Manchester City Premier League Month in Review: September – Best Player, Best Goal & Overall Rating

It feels strange to say, but Manchester City lost a game this month. They only won two of three games in the Premier League. Six points from a possible nine. Disaster.

Despite a record-breaking win against Watford and a grinding triumph at Everton​, September resulted in the Citizens falling a further three points behind rampant leaders Liverpool.

To be honest, for many a club, this wouldn’t be bad. But for the standards that the reigning champions have set, it wasn’t an ideal month. Let’s have a look at how it unfolded.


Best Player

Riyad Mahrez

Kevin De Bruyne would have been the easy choice for a second month running, after a string of impressive performances. However, ​Riyad Mahrez has been exceptional, and the Algerian magician has seemingly solidified himself as a regular in the starting XI.

He didn’t start in the loss at Norwich, but he made amends for that with fantastic showings in his next two. He scored one and assisted one against Watford, then put in a man of the match display against Everton, where he also scored a brilliant free-kick.

Pep Guardiola needed someone to step up in Leroy Sane’s absence and Mahrez has been that man.


Worst Player

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko has struggled. He looks like a lightweight in this ​City team. The 22-year-old has filled in at left-back for some time now in the absence of Benjamin Mendy, but it just isn’t going well right now.

Against Norwich, he was appalling, as he was run ragged and constantly caught out by the Canaries’ forward line.

He was then rested against Watford, but came back into the team for the Everton game and was once again poor. Seamus Coleman and Richarlison were all over him, and he struggled to add anything offensively either.

Mendy is back now, and Guardiola will undoubtedly be hoping that he can keep fit for the foreseeable future.


Best Performance

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-WATFORD

This is surely a no-brainer. An 8-0 thumping of Watford – which broke a number of records – was definitely the standout performance.

After the loss against Norwich, City bounced back with a demolition job, including five goals inside the first 18 minutes. Five. Incredible.

David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi, De Bruyne and Mahrez all scored, as well as ​Bernardo Silva, who grabbed himself a hat trick.

A phenomenal display from the champions.


Worst Performance

FBL-ENG-PR-NORWICH-MAN CITY

This was the first time in a very long time that Manchester City had looked, well, calamitous.

Defensively, John Stones and Otamendi were utterly woeful, while Kyle Walker and Zinchenko weren’t great either.

Norwich ripped them open at the back, putting three past Ederson in goal. 

Goals from Aguero and Rodri nearly salvaged a point, but it would have been undeserving and served as a wake-up call to Guardiola about the defenders he has at his disposal.


Best Goal

De Bruyne’s thumping strike against Watford has to go down as City’s best goal of the month.

The Belgian received the ball from Mahrez on the left side of the penalty area, took the ball into the box, then hammered it viciously into the roof of the net, leaving Ben Foster with no chance.

A thunderous goal from a truly sensational player.


Overall Rating

FBL-ENG-PR-EVERTON-MAN CITY

Despite that win against Watford, City have been far from impressive in the other two games. Defensively, without Aymeric Laporte, they have looked shoddy to say the least.

However, you can’t be too critical when they have lost just the one game, and a win at Goodison Park is always a good result during a Premier League season.

Rating: 7/10

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Real Madrid Considering January Swap Deal to Bring Christian Eriksen to the Bernabeu

​Luka Modric continues to be linked with a move away from Real Madrid, with Christian Eriksen now a candidate to form part of an ambitious swap deal. 

Eriksen has been on Real’s radar for some time now, with the board at the Bernabeu preferring a move for the Tottenham man over fellow reported target Paul Pogba – but didn’t end up making a formal move for the Dane after opposition from manager Zinedine Zidane. 

Christian Eriksen

Spanish outlet ​El Desmarque report that Florentino Perez is considering a player-for-player swap deal with ​Tottenham which would see ​Real get their man and Modric return to north London, where he spent four seasons around the turn of the decade. 

​Eriksen’s contract in north London expires this coming summer, with few signs of an agreement on an extension forthcoming, leaving Spurs considering the prospect of having to try and extract one last bit of value out of the 27-year-old rather them lose him for free at the end of the season. 

The Danish malcontent has been public about his desire to find a new challenge – preferably outside of the Premier League – which has left his club in a weak negotiating position. 

Luka Modric

There is one bald roadblock to the deal’s progression though, with El Desmarque noting that Zidane is still not a fan of the potential swap, still wanting to bring in ​Paul Pogba in a big-money move rather than the less dynamic Eriksen. 

It remains to be seen whether Modric – who scored against Granada this weekend – would be willing to go along with a deal which would see him move from the club currently leading La Liga to a club who have conceded ten goals in a five-day span. However, at the age of 34, Real are willing to move on from the Croatian to help their regeneration. 


