Bitter and Blue - Stoke City vs Manchester City, 2016 Premier League: All UpdatesManchester City News, Opinion and Commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47425/bitter-fave.png2016-08-20T14:57:39+01:00http://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/rss/stream/123168952016-08-20T14:57:39+01:002016-08-20T14:57:39+01:00Pep Guardiola impressed by Stoke City crowd<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/SquawkaNews/status/766995979090403329">Pep Guardiola impressed by Stoke City&nbsp;crowd</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Man City won at Stoke, but Pep noticed the support from the home crowd</p></p></div>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12566324/pep-guardiola-is-impressed-with-the-stoke-city-crowdRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T14:37:41+01:002016-08-20T14:37:41+01:00Man City put four past Stoke in tough game
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<img alt="Stoke City v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6lUL71v0G5V-3bvCXw0FkzPqr64=/0x0:2856x1904/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50460947/592276370.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>BIG ROAD VICTORY!</p> <p id="jTlCXR">Manchester City got a second win in two games in the Premier League, and once again it wasn't easy as the Citizens needed two late goals to earn a 4-1 result to beat Stoke City, thanks to goals from Sergio Agüero (2) and Nolito (2), with Bojan scoring for Stoke. Pep Guardiola's side dominated the ball for much of the game, yet struggled to create chances, but took the few opportunities to find the back of the net and won a second straight league match.</p>
<p id="B12JVA"><strong>FIRST HALF</strong></p>
<p id="dz6kVy">From the very start, Stoke pressured City's possession, trying to steal the ball and find Arnautovic on the left wing, and that got the hosts a few chances in the first period. Other than that, however, it was complete control from Man City, who kept possession and used great wing play from Sterling to create chances. The right side was also dangerous, with De Bruyne, Navas and Zabaleta combining well on that flank.</p>
<p id="KsVtQ0">David Silva and Fernandinho were tremendous to keep possession, and City dominated most of the action. That all led to Sergio Agüero scoring twice, first on a penalty and later with a great header, to give City a much deserved lead. There was a little referee controversy with Mike Dean giving City a soft penalty and denying Stoke a penalty, but Stoke didn't do much to earn a goal.</p>
<p id="OEoEi9">At halftime, domination, goals, and great football. Pep.</p>
<p id="EpIp86"><strong>SECOND HALF</strong></p>
<p id="4Ple14">After giving City a soft penalty, Mike Dean did the same for Stoke, somehow seeing a foul by Sterling on Ryan Shawcross, which did not happen AT ALL. But the penalty was given, and Bojan did not waste it to bring the Potters back in the game.</p>
<p id="c9WXzt">The goal unnerved City, who had trouble to keep possession and easily lost it in many occasions, looking disorganized at the back and creating very few chances. Guardiola brought in Nolito to have a bigger offensive threat on the pitch, but it didn't work. The game was ugly with very little creativity and plenty of fouls, and nothing happened for quite a few minutes.</p>
<p id="EZLcmd">Then Kelechi Iheanacho entered the game and made a fantastic solo play, combining with David Silva, dribbling past the keeper and finding Nolito for the game-winning goal. Nolito scored again after Raheem Sterling gave him a tap-in, and City iced the match.</p>
<p id="JGujuS">In the end, a tough victory turned into blowout for the Citizens, and a key win in a historically difficult stadium for the Sky Blues. There were negatives, but Guardiola certainly saw good things as well. And what matters right now is winning.</p>
<p id="vnF01d">******</p>
<p id="WuRSwO"><strong>Stoke</strong>: Given | Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters | Whelan, Allen | Bojan, Imbula (Walters), Arnautovic (Ramadan) | Diouf</p>
<p id="fcbgky">Goals: <em>Bojan (49')</em></p>
<p id="oLpadU"><strong>Man City</strong>: Caballero | Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov | Fernandinho | Navas (Nolito), De Bruyne (Delph), Silva, Sterling | Agüero (Iheanacho)</p>
<p id="RIa151">Goals: <em>Agüero (27', 36'), Nolito (86')</em></p>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12565888/stoke-city-manchester-city-2016-premier-league-final-score-instant-recapRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T14:30:45+01:002016-08-20T14:30:45+01:00WATCH: Nolito scores two late goals vs Stoke
