Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Manchester City team momentarily morphed into Tony Pulis’ Stoke City to reclaim top spot in the thrilling Premier League title race. From hitting the heights of fluid, attacking football against Real Madrid in midweek, the Blues resorted to the rustic attributes of defending with grit, sticking your head in the way of everything, and punishing the opposition from set-pieces.
Rodri and Nathan Ake scored the crucial goals, from a free-kick and a corner by Phil Foden, on a raw, rugged, red-blooded day in Yorkshire. Then Gabriel Jesus made it six goals in three games by sweeping home another meticulous pass from Foden before Fernandinho made a bigger hole in Liverpool’s superior goal difference with a late drive.
That was the perfect response to Liverpool’s win at Newcastle hours earlier that had sent Jurgen Klopp’s side leapfrogging above them into top spot. Liverpool had not been convincing at St James’ Park but got the job done, no doubt feeling the hangover from their Champions League exertions in midweek.
