LONDON • Pep Guardiola counted the misses and the costs of a comfortable 2-0 win over Cardiff that took Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League as he faced the prospect of an FA Cup semi-final without a fit left-back.
City, still in the hunt to win four trophies this season, play Brighton at Wembley tomorrow, bidding to reach their second final of the campaign after their League Cup triumph in February.
But they will be without left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who had more passes than the entire Cardiff team, 21-13, by the time he limped off with a hamstring injury in the 18th minute on Wednesday.
And, with England man Fabian Delph also injured and Frenchman Benjamin Mendy yet to prove his match fitness, Guardiola admitted he has a problem, saying: "It doesn't look good for the next games. We don't have many options."
Sergio Aguero is also a doubt, with the ace striker not risked against Cardiff with crucial games coming up, particularly the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Tottenham next Tuesday.
At least City won an eighth straight league game, while being able to make seven changes as the league leadership changed hands for the 25th time this term with six games to go.
But the manager would not be happy that his team missed a slew of chances despite a quick start with Kevin de Bruyne's sixth-minute blistering goal, which the midfielder confessed was intended as a cross.
Guardiola said: "We have the feeling if we drop points, we will not be champions.
"But people said it would be easy against Cardiff. The way we started, the focus on what we have to do. The goals we scored with the chances, we should have scored more, that's the regret."
Leroy Sane struck shortly before the break, driving a low shot into the far corner after Gabriel Jesus chested a cross into his path.
But the Brazilian was guilty of missing a string of chances, including after just 34 seconds, when he slid in but failed to turn de Bruyne's cross into an open net.
That the scoreline stayed respectable despite City's 27 shots was largely due to Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who made a series of fine saves.
Manager Neil Warnock, who is trying to save Cardiff from joining relegated Huddersfield and Fulham, said: "They started like Real Madrid of 10 years ago, everybody is so quick and confident on the ball, with their movement. I've not seen anything like it."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE TIMES, LONDON
Hamilton Beach 76606ZA Smooth Touch Can Opener, Black and Chrome review Deluxe can opener opens all can types- including pop-tops with the side cutting action that lifts the can top off and leaves
Foiled Again! by Jack Wilds| J.W. Pepper Sheet Music
Andre Gray came off the bench to earn Watford a late 2-1 Premier League win at home to Leicester City in Brendan Rodgers' first game in charge of the Foxes. Jamie Vardy's equaliser seemed to have earned Rodgers' men a draw at Vicarage Road on Sunday after the striker cancelled out an early header by Troy Deeney 15 minutes from time.
Latest WATFORD | The Straits Times
Game Change Coaching & Consulting
gamechangecoaching.com
Through Game Change Coaching's Leadership Program, I learned to be more aware of my emotions in the moment, to notice when I get triggered by events and people, and to manage my response in a much more thoughtful manner rather than having that knee-jerk reaction.
This is a Game Changer.Coaching Minute #69 - YouTube
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 07, 2019, with the headline 'Hazard leads tributes for departing Fabregas'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Chelsea attacker Hazard pays tribute to departing Fabregas
LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers compete, but Utah Jazz end their two-game winning streak on second night of back-to-back situation.
Football: Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion
Read the latest Granada stories, Vincent Kompany to donate season of pay to homeless on ITV News, videos, stories and all the latest Granada news s Homelessness Fund, and donates 15% of his
Vincent Kompany Will be Raising Money for Manchester's
Soccer: Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Southampton - The American Express Community Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton - Football Match
'There was pressure last year and we dealt with it': Jurgen Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling in high-pressure Premier League title race Jurgen Klopp insists that Liverpool can cope with
Football news - Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling
Napoli stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez gets Inter back winning Juventus by 11 points after Carlo Ancelotti's wasteful side stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Saturday, as Lautaro
Napoli stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez gets Inter back winning
'We are going into this with massive confidence': Fulham boss Scott Parker says spirits are sky high after Everton win as he insists side can end miserable away run at Bournemouth
Mourinho has a friend in Ranieri - totemle.com
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen