Manchester City Beat Liverpool: The Title Race is Back On

Sometimes there are football matches which can outlast the memory of the season. This was one of those momentous games where two heavyweight sides battled against each other, slugging it out in a scintillating display of all that is good in Premier League Football. Of course it helps that the whole nation was able to rejoice as the Merseysiders were beaten deservedly by Manchester City.

From the kick off it was clear Manchester City had put their recent travails behind them and were intent on righting the wrongs of recent results. They arrived on the pitch with a desire and hunger which we have not seen for a number of games. City were full of purpose and intent. They met the physical power of Liverpool with aggression.

Bernardo covered more distance in this game than any other player has in a match all season. He was everywhere, closing down, recovering the ball and turning over play. He was joined in this endeavour by Fernandinho who by all intents and purposes gave the consummate midfield performance

In the opening exchanges, for all the fire and glory of City, the best chance fell to Liverpool. Mane was through on goal, Ederson touched the shot onto the post, the rebound was cleared against Ederson by Stones and the ball threatened to cross the goal line as Salah ran in to finish it. Somehow Stones cleared the ball before VAR kicked in, nutmegging Salah on the goal line. Titles can be won by fine margins.

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At the other end City opened the scoring just before half time. Bernardo played the ball into Aguero, at the edge of the 6 yard box and somehow he found the space to control the ball with one foot, past Lovren and fire an unstoppable shot past the near post of Allison Becker.

At some point there was a penalty shout for City as Sterling was rugby tackled to the ground by Robertson, but nothing was given. Lovren was booked for hacking down Aguero and Kompany rode his luck to receive a yellow card after a tackle on Salah.

Liverpool altered their shape and tried to contend with City and indeed wrestled some midfield control back. Both Liverpool full backs combined to exploit some poor marking which allowed Firmino to equalise. This was game on.

But City regrouped and used their own ability to control the game. They scored the second with a blinding move of attacking football started by Ederson. Sterling broke free, Aguero drew the defenders and Sane cut inside with the ball releasing an inch perfect shot which cannoned in from the post.

As the play ebbed and flowed it felt very much like there were more goals in this game and City did well to contend with what became an aerial onslaught by Liverpool in the dying moments. But City did withstand the pressure and earned their victory.

Next. City v Liverpool Big Match Preview. dark

Liverpool were defeated. The gap at the top of the table is down to 4 points and there is a lot of football to play. If City are able to replicate the desire and passion they showed today, then anything is possible in the second half of the season.

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