Manchester City 2-0 Cardiff City
Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League tonight after they strolled to victory against relegation-threatened Cardiff City.
A goal at either end of the first half ended the game in 45 minutes, and only a brilliant second-half display from Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge kept the score down to two.
Following Liverpool’s late win over Spurs at the weekend, the Sky Blues had to win this game, and they dominated from start to finish but were wasteful in front of goal while the Bluebirds’ stopper played a blinder.
The pick of tonight’s other Premier League 2019 results was a win for Spurs at their new home, against Crystal Palace to move into third place, while Chelsea beat Brighton to go fifth.
Highlights of the game
You could hardly imagine two teams in the top flight with such contrasting styles, with Manchester City’s slick passing and movement and Cardiff’s pragmatic approach with a heavy reliance on long throws. But to win a throw-in you first have to get hold of the ball and for most of the game, the Welsh side saw very little of it.
Gabriel Jesus came close to scoring in the opening minute. Kevin de Bruyne fired a low ball across the Cardiff six-yard box, and Riyad Mahrez brought a good save from Neil Etheridge soon after.
But there was little the Cardiff keeper could do on six minutes when Aymeric Laporte played De Buryne in down the left. The Belgian then cut inside and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles. Unstoppable!
Jesus almost added another after City broke quickly. But when De Bruyne squeezed the ball across from the byline Jesus’ shot was just wide of the post. The Brazilian was itching to score having started the game, as top scorer Sergio Aguero was rested after limping off in the weekend win over Fulham.
But Jesus missed another glorious chance to make it two when his shot was deflected wide. Although, a pass to his team-mate would have surely produced a goal.
Cardiff almost made it to the break still in touch, but the pressure finally told when Jesus laid the ball off to Leroy Sane, who drilled the ball into the corner of the net.
Etheridge made a brilliant save to keep out City youngster Phil Foden early in the second half. The Cardiff keeper made a super save from Riyad Mahrez and then a brilliant stop to keep out a Laporte header.
There was more hard work for Etheridge as he made another save from Sane. He was then aided by the woodwork as a Foden volley crashed a shot against the upright.
Cardiff had their first shot on target on 73 minutes, but Oumar Niasse’s effort was easily gathered by Ederson. Jesus then missed another sitter, trying a clever flick from a De Bruyne cross when a side foot would have sufficed.
Niasse had another chance to score as Cardiff made a speedy breakaway and Ederson came out to smother. There was to be no consolation, though 2-0 wasn’t a bad result for the Bluebirds.
Key statistics
This was always going to be a one-sided game at SBOBET odds of 1.064 for the hosts to win. With 80 per cent possession and 11 shot to one (five to nil on target), it was a wonder they went in at the break just two goals ahead.
By the end of the game,man of the match Etheridge made nine saves while City finished with 26 shots to three.
But the Sky Blues have laid down the gauntlet to Liverpool and can look forward to an FA Cup tie at the weekend on a run of 13 wins.
What’s next?
City face Brighton in the semi-final of the FA Cup next weekend. And then it’s off to face Spurs in the Champions League quarter-finals as Pep’s team looks to progress in parts three and four of the ever more possible quadruple. Having rested some key players tonight, the Sky Blues are in good shape.
Meanwhile, Cardiff have six games to save their season. Five points from safety – and probably six when you look at their goal difference – they have two away games coming up against Burnley and Brighton, which they need to turn into four points at least.
The Premier League 2019 betting odds seem to agree the Bluebirds are going down. Lose those two games and they will!
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