In normal circumstances a Semenyo transfer to a Guardiola team would be raising all sorts of red flags. But then, this is as far away from a Guardiola-coded team that Pep has ever constructed so for what we are now it makes more sense.

I sent this message in mid-November. Not long after it looks like James French realised Gvardiol is our only threat at corners. Been using him well the last few weeks as the target and finally getting him into positions where he’s meeting the ball on the run. *Missed Ake out who’s decent too.

2025 Man of the Year

Pretty incredible to be near the top of this when it’s felt so far below our previous levels.

Fucks sake, we’ve got Gabriel Jesus doing 5 minutes on God on Sky now.

It did for Villa.

Deadly around the box Trossard. Been great value for Arsenal

That sub could do for Villa. Onana been good tonight.

Caicedo booked already. Will miss Sunday. City academy boy David Brooks has put Bournemouth in front too.

Mid-term review of City’s 2025/26 season in this weekend’s @theguardian.com. Tricky set of fixtures in Jan. But in short, I feel we’re tracking v nicely! Didn’t have the words to praise Donnarumma’s impact, so wanted to here. Plus as of today, Semenyo deal looks close… 🙏🏼 RTs appreciated #MCFC 🩵🇧🇼

You’d have thought they’d have watched the video and Dyche would be apologising for his comments.

Chelsea are on 29pts from 18 matches. They’ve not been in a title race since ‘16/17. They’ve spent £1.56bn on signings since June 2022 (3.5 years ago) according to Transfermarkt. Since Guardiola joined City in June 2016 (9.5 years ago) City have spent £1.71bn. A difference of 5yrs and just £157m.

All these set pieces with players charging around the keeper. It really is shit isn’t it

Came through it. That was a challenge. When we’re set up with 2 10s and the game asks of us what it did in the 2nd half, you want the 10s to step up. They did, hugely. Wouldn’t want any other 2 players in the league in those slots

Gvardiol has been magnificent on set pieces in the last couple of months. Brilliant finish from Cherki. This will be a big 10 mins

Would be nice to have Doku off the bench here

Have to show what we’re made of here

Frustrating that, we’ve got a great position on the edge of their area and he falls over his feet. Left short of numbers at the back.

Beautiful goal that. Gvardiol sees the space open up when Anderson leaves Cherki and executes his pass really well. That opens them up and Cherki and Reijnders do the rest brilliantly.

Been a bit of a slog that. Not been decisive enough on the ball. CBs have struggled to deal with Jesus. He’s a handful and he goes to ground very easily. He’s got a lot of decisions but he’d probably be having a much better match if he stayed on his feet.

Think we’re recycling the ball too much when it goes wide. There’s generally a runner as an option and we’re not taking often enough

Should have took that on himself Cherki

Commentator on bt talks way way too much

Big question for this City team this season is whether we can sustain a run of victories. The calendar has been kind the over last few weeks and we have 5 league wins on the spin. 4 tougher but winnable matches in the next 12 days. A test.

City XI as expected. Rodri makes the bench alongside 5 academy products.

👀

Nick Harris enjoying his Christmas.

These are always brilliantly researched and put together, well worth your time and plenty of City interest in this one.

Haaland’s 19 Premier League goals would have won him the Golden Boot in ‘97/98, ‘98/99 and ‘08/09. We’re 17 matches in.

Rogers banger week after week ⭐️

Been used to watching us and the other contenders, even at this time of the season, in previous years and thinking this is really high level. The level isn’t there in this league with current form. Might give us a chance

Yep

Yet to be convinced that Romero is anything other than a poor man’s Otamendi

Job done. Very good first half, not so good second but improved after the subs. First time we’ve won 5 matches in a row in the league since the final matches of ‘23/24 to win the fourth title in a row.

Nunes into midfield again

Big man makes saves

Well deserved. Great goal. Cherki 🤩

Deary me, some of Cherki’s footwork, worth the admission fee on its own

2 Academy products starting, 6 on the bench.

City as expected

Where we are.

Review of Manchester City's financial results for the 2024/25 season, which the club described as "disappointing", after they finished 3rd in the Premier League, lost in the FA Cup final and were eliminated in the Champions League knockout round #MCFC

Honestly, Christmas Do apart, I’ve seen enough to think he’s the most talented player in English football since Gascoigne. Now don’t get me wrong, it could all go to shit (it did for Gazza) but that’s where I am. I will take. No further questions until I’ve sobered up in the morning.

Not at the match tonight and not listened to this yet. At my Christmas Do, hangover listening sorted.

Looks like the wage bill will be flat / slightly down. Peaked in ‘22/23 at £423m, down to £413m last season and probably circa £410m looking at the wage / revenue ratio.

Cherki’s ceiling is crazy. So much to his game. You kind of want him on the pitch in any gamestate because he’s got a skillset that’s so valuable to each.

It’s a great result, 2nd half more comfortable than anticipated, generally kept the ball really well. That is a tough place to go and it felt like our vulnerabilities from last season were on show with not enough physicality in midfield to deal with the challenge. But we came through it.