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<img alt="Stoke City v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1Mihv7Bfte2tjbbpS7LYcn1Lg7A=/0x0:2817x1878/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50460923/592276856.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Iheanacho is a monster, and Nolito can score</p> <p id="KcVKpr">Manchester City were having a very tough second half against Stoke City, struggling to keep possession and create chances. Then Pep Guardiola brought in Kelechi Iheanacho and Nolito, and they helped the Citizens ice the game at Britannia/bet365 Stadium.</p>
<p id="zxrnLc">Iheanacho showed why he's a monster even at 19 years old, and Nolito was at the right place at the right time to score the third goal for the Sky Blues:</p>
<div id="9NMO3B"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://my.mixtape.moe/jnzrlk.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div></div>
<p id="KC8xMO">(via Reddit Soccer)</p>
<p id="L7PQ1l">What unbelievable strength displayed by Iheanacho there. Certainly a good way to celebrate a new contract. But Nolito was not finished after that goal, and he once again had a tap-in goal. This play started with a patient buildup from the back, then Otamendi played a great pass, Iheanacho did a dummy, and both Sterling and Nolito were alone in front of Shay Given. The fourth was inevitable:</p>
<div id="r7rspN"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://my.mixtape.moe/hkryfq.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div></div>
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<p id="1aRqn0">And with those two late goals, City left Stoke with a great win. Pep Guardiola's start has certainly been strong.</p>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12566132/watch-nolito-two-goals-manchester-city-stoke-city-premier-leagueRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T13:16:03+01:002016-08-20T13:16:03+01:00WATCH: Agüero makes it 2-0 at Stoke
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dc8WO7xqJiOY3t037bFNSQfVkFs=/67x0:1219x768/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50460689/kun2.0.png" />
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<p>AGÜEROOOOOOOOOOOOO (AGAIN!!!)</p> <p id="GvXVWq">Manchester City did not suffer that much against Stoke City, at least in the first half. Pep Guardiola's side dominated possession, created chances, defended well and got a couple of goals.</p>
<p id="oaa0v7">Both of them came from Sergio Agüero, and the second was great:</p>
<div id="h1lrWU"><iframe src="https://vplayer.nbcsports.com/p/BxmELC/nbcsports_embed/select/media/moREXZTDteN7?autoPlay=false" width="624" height="351" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></div>
<p id="bAk9ES">(via NBC Sports)</p>
<p id="B7mQVB">This isn't a Guardiola goal, but it's still pretty. Kevin De Bruyne delivers a sick cross right into the head of the City striker, and look how Agüero guides it into the bottom corner far away from the reach of Shay Given. </p>
<p id="t2FiSg">That's why Kun Agüero is the best striker in the Premier League, and the race against Zlatan Ibrahimovic to determine the top scorer in the league is already exciting.</p>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12565974/watch-aguero-goal-manchester-city-stoke-cityRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T13:04:45+01:002016-08-20T13:04:45+01:00WATCH: Agüero makes 1-0 at Stoke
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mZTiHRVuUBGcVyI1ESciBayRfnU=/189x0:1341x768/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50460653/kun.0.png" />
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<p>AGÜEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO</p> <p id="K1YS8J">Sergio Agüero missed two penalties against Steaua Bucharest in midweek, and many questioned whether or not the Argentine striker should continue to take spot kicks for Manchester City.</p>
<p id="CogoGi">Then referee Mike Dean gave the Citizens a penalty when Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross grabbed Nicolas Otamendi inside the box in the first half. Agüero instantly stepped up to the spot, and he didn't look like someone who missed two penalties in the last game:</p>
<div id="0abGfb"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/r759" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="SZdUnu">(via Reddit Soccer)</p>
