Jacob Steinberg has filed his piece from Craven Cottage and with that I’ll say cheers for now.
Thanks to everyone who got in touch and to the rest of you for staying with me throughout. Haaland’s 50th and Alvarez’s beauty took City to the top of the Premier League and it’s hard to see them moving from there.
Til next time…
That’s as close to a rearguard as I’ve seen from City.
There were two yellow cards for time wasting and they only managed one shot on target after the 51st minute.
Fulham gave as good as they got.
I’m heartened by the calls for football socialism on these pages. Here’s Rick Harris picking up on an earlier thread:
“I think James Boyle could be on to something with his Haaland lottery idea, but why stop there? Why not wait until 19 games in and let the teams from the bottom place up to 11th pick the best player from the teams from first down to 10th? Southampton would surely be mid-table if they’d bagged Haaland, but Saka, Rashford, Guimares, Kane etc redistributed might mean by now only 10 points would separate top from bottom.”
Nights spent at the top of the Premier League this season:
Arsenal – 247
Manchester City – 14
“Before the game I said to my partner I’d be happy if we didn’t concede more than four”
That’s from Richard Hirst. They didn’t win but this must surely count as a moral victory for Fulham. A pair of 2-1 defeats to what is being hailed as the best team on the planet is a testament to the work going on at Craven Cottage.
Results from elsewhere in the league:
Bournemouth 4-1 Leeds
Man United 1-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 3-1 Southampton
After leading at St James Park, another loss for the Saints means they’re rooted at the bottom of the table now six points from safety.
Newcastle keep hold of third though Man United, two points behind, have a game in hand.
Bournemouth move up to 13 with 39 points while Leeds troubles continue after a torrid run of seven games without a win. They’re 16th with 30 points, level with Nottingham Forest just above the relegation zone.
Updated
“This Haaland kid, now that he’s had most of a season to adapt to the Premiership, might surprise some folk next season.”
He just might, Alex W. He just might.
Full-Time: Fulham 1-2 Manchester City
City are top of the table. It wasn’t a classic but it was enough thanks to Haaland’s 50th and Alvarez’s worldie. Eight wins on the bounce, they’ll spend only their 14th night of the campaign ahead of the rest of the pack.
Fair play to Fulham. They never went away and chased an equaliser. It wasn’t to be and in truth, it might have been a more painful day were it not for Leno’s heroics.
More reaction to come.
Updated
90+8 min: Walker is booked now for time wasting. City not exactly romping to victory.
90+7 min: Grealish is lucky not to see another yellow for applauding the referee after winning a free kick.
90+6 min: Ederson is taking an aaaaage to restart the game after an offside call against Fulham. He’s booked for time wasting.
90+5 min: Grelish and Tete are at it again. It’s a Fulham free kick after the former grabbed the latter as they both fell to the ground.
90+4 min: City now with a sense of composure in Fulham’s half. They’re teasing their hosts. Alvarez has just been named player of the match.
92 min: Vinicius does so well after coming deep to collect the ball. He holds it up and spots Solomon on the run down the left. But the pass to the flying Israeli is poor and goes straight out for a throw. That looked promising for a moment.
90 min: Eight added minutes as a consequence of the Pereira injury.
89 min: Cairney with another superb take before shovelling it on to maintain the attack. Wonder why he wasn’t considered a starter.
Meanwhile Bournemouth have a fourth. That’s another chastening away day for Leeds.
88 min: City aren’t exactly holding on here, but they’ll be yearning for the final whistle. When they win the ball in their own half they’re hacking it up field rather than playing it out from the back.
86 min: Superb from Soloman who wins his little battle with Foden. Not exactly sure how he got out of that tight corner but he did. Fulham on the attack again down the right. They’re being patient. One chance is all they need.
85 min: City play silly buggers at the back and were it not for Rodri’s quick thinking and outstretched toe Fulham were in.
84 min: Credit to Vinicius. He hasn’t won over all Fulham fans but he’s done a great job today. Here he is under pressure winning a free kick for his team.
83 min: Haaland wins a free kick after holding the ball up and inviting contact from Diop. It’s in a handy spot on the right to chuck it in the mixer. Grealish does just that but no one in red and black can get on the end of it.
82 min: A double change for City.
Mahrez makes way for Foden.
Alvarez (who must be knackered after running himself into the ground) is replaced by Silva.
