On This Day At Manchester City

2018 – Blues Continue Fine Record At Watford

City extended their lead at the top of the table with a nervy win at Vicarage Road. With the blues playing a gruelling 14 matches in 44 days, and eventually overcame a stubborn Watford side who threatened to derail the City machine.

Leroy Sane chested in a corner from Riyad Mahrez five minutes before the interval, and the Algerian himself grabbed the second six minutes into the second half, converting a cross from Gabriel Jesus, to put City firmly in control.

But Watford refused to lie down and pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining through Abdoulaye Doucoure. The hosts poured forward to force an equaliser, but the blues held on for a vital three points.

Final Score: Watford 1-2 Man City

2013 – City Edge Past Baggies

City travelled to The Hawthorns om this day in 2013, needing a win to try and keep pace with leaders Arsenal. The former champions had only won one away game all season and almost threw the points away at the end.

Sergio Aguero had given City the lead in the 9^th minute when he converted Pablo Zabaleta’s cut back, before Yaya Toure turned home Aleksandar Kolarov’s cross to put City firmly in control.

The points looked safe 16 minutes from time when Kolarov was brought down in the penalty area and Toure duly dispatched the resulting spot kick. That should have been enough, but a bizarre own goal with five minutes remaining changed the course of the game.

Kolarov’s attempted clearance hit goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon before crossing the line and Victor Anichebe easily turned defender Martin Demichelis to pull a second goal back in injury time. Thankfully, there wasn’t enough time for the home side to try for a third and City remained seven points behind the leaders in third place.

Final Score: West Brom 2-3 Man City

Promotion Seeking Blues Defeat Lions

Another five goal thriller, this time from 2001 as City travelled to south London to take on Millwall. The blues were seven points behind leaders Burnley and just two points ahead of their hosts at the start of the day and victoru would see City’s promotion hopes boosted/

For safety reasons, no away supporters were allowed in the New Den, but it didn’t make a difference as Shaun Goater gave the blues the lead on 23 minutes. Richard Sadlier equalised form close range, before Ali Benarbia set up Darren Huckerby to put the blues back in front.

A handball in the area from Danny Tiatto allowed Steve Claridge the opportunity to level from the spot and it was a chance he was never going to miss. With the score at 2-2, Huckerby released Shaun Wright-Phillips, who then unleashed an unstoppable 20 yard shot that flew past the keeper and gave the blues the lead for the third time. There was no way back for Millwall this time and the blues held on for the three points which took them up to third in the table.

Final Score: Millwall 2-3 Man City