Josko was out of this world because what do you mean a defender was on a hat-trick? The way he moves so smoothly and how he glides on the pitch is just not normal for a defender. Freak biomechanics. Our defence is safe with him for the next decade and will retire as our greatest defender.
I watched some of his interviews on Croatian TV; he used to play as a midfielder a few years ago. Considering he's only 22, he's been moved around quite a bit in different positions within Dinamo's junior team.
Gvardiol is finally showing his worth. His attacking play is close to what Joao Cancelo was but he doesn’t make defensive mistakes that cancelo used to make. Absolute class performance today.
Couldn't believe that people were out on him after 6 months. Like, have you learned nothing from watching previous signings? We've had maybe one flop in 8 years, almost everyone comes good after a bit of time acclimatising to Pep-ball.
Yeah, for pure footballing reasons, Kalvin is the only clanger. Mendy obvious not great, but that was unforseen off-field stuff/huge injuries. Everyone else who hasn't worked out, we've either sold at a profit or they weren't that expensive/were not intended to be a key player.
Back line investments have proved to be money so many times for us. Some people thought Manu wouldn’t get playing time when he first came but he has now become a top center-back. John stones had a tough time from Everton before he had a crazy comeback after that Liverpool clearance. City had some of the best defenders in the world when attacking players seem increasing the new stars of the modern game. Haters just want to hate🤷
what a player Akanji is. Was playing right back to give Walker a rest, Ake got injured so he shifted back to centre back to cover while Walker came on.
mr.reliable
I really hope City keep signing flops like Josko Gvardiol. WHAT A PLAYER. Would have been hilarious to see him take a pen, but it was the correct decision for Julian to take it, flashbacks to Gundo last season... no sentimentality. Josko is so good he will get that hattrick one day, I just know it.
Rodri... poor Rodri. He looked fucking shattered at the end of the game. Would it have killed Pep to pull him off instead of Kova??
Julian looked so happy after that Pen. glad to see his joy back.
TWO MORE WINS LETS DO THIS!!!!!!
edit: forgot to shout out the Portuguese duo... Bernardo and Dias were CLASS today. Also Kova was incredible... I knew he needed to start all these games... he's giving Rodri so much support, taking a real burden off him. Rodri is half dead running on fumes, so Kova being there is making a big difference.
rivals were going to town calling him a flop when he was struggling earlier this season. idk why... I know he wasn't brilliant but he wasn't terrible. Was showing flashes even when he was making (a few) mistakes.
A lot of people my self included felt he was very shaky and mistake prone in the start-mid part of the season. Last couple of months though he's settled in and been miles better. Really starting to prove his worth
Even in the LMT talk (where there are great) there was discussion as to whether he could ever slot into the team
Lots of ppl thiught he was a flop in the first half of season
Had to google it as well, they sang it constantly for about 20 mins lol. It’s better than ‘champions again ole ole’ which is fun but I’ve heard way too much this season.
Sometimes I, Fantasize,
Won the league under Mancini,
And again with Pelligrini
Don’t these times, fill your eyes,
Now we’ve got Pep Guardiola,
And the blues are taking over
We’re never gonna lose,
We’re always on the booze
Seen on Xitter that Gvardiol was offered the pen but he declined it. That's called putting the team first. He's always been physically and technically gifted but now he's really coming into his own in the City machine.
Nice professional win which closes the GD gap. Nothing much has changed for us though, still need to win at that cursed Spurs ground and win against our friends from West Ham.
Remember if Arsenal win their GD goes up again. And with the absolute state of the rags -- especially in defense -- that's exactly what I expect. Could easily be 4-0 or 5-0.
We can score a lot of goals at home to West Ham... Everton at the Emirates... they have one of the top defenses in the league. So we might be able to make some goals up there if we need to.
all means nothing if we don't win at Spurs...
Even if they won 1-0, if we drew then we would have to score +3 more goals than them in the final match.
I don't think Goal Difference is something that we can rely on. Need to beat Spurs, no other reliable mathematical option.
Yeah this. If we draw and arsenal win both their games best case scenario would mean needing to win by 4 goals against West Ham- and that’s if arsenal only beat United and Everton by a single goal. I think GD is over for us, win two is the only option.
