Erling Haaland, ridiculously, now City’s ninth top scorer of all time moving onto 133 goals yesterday. Sergio Aguero 260 Eric Brook 177 Tommy Johnson 166 Colin Bell 153 Joe Hayes 152 Billy Meredith 152 Franny Lee 148 Tommy Browell 139 Erling Haaland 133

A decent day’s football

From pre-season. Still very early days but so far it’s Doku.

Great result. Good for 30 mins in the first half. A slog from there on until we got the second. But kept at it and once we got one they kept coming. Important to hit a bit of a run here, a decent set of fixtures. No other teams really hitting their straps yet.

“I've supported City all my life, a load of favourite games given our success, but beating United 6-1 at Old Trafford has to be my favourite along with Sergio’s winner against QPR in 2012. I was only 7 and watched it at my cousin's house, but remember it as if it were yesterday – as most can!”

New 5 year deal for Nico O’Reilly. So pleased for him, fully deserved. Brought up a couple of miles down the road from the Etihad. Special having lads like him in the team.

It wasn’t the most entertaining night but job done. 8 of the 15 players City used were academy products.

That’s where he really needs to improve Savinho. You have to be a killer there

You’d imagine that’s the two starters on Saturday taken off

It’s been a bit of a slog hasn’t it. Good finish.

This is it to start. Savinho left wing, Bobb on the right.

Should be fun. Best guess Mukasa F9 and Lewis and Foden 8s. Hope to see Mfuni at some point. Both Heskey’s on the bench. Hope Emile has got a ticket.

Sunday's performance wasn't pretty from #MCFC, and the late equaliser was a kick in the teeth, but the approach and result showed encouraging signs of progress. Read all about it in my new Totally City Substack post 🩵

Make no mistake though, this is a different City. Previous iterations of Guardiola’s City couldn’t play the we played today. But we now have outlets and a goalkeeper who is suited to backs to the wall stuff. The numbers from the first few matches pointed the way, a more direct City.

I was going into last weekend apprehensive about this week. We’re very much a work in progress and it’s going to be a team developing in the coming weeks. But they want it, Pep wants it. The hunger is there. The big question is can he get the team to a level where we can hit a big winning streak.

A kick in the teeth, we were hardly entertaining but dug in and Arsenal didn’t look like equalising. A dagger at the end of what was a good week. Need to kick on now and win the next 3.

Feels like the legs have gone in midfield

Yikes, Khus injured you’d imagine

Not been pretty has it but pretty solid. Feels like Arsenal are playing for set pieces and I’d imagine Arteta will change it 2nd half and give us more to think about. Referee is weak as piss, doesn’t bode well.

We’ve got to make that a feature of our game. Set up with Haaland and Doku up top and hit them with we have parity of numbers with their cbs. They’re stronger and faster than most

Big Erl. That’s what Reijnders is in there for. Running power and just wait on Erl

Deary me, they still singing this

Same again for the third match on the spin. I fear today might be a bit too much for where are in this teams development but it’ll be a good test.

Sad news about John Stapleton. Home and away for decades and never heard anyone with a bad word for him. Seemed like a thoroughly good bloke. RIP.

Football is changing. With the help of Earpiece, Twelve Football’s AI analytical and scouting tool used by pro clubs, I’ve taken a look at how Guardiola has reacted. Early days but the findings were really interesting. open.substack.com/pub/citytact...

More evidence to suggest Doku is more effective in central areas. His super power (almost always beating his man) puts him in decisive positions centrally. He often struggles out wide to either execute or to know what to do following his initial burst. Centrally the path ahead is more obvious

Very good that, obviously helped by the red card but thoroughly professional performance.

Big Erl. 50 Champions League goals. Quickest ever. Always get the ball into Foden in those areas.

Great ball from Foden. Haaland eating up the ground, puts defenders in a tough spot

Strong. Won’t be easy tonight.

Same as Sunday.

If you think City are playing differently this season, you’d be right. A look at the numbers behind, what currently looks like, a changing play style. open.substack.com/pub/citytact...

this was thoughtful and detailed. @city-tactics.bsky.social is one of the best futbol follows. we need more futbol content and discourse on bluesky.

Give this a read if you want a data driven perspective to supplement what we’re seeing so far this season vs last in terms of play/approach. Thx @city-tactics.bsky.social for this, and I will look forward to seeing how things develop as the season progresses. Is it consequence or prescriptive?

Football is changing. With the help of Earpiece, Twelve Football’s AI analytical and scouting tool used by pro clubs, I’ve taken a look at how Guardiola has reacted. Early days but the findings were really interesting. open.substack.com/pub/citytact...

Vs backs 4s this season our press has often seen our right back jumping to the opponents left back when they receive possession. Teams have tried to take advantage of the numerical parity that often leaves in our back line by going long from their full back from goal kicks bsky.app/profile/city...

Vs backs 4s this season our press has often seen our right back jumping to the opponents left back when they receive possession. Teams have tried to take advantage of the numerical parity that often leaves in our back line by going long from their full back from goal kicks bsky.app/profile/city...

Local Heroes 🩵 Great piece this.

Can anyone explain to me why Arsenal fans seem so obsessed with Foden?

Only Franny Lee, Sergio Aguero, Joe Hayes, Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton have scored more goals in Manchester Derby history. He’s at the start of his 4th season.

These boys delivered

Donnarumma, Khusanov at right back. O’Reilly gets the nod at left back. Foden, Gvardiol back. No Stones. Mfuni on the bench

That Ricky Hatton news is so sad. He gave so much happiness to so many, especially blues. And what a fighter, a warrior. RIP.

Needs to be a win today

Phil Salt 🩵

This seems appropriate. 100 years ago today…. The first Maine Rd Manchester Derby (follow the link for the story): gjfootballarchive.com/2025/09/12/t...

England team doesn’t have one player in it who has won the Premier League. Can’t have happened many times previously.

Haaland has 2 already tonight for Norway. 45 in 45 at international level as it stands. Silly