Sometimes I feel like I watch a different game, but also seen people down on Marmoush from yesterday too. Can you not see Haaland’s improved game (Pep gave him MOTM) was because he had the fluid front three changing positions and didn’t have to stick to middle and wait to see what Doku does etc

Nice to see Rodri not absolutely dead on his feet at the end of a game too. He’s getting there.

Huge. Not sure why some are down on that second half. That second half was nothing like previous recent second halves. Newcastle are always gonna come on to us and up their risk taking. Thought we held our ground well and had plenty chances to see it off. Not sure we let Newcastle creat much at all!

Feels like Opposite Day with the line ups. We’ve gone big and strong, and with no Joelinton or Guimaraes Newcastle look slight and quick.

It’s all on the carabao in my opinion. Whoever wins that wins the league. Springboard FC.

Some of you have never been hit in the face by one of these, and it shows.

Man I love Pep. He seems so relaxed at the minute too. Last few press conferences he seems like he’s enjoying himself.

Two very different but huge arguments for finally sacking off VAR, for even the biggest of advocates, in City’s recent games now. Firstly Cherki disallowed goal with VAR got everything right by the laws but it was just crap and long and not in the spirit of why football is the best sport.

Thinking of changing “cup of tea” to “Bernardo” on the menu in my coffee shop.

I like this new conspiracy that Gary Neville controls VAR. favourite one so far.

That Donnarumma save was something else wasn’t it.

Jonathan Wilson turning in his grave

I hate VAR more than most and want it gone, what I will say though is I think it was the ref that shat the bed at the end. Chalked it off on the pitch so VAR did all it could and said “well you’ve gotta send him off then”. They couldn’t just tell him to give the goal instead.

PLEASE USE THIS LADS. Hope that kick starts Haaland again. Puts to bed this mad second half thing since the new year. Dias and Guehi together. Big bench to change games. This is time, ridden the weird storm and just won at Anfield. Not bothered about the title, just wanna see them kick on.

Shame we didn’t make the most of controlling that first half. Cos Liverpool get to play second half City next. Nice having Marmoush on the pitch with Haaland though cos it’s a useful tool for the ref to see what a foul is. Guarantee you Haaland does get given any of those fouls on Marmoush.

Have a feeling this is gonna be a terrible weekend for City.

I will never ever understand the need for football fans to try prove, and even brag, that they have more fans than another club. Like I just don’t understand the win. What are we supposed to do with “More people like the thing I like than the thing you like”? Okay great. I still like my thing.

That’s us into our 13th final in the last ten years. Any grass is always greener City fans tiring of Pep just remember that. Greatest that ever was.

Finally taking our chances. And we’re out of sight.

Mad how desperate they all are for Pep to leave considering he’s just a chequebook manager with unlimited money. Surely the next one will be afforded the same and it’s easy right?

Pep is brilliant. Using his platform to perfection. Also laying down a good marker to spot those journalists just using any hypocrisy/whataboutery as a stick to beat him with, rather than just applauding his voice.

I see Rodri has perfectly summed this up 🫠 oh dear. What we need is him, Bernardo and Haaland and Dias etc saying if we start taking our chances the ref could give them 5 goals and they still wouldn’t win. Need a comfortable ride into the league cup final on weds now…

I mean, dreadful second half, no excuses but you could see the heads go again with that first goal. How it’s been allowed I’ve no idea. They’ve legit reason to feel like stuff is going against em since turn of the year, but issue is previous Pep teams use that as fuel. These guys seem beaten by it.

Fun that VAR has found a way to change its mind retrospectively and give Solanke that first goal because they realised what it meant if it went down as an OG 😂

Pep in danger of ruining O’Reillys chance of going World Cup by playing him in his actual position.

It’s also only fun for people at home mostly. People in the ground haven’t a clue what’s going on half the time.

Find it mad that there’s some people who prefer this current champs league set up purely because it makes for one night of drama. Which in itself is only drama because it’s all down to goal difference and you can’t keep up with the different iterations cos there’s too many games at once.

Served a lot of Galatasaray fans today and they all seem quite lovely which will hurt when they beat us later.

I’m gonna go ahead and say all these journos and ex-refs thinking they’re doing the ref from the wolves game a solid by praising him and trying to find ways to agree with his decision are only making it a million times worse for him. Tying themselves and “consistency is key” theory in knots.

Nervy end. Won that in first half but not entirely convincing second half. Will give them benefit of the doubt they just wanted to stay solid which is what those celebrations were about for clean sheet at the end. Big shift to Galatasaray now. Win that and confidence will hopefully be back on track.

Happy with that half. Mad there’s some people that don’t see the value of Marmoush. He’s not just Haaland cover. I’d start him on the left over Doku even with Haaland in the team tbh. Maybe less exciting but more controlled than Doku, and more of a goal threat.

More excited about Nunes being back than I am bothered about Haaland being dropped. That says something. Not entirely sure what though.

There’s a fun quirk to football fandom where you can call for players to be rested repeatedly for the last few games and then when they finally are you can scream “NOT NOW!” and it be completely normal.

I remember parking around Maine Road and kids asking for a quid to “look after your car” (not key it). That’s essentially what the $1b to get a seat on the board of peace is isn’t it.

The age of the sports person social media apologies for performance is very OTT in my opinion. I preferred it when they had that secret captains meeting then came out absolutely fucking flying. I don’t need to be told you’re sad and embarrassed about losing games, that’s should be pretty obvious.

Such an odd time of evening to lose a midweek game of football. Not quite sure what to do with myself at 7.45pm.

Just get Haaland off at least. He’s not gonna run enough with 10 men, and you sort of don’t want him too! Get Foden off too and Let Marmoush and Doku run about a bit

😬

Why is Rodri playing 😂 he’s fucked. They’re all so knackered

Losing this game isn’t the end of the world in terms of the league phase, but it’s a lost chance at resting players and after the weekend just a massive knock in confidence. Could’ve had some kids on and lost and it wouldn’t have mattered at all. Just all a bit annoying.

Last seasons City are back I see

Haaland, Foden AND Rodri! 🫠 blimey. Surely this means Wolves is the rotation game? Hoping to get the game won and sub these guys early?

Trump is fully just probing Starmer now. Feeling us out. Can’t back down one bit over Chagos now cos he’s just using it as training match. Give him and inch and he’ll take your country stuff isn’t it.

Only just seen that Pep quote about Bobb. “He’s says he’s not fit, so he’s not fit”. Not good when Pep starts talking like that is it. What a shame, truly believe he has the talent. Palmer levels of it. But that injury was so unlucky. Hope he finds somewhere suitable and gets back to it.

My phone finally sneakily updated to liquid glass over night and now I want to die

Dust settled I’m thinking we got to where the new iteration of this City team is forming & visible, we were clicking, confidence back, 13 games unbeaten & playing for all 4 trophies still - so you can’t really question how this winter period has been handled so far. Especially with players missing.

Has it ever happened before that the top 4 teams have failed to win and the bottom 4 teams failed to lose? Seems very unlikely.

Honestly mad we’re only 7 points off the top. We’ve not really hit any proper form all season. There’s glimpses of a team there, be a shame if we don’t get our act together because there’s definitely a trophy or two on offer.

Just bizarre all round. Close to comical right? We can just laugh it off yeah? Let’s do that and not absolutely lose our minds.

Rare that we’re this bad. Lose games obviously but not like this. Have to put it down to derby stuff and regroup.