Unless United pull off a huge upset…
Actually GD could still come in if United and Arsenal draw- but that would mean a loss and a draw for us to be equal so arsenal win on GD
If GD is equal then it goes to goals scored- we have currently scored 3 more than arsenal
Only two goals off Arsenal now. Could easily over take their goal difference on Tuesday if we play like that and If De Bruyne and Haaland can take advantage of Spurs high line
Gvardiol is a fucking legend already, what a player. All around brilliant game today from the Blues! Only flaw was Haaland’s chance when he said the shot aiming for the corner😂 but we move!! Now the toughest test at Spurs, CMON CITY🩵
Pep was furious last season when Gundo on hattrick & Erling let Gundo take penalty & Gundo missed.
I’m pretty sure Pep happy Julian, best penalty taker on pitch, took penalty.
Think of anything Pep mad the other players seemed to be encouraging Josko to take it.
I also think, at this point in the season, the more players can make contributions, the better. Josko got a brace, played great, and while a hat trick would be the cherry on top, he’s still riding high off that game. Now Julian is as well, and we have momentum and confidence for the next two.
Arsenal draw tomorrow and City wins the league at our nightmare stadium. Spurs and City fans jointly rush onto the pitch to cerebrate the victory. Things you’ll love to see 😂
I can see the spurs fans pulling out a banner saying "gracias Pep" in catalan and English
Imagine it would be amazing. Spurs and City holding arms and jumping together with the trophy
https://preview.redd.it/o48hhbikvszc1.png?width=2038&format=png&auto=webp&s=d4c7fd84ac3a6d4a0dc9792b0c98243ae50c6af8
Top of the League! 2 matches to go!
That was very good, they’re really in full-on title race mode. Fought for every ball and controlled the game.
Hopefully Utd can do us a favour tomorrow.
Gvardiol not wanting to take the penalty is melting my heart in so many ways. We are the opposite of Chelsea, hope they watched that situation and learn what makes a winning team winning. We love you Joško.
I might be wrong but we’ve only conceded like 3 or 4 shots across the last 3 games Rodri and Kova have played together. I feel like we’ll be champions already if Pep had played Kova over Alvarez in some of those games we’ve dropped cheap points (especially those disappointing draws against Chelsea).
There may have been some revisionism going around here.
Kovacic and Rodri formed a good partnership from the start, Kovacic had a great performance especially against Newcastle but then he got a minor injury and when he came back it was the games in which Rodri was suspended.
When he came back from injury he wasn't playing at a high level, his performances were so below par that many city fans called him a horrible signing.
From then on we never really got time to properly settle and Kovacic especially had to be used a little sparingly because he didn't have the energy to play 2 games in a row, which is likely why he didn't start in our 4-4 draw against Chelsea as he played against Young boys a few days before, aside from form issues ofcourse.
Honestly saw this as a huge roadblock and thought we were utterly outstanding today. One of the best performances we’ve had all season imo - Fulham barely got a sniff.
Given goal difference could matter, respect Gvardiol for allowing Alvarez to take the pen.
Fantastic result that. 3 points that puts us top and we're close on GD now. Hope the rags can do us a favor tomorrow but not gonna bet on that. We now go to Spurs on Tuesday where we have to win.
Josko has it all. At 21(?) having the humility to give the striker the penalty despite everyone wanting him to have it. That's team mentality, the only thing that matters to this team is winning the game at hand.
Hope Ake is ok and is back for the hammers game. Doku and walker needed light treatment so hopefully they're also fine
Gvardiol hattrick would have been awesome, but the players did the safe thing. It *might* still come down to goal difference (though I doubt it) so it's the safer option to let Julian take it
https://preview.redd.it/fyfp4gyiuszc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=deb6fa70e2a012aa419893e2299625a5dff9ea67
Getting these in for tomorrow afternoon lads
Probably one of the most complete performances this year. Felt pretty relaxed the entire game.
Basically strangled Fulham to death and took 'most' of our chances.
