Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Editor’s Note: This article was written before Saturday’s Premier League action
At the start of the weekend Manchester City were level on points with Liverpool as they currently fight it out over the last Champions League place and they will look to make further inroads on the Merseysiders when they take on Swansea at The Etihad this Afternoon.
City were in scintillating form on Wednesday as they once again made easy work of West Ham at The London Stadium. Early January saw them put 5 past Slaven Bilic’s side but in midweek they had to make do with just 4 as they once again strolled to victory.
But it was a performance that was without Sergio Aguero, the dimunitive Argentine was dropped to the bench with Guardiola opting for a front three of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus – all of whom started last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
And it was a decision that paid off handsomely as the trio – aged 22, 21 and 19 respectively – ripped the Hammers to shreds. After that performance you get the feeling that Slaven Bilic will be glad to see the back of Manchester City for this season.
But also on the basis of that performance is poses the question as to whether or not Aguero will be recalled for the visit of Paul Clement’s Swansea later today. As the saying goes ‘if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it’ and you would have to imagine that Guardiola will keep faith in his young trio once again.
In regards to Swansea it certainly was broke when Bob Bradley was in charge but Paul Clement has managed to at least start to put things back together again. It’s now 3 wins out of 4 since the appointment of Clement and although he may have had little to do with the vital win over Crystal Palace at the start of January, the same could not be said for the wins that he has masterminded over Liverpool and Southampton.
A fortnight ago he led Swansea to their first ever win at Anfield in a game where no-one really gave them much hope of getting even a point. But a brace of goals from Fernando Llorente and a winner from Gylfi Sigurdsson restored some belief at The Liberty Stadium.
And that belief carried over to Tuesday night when they beat Southampton at home. A win that was not only vital due to the fact that Crystal Palace pulled off the same feat at Bournemouth but they also now find themselves level with both Middlesbrough and last season’s champions Leicester.
Had it not been for the frankly abysmal goal difference then they could very well as 15th, but as it stands their poor goal difference is almost the equivalent of an extra point for the teams above them and that could very well come into to play on the final day of the season.
That means Swansea are not only going to have to start scoring goals to try and turn the tide but more importantly they are going to have to earn points. No-one gave them a hope at Anfield, will anyone give them hope when they come to The Etihad in a few hours.
They are certainly on a rich vein of form but it seems as if things have once again clicked for City, they started the weekend in 5th just a point behind Spurs in 2nd. Had they won that encounter between the two teams it would have been them starting the weekend in 2nd place, such are the fine margins we are dealing with right now.
So both sides come into this game off the back of a victory but unfortunately for Swansea I think there resurgence will be halted as City should see this one out and pick up back to back wins in the league for the first time since December. A home win for me.
