March 31, 2024
Neither side was able to create any clear cut opportunities in a draw that keeps the situation at the top of the table very close.
Gabriel Jesus had a couple of half chances in the first half, and Leandro Trossard was denied late on, before Manchester City finished the game strongly. In the end we held on for our first point away to City since 2016, and stopped the hosts scoring at home for the first time in 57 games.
The hosts started quickly, and looked to pin us back in the opening exchanges, but it was Jesus, making his first start since January, who had the first half chance. Ben White's deep cross was too high for Kai Havertz, but Jesus chested down before scuffing his shot just wide of the near post.
Nathan Ake had a close-range header from a corner saved on the line by David Raya, and City continued to dominate possession in our half.
Jesus, who started on the left, had our next chance. Martin Odegaard was able to orchestrate in the middle of the pitch, and the ball fell to Jakub Kiwior inside the area. He laid it off to Jesus just inside the D who shifted past the defender, but shot wide.
At the other end Erling Haaland got his head to a dangerous looking cross late in the half, but could only direct it wide under pressure from Gabriel and Kiwior.
But overall it was a fairly cautious first 45 minutes from both sides, and whereas City enjoyed more possession, in terms of chances there was nothing between the sides.
Mateo Kovacic sent a long-range effort wide early after the restart before we looked to raise the tempo. Odegaard was leading the way, and released Bukayo Saka inside the area. His low cross went all the way through the six-yard box, and just ahead of the sliding Jesus, who would have had a tap in at the far post.
Pep Guardiola introduced Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku for the last half hour, and Mikel Arteta responded by bringing on both Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
We had to defend in numbers inside our own box as the game entered the final 15 minutes, making a succession of blocks and half clearances. It was all hands to the pump.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came on to provide fresh legs on the flanks. Both subs had chances. Martinelli had a shot blocked inside the box after more good work from Odegaard while Haaland miskicked at the far post from a City corner as the tension rose. Then Trossard broke through and forced a save from Ortega with five minutes left after beating the offside trap.
The hosts finished strongly, but in the end we took a point that ends our eight-game winning streak, but keeps us just ahead of the Champions in the standings.
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