<p id="5vKwmn">That's how you take a penalty, Kun! Well done!</p>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12565942/watch-aguero-goal-penalty-manchester-city-stoke-cityRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T11:40:18+01:002016-08-20T11:40:18+01:00Stoke vs Man City: Lineups, Live Thread
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<img alt="Manchester City v Sunderland - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sF5kyqUipBeQ1SSHJyUsjjYJnJ4=/377x0:4469x2728/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50460453/589692672.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A tough visit to Stoke awaits Pep Guardiola</p> <p id="VQALzI">Here we are! The second Premier League game of the season for Manchester City is just a few minutes away, and it's a tough one for Pep Guardiola's side, who face Stoke City on the road in a historically difficult match for the Citizens.</p>
<p id="NPrpQc">The Britannia/bet365 Stadium is ready...</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two hours to kick-off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCFC?src=hash">#SCFC</a> ⚪️ <a href="https://t.co/CBPJdsb1Od">pic.twitter.com/CBPJdsb1Od</a></p>— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) <a href="https://twitter.com/stokecity/status/766930698556932102">August 20, 2016</a>
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<p id="qAGGIN">... Manchester City have arrived...</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mornin', boys! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stokevcity?src=hash">#stokevcity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mcfc?src=hash">#mcfc</a> <a href="https://t.co/rX0DO5peet">pic.twitter.com/rX0DO5peet</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/766944574749106176">August 20, 2016</a>
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<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="RIYdI9">... And the lineups are out!</p>
<p id="pdv6ZZ">*****</p>
<p id="kKRCwK"><strong>Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1)</strong>:</p>
<p id="BkOhU7">Given | Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollschied, Pieters | Whelan, Imbula | Bojan, Allen, Arnautovic | Diouf</p>
<p id="rNX28y"><em>Substitutes from: </em>Haugaard, Muniesa, Adam, Walters, Cameron, Crouch, Ramadan</p>
<p id="bRPadd"><strong>Man City starting lineup (4-1-4-1 / 4-3-3)</strong>:</p>
<p id="KJqcjB">Caballero | Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov | Fernandinho | Navas, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling | Agüero</p>
<p id="xELQyd"><em>Substitutes from: </em>Hart, Fernando, Maffeo, Nolito, Delph, Iheanacho, Clichy</p>
<p id="1LlKh7">*****</p>
<p id="r7GcAg">Only one change from the City lineup that destroyed Steaua Bucharest, with Jesus Navas starting ahead of Nolito. Bacary Sagna misses this match through injury. Other than that, nothing new: Joe Hart still on the bench, Yaya Touré still out of the team. Look for Zabaleta and Kolarov to function as midfielders again, and Raheem Sterling will look to continue his great start under Guardiola with another intense, attacking performance here.</p>
<p id="NZw4jm">Stoke will miss their top player as Xherdan Shaqiri failed a late fitness test and is not even on the bench, with new signing Joe Allen making his first start for the Potters. The always dangerous Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic will start on the wings, and will bring problems to the City defense. Oh boy, this will be nervous.</p>
<p id="I1iLQh"><strong>COME ON CITY!</strong></p>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12565682/stoke-city-manchester-city-2016-premier-league-confirmed-lineupsRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T07:01:02+01:002016-08-20T07:01:02+01:00Stoke vs Man City: How to Watch
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<img alt="Manchester City v Sunderland - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cV2ePgv5msuRS1pEkl9ZGMloDaw=/0x0:3454x2303/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50459001/589471728.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Citizens visit Stoke for a historically tough match</p> <p id="UIDcpM">After a fantastic first week of official games on the job, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City face the first real test: a historically difficult visit to Stoke City, where the Sky Blues have won only once in eight games.</p>