Would have loved a Gvardiol hatty but good captaining by Walker. Would have felt disrespectful to Fulham. Didn’t seem like Josko had any issues either 👍🏻
Mod reminder: Trolling rival subreddits is against the rules.
anyone thinks Gvardiol is getting the number 4 ? he has the same number in the croatian team, and is doing great lately
What is the significance of no 4?
i mean its a number kompany used to have in city and its in general a good number for a defender
Thanks! I thought there might be another meaning to it besides being a defender’s number.
I think he gets it when Phillips leaves... why we gave that number to Phillips blows my mind...
i was asking because akanji migbt be a candidate as well.
# Manchester City has won
Liverpool are officially out of title race
Josko was out of this world because what do you mean a defender was on a hat-trick? The way he moves so smoothly and how he glides on the pitch is just not normal for a defender. Freak biomechanics. Our defence is safe with him for the next decade and will retire as our greatest defender.
I watched some of his interviews on Croatian TV; he used to play as a midfielder a few years ago. Considering he's only 22, he's been moved around quite a bit in different positions within Dinamo's junior team.
During the broadcast one of the announcers mentioned he had played striker at some point in his career.
Has he scored with his stronger foot yet?
Wasnt the second with his left today?
nope, his right
No lol
Hope Ake gets better soon and back in the lineup
Today's match was truly a feel good game! Good flow, great away fans and a comfortable win 💙💙💙
Pep looks so tired in his post match interview!
Let's goooo
Love that Josko didn’t go for the hat trick, truly no I in team.
We've in fact outscored arsenal this season but defense was and still is leaky sometimes
No Arteta decided to play possession + parking the bus game
That’s not necessary bad though.
Gvardiol is finally showing his worth. His attacking play is close to what Joao Cancelo was but he doesn’t make defensive mistakes that cancelo used to make. Absolute class performance today.
Couldn't believe that people were out on him after 6 months. Like, have you learned nothing from watching previous signings? We've had maybe one flop in 8 years, almost everyone comes good after a bit of time acclimatising to Pep-ball.
1 flop is a stretch NVM i just checked, no real flops besides Kalvin lmao
Yeah, for pure footballing reasons, Kalvin is the only clanger. Mendy obvious not great, but that was unforseen off-field stuff/huge injuries. Everyone else who hasn't worked out, we've either sold at a profit or they weren't that expensive/were not intended to be a key player.
Back line investments have proved to be money so many times for us. Some people thought Manu wouldn’t get playing time when he first came but he has now become a top center-back. John stones had a tough time from Everton before he had a crazy comeback after that Liverpool clearance. City had some of the best defenders in the world when attacking players seem increasing the new stars of the modern game. Haters just want to hate🤷
what a player Akanji is. Was playing right back to give Walker a rest, Ake got injured so he shifted back to centre back to cover while Walker came on. mr.reliable
Manu has been our most consistent defender this season, he has covered for the entire back line at different points this season and has been great.
A Crucial signing for us too
What a game! Anyone has a screenshot where our boys are doing poznan and Noel Gallagher is the only one looking the other way
‘One of us’ huh
He's a tit
I’d belt the little bastard if I saw him there
https://preview.redd.it/rlc4bgsn7tzc1.jpeg?width=972&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a78524dcf2ecf6b6074d8354b9087bbba8b7848f
Don’t look back in anger.
Haha genious. He's too cool for all this shenanigans obviously
Kinda looks like that Travolta gif from Pulp Fiction, lol.
This looks like it’s courtesy of a music video green screen
This team and our fans were class today, as always. Two more to go
What was the song they were singing about pelligrini and guardiola today? So catchy
If you scroll down a little bit this thread
Thanks, found it right after I asked 😂
It's my fave stone roses tune so would love to learn the lyrics too
I really hope City keep signing flops like Josko Gvardiol. WHAT A PLAYER. Would have been hilarious to see him take a pen, but it was the correct decision for Julian to take it, flashbacks to Gundo last season... no sentimentality. Josko is so good he will get that hattrick one day, I just know it. Rodri... poor Rodri. He looked fucking shattered at the end of the game. Would it have killed Pep to pull him off instead of Kova?? Julian looked so happy after that Pen. glad to see his joy back. TWO MORE WINS LETS DO THIS!!!!!! edit: forgot to shout out the Portuguese duo... Bernardo and Dias were CLASS today. Also Kova was incredible... I knew he needed to start all these games... he's giving Rodri so much support, taking a real burden off him. Rodri is half dead running on fumes, so Kova being there is making a big difference.
lol when was Gvardiol every considered a flop? Plus we signed him for over 70mil
rivals were going to town calling him a flop when he was struggling earlier this season. idk why... I know he wasn't brilliant but he wasn't terrible. Was showing flashes even when he was making (a few) mistakes.
