11 wins in the league on the trot. 18 wins all over in a row. 57 goals scored. Pep Guardiola has created the winning formula he promised at Manchester City.
Credit should be given to Huddersfield Town for the valiant effort they put in. Playing City was never going to be easy but the Terriers did more than what was expected of them. They nullified Pep’s team out in the first half before stealing the lead at the stroke of half-time from a corner through a lucky deflection on Nicolas Otamendi’s head.
The league leaders came out roaring in the second half as they were expected to. They could have scored twice in the first minute of the second half itself and managed to win a penalty in the 46th minute, which was calmly converted by Sergio Aguero.
As City struggled on to find a winner, Huddersfield Town put all their men in behind. A lucky rebound this time came to City’s favour as Jonas Lossl’s effort fell kindly to Raheem Sterling, who had very little idea as the ball rolled on to the goal off him.
A tough win for Pep’s men on the night, but this is the kind of results expected from teams aiming to lift the Premier League trophy come May 2018. Pep will no doubt sleep well tonight having been finally pushed to the limit, only to find that his team does indeed have enough ammunition to gun out the opposition when needed to.
Here is a look at the player ratings for City.
Ederson: 7
A spectator for most of the match. Could do very little for the goal conceded.
Fabian Delph: 6.5
Not up to his usual standards of consistency but had very little defending to do.
Nicolas Otamendi: 6.5
An unlucky own goal on the night for the Argentine.
Vincent Kompany: 7.5
The captain was back and had a calming influence on the defence.
David Silva: 6.5
Not up to his usual lofty standards tonight and misplaced a couple of key passes, not very Silva like.
Kevin De Bruyne: 6.5
A quiet night for the Belgian as he was given no room to manoeuvre and create.
Fernandinho: 6
A shameful dive to earn a yellow card, he was lacking in terms of attacking intent tonight.
Leroy Sane: 7
The German was running full of intent and created problems all night long for the opposition.
Raheem Sterling: 7.5
Won the penalty that allowed City to equalize and a lucky winner about which he had very little idea.
Sergio Aguero: 7.5
A composed penalty to give City life early in the second half.
Jesus: 6.5
Came on and created the move for the second goal for City tonight.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6
Came on to keep the ball rotating and did that well.
Eliaquim Mangala: 6
Came on to shore up the defence.