81 min: City no longer pressing with the same zeal. Cairney controls with a delightful turn to spring another attack. He’s been brilliant since coming on.
A Walcott own goal and another from Wilson has Newcastle 3-1 up over Southampton with seven minutes to play.
79 min: Fulham are playing with more width. They’ve got plenty of outlets and have managed to stretch City’s press. They’re bossing possession. Solomon slips in Robinson down the left who crosses but City clear.
Updated
78 min: The free kick is dealt with but it lands at Solomon’s feet. His shot on the swivel is blocked. Fulham on top these last five minutes. No doubt about it.
77 min: Fulham are pressing so high up the pitch even Ederson has a face full of white shirts. Solomon and James combine to steal it from Rodri and now Fulham have a free kick from a promising position on the left.
76 min: A triple change for Fulham.
Wilson for Solomon
De Cordova-Reid for James
Reed for Lukic
They’re going for this!
75 min : De Cordova-Reid shoots from distance and he has Ederson diving to his right. It’s always curling away but that' wasn’t too far off.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@danielgallan Grealish booked for tete a tete with Tete!!
— Colin Christensen (@Christensen_79) April 30, 2023
73 min: Curious to see what Guardiolo does here. He’s got two goal keepers on the bench. Silva and Foden his two attacking options with Phillips a possible assurance for the midfield.
72 min: Haaland gets his head on the second ball after Akanji keeps it alive at the near post from a deep free kick, but Leno is dominant and comes away with it.
71 min: Guardiola doesn’t look happy with what he’s seeing.
70 min: I’m so impressed with Fulham. They’re giving City no respect. And nor should they on their own patch. Tete flies into another challenge and wins the ball.
69 min: This game has exploded. Tete’s challenge on Grealish has the City winger all riled up. The pair push and shove before their teammates separate them. Simon Hooper shows them both yellow and calls for calm.
Silly from Grealish. He was taken out but then ran back into Tete to leave a mark of his own. Didn’t have to get involved.
Updated
68 min: There’s a penalty shout for Fulham and I think there’s a chance. No, the check is over. Reid throws himself to the ground after the lightest contact from Walker. Right decision. Fulham though were in, through the guts of City.
67 min: Fulham are giving this a go. Despite the dominance this game feels in the balance.
66 min: Ederson hoofs the next ball that comes his way. The problem earlier came from him getting involved in a long ball that Dias had covered. That allowed Vinicius to get between the keeper and defender.
65 min: A mix-up from Ederson! Fulham have a chance. There’s no keeper in goal. Vinicius has the ball inside the area. Can he offload to a teammate? No, Ederson scrambles and gets enough of the ball and the crisis is averted.
Updated
64 min: Haaland is causing all sorts of problems at the back. He’s charging at the Fulham defence. They crowd him out and Fulham counter.
64 min: A short back pass almost has Haaland in business. Leno’s smart work off his line saw to that.
63 min: Cairney has had an impact off the bench. He’s in a pocket of space in midfield. He can’t connect with a teammate but that’s a promising bit of play.
Joe Pearson has just informed me that Napoli have taken the lead. that’ll be the Italian title wrapped up then.
Bournemouth have a 3-1 lead over Leeds with Solanke scoring.
59 min: Vincius looks to be in and feeds Tom Cairney (on for Pereira). The Scot is smothered by four City players and the counter has Haaland careening towards goal. Fulham scramble and hack it away for a corner. That was like watching the T-1000 chasing the car in Terminator 2.
58 min: They’re back at it. Five and a half minutes later. A short free kick routine allows Mahrez to cross from a central position. It’s steered away for a corner that looks promising until Leno gets his hands on the ball.
56 min: Pereira is leaving on a stretcher. There is a suspected “broken limb”. It’s his right leg/ankle.
Elsewhere, Newcastle have equalised against Southampton. Callum Wilson making it 1-1.
54 min: They’re bringing a stretcher our. Akanji is fine so it’s Pareira who doesn’t look like he’ll continue.
53 min: Alvarez has exploded in this half. He’s there agin, inside the area on the right. Wriggling and dancing over the ball. He chips a cross towards the back post but can’t find a buddy. Adarabioyo reaches to head away before Haaland can intervene. A 50/50 ball sucks in Akanji and a Fulham player (need to confirm but I think it’s Wilson) and both men are on the floor getting treatment.
Updated
52 min: Mahrez goes short with the corner to better work the angle. His cross isn’t deep enough so Fulham can clear. Alvarez has four Fulham players around him inside the box but still looks dangerous.
