Manchester City Finally Finding Their Stride

Manchester City's players react at the final whistle during the English League Cup semi final first leg football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 6, 2021. (Photo by PETER POWELL / 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 PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's players react at the final whistle during the English League Cup semi final first leg football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 6, 2021. (Photo by PETER POWELL / 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 PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Following Manchester City’s disappointed 1-1- draw with West Bromwich Albion, it seemed as if the league would be lost. City were adrift in the English Premier League table, and they had dropped points in yet another game where they dominated possession, chances created, and shots on goal. Things did not seem to be going City’s way.

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Following the match vs West Brom, however, the Sky Blues have been on a nine-game winning streak in all competitions. During this period, they defeated Arsenal and Manchester United the Carabao Cup’s Quarterfinals and Semifinals, respectively. Manchester City also beat Birmingham City in the FA Cup’s Third Round. Finally, City are the first EPL team to win five consecutive league matches in the 2020/21; they extended this run to six matches after defeating Villa on Wednesday.

City’s impressive form has seen them rise from the EPL’s midtable, where they now sit in second with a game in hand. They will also compete in the Carabao Cup Final for a fourth consecutive season.

They cannot afford to be complacent, however, as they face League Two’s Cheltenham Town. On paper, this is the largest miss-match between two clubs in the FA Cup’s Fourth Round. Nonetheless, cup ties have produced some remarkable upsets, such as Wrexham’s victory against Arsenal in the 1991/92 FA Cup or City’s two infamous encounters against Wigan Athletic during the 2012/13 and 2017/18 seasons.

With these examples in mind, the Sky Blues cannot afford to be complacent in this upcoming match. Should they defeat Cheltenham, this would see City advance to the FA Cup’s Fifth Round, and it would extend their impressive run in cup competitions.

There is still a lot of football to be played, but City are heading in the right direction as they enter one of the most crucial points of the season. Will they extend their winning run to 10 consecutive matches in all competitions? Or will Cheltenham earn a historic upset?