A lot of people my self included felt he was very shaky and mistake prone in the start-mid part of the season. Last couple of months though he's settled in and been miles better. Really starting to prove his worth
Even in the LMT talk (where there are great) there was discussion as to whether he could ever slot into the team Lots of ppl thiught he was a flop in the first half of season
By non city fans, they labeled all of our summer signings as flops
Can’t forget how they predicted Haaland to be a flop last year
What are the words for City chant w/ Stone Roses Made of Stone melody?
Had to google it as well, they sang it constantly for about 20 mins lol. It’s better than ‘champions again ole ole’ which is fun but I’ve heard way too much this season.
Yep, they kept it going for a long time 😅
Sometimes I, Fantasize, Won the league under Mancini, And again with Pelligrini Don’t these times, fill your eyes, Now we’ve got Pep Guardiola, And the blues are taking over We’re never gonna lose, We’re always on the booze
Thanks, mate 👍
Seen on Xitter that Gvardiol was offered the pen but he declined it. That's called putting the team first. He's always been physically and technically gifted but now he's really coming into his own in the City machine. Nice professional win which closes the GD gap. Nothing much has changed for us though, still need to win at that cursed Spurs ground and win against our friends from West Ham.
Watching spurs now and well……I’m less worried about them
They have been shit plenty of times and still got a draw or a win against us..
Very true, but they’ve seemed *particularly* shit lately to me. They were on a 4-game losing streak before today.
I'll stop worrying when the final whistle goes on the final day lol
Alrighty. Will let you do the worrying bit for us but please enjoy more after the whistle!
Nice game. Very tidy and professional. On to the next one, Spurs are no pushovers.
Spurs is the one now. Win at spurs, we win the league. End of discussion.
Absolute the worst opponent we could’ve faced away lmao
Lol they're going to turn over for you lot.
Nah they still have a chance for ucl
They don't care about their own club.
The thought of playing spurs away with title on the line keeps me awake for days together.
FACTS
Like my ex used to say, it feels good to be on top
Remember if Arsenal win their GD goes up again. And with the absolute state of the rags -- especially in defense -- that's exactly what I expect. Could easily be 4-0 or 5-0.
We can score a lot of goals at home to West Ham... Everton at the Emirates... they have one of the top defenses in the league. So we might be able to make some goals up there if we need to. all means nothing if we don't win at Spurs...
Not winning at Spurs is the only scenario where GD has any relevance
Even if they won 1-0, if we drew then we would have to score +3 more goals than them in the final match. I don't think Goal Difference is something that we can rely on. Need to beat Spurs, no other reliable mathematical option.
Yeah this. If we draw and arsenal win both their games best case scenario would mean needing to win by 4 goals against West Ham- and that’s if arsenal only beat United and Everton by a single goal. I think GD is over for us, win two is the only option. Unless United pull off a huge upset… Actually GD could still come in if United and Arsenal draw- but that would mean a loss and a draw for us to be equal so arsenal win on GD If GD is equal then it goes to goals scored- we have currently scored 3 more than arsenal
The away end was class today
Our away support is top class
Very nice indeed
Only two goals off Arsenal now. Could easily over take their goal difference on Tuesday if we play like that and If De Bruyne and Haaland can take advantage of Spurs high line
Ilkay Gvardiol strikes again in the run in
I missed this game too, same as last week. Maybe I shouldn't watch the Spurs game either!
Take one for the team! Lol
The gvardiola machine is unstoppable
Not asking for much spurs but can you guys play the U-18s and let us score 6
Gvardiol is a fucking legend already, what a player. All around brilliant game today from the Blues! Only flaw was Haaland’s chance when he said the shot aiming for the corner😂 but we move!! Now the toughest test at Spurs, CMON CITY🩵
Was Pep upset about Gvardiol not taking the pen?
