Man City Square
Fansided

Manchester City 1-1 West Brom: Shocking Result

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 15, 2020. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 15, 2020. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manchester City’s dismal year continued with arguably their worst result of the season against bottom feeders West Brom.

Manchester City were always set to be given a fight from West Brom, but this looked on paper to be one of the easiest possible fixtures for City. Through just 12 matches, the Citizens have already dropped more points (16), than the record-breaking 2017-18 team did during the entire 38-match season (14).

It all looked to be going well for the Blues, with İlkay Gündoğan getting on the scoresheet on a great play from Raheem Sterling, but a set piece led to a deflected Rúben Dias own goal that would give the Baggies enough for the result. City produced a flurry of chances toward the end of the match, but in the end, poor finishing let the team down once again.

More from Game Review

This very much has the feel of City’s defeat to Norwich last season. While they did not lose today, both Norwich and this West Brom team looked like obvious relegation candidates for good reason, and their stunning results against City proved that something was simply not right for Pep Guardiola’s team.

With high-flying Southampton up next, the picture continues to look more and more grim for City. They now sit a full five points back of the leaders, level on games, and while that number itself is not massive, this team simply has not looked anywhere near the pace required through 12 matches and have now dropped points in arguably the easiest fixture they will get all season.

Title-winning teams simply do not drop points in spots like this. If they are to turn this around, something needs to change, and change quickly.