Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

Paul Chan

Raheem Sterling strike keeps Man City’s winning streak going at Newcastle United

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NEWCASTLE UNITED 0, MANCHESTER CITY 1

Raheem Sterling’s goal ensured Manchester City earned their 18th straight Premier League win of a remarkable season at St James’ Park against a stubborn Newcastle United who refused to attack their guests until it was too late and twice came close to snatching a point.

Despite playing within themselves, City are now a staggering 15 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester United with another round of fixtures to play before the end of 2017.

Pragmatic Rafa Benitez, the Magpies boss, played a weakened team, with more important relegation six pointers coming up against Brighton and Stoke City, while City boss Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack too following the 4-0 win over Bournemouth.

Guardiola benched Leroy Sane, and gave Fabian Delph the night off, while David Silva was also excused for family reasons once again. In came Bernardo Silva, Danilo, and Ilkay Gundogan but Guardiola had to make changes again after just 11 minutes after injury-prone captain Vincent Kompany had to go off yet again.

Manchester City may rotate squad for Newcastle United game after Kevin De Bruyne was sick before the Bournemouth win

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Pep Guardiola may have to rotate his Manchester City team in forthcoming Premier League games after admitting Kevin De Bruyne was sick before the Bournemouth game last Saturday.

De Bruyne was sick and had just one training session before starting City’s 4-0 win over the Cherries but signalled the bench to come off after 74 minutes with the Blues 2-0 up.

“He was sick.” admitted Guardiola. “The last two or three days he vomited and had a fever. He dropped two or three kilos.”

Ten-man Leicester City deal another blow to Manchester United’s title hopes with injury time equaliser

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LEICESTER CITY 2, MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Manchester United conceded another injury time goal which cost them dearly in the space of days when Harry Maguire scored a 93rd minute equaliser at the King Power Stadium for ten-man Leicester City.

Daniel Amarty had lasted just 16 minutes after coming on as a second half sub for the Foxes before being sent off for a second booking leaving a mountain to climb for the home side.

The Reds wasted chance after chance to put the Foxes away and thought that a Juan Mata double had snatched the points after Jamie Vardy had opened the scoring early on for Claude Puel’s side.

The draw left Manchester City, who won 4-0 earlier at the Etihad against Bournemouth, an unprecedented 13 points ahead by Christmas with only 19 games to go until the end of the season – a record in top flight history.

Manchester City boss and players bring festive cheer to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

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Pep Guardiola joined Manchester City Club captains Vincent Kompany and Steph Houghton as they spread some Christmas cheer during a visit to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Every young person in the hospital was hand delivered a gift as teams of City squad players split up into small groups with hundreds of presents to make their way around.

Five young fans were selected by the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity to enjoy an extra treat as they took part in a City themed foosball tournament with Guardiola, Kompany and Houghton.

Commenting on the visit, Kompany said: “This is my ninth visit to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and every year I’m blown away by the spirit and bravery of all the young people we meet. It’s a difficult time of year to be spending in hospital, but the staff and volunteers do an amazing job and hopefully the children have all enjoyed today.”

Korey Smith strike stuns Manchester United as Bristol City reach Carabao Cup semi finals with a tie against Manchester City to come

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BRISTOL CITY 2, MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Manager Lee Johnson raced down the touchline at the end of this contest at Ashton Gate, celebrating a timeless Korey Smith winner as his Bristol City beat a very strong Manchester United side in the Carabao Cup.

Local boy Joe Bryan had given City the lead in the 51st minute only for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to level matters just seven minutes later. United tried hard to find a winner but were stunned by an injury time strike by Smith with the game seconds away from extra time.

Holders United were the fourth Premier League scalp of the season for the Robins after they beat Watford, Stoke City and Crystal Palace in the earlier rounds to reach the quarter finals.

With fans all over the pitch after the final whistle and jubilation all round after Bristol City recorded their first win over United since 1978 in their first meeting since 1980 it was the kind of celebration that wouldn’t go down well with Reds boss Jose Mourinho.