Boy Aaron can go Gal the way

TODAY’S lunchtime kick-off is monster. Everyone is tipping Chelsea – and why wouldn’t they? Thomas Tuchel seems to have the Indian sign over Pep (below).

And for the first time in Guardiola’s reign in the rain of Manchester, maybe

Pep is under pressure.

Defeat at Stamford Bridge and City are six points behind.

At home to the hardly mighty Southampton last Saturday, it wasn’t until the 90th minute City even had a shot on target.

This City team, like every other top team, relies on not just creators, but goalscoring killers too.

They started poorly last season and we all know what happened then.

Pep is addicted to being the complicated genius who is so good no one can understand him or work out his tactics.

Planet

He must always show the world he comes from a different planet.

So yes, it looks like a Chelsea win. But I just don’t think Pep will lose four games on the trot to Tuchel.

And actually, it might suit City, with all their creativity and speed on the break, to play on the counter-attack.

And also, this week’s messy Antonio Rudiger noise is a transfer speculation story that Tuchel could have done without.

Rudiger has been sensational under Tuchel, but this is modern football, baby, and he has shown no loyalty to his boss.

Instead, he has let his agent write the script of, ‘Yes I love Chelsea, but … If Chelsea don’t double my wages, I’ll love the next club that does just as much’.

If Romelu Lukaku bullies this Manchester City defence, it’s going to be a long 90 minutes. But I’ve got a feeling that Pep’s got a plan to bring something back from the Bridge.

WASN’T IT fantastic to see young Galway genius Aaron Connolly score two goals for Brighton in the League Cup against Swansea?

He might have had a bit of luck with the first one, but his second was vintage Connolly, when he cut in from that favoured left-hand-side and used his special right foot to do what comes easy to him.

This kid has so much talent, pace, skill, energy and the level of belief and selfconfidence that made some of the great players kings of their era.

Tough

However, it has been a tough start to the season for Connolly and some have talked about lifestyle and off-field issues.

But it was great to see Stephen Kenny was at the game, working away, supporting his young talent, because Connolly owes Kenny for the faith the Irish manager has shown in this young Irish protege.

I got a message from the wonderful Dan Ashworth saying he’d spoken to Stephen on the night, and was very impressed.

But what so many people find so impressive about Stephen is his decency, honesty and hard work.

That’s why it was a great day for Irish football, with Connolly kicking his season into gear against the Swans.