Manchester City lost yet more ground on Liverpool as their dismal run of form continued against Manchester United.
Having watched the Reds drop two points against Fulham on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s side had the chance to cut their gap on the Premier League leaders to six points, and looked to be on the way to just a second win in their last 11 games after Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header.
Exhibiting more of the problems that have beset them over the last month or so though, City imploded in the last few minutes, with Matheus Nunes conceding a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted before Amad Diallo pounced late on to compound the hosts’ misery.
The result was City’s eighth defeat in their last 11 games, and leaves them staring down the barrel in their attempts to revive their title hopes. They now sit outside the top four, having been leapfrogged by Nottingham Forest following their win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
For Arne Slot and Liverpool though, it’s almost a dream scenario. Having replaced Jurgen Klopp during the summer, even the Reds boss could not have anticipated holding such a commanding lead over what has been the Premier League’s dominant force in recent years.
Liverpool sits nine points ahead of City following yesterday’s draw with Fulham, and still holds a game in hand after the postponement of the Merseyside derby. As the halfway point in the season nears, few could have expected such a gap, not least City’s biggest advocates.
“It’s incredible to say that a team that have been so consistent over the last four years – to see this happening, one win in 11 games coming from the champions. I’m gobsmacked if I’m being totally honest,” former City defender Micah Richards admitted to Sky Sports.
“Even at 1-0, they weren’t searching for the second. It’s almost like they were trying to see the game out. That’s not the Man City we know and love.”
This clearly runs deeper than just injuries or a packed schedule. There are glaring problems at City, and ones that don’t look like they’re going to solve themselves anytime soon. Liverpool of course has Chelsea and Arsenal still to contend with, but City’s race looks like it’s run.
