Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

Premier League

Manchester City make record number of passes in win against Chelsea to go 18 points clear at top of table

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MAN CITY 1, CHELSEA 0

Another match, another record for all-conquering Manchester City whose victory at home to Chelsea extended their Premier League title procession to an amazing 18 points clear of Liverpool and 19 ahead of Manchester United.

This time it was the highest number of passes since Opta began collating statistics in 2003/04 as they totalled an amazing 902.

City beat unambitious Chelsea, who parked the bus at the Etihad, thanks to a goal from Bernardo Silva 32 seconds into the second half.

Northern beasts Manchester City blow Arsenal aside for the second time in four days

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ARSENAL 0, MANCHESTER CITY 3

A first half blizzard of goals by Bernardo Silva, David Silva, and Leroy Sane crushed Arsenal’s attempt to go toe to toe with Manchester City following their Carabao Cup heartbreak with three goals in 18 first half minutes of an entirely one sided match in which the Gunners couldn’t even score from the penalty spot in the second half after City took their foot off the gas.

By the 33rd minute of this contest clinical City had scored with each of their last six shots on target against Arsenal – three in the Carabao Cup final and another treble here as the Gunners conceded three goals in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time and wasted a succession of chances to score against their visitors.

How different it might have been if Arsene Wenger’s high risk strategy – to match City man for man and attack them – had not spectacularly backfired at a freezing underpopulated Emirates Stadium as City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points.

Jesse Lingard pops up with a late winner for Manchester United after Chelsea lose momentum

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MANCHESTER UNITED 2, CHELSEA 1

Goals by Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard ensured that Manchester United overhauled Willian’s first half opener for Chelsea to reclaim second spot from Liverpool after the Reds overcame a moribund start to finish at a canter against their visitors.

Chelsea had an 85th minute equaliser by Alvaro Morata ruled out for a very close offside decision as the visitors piled people forward but the Reds held on. 

Victory for Jose Mourinho meant that Chelsea had failed to win after taking the lead first in a Premier League game for the first time in 22 games but respectful handshakes both before and after the game meant that potential flashpoints were kept away from the pitchside.

Matt Ritchie’s strike condemns Manchester United to defeat after Chris Smalling’s foolish dive at Newcastle dents the Reds title hopes

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NEWCASTLE UNITED 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 0

Matt Ritchie scored the only goal in a contest that might have terminally ended Manchester United’s title challenge for this season as Newcastle United beat the Reds 1-0 to win their first home game in the Premier League since October 21.

By Jose Mourinho’s own admission, Newcastle “fought like animals” to outperform the Reds and earn a vital three points which dragged them out of the relegation zone.

Mourinho still hasn’t won at St James’ Park in the Premier League and defeat leaves Manchester United 16 points behind City with 11 games to go and with an increasing prospect of playing for the title at the Etihad in the Manchester Derby on April 7 depending on results.

Huddersfield Town kick off the Year of the Dog with rousing victory over Bournemouth

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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 4, BOURNEMOUTH 1

A first Huddersfield Town goal for Alex Pritchard, a double by Steve Mounie, and a Rajiv van La Parra penalty meant that the Terriers could celebrate a first Premier League win in nine matches as they kickstarted their survival mission with a huge morale boosting victory over Bournemouth.

The bad news, though, is Town may have to do without Aaron Mooy for a period after he went off on a stretcher after jarring his left knee towards the end of the game.

The Terriers got back on the scoresheet for the first time in the Premier League since mid January in their home defeat to West Ham having failed to score in a total of 14 of 26 previous league games this season.

A poor run since December had led to the Terriers slipping into the bottom three with relegation a serious threat but victory temporarily moved them back up to 16th.