Manchester City’s time away from the summit of the Premier League proved brief as they wasted no time in reclaiming top spot from Liverpool on Saturday.
Having seen their closest rivals leapfrog just moments earlier, Pep Guardiola’s side ensured they wouldn’t spend long below them as they eased to victory at Burnley. First-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan secured a comfortable 2-0 win as they moved back to a point ahead of the Reds.
The result sets City up for what is set to be a pivotal week, with Jurgen Klopp’s side visiting the Etihad after the Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid in midweek. Here’s what the national media made of the Blues’ 2-0 win at Turf Moor.
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‘City pass psychological test’ – The Guardian
Liverpool had a brief time to enjoy the sight of the league table. Then came the confirmation that while overtaking Manchester City was an achievement, finishing above them will be a far greater one.
While City had a two-hour sojourn in second, it took them five minutes to demonstrate they would reclaim the status they held for four months. The opener came so quickly that Jürgen Klopp was able to reference it in his post-match interviews after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield. Statements of intent are rarely quicker or more eloquent.
“To be honest, we don’t speak about our contenders to be champions,” Pep Guardiola said. Actions conveyed City’s message instead.
If City, 14 points clear of Liverpool in January, passed a psychological test as they looked utterly unruffled by being briefly downgraded to second, they showed the assurance of a side with little need to worry about scorelines elsewhere.
City response ‘emphatic’ – The Telegraph
With Pep Guardiola demanding perfection to defend the title, his Manchester City players will overcome various obstacles in the next two months. At Turf Moor they recorded victory despite long grass hindering their passing and the psychological impact of briefly losing their place at the top of the table.
Guardiola suggested afterwards that Liverpool’s lunchtime win had played no part in his team talk but it was the first time they had been in second place since the start of December.
Kevin De Bruyne’s volley ensured Jurgen Klopp would enjoy being at the summit for little over half an hour. City had scored by the time Klopp sat down for his post-match press conference, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring shortly after.
Guardiola had spoken of the table having no psychological impact to his players ahead of this game and the way his team started suggested he was right. There was no hangover from their goalless draw at Crystal Palace before the international break. Their response to dropping into second place for the first time since December was emphatic.
City ‘relishing the challenge’ – Daily Mail
Usurped at the top of the table by Liverpool earlier in the day, Manchester City knew what they had to do by the time they arrived at Turf Moor. They know how it goes. They know this routine. They know how to close out a title. Three years ago, they kept Liverpool at bay by winning their last 14 Premier League games. This season, they may have to do something similar to retain their trophy.
And so, confronted by a home side fighting what looks like a losing battle against the drop, City did not blink. They cannot afford to blink. Not with Liverpool playing the way they are playing. Not with Liverpool breathing down their necks. Not with Liverpool coming to the Etihad next Sunday. This is the endgame now and City are primed for it.
They may only have won 2-0 on a sunny, crisp day amid the mills and the factory chimneys but it should have been plenty more. City did not look like a team under pressure to regain the top spot. They cruised. They played some beautiful, intricate football. They scored two fine team goals. They never once gave the impression that they were anything other than in total control.
City's season accelerates now. They play Atletico Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, Liverpool on Sunday in the league, Atletico in the second leg next and then Liverpool again, this time in an FA Cup semi-final, a week on Saturday at Wembley.
Here in Lancashire, they did not give the impression of a team daunted by what lies ahead. They looked like a side who are relishing the challenge.
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