MAN CITY 2, CARDIFF CITY 0
It was not the landslide victory many predicted as Manchester City regained top spot in the Premier League following a modest home win against Cardiff City.
Yet with more clinical finishing, City could easily have had another goal fest against a Bluebirds side battling relegation.
City had a remarkable 27 goal attempts to Cardiff’s three and 79-per-cent possession, an indication as to their supremacy.
Yet all they to show was an early goal from Kevin De Bruyne and another strike from Leroy Sane late in the opening period.
City twice struck the frame of the goal while Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge played a blinder, especially in an impressive nine-minute second-half spell when rampant City carved out eight chances.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity manager Pep Guardiola’s only criticism of his side was a lack of a cutting edge.
“We should have scored more. That is the only regret, but on the other side it was a very good performance,” he explained.
Guardiola, whose side has won eight straight league games, is aware they may also need to take maximum points from their remaining six if they are to pip Liverpool for the title.
“We have a feeling if we drop points we will not be champions,” he continued.
Guardiola was fulsome in his praise of Phil Foden’s performance on his first league start at the age of 18 years and 310 days, the youngest English starter for City in the Premier League since Daniel Sturridge in 2008.
City’s manager added Foden had already had starts in other competitions, trained with the team and been in the locker room every day.
Guardiola said: “I am glad for a player of a young age how he plays. All the games have been at a high level and he could have scored a couple of goals tonight.
“He has vision and technical ability and is an exceptional player. He is special. He wants to be here and we are delighted he is here.
“He will play more minutes next year and will be an important player for the next 10 years.”
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock admitted he feared the worst after City scored an early goal saying they reminded him of the Real Madrid of old.
“We were disappointed at what happened against Chelsea (lost to controversial refereeing decisions) and that could have knocked a lot of teams,” he said.
It was a new-look City side with only four survivors from the team that kicked off Saturday’s win at Fulham.
The only remainers were goalkeeper Ederson, defenders Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne, though Sergio Aguero was ruled out through injury.
There was one minute’s applause before kick off in tribute to long-serving secretary and life president Bernard Halford who has died aged 77.
It was clear from the start it was going to be a long, hard night for the Bluebirds as they could have taken the lead after 30 seconds when Gabriel Jesus, sliding in, just failed to connect with De Bruyne low cross from three yards.
Riyad Mahrez had a shot beaten away by keeper Neil Etheridge before the deadlock was broken in the sixth minute.
De Bruyne was released by Laporte’s slide-rule pass and found the roof of the net from the tightest of angles, a mesmeric strike, only his second Premier League goal in an injury-hit last 12 months.
City were forced into an early change when Zinchenko limped off inside 20 minutes with a hamstring strain to be replaced by Kyle Walker.
After their electrifying start, City eased up and allowed Cardiff a foothold back into the game as they limited Guardiola’s side to limited chances as Jesus and Phil Foden, on his first Premier League start, and Sane all fired over.
City ought to have doubled their lead five minutes before the break following a 4 v 2 break when De Bruyne freed Jesus whose shot was deflected for a corner with De Bruyne demanding the ball be returned to him.
The second goal came in the 44th minute and was another well-constructed goal.
Mahrez’ cross was chested down by Jesus for Sane to rifle home an unstoppable low drive, his 15th goal of the season.
As City were in a commanding position, the start to the second period was decidedly flat and subdued with little to excite other than a drive from De Bruyne that flashed just wide.
Cardiff captain Sean Morrison almost put through his own goal sliding in to cut out a De Bruyne cross.
City suddenly found second wind mid-half and in quick succession Etheridge saved well to deny Mahrez and Laporte.
Etheridge had a lucky escape when he parried a shot from Mahrez and the ball looped on to the crossbar.
Sane had a shot well saved and Foden twice went close hitting the post and seeing another effort well kept out by the overworked Etheridge.
Cardiff had their first on target goal attempt in the 74th minute when Oumar Niasse fired low and hard at Ederson.
And they ought to have scored following a slip by Walker enabled a 2 v 1 Cardiff break as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing set up Niasse who delayed and Ederson blocked at his feet.