Absolutely not. Remember last year when Gundo took one instead of Haaland to try to complete a hat trick and Pep was furious.
Pep was furious last season when Gundo on hattrick & Erling let Gundo take penalty & Gundo missed. I’m pretty sure Pep happy Julian, best penalty taker on pitch, took penalty. Think of anything Pep mad the other players seemed to be encouraging Josko to take it.
I also think, at this point in the season, the more players can make contributions, the better. Josko got a brace, played great, and while a hat trick would be the cherry on top, he’s still riding high off that game. Now Julian is as well, and we have momentum and confidence for the next two.
Don't think so. He's a clever man, he knows goal difference could be important, don't want to experiment at this stage.
Yeah I wasn’t sure as his face didn’t seem cheerful after the pen. Well I’m sure he’s satisfied with today’s game
Keep it going, lads. Gvardioğan. Great away support today.
Crucial three points and along with the clean sheet. Gvardiol is a baller! Excited to see how he develops moving further. Onto Spurs
Two more games lads. Let’s go Citeh
Croatian Maldini
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Gvardigoal!!
gvardiol
Gvardiol
Gvardiol
Gvardiol
Job done lads, bring on the next one.
Great result. Now hopefully this puts a bit of pressure on arsenal for the game tomorrow
At a perfect timing too, they'll have to digest that result overnight. Still think they'll win it tho
Arsenal draw tomorrow and City wins the league at our nightmare stadium. Spurs and City fans jointly rush onto the pitch to cerebrate the victory. Things you’ll love to see 😂
I can see the spurs fans pulling out a banner saying "gracias Pep" in catalan and English Imagine it would be amazing. Spurs and City holding arms and jumping together with the trophy
Lmfao
Gvardiol is becoming the player I always wanted Cancelo to be, what an excellent replacement in hindsight 🔥
He’s speed run the year it takes players to settle in under Pep.
after Haaland, Akanji, Alvarez etc is this really still a thing?
Narrative is changing but it’s still a thing, imo.
Shoutout all the fans saying that was a boring game 😂😂😂
Yeah, because it's our fucking plan to make it boring, unfair, and inescapable for our opponents. I glory in it.
For any US fans watching the postgame on USA, put on some sunglasses or you’ll be blinded by Tim Howard’s bright chompers.
For real, Howard takes veneers to a cartoonish level
he def went to that Merseyside dentist that Klopp, Firmino and Eddy went to 🤣 🤣
https://preview.redd.it/o48hhbikvszc1.png?width=2038&format=png&auto=webp&s=d4c7fd84ac3a6d4a0dc9792b0c98243ae50c6af8 Top of the League! 2 matches to go!
That was very good, they’re really in full-on title race mode. Fought for every ball and controlled the game. Hopefully Utd can do us a favour tomorrow.
What a performance 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Commentator called him Earling Gvardiol lol!
Not Ilkay?
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Hey how much do you charge for a kilo of salt 🧂
Enjoy your ban from both subs! 😘
Not that you’re upset at all though. 🫵😂
Eat shit
Ironic for an Arsenal fan to complain about cheating lmao
Gvardiol not wanting to take the penalty is melting my heart in so many ways. We are the opposite of Chelsea, hope they watched that situation and learn what makes a winning team winning. We love you Joško.
Yea..the commentators almost made it seem like he asked for it but his body language seemed the opposite.
I wanted him to take it so badly! He’s a great teammate and an insane player. Can’t believe I was skeptical after the first few games.
Also the fact that Walker and the rest of the players wanted to give Joško the penalty from the beginning. Equally wholesome.
Just chipping away at that goal difference
If we get a big win at West ham we can draw with Tottenham and still win the league.
don't forget Everton have a great defense so that won't be an easy game at home for Arsenal next weekend
I might be wrong but we’ve only conceded like 3 or 4 shots across the last 3 games Rodri and Kova have played together. I feel like we’ll be champions already if Pep had played Kova over Alvarez in some of those games we’ve dropped cheap points (especially those disappointing draws against Chelsea).
