Blues draw blank in title chase See M.E.N.
DROPPING POINTS LIKE THIS IS WHY CITY NEED A MIRACLE OF BARCA PROPORTIONS TO CLOSE THE GAP ON CHAMPIONS-ELECT CHELSEA
WHILE Barcelona were pulling off the most incredible of comebacks, City toiled to a goalless draw at home to Stoke.
Two games could hardly have contrasted more as Pep Guardiola’s former side struck six goals against Paris St Germain to remain in the Champions League – and City barely forced a save out of Tony Grant.
Barca could yet await City in Europe – providing the Blues see off Monaco in the second leg of their last-16 tie, which they lead 5-3 at the halfway stage.
The Champions League and the FA Cup now surely represent City’s only hope of silverware as they trail Premier League leaders Chelsea by 10 points.
There is a crucial difference between Guardiola’s side and Antonio Conte’s champions-inwaiting – Chelsea don’t drop points in games like these.
They don’t drop many points at all – which is why they are cruising towards the title.
City have threatened to make something of a fight of it in recent weeks, but they have left themselves with little room for manoeuvre. A draw with Stoke was the type of result they could ill-afford – leaving them so far adrift of the top that it will take a minor miracle to make up the difference. Results like Barca’s – trailing 4-0 after the first leg – are a reminder that such improbables can happen in football. But nights like this are a reminder of City’s failings as Guardiola’s project remains a work in progress. They’ve dropped points at home to Everton, Southampton, Middlesbrough and now Stoke this season. It is not the type of record that title bids are made of, let alone further dropped points to Chelsea and Tottenham at the Etihad. Their problems in front of their own fans have cost them 13 points. It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out how that has affected their title hopes. It also raises the question of why Guardiola chose to gamble with his selection after openly admitting his side could afford no more slip-ups.
The decision to leave out David Silva – one of three changes to the team that rolled over Sunderland on Sunday – was particularly curious.
When the Spaniard entered the pitch after 57 minutes, he did more than any City player to open up a Stoke side that defended deep and doggedly.
Twice he came close to finding a decisive goal himself – while also creating chances for Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi to find the net.
But not even Merlin could turn one point into three. On a night when miracles were happening elsewhere – City were given a serious reality check.
SILVA AND STERLING IMPRESS AGAIN
IT was a good night for Raheem Sterling and David Silva, and neither of them started.
One was rested from the squad while the other was a second-half substitute.
As City struggled to break down their opponents, the guile of Sterling and inspiration of Silva were evidently lacking.
The Spaniard instantly made an impression and his vision for finding team-mates far otustripped any other player on the pitch in the 90 minutes. Could his impact have been more decisive had he started?
Both he and Sterling have been terrific in 2017 and based on the performances without them, both would be backed to start the big games with Monaco, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea coming up.
CABALLERO BRINGS CALM
ANOTHER start, another clean sheet for Willy Caballero. Guardiola has rotated the defenders in front of him, with John Stones dropped to the bench for this one. However, the Argentine is a steadying influence as the last line. Nicolas Otamendi and Aleks Kolarov put in composed performances that belied the wilder aspects of their game. And the man himself was alert early to cover a Gael Clichy slip and did all that could be asked of him after that.
He is playing better than Bravo, but is he playing his way into being City’s No.1 for next season?
VARIATION OF THE STOKE TEST
OF the many English quirks thrown into Guardiola’s path when he dared to step foot on Mancunian soil, the Stoke test was branded as the most daunting.
The Catalan made mincemeat of such gloomy predictions when City ran out 4-1 winners at the bet365 Stadium but have struggled at home against teams looking to disrupt the game whenever they could.
Only two teams have drawn more home games this season, with Everton, Middlesbrough, and Southampton all preceding Stoke in leaving with grimly-earned points.
It’s been awfully costly to City in the title race and as they look to improve for next season, they can start with their home form.