For more from ​Chris Deeley, follow him on ​Twitter!

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Genoa 1-2 Milan: Report, Ratings & Reaction as I Rossoneri Battle to Dramatic Victory

Milan claimed all three points in a tight affair at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, as I Rossoneri ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Genoa on Saturday evening

The hosts took the lead just before half-time, Lasse Schone firing a long-range free kick towards goal which bobbled beyond a sheepish Pepe Reina. Milan boss Marco Giampaolo made a double substitution at half time which paid instant dividends; Theo Hernandez equalising on 52 minutes, and Franck Kessie converting a penalty following a handball by Davide Biraschi.

Biraschi received a red card for his foul play, and Milan full-back Davide Calabria was also shown red soon after to level the match at ten men apiece. 


Milan were edging towards victory when Reina was harshly adjudged to have fouled Cristian Kouame in the 90th minute, and the hosts were handed a lifeline. Reina made amends for his previous error, saving Schone’s penalty and earning all three points for away side. 


Genoa 

Player Ratings 

Starting XI: Radu (5); Romero (6), Zapata (5), Criscito (N/A); Ghiglione (6), Lerager (6), Radovanovic (6), Schöne (6), Pajac (6); Kouamé (7), Pinamonti (6)

Substitutes: Biraschi (4), Favilli (5), Pandev (7)


AC Milan 

Key Talking Point 

Ah VAR, you are as tiresome as you are confusing sometimes. The game turned on its head inside five minutes, when Milan equalised early in the second half and then pushed to take the lead. An exciting attack broke down for the away side, but VAR reared its ugly screen, and handed Marco Giampaolo a much-needed lifeline. 

Rafael Leao flicked the ball beyond Davide Biraschi, who somehow managed to steer the ball away from the striker. As replays clearly showed, Biraschi’s outstretched arm denied Milan a goalscoring opportunity, and the man in the middle decided a straight red card was the necessary punishment. Harsh, to say the least. Kessie converted from the spot and Milan took the lead. 

Giampaolo lives to fight another day, and the Milan boss will be toasting to technology. 

Salute, Var! 


Player Ratings 

Starting XI: Reina (7); Calabria (6), Léo Duarte (7), Romagnoli (7), Theo Hernández (7); Kessié (7), Biglia (7), Çalhanoğlu (4); Suso (7), Piątek (4), Bonaventura (8).

Substitutes: Leao (9*), Paqueta (8), Conti (6)


STAR MAN – How did this guy not play from the beginning? Rafael Leao has impressed whenever he’s taken to the pitch for Milan this season, but the former Lille man inexplicably found himself on the bench on Saturday evening. That didn’t last long though. 

With ​Milan behind at half time, Giampaolo turned to Leao to try and change his side’s fortunes, and it worked wonders. The 20-year-old caused all sorts of problems for the Genoa defence, and won the penalty which put Milan ahead only 12 minutes after his introduction. 

What a talent this boy is. 


Looking Ahead 

Genoa travel to Parma after the international break, hoping to change their fortunes and escape the relegation zone following a poor start to the season. 

Milan face one of their easier tasks of the season in two weeks time, when I Rossoneri host newly-promoted Lecce at San Siro. 

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Newcastle vs Man Utd: 6 Key Facts & Stats to Impress Your Mates Ahead of Premier League Clash

​We have a Premier League classic on our hands this Sunday as Manchester United make the journey up to St James’ Park for a showdown with Newcastle United.

Both sides have fallen from grace since their days battling it out for supremacy in the 1990s, the Magpies suffering two relegations and looking a shadow of their former selves under Mike Ashley’s ownership. Their opponents are likewise going through a rough patch, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failing to lift the gloom at Old Trafford during his erroneous tenure.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

A 1-1 draw with ​Arsenal on Monday ensured the Mancunians made their worst ever start to a ​Premier League campaign, whilst ​Newcastle have earned just one win in all competitions this term.

Here’s six key stats and facts you should know ahead of the clash between two crisis clubs.


A Devil of a Job

Ashley Young,Luke Shaw

In their last 31 matches against the ​Red Devils, Newcastle have taken victory on just three occasions, losing 21 and drawing a further seven. Solskjaer’s men might finally score more than one goal in a game!

That dire run of results leaves Arsenal as the only club to have beaten the Magpies more times (29) in the Premier League, the Gunners currently one win ahead of the north-west outfit in the overall record.


An Unwanted Record

Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce loves Newcastle and he loves football, but it looks like neither love him back. He is set to take charge of his 400th game as a top-flight manager, the Magpies boss losing 177 and winning 111 of the previous 399.

