To view this content, you need to adjust your privacy settings.
"How Does Draw Affect Arsenal, Liverpool And Title Race?"
To have an easier time accessing the video player, it is recommended to utilize the Chrome browser.
According to Jamie Carragher, a Sky Sports pundit:
We have witnessed a similar scenario before with Man City, where they embark on a winning streak in the latter half of the season, triumphing in 10 or 12 consecutive games, leaving other teams far behind.
Arsenal might be stronger this season due to their experience in crucial moments. Nevertheless, Liverpool has been in a similar situation before with their manager and half of their team.
"It extends the competition and there is a possibility of having a tight competition for the championship until March or April."
Roy Keane from Sky Sports:
I wouldn't put money on Man City winning, but I'm beginning to have some uncertainty about whether they'll be able to take the title.
The competition hasn't been won for four consecutive years because it's challenging to maintain consistent performance and motivation. Injuries and fatigue can also impact top players.
"Definitely, I have my eye on Arsenal and Liverpool, particularly Arsenal due to their powerful squad and past experience from last year."
Spurs Deserve Credit For Their Performance, Says Keane
Roy Keane from Sky Sports:
Tottenham should receive praise for their impressive display. At the beginning of the match, they were conceding many opportunities, but they managed to turn it around and commenced the second half strongly. Their determination was evident as they fought back and eventually succeeded in winning."
Previously, I used to be quite harsh when it came to my assessment of Spurs. However, I must commend them and acknowledge their impressive traits. They showcased immense courage and bravery, rallying to make a comeback during the game. In addition, their offense posed a significant threat and their defensive players in the center of the field strengthened their backline.
They persevered and made it through. When examining the statistics, it may appear that City missed an opportunity. However, taking into account the absence of some of their players, they showed great resilience and fought until the end.
Scoring three goals while playing away from their home turf is a significant advantage for the team. They constantly posed a threat to the opponent's goal, and despite their chaotic performance during the first half, it was evident that they had the ability to score goals.
To ensure easy access to the video player, we recommend utilizing the Chrome browser.
"Kudos to them for achieving that."
The opinions of Jamie Carragher, a Sky Sports pundit, were shared recently on the situation regarding Manchester United. Jamie Carragher, a sports commentator on Sky Sports, has expressed his views on the current state of affairs at Manchester United.
Ange Postecoglou should be acknowledged for his efforts, not only on this particular day. The recent streak they have been enduring has been plagued by unfortunate circumstances.
Success in sports often requires a bit of luck, and the team had it on their side at the beginning of the season. However, during the last three consecutive games they played, they made critical mistakes that cost them the game. It was like they were causing their own defeat each time.
We recommend that you use the Chrome web browser to have an easier time playing the video.
They didn't perform that badly in a lot of the games. However, I believed that when two or three players attempted to take on opponents near their own box, it could lead to negative consequences for them.
They should get credit for the point they earned because they have been unlucky in previous situations.
In my opinion, Spurs have consistently been a high-performing team aiming to compete in the top four. However, I don't believe that Spurs will be contenders for the championship or anything of that nature.
It is recommended to use the Chrome web browser in order to have a better experience when watching videos.
The crucial point is that the manager stated prior to the match that individuals would doubt their arrangement today. The present moment is not the main focus, as the objective is to develop Spurs into a genuine force in the next two to three years.
He doesn't plan on making any changes; rather, he's attempting to imbue the club with a certain mentality. His efforts paid off in the second half.
The son mentioned that the manager instructed them to increase their performance on the field. The team demonstrated significant improvement in the latter half of the game.
Manchester City will have a challenging away match against Aston Villa on Wednesday, which will commence at 8:15 PM. After that, they will travel to the southern part of the country to play Luton on Sunday, which will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports and will start at 2 PM.
In the meantime, Tottenham will be holding a fiery London derby against West Ham on Thursday at 8:15 pm. Following that, Newcastle will be making their way to north London for a match on Sunday at 4:30 pm, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
