BURNLEY (AFP) - Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday (April 28).
Aguero, who has now scored nine times in his past eight appearances against Burnley, struck in the 63rd minute, with a shot that only just crossed the line despite the best efforts of defender Matt Lowton to keep it out, although goal-line technology was needed to award the goal.
The win takes City on to 92 points, one ahead of Liverpool, with two games to play.
Victories at home to Leicester next Monday, and away at Brighton the following Sunday will see Pep Guardiola's side retain their English title.
For the first time in months, City's elimination from the Champions League means they will crucially have a free midweek to prepare for those key matches.
By contrast, Liverpool must travel to Newcastle next weekend, either side of the two legs of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, before hosting Wolves on May 12.
City have now won 12 consecutive Premier League games but they had to work to maintain their composure against the Clarets.
Â
Guardiola's side enjoyed the bulk of possession, but found creating clear chances difficult. When they did, Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton was in excellent form.
Heaton, a former Manchester United reserve, made two excellent saves in the opening minutes of the second half.
He was alert at his near post to beat away Aguero's shot, after Raheem Sterling's neat flick had created the opening, before beating out Bernardo Silva's snap shot at the end of a goalmouth scramble.
Sean Dyche's side knew before kick-off they were mathematically certain of Premier League survival, yet played as if they too were fighting for the title.
Burnley even caused City the occasional first-half problem.
Jack Cork chested down a ball on the edge of the penalty area and then hit a shot that struck visiting captain Vincent Kompany full in the face.
As the home fans appealed for handball and screamed for a penalty, referee Paul Tierney put his whistle to his lips as if considering awarding one. Television replays, though, showed he was right not to.
The Clarets' best opening fell to Chris Wood, who was left to rue a poor first touch that denied him his big moment.
Played through by Jeff Hendrick, the New Zealand forward allowed the ball to squirt away, and Ederson was bravely out at his feet to smother.
At times, City's frustration threatened to boil over.
In the closing moments of the first half, Aguero over-hit a pass down the left for Leroy Sane, resulting in the ball rolling out of play, and the German responded by turning to his team-mate and flinging his arms out in despair.
Eventually, though, City's patience was rewarded. Bernardo Silva's low ball into the middle found Aguero, who, with his back to goal and minimal space to work with, managed to fashion a shot that beat Heaton.
Lowton, on the line, looked to have blocked the shot with his chest, but the ball looped up and just crossed the line before he could recover to clear it.
If City were hoping that goal would provide the platform for a comfortable final half-hour, though, they were to be disappointed as Burnley continued to give everything.
Few players were more committed than Burnley's Ben Mee, the boyhood City fan who used to captain their youth team.
He produced an extraordinary goal-line clearance to deny the visitors a second goal, stretching to hook the ball clear after substitute Gabriel Jesus collected Kyle Walker's crossfield pass, and had gone round Heaton to shoot towards what he thought was an empty net.
After that, City were content to run down the clock as they kept their cool to leave their northwest rivals with all three points.
Jordan Henderson hailed the importance of Liverpool's clean sheet in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League quarterfinal win over Porto.. Jurgen Klopp's side was far from its best against the Portuguese champion but has given itself a glorious chance of making the last four for the second consecutive season.
Barcelona | A Complete Guide to Barcelona
AD
The reason Spain suffered is because Norway were able to tie things up as Joshua King converted a penalty in the 65th minute, yet Luis Enrique's side showed fight and pressure, a foreign concept
Enrique praises Ramos as 'unique' player's penalty secures
The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5
Home United snap Albirex Niigata's title-winning streak
sportslifetale.com/soccer/home-united-snap-albirex-niigatas-title-winning-streak/
The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5-4 on penalties to lift the Community Shield last night as the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season kicked off.
Home United snap Albirex Niigata's title-winning streak
So today we wanted to do a video on the seven best goalkeepers in world football right now, and depending on how many people watch it and what kind of response we get in the comments and on
Brian Jensen gives his take on Burnley's goalkeepers
"The pressure is going to be huge - Ole will now be fighting to keep the job, rather than get it. I heard the argument that United were holding off appointing Solskjaer full-time to keep the players hungry, but there is no way they will take their foot off the pedal - these are top professionals and they have loads to play for."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns Manchester United players over
In what is a major coup, Kerala Blasters have announced the signing of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown for the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL). The defender has made a
Wes Brown - Wikipedia
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Montenegro v England - Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro - March 25, 2019 England's Ross Barkley celebrates scoring their second goal wit
England thrash Montenegro 5-1 after early scare - nst.com.my
Members of the U.S. women's national soccer team have filed a wage-discrimination complaint against the U.S. Soccer Federation, saying they're paid almost four times less than the men.
Women's team suing US Soccer for gender-pay disparity
Could Bruno Mars' Big Night at the Grammys End Up Being a Bad Thing for His Career? song in Hot 100 history could have brought home some potentially historic to avoid pop drama pretty much
Bruno Mars Took Fans To Mars And Back At His Kl Concert
Asier Arsuaga Nacido en Tolosa en 1974. Ryan said her office recommended Remyâ s release based, in part, on a conversation prosecutors had with Martel and with
2014 « oceanwise indonesia
Jimenez, Jota slay Manchester United as Wolves reach FA Cup semi-finals Global Patriot Staff March 17, 2019 Local , News , Sports , World Leave a comment 14 Views Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring
Kevin-Prince Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports Description: Born in Germany, the half-brother of Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng moved to Serie A last year after helping Eintracht Frankfurt win the German Cup.
Football: Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports
extratout.com/2019/01/21/football-boateng-set-for-shock-barcelona-move-reports/
MADRID (AFP) - Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng is on the verge of joining Barcelona in a shock loan move from Italian side Sassuolo, according to media reports in Spain on Monday.Catalan daily Sport reported that the leaders of La Liga had agre
Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports - ARYSports.tv
Your Best Football News Source Neymar hits half-century mark as PSG are held by Nice. season with a 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at home to Nice, with Neymar notching his
UPDATE 1-Soccer-Neymar hits half-century as PSG are held by Nice
0 comments:
Post a Comment