Out of the Premier League coaches who have overseen at least 300 matches, Brucey has the ignominy of being the man with the lowest win percentage. At least he knows how to survive a relegation scrap.


The Road to Nowhere

Harry Maguire

Back in 1989, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s head was – I know, it sounds crazy – on the Manchester United chopping block, the side went 11 league away games without victory.

Their current run of seven winless matches on the road is the club’s worst since then, with the side failing to get more than one goal in any of those fixtures. Maybe Solskjaer will also go on to collect 13 Premier League titles…


Hampered at Home

Joelinton,Miguel Almiron

The visitors are struggling in away games, yet there is a glimmer of hope in the fact that Newcastle are equally woeful at home. 

Bruce’s recruits haven’t triumphed in any of their three league matches at St James’ this term; the Magpies have never started a Premier League season with four winless home matches.

It’s understandable why the Toon army are already starting to revolt.


In Good Company

Paul Pogba

As difficult as it might be to believe, Paul Pogba is one goal-involvement away from a half-century of them in the Premier League.

The Frenchman’s 24 goals and 25 assists leaves him on the brink of joining an exclusive club. 19 other Red Devils, past and present, have hit a combined 50 in the first division, though none have been quite so divisive as Pogba.


Something About Barn Doors and Banjos

Marcus Rashford

Remember when Marcus Rashford was the talk of the town, the man to lead Manchester United out of the wilderness? No, me neither – far too much time has passed since he was in good form.

Aside from penalties, the striker has scored with only one of his last 36 shots in the Premier League. ​Chelsea were the team who cut Rashford some slack as he netted a brace on opening day, one of which obviously coming from the spot.

Unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t end there for the England international. He’s missed with all 16 of his attempts since slotting past Kepa Arrizabalaga on 11 August, that record perfectly capturing the crisis of confidence at Old Trafford.


For more from Ed Alexander, follow him on Twitter!

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Arsenal vs Bournemouth: 6 Key Facts & Stats to Impress Your Mates Ahead of Premier League Encounter

​Arsenal will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend when they welcome Bournemouth to north London for just the fifth ever time.

The Gunners had a strong start to the campaign which sees them sitting in the top four ahead of the weekend, but with just one win in their last five Premier League games, Unai Emery’s side desperately need to get three points ahead of the international break.

Despite sitting further down the table in eighth, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are just one point behind Arsenal ahead of their trip to Emirates Stadium.

It might look on paper like this weekend’s fixture is going to be a walk in the park for Arsenal, but do the stats actually back that up? Well, yes! Here’s some of Opta’s best looking ahead at Sunday’s match.


Unbeaten at Home

Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal and Bournemouth don’t have a long past of playing each other, but the Gunners certainly have history on their side. 

In four matches at the Emirates, Arsenal have won each fixture with an aggregate scoreline of 13-2.

Arsenal have also picked up a win at home against Bournemouth in the League Cup.


Auba Doesn’t Rest on Sundays

Ainsley Maitland-Niles,Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang really loves Sundays.

He’s scored in each of his last six games which have been played on a Sunday, scoring eight goals during that run.

In fact, 26 of Aubameyang’s 39 goals in the Premier League have come on the Lord’s Day – the highest ratio of any player (minimum 20 goals).


“I’m sorry, Wilson!”

Callum Wilson,Joshua King

Aubameyang’s not the only striker who’s coming into this match in red hot form.

Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson has scored in each of his last four appearances, looking to extend that against a team where he almost always scores.

Wilson’s found the back of the net three times in four appearances against Arsenal.


Walking in an Auba Wonderland

FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-SUNDERLAND

Records are meant to be broken, and Aubameyang could match an Arsenal one that was set by Dennis Bergkamp during the 1997/98 season.

The Gabon international can score his eighth goal of the season this weekend, with Sunday’s match against Bournemouth falling on matchday eight.

Bergkamp scored eight in eight 22 years ago, but no Arsenal player since has ever matched that record. 


Goals, Goals & More Goals

Aaron Ramsdale

This one won’t be a 0-0 draw.

*Frantically touches wood*

Only three teams in the Premier League this season have scored and conceded double figures in the opening seven games.

Out of those teams, Chelsea have been involved in the most goals (27), but Bournemouth (25) and Arsenal (23).

Additionally, Bournemouth have scored and conceded in each of their opening seven games this season.


 Bournemouth Don’t Like London

Eddie Howe

Bournemouth can make history this weekend by becoming the first team to ever concede five or more goals in four consecutive visits to London.

They’re currently on a run of three matches in the capital where they’ve conceded at least five goals, the same record the Birmingham (1957) and Sunderland (1969) went on. 

And with the Cherries tasked with keeping Aubameyang quiet on Sunday, it could be another dismal afternoon in London for Bournemouth fans.


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