SIX MOMENTS THAT TRANSFORMED THE SEASON...
1 SEPT 30, 2020: RUBEN DIAS SIGNS FROM BENFICA
CITY had shipped five goals at home to Leicester days earlier in one of the worst defensive displays of Pep Guardiola’s reign. He had wanted a centre half all summer and they settled on Dias for £62million — with Nicolas Otamendi going the other way for £15m. Dias (above) and John Stones became the premium partnership after another defeat, away at tottenham, in November. the pair have helped each other since, with Dias’ leadership qualities shining through. City see him as a future captain.
2 DECEMBER 15, 2020: MAN CITY 1 WEST BROM 1
THE Blues nearly won the game but did not deserve to. Raheem Sterling and ilkay Gundogan missed decent chances at the end, yet Guardiola was worried at his attackers’ stagnation on the ball in the final third. He spoke about not recognising his team, holding meetings with staff on what to change, and eventually ‘reconstructed’ their game. Captain Fernandinho also stood up with an inspirational speech. City won their next 20 matches and raced clear at the top of the table.
3 JANUARY 3: CHELSEA 1 MAN CITY 3
CORONAVIRUS took hold of City over the festive period. their trip to Everton was postponed hours before kick-off and the squad was six players lighter when travelling to high-flying Chelsea days later. Ederson, Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were absent but City were exceptional playing without a striker, blitzing Chelsea in half an hour. Kevin De Bruyne (above right, with Phil Foden) produced his best performance of the season.
4 JANUARY 17: MAN CITY 4 CRYSTAL PALACE 0
TALK was rife of a tantalising title race between Manchester United and liverpool, who met earlier in the day. The pair played out a drab goalless draw at anfield hours before City dispatched Crystal Palace as their rise to the summit continued. Ilkay Gundogan scored the pick of the goals with a curling effort from the edge of the box and the nickname Mr Whippy was born. Stones (above) scored twice. City were two points behind United with a game in hand.
5 JANUARY 20: MAN CITY 2 ASTON VILLA 0
THIS was the sort of game City would not have won earlier in the campaign. It looks a comfortable scoreline — it was anything but. Grit — and a little bit of controversy — was required to keep the winning run going. Villa boss Dean Smith was left apoplectic after Rodri had come back from an offside position (top) to intercept from Tyrone Mings (above), and set up Bernardo Silva to score the opener. Nineteen games in, City went top for the first time.
6 FEBRUARY 7: LIVERPOOL 1 MAN CITY 4
ALTHOUGH City were appearing more and more certain with each passing week, others remained in the race for the title and this was a statement victory. They were just too good for liverpool in the second half, winning at anfield for the first time since 2003. It was an afternoon when those who underestimated Phil Foden’s supreme talent sat up and took notice. Foden was integral to everything and scored a stunning late goal (above), thundering the ball past alisson.