On This Day At Manchester City

2019 – City Hammer Burnley…For A Change

On this day last year, City travelled to Burnley in search of three points to keep the pace with leaders Liverpool. The blues went into the match with just one win in their previous five games in all competitions and were already 11 points behind the Merseysiders.

But a dominant display saw the blues close the gap to eight points, thanks to a double strike from Gabriel Jesus, a superb volley from Rodri and a late goal from Riyad Mahrez.

Burnley gave City far too much space on 24 minutes and Jesus curled the opening goal beyond the keeper from just inside the area. Five minutes into the second half and it was 2-0 to the blues. Bernardo Silva’s cross was volleyed home by Jesus into the roof of the net with the keeper powerless to prevent it.

On 68 minutes, Rodri hit a stunning third. David Silva’s shot was charged down, but the rebound fell kindly for the new signing, who hit a first time shot into the top corner from thirty yards. City weren’t done yet and the home defence again gave the blues too much space and allowed Mahrez time to carry the ball forward and rifle a low shot into the corner of the goal for 4-0.

City’s defence went to sleep two minutes later to allow Robbie Brady to pull a goal back, but the points had already been won.

Final score: Burnley 1-4 City

2011 – Goal Crazy Blues Put Norwich To The Sword

City were on the title trail in 2011 and were knocking in the goals by the time Norwich arrived in Manchester. City had won all their home games so far and Norwich to provide little resistance to City’s striking power.

But it took the blues until the 32^nd minute to break the deadlock. Micah Richards passed to Aguero, and with four yellow shirts around him, Aguero somehow made space and fired home. Six minutes into the second half, Samir Nasri’s free kick eluded the Norwich keeper and nestled in the back of the net.

Yaya Toure curled home the third on 68 minutes, before Steve Morrison pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining, but City weren’t to be denied further goals. Norwich keeper Ruddy deflected Mario Balotelli’s goal attempt into the air, but the Italian striker nonchalantly knocked the rebound into the goal with his shoulder. There was still time for a fifth when Adam Johnson drove the ball home.

Final score: City 5-1 Norwich

2000 – City Lose At Chelsea…For A Change

City’s first season back in the Premier League since 1996 was not exactly going according to plan, and the team took to the Stamford Bridge pitch on the back of five straight league defeats. Four wins and nine defeats from fifteen games left the blues just two points above the relegation zone and victory would put them level on points with the hosts.

As it turned out, five would become six as the blues crashed again. Gianfranco Zola opened the scoring on 28 minutes, curling home from the edge of the City penalty area. It was 2-0 before half time when Jimmy Fflod Hasselbaink converted Melchiot’s cross.

City were more in the game in the second half and substitute Paul Dickov halved the deficit on 80 minutes when he converted the rebound from Kevin Horlock’s shot. City pushed for an equaliser and Horlock’s free kick was scrambled away by the keeper, before Shaun Goater failed to turn home another Horlock cross.

Final score: Chelsea 2-1 City