Two to Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals meant another disappointing exit from Europe, while the defeat to Manchester United between those, throwing away a 2-0 lead and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win the Premier League at home against their derby rivals, was equally emotionally draining.
An in-form Tottenham will like their chances against a wounded City team.
SPURS THE LAST TEAM CITY WANT TO FACE RIGHT NOW
City are facing their first crisis of confidence of the season – and they’re playing a team who are perfectly poised to take advantage. No one quite presses like Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino come close, and they’ve already overwhelmed Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United at home this season – and Chelsea were lucky to escape with a win early in the season.
They go into Saturday’s fixture on the back of six-straight wins in the Premier League, a mark of a side firing on all cylinders. They have the personnel and the style to make City suffer.
December’s 4-1 loss to City at Etihad Stadium should have no bearing on this match – the difference in confidence for both sides will be sizable.
The biggest factor, however, could be fatigue. City looked jaded last week against United and playing Liverpool twice in a week is a tiring affair.
Good luck to Manchester City hoping to complete the quadruple this weekend:
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) April 11, 2018
0-3 vs Liverpool.
2-3 vs Manchester United.
1-2 vs Liverpool.
?-? vs Tottenham.
Wishing Pep & the boys all the best.
PEP’S AURA BEING SHATTERED
When City were an all-conquering force – all of two weeks ago – there were serious conversations being had about whether they were the Premier League’s greatest-ever team, and Pep Guardiola was being hailed as one of the greatest managers to hit England’s shores.
They could still set records for most goals and most points in a Premier League season. Indeed, they could still win the league this weekend, with a win on Saturday and a United loss on Sunday, unlikely though that is against West Brom at home – but the team’s aura, and especially the manager’s, has been shattered.
Perhaps Guardiola enters this match with a point to prove, or perhaps he just wants his side to regroup and get back to winning ways, statements and broader pictures be damned. Either way, he must know that a fourth-straight loss will linger on his reputation no matter what City end up achieving.
Interesting point this: 'Guardiola has never suffered four straight defeats as a manager, but he is facing that ignominy against Pochettino's outfit. And City, having appeared almost unbeatable at times this season, go into the Spurs game having lost five of their last 10 games.' https://t.co/6msDmcpQ7H
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) April 12, 2018
HARRY KANE GOING ALL-OUT FOR GOLDEN BOOT
It’s rare that scoring a goal makes you the target of laughter, but that’s what’s been happening with Harry Kane this week. After going all out in an effort to get the Premier League to award him Spurs’ second goal from last week’s win over Stoke, he made himself the butt of jokes on Twitter – not least from Mohamed Salah and his Liverpool team-mates.
The two are locked in a duel for the Golden Boot that Kane is currently more likely to lose, given Salah’s four-goal lead.
The reaction is understandable, but is it fair? Firstly, if it was actually his goal, he has every right to appeal, and the league decided he was right.
Secondly, a striker’s currency is goals. Kane wants a third straight Golden Boot. This sort of hunger is exactly what you want in a striker – and exactly what City should be afraid of on Saturday.
BREAKING: Spurs appeal to UEFA for Ronaldo's penalty kick goal v Juventus to be awarded to Harry Kane. pic.twitter.com/BLzk79kWxw
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) April 11, 2018
