City did not miss the opportunity. Able to come back to three lengths behind leader Arsenal in the event of success this followingnoon on their lawn once morest Aston Villa, Manchester City did the job by logically dominating the Villans 3 goals to 1 thanks to achievements from Rodri (4th) , Gundogan (38th) and Mahrez (45th). Watkins (61st) reduced the mark for the visitors in the second half.
This time, the Cityzens seized with full hand the enormous opportunity presented to them. The leader Arsenal held in check on his lawn by Brentford (1-1) the day before, the double reigning champion of England might pick up three lengths from a London team in net loss of speed for a few weeks. By winning without firing a shot once morest a weak formation of Aston Villa, Manchester City not only fulfilled its mission of the day, but also placed itself in the best psychological conditions before Wednesday’s shock once morest the Gunners.
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City rolled out in the first half
Not badly reworked at kick-off, Pep Guardiola having made four changes compared to the team aligned once morest Tottenham, the Mancunian formation did not however leave any hope to an Aston Villa team which remained on a series of three consecutive away wins. Ideally launched by the early opener from Rodri (4th, 1-0) from a corner, the Spanish midfielder victoriously heading a perfect cross from Mahrez, the Sky Blues then unfolded their score during a first period at One Way.
Deprived of a second goal just as fast by the parade of Martinez (11th) and by an arbitration decision of Mr. Jones (13th), the referee judging the charge of Haaland on the doorman of Villans illicit, the Mancuniens are however managed to score a second time before the break. The ubiquitous İlkay Gündogan took advantage of Haaland’s excellent work on the right side to double the lead in the empty goal (38th, 2-0). Stunned at the worst of times, the Villa team even sank at the very end of the first half, the unfortunate Ramsey committing irreparable damage on Grealish in the middle of the box, thus offering a golden penalty to Pep Guardiola’s men.
Logically transformed by Mahrez (45th, 3-0), this penalty definitively ratified the success of the Cityzens, Villa never finding the strength to revolt or reverse the course of events. So certainly the courageous Watkins (61st, 3-1) still reduced the mark on the hour mark. But most of it had been done before the break for City. By triumphing with the manner of a weak formation of Aston Villa, Manchester City has completely revived the interest of this championship and can take over the reins of the Premier League from Arsenal in the event of another success next Wednesday on the lawn of the Emirates.
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