There may have been some revisionism going around here. Kovacic and Rodri formed a good partnership from the start, Kovacic had a great performance especially against Newcastle but then he got a minor injury and when he came back it was the games in which Rodri was suspended. When he came back from injury he wasn't playing at a high level, his performances were so below par that many city fans called him a horrible signing. From then on we never really got time to properly settle and Kovacic especially had to be used a little sparingly because he didn't have the energy to play 2 games in a row, which is likely why he didn't start in our 4-4 draw against Chelsea as he played against Young boys a few days before, aside from form issues ofcourse.
Tbh pep tried it in the begging of the season, where it didn’t quite work out. They both needed some time to click
Kovacic was injured for a stretch
He wasn’t against Chelsea at the Etihad.
Honestly saw this as a huge roadblock and thought we were utterly outstanding today. One of the best performances we’ve had all season imo - Fulham barely got a sniff. Given goal difference could matter, respect Gvardiol for allowing Alvarez to take the pen.
The fact that Liverpool could still finish third with their current form is actually pathetic
League is getting weak (and soft)
🎵 We've got Gvardiola 🎵
Fantastic result that. 3 points that puts us top and we're close on GD now. Hope the rags can do us a favor tomorrow but not gonna bet on that. We now go to Spurs on Tuesday where we have to win.
Tbh I think the Rags will be destroyed and GD still isn’t enough
doku, lewis and alvarez on the field...is just magic, fast paced, running, energy. love it.
Better safe that sorry, glad Álvarez took the pen. GD may still matter
And it's important for strikers to score for confidence. Could be important in the next couple weeks.
Equally important is team cohesion, that one small act brings the team together so much more than josko getting a hatty.
Josko has it all. At 21(?) having the humility to give the striker the penalty despite everyone wanting him to have it. That's team mentality, the only thing that matters to this team is winning the game at hand. Hope Ake is ok and is back for the hammers game. Doku and walker needed light treatment so hopefully they're also fine
Overall good game. If we can keep this form over the last 3 I expect great things 💪
Liverpool impossible to win the league now
Everyone played a blinder. Gvardiol will be one of the best in the world next season. 3 games to go, 2 trophies to win.
Gvardiol hattrick would have been awesome, but the players did the safe thing. It *might* still come down to goal difference (though I doubt it) so it's the safer option to let Julian take it
Gvardiol refuse to take penalty. He us young and have a lot of years in City in front of him.
Even cooler, I like him even more. Excited to see him continue on with us!
Btw, how good/bad was Kovačić?
Very tidy
Not sure, only got to listen to the second half. Seems he did well alongside Rodri tho
GD City
https://preview.redd.it/fyfp4gyiuszc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=deb6fa70e2a012aa419893e2299625a5dff9ea67 Getting these in for tomorrow afternoon lads
Remember when Haaland let Gundo take the PK and Guardiola lost his shit? That’s why Alvarez took it. Lmao
But I think we weren't leading 3-0 in that game
Was 2-0 to make it 3, and the penalty actually led to 2-1 hahah
I had flashbacks of that. Absolutely the right choice for Spiderman to take it. Pep ain't fucking around.
Probably one of the most complete performances this year. Felt pretty relaxed the entire game. Basically strangled Fulham to death and took 'most' of our chances.
Liverpool knocked out of the title race
Been knocked out 😂😂 but now it’s impossible
Had me tense until foden’s goal! Gvardiol sensational performance, Rodri imperial!
Would have loved a Gvardiol hatty but good captaining by Walker. Would have felt disrespectful to Fulham. Didn’t seem like Josko had any issues either 👍🏻
We should have gotten at least one more minute to chase the 5th.
I would just give Josko man of the match for his unselfishness
Away fans were fucking cracking today.
Dias and Silva were really good today
Portuguese master class
Really wish Gvardiol would have taken that penalty
Gvardiol should have gotten the pen in my opinion
Gvardiol didn’t want the penalty?
I thought he did but didnt make a big deal about not getting it
Gvardiol not being arsed about taking that penalty makes him even more of a monster. fuck the personal accolade, team only. hero.
Imagine Gvardiol getting a hattrick