LONDON (AFP) - English champions Manchester City slumped to a third shock defeat in four Premier League games at Leicester on Boxing Day to slip to third in the table and seven points adrift of unbeaten leaders Liverpool.
Just a few weeks ago they seemed unstoppable as they started their title defence with a 15-game unbeaten run.
However, a 2-0 reverse at Chelsea has sparked a run of three defeats in 18 days as Crystal Palace and Leicester both came from behind to hand Liverpool a huge advantage in the title race ahead of their trip to face City on Jan 3.
Here, AFP Sports looks at what has caused City's sudden collapse:
1. Fernandinho irreplaceable
City coped admirably in Kevin de Bruyne's absence for most of the campaign through injury thanks to an array of creative midfielders, but have badly missed Fernandinho's ability to play the more destructive role in midfield in the last two games.
The 33-year-old Brazilian had started every league game until Palace's visit on Saturday and is the one player in City's squad without a natural replacement.
Centre-back John Stones deputised at the weekend, while the more attack-minded Ilkay Gundogan was deployed at the base of the midfield in Leicester.
"We have to try and find solutions. Ferna was not able to play because he's injured. We have to overcome this problem," said coach Pep Guardiola, who tried to sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho from Napoli in the summer as cover for Fernandinho.
"You have to think about how to solve it when you don't have players in a position."
2. Four competitions take their toll
Even for a squad as deep as City's, English football's unique combination of a packed festive period and an extra Cup competition can stretch resources.
Just eight days ago a strong City side beat a much-changed Leicester to reach the League Cup semi-finals and stay alive in four competitions.
Leicester boss Claude Puel claimed victory on Wednesday was vindication for his criticised team selection in the Cup tie with the Foxes fresh to spring surprises over both Chelsea and City in the past five days.
As well as de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero didn't start against Chelsea or Palace due to injury, while David Silva has also been sidelined by injury in recent weeks.
3. Missing Mendy
Left-back has also been a problem position, even as City enjoyed great success last season, due to Benjamin Mendy's knee troubles.
The Frenchman's return to fitness and form in the early weeks of the season promised to give City an extra dimension to their attacking play, but he has been sidelined again since early November.
Fabian Delph, a central midfielder by trade, has filled in at left-back, but is now facing a three-match ban, including the Liverpool game, after being sent off late on at Leicester.
4. Defending the Premier League difficult
Guardiola won three consecutive league titles at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but retaining the title in England has proved impossible for any team in the past decade.
A Manchester United side containing Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were the last to do it in 2008-09.
City's record haul of 100 points last season led many to believe they would buck that trend, but it is proving tougher than expected.
"Last season, everyone said it was so easy, but I know how difficult it was," insisted Guardiola.
"Last season we were so consistent and made a lot of points. They (Liverpool and Spurs) are both so consistent."
5. Can City chase?
The question remains whether a Guardiola side is capable of chasing down a title rival to win the league in the manner Alex Ferguson's Manchester United made routine in the 1990s.
In most of Guardiola's seven title triumphs, his Barca, Bayern and City sides have been well in front by this stage of the season.
Now they have to play catch-up and their lack of reaction to going behind to Chelsea, Palace and Leicester leaves City's mentality open to question.
"We have to find an explanation," said Bernardo Silva. "It's mathematically possible, but we have to be almost perfect from now."
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the vacant job at Benfica, saying he has no intention of coaching in his native Portugal for the time being.
Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job - SuperSport - Football
adtest.supersport.com/football/portugal/news/190110/Mourinho_rules_himself_out_of_Benfica_job
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the vacant job at Benfica, saying he has no intention of coaching in his native Portugal for the time being. Mourinho was sacked by United last month after two and half years in charge of the Premier League club.
