Man City 2-0 Cardiff: Man City return to the top of the table
Two goals from De Bruyne and Leroy Sane in the first half helped defending champion Man City defeat Cardiff City with a score of 2-0 in round 33 of the 2018/19 Premier League.
Man City: De Bruyne (6'), Sane (44')
Before this match, the statistics were not in Cardiff City's favour. In the past 57 years, the Welsh team had never kept a clean sheet against Man City. During this time, Cardiff conceded an average of 2.61 goals per game when facing Man City. This number gave Man City fans hope that they could witness a crushing defeat by Man City at the Etihad today, despite the absence of top striker Sergio Aguero.
With home advantage, Man City started the game confidently and continuously created dangerous situations towards the away team's goal. By the 6th minute, the defending champions had opened the score. Receiving a pass from Laporte, De Bruyne ran down the left wing at speed before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle that left goalkeeper Etheridge helpless.
 |
De Bruyne gave Man City an early advantage with an incredible goal. |
Taking an early lead, Man City continued to dominate the game while Cardiff could only defend themselves. In the 19th minute, coach Pep Guardiola was forced to send Kyle Walker onto the field to replace the injured Zinchenko.
In the 27th minute, De Bruyne, after skillfully eliminating two Cardiff defenders, crossed to Gabriel Jesus. Unfortunately, the Brazilian striker's touch went wide of the post.
The storm continued to come to Etheridge's goal and it was thanks to the talent of the Filipino goalkeeper that Cardiff did not concede any more goals. It was not until the 44th minute that Man City were able to double the gap when Leroy Sane volleyed beautifully to make it 2-0 before the first half ended.
 |
Sane had his own goal in this match. |
In the second half, the game did not change much as Man City still dominated the game. In the 54th minute, De Bruyne took a free kick with great force and the ball went low, creating an opportunity for Fernandinho to head the ball wide of the post.
The next opportunities belonged to Laporte, Mahrez and Jesus but Man City still could not get the third goal. The final result, Man City won 2-0 against Cardiff.
With the win, Man City returned to the top of the table with 80 points after 32 rounds, while Cardiff ranked 18th with 28 points.
LINEUP
Man City:Ederson, Danilo, Laporte, Stones, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Zinchenko (Walker 19'), Foden, Sane, Jesus.
Cardiff:Etheridge, Peltier, Manga, Morrison, Bennett, Gunnarsson (Bacuna 81'), Ralls, Murphy (Mendez-Laing 60'), Camarasa (Reid 83'), Hoilett, Niasse.