<p id="Y0VuVg">The Citizens are just like any other Premier League team that suffers when they visit the Potters, but none of the other teams have Pep Guardiola. If there is one coach who can find an answer to Stoke's home advantage, it's him. He's obviously a genius, has plenty of talented players and the hunger to win every game while playing beautiful football.</p>
<p id="lbay6I">But Stoke are talented as well, and have a crowd that will make the stadium a very hostile environment for the Citizens. This will not be an easy match, but getting a win at Stoke could prove once again why hiring Pep Guardiola was the right move for Man City. You cannot miss this match.</p>
<p id="SXjgVr">*****</p>
<p id="UGxbO3"><strong>Date/Time</strong>: Saturday, August 20, 2016, 12:30pm local time (BST), 7:30am ET, 4:30am PT (US), 5pm IST (India)</p>
<p id="vJF5Hj"><strong>Venue</strong>: bet365 Stadium, Stoke on Trent, England</p>
<p id="4mufyI"><strong>Referee</strong>: Mike Dean</p>
<p id="SFgp9H"><strong>On TV</strong>: NBCSN (US), Sky Sports 1 (UK), TSN5 (Canada), Star Sports 4 (India), <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1980435/stoke-city-vs-manchester-city/">elsewhere</a></p>
<p id="yYzzFA"><strong>Online streaming</strong>: <a href="http://plstream.nbcsports.com/">NBC Sports Live</a><strong> </strong>(US), Sky GO (UK), <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1980435/stoke-city-vs-manchester-city/">elsewhere</a></p>
<p id="R4ltcs">(<a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/pt/match/1980435/stoke-city-vs-manchester-city/">Listings via LiveSoccerTV</a>)</p>
https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12564190/stoke-city-manchester-city-2016-premier-league-start-time-tv-listings-live-streamRenatoGoncalves2016-08-20T02:40:53+01:002016-08-20T02:40:53+01:00Pep talks Stoke visit, team selection
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<img alt="Manchester City v Sunderland - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0hq1FqC37YoI2oGuYJHcHInb5zY=/136x0:3774x2425/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50458887/589085520.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Catalan is ready!</p> <p id="FFOIjH">"Can he do it in a cold, rainy night at Stoke?" is one of the biggest clichés in football, but it's also true. Visiting the Britannia/bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City is no easy task for any football team/coach/player, and even for the best manager in the world, it's hard too.</p>
<p id="117wfB">Pep Guardiola spoke to the press ahead of his first ever visit to Stoke as a manager, and even though he doesn't quite know what to expect, including the pitch and weather conditions, the Catalan is more than ready to go.</p>
<blockquote id="Nehxlx">
<p>“We are going to try to fight for the title so we are going to try to adapt. We’re not going to complain that the pitch isn’t good. It’s 11 v 11 on the pitch. </p>
<p>“In Germany, we didn’t always play on sunny days. We played in tough conditions as well there – in Spain, in Pamplona, in San Sebastian for example, the conditions are tough. We’re going to play in those conditions and OK, we’ll do it."</p>
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<aside id="2sOqOA"><q>"It’s my first time in my life at Stoke City and let’s go!"</q></aside><p id="5OI9vO">Guardiola also spoke about his ideas for team selection, and after the fantastic victory and performance in Romania against Steaua Bucharest, he doesn't want to change and hopes to build on the great things done in the Champions League match:</p>
<blockquote id="jIrUHG">
<p>“It’s not time to change a lot because I don’t want to confuse my players but I have to say, I am impressed the most that they are so intelligent. </p>
<p>"The way we played in Bucharest was a high, high level. We did it so quickly. That’s because of the intelligence and quality of the players. The players they move depending on the move of their teammates really good and that’s not easy.”</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mancity.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F2016%2F08%2F19%2Fstoke-v-city-pep-guardiola-press-conference-and-team-news%2F1471603937085&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fbitterandblue.sbnation.com%2F2016%2F8%2F20%2F12564120%2Fpep-guardiola-manchester-city-stoke-city-press-conference" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ManCity.com</a></p>
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https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2016/8/20/12564120/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-stoke-city-press-conferenceRenatoGoncalves