Football: Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job
Son Heung-min will aim to inspire South Korea to Asian Cup glory, with Iran looking strong as Australia and Japan face up to transition. be the bedrock of a title tilt, while Saudi Arabia have
Asian Cup: Qatar, Japan advance with perfect records
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba
SINGAPORE — Singapore's national striker Ikhsan Fandi scored his first competitive goal for his Norwegian club Raufoss IL on Sunday (12 May), and it proved to be a spectacular winner for his side. The 20-year-old was jostling in a crowded penalty area with one minute left in regulation time
WATCH: Singapore youngster Ikhsan Fandi scores his first
7. Cricket, football, pub sports and ten-pin bowling 8. Boxing, martial arts and weightlifting 9. Minor team sports 10. Water sports 11. Other sports Activities such as dancing, yoga, boxing, martial arts and weightlifting are characterised by frequent participation while sports such as athletics and rugby are characterisedby less
The Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League, saying the changes would damage the thriving game. Premier League voices fears over proposed UCL
Premier League voices fears over proposed Champions League
Leicester City's youth movement could prove to be what ushers in a new era of success, but they are likely facing a race against the clock. With every passing season the shine of the Premier League title dims a little bit and the team is forced to look forward before its effects completely wear off.
Clock ticking on PA city manager search - Beaumont Enterprise
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a composed display at Anfield that sent Bournemouth to an eighth successive away defeat. Three days after Manchester City moved top on goal difference, Jurgen Klopp's side responded to talk of the pressure of a title race showing in their performances in emphatic style.
The Standard - Kenya: Liverpool back on top after 3-0 win
Casillas denies he has retired from football after receiving positive update from doctors following heart attack The 167-cap Spanish legend took to Twitter to confirm he intents to carry on
Iker Casillas heart attack latest: Wife gives update from
Crystal Palace piled further pressure on Leicester City manager Claude Puel on Saturday with a comprehensive 4-1 Premier League win over his team, who have now gone seven games without a victory
Sport: Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel
Mauricio Pochettino labels two-game touchline ban 'completely unfair' - Mauricio Pochettino isn't happy in the slightest Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at the FA by labelling their decision to hand him a t - March 7th, 2019
"My Touchline Ban Completely Unfair" - Tottenham Boss
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch premier league stream reddit
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch champions league live stream uk
watch soccer live stream apk
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch champions league live streaming crictime
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch champions league draw live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch premier league live in stream
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live cricfree
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch coppa america live streaming india
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
cpl 2018 live streaming watch caribbean premier league t20 2018
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
tv soccer live stream sky
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch premier league games live stream
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch soccer am live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch soccer game live now
watch coppa america live streaming match
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch the premier league live stream
watch champions league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch premier league live streaming live
watch live soccer stream android
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch premier league live stream hd
watch us soccer live stream
watch soccer games live stream free
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch soccer live streaming mobile
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch premier league darts live stream
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch soccer live stream app
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
#soccermemes #freekickerz #visubal #messi #Fcb #liverpoolfc #footballstreaming #football #league2 #panini #bestshishacafedubai #jadwalbolahariini #chocolate #hotcoffee #paulmcartney #portsmouthfc #livestreaming #americanfootball #Celtic #leicestercity #nikesoccer #liverpoolcity #afcnews #sunderlandafc #Bar #adidasslipon #thomasmeunier #kickoff #manchestercity #linkstreaming #gooners #MSport #neymar #manunited #lfc #premierleague #footballfans #cr7 #rockstar #livestreams #boxing #fut #girlsniteout #oasisengland #barcelona #mancityvsliverpool #ballondor #streamingbolaid #realmadridcf #bayernmunich #battuteepiche #golazo #winner #hoffenhiem #4Series #commento #alissonbecker #manchesterunited #satira #noelgallagher #serieatim #meunier #footballdubai #midnight #footballmeme #bundesliga #liverpoolfans #commentimemorabili #MyDubai #Liverpool #ronaldo #england #ucl #cristiano #calciatoribrutti
No comments:
Post a Comment