50 min: A poor touch from Haaland on the edge of the area means Fulham can counter. But City are right back at them and Alvarez has space to shoot inside the box on the right. It’s on target but Leno, once again, dives low and tips it wide. That was a hectic two minutes.
49 min: Gundogan wins a battle in midfield and comes away with the ball. There are so many shining stars in this City team and I think the German is often overlooked. So just a shout out to him from me.
48 min: That’s another fantastic save from Leno.
47 min: Almost a third. Haaland’s effort from inside the box is tipped wide by Leno down low to his right. Alvarez starts the move with some brilliant control and switch across the field. Haaland is fed with a cutback to the penalty spot and his first time effort looked destined for the bottom corner.
Speaking if Ream, John Foster has come to his defence:
“Rick Harris (14.26) is either trolling or hasn’t watched much Fulham. Tim Ream has been a rock this season, and the way he’s raised his level aged 35 is a massive credit to him, as is his leadership on and off the pitch. He’s a legend at this club and for the USNMT, and to suggest he’ll only be remembered for committing the foul that led to one of Erling Haaland’s fifty goals is extremely daft.”
To be fair to Rick, I think he was (mostly) speaking in jest.
46 min: Back at it here at Craven Cottage. Word is Ream has been taken to hospital for a scan.
Some other scores around town:
Bournemouth 2-1 Leeds
Man United 1-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 0-1 Southampton
If it stays like this, United will move ahead of Newcastle into third.
Southampton will stay bottom but close the gap to 17th to three points.
Here’s the moment Haaland reached his milestone:
MOST goals in a Premier League season 🚨
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023
Erling Haaland is a machine 🤖 pic.twitter.com/Gzf60KojWY
Half-Time: Fulham 1-2 Manchester City
That’ll be that for the opening 45. Fulham still in this thanks to a tasty strike from Vinicius. Haaland’s early penalty took him to 50 and Alvarez’s sumptuous curler into the top corner moved the visitors back in front.
Been a fun half. Back in a bit.
Updated
45+5 min: Haaland chases down a lost cause and gets ahead of Adarabioyo. He keeps it alive and crosses twice but each time Fulham resist.
45+3: The corner from Wilson is cleared right in front of Ederson. Fulham tried to crowd the City six yard box but Gundogan as the first man gets his head to it. Wilson gets another chance to cross but over hits it.
45+2 min: A firm header from Stones clears the danger but it’s back in a dangerous zone from a whipped cross. Akanji scuffs his header for another corner.
45 min: Dias, under almost no pressure, hoofs the ball out for a throw. That’s gone backwards off his boot. A long throw and then a cross into the box falls for Tete who crunches a shot. It’s away for a corner. Chance for Fulham before the break.
44 min: Fulham aren’t the sort of side who lump it long and even agains the champions they’re passing it on the ground. Fair play to them. Unfortunately for them, they can’t work any space in the final third.
43 min: They’re showing Alvarez’s goal again on Sky. Check it out:
Julián Álvarez, that is incredible 🤤🪄 pic.twitter.com/2mdJq1vkKE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023
Stuart Armstrong has given Southampton the lead at Newcastle. Huge goal at either end of the table.
41 min: Gorgeous from City. Marhez with the twinkle toes before sliding in Gundogan against the grain. His cutback shot is smothered by Leno. It’s like they’ve stepped it up at will after the goal.
40 min: City flexing now. Fulham can’t get near them. Feels like there are two Gundogans on the park.
Bruno Fernandes has scored against Aston Villa. United lead 1-0.
36 min: That came off the back of Fulham dallying on the ball in midfield. They were picked off, Gundogan moved it on at pace and before the defence could settle Alvarez had it at his feet.
GOAL! Fulham 1-2 Man City (Alvarez, 36)
GOLAZZO!!! That’s a stunner. Alavarez doesn’t have options from outside the box so he whips it with his right foot into the top left corner, curving it away from a diving Leno. What a hit.
Updated
33 min: Grealish is shooting again from about the same spot, just inside the box on the left. He drops a shoulder and opens his body. This time it’s deflected and Leno gathers. It’s the same trick over and over but you get the sense that he’ll produce some magic before this one’s out.
Elsewhere, Patrick Bamford has scored to pull one back against Bournemouth. Leeds still 2-1 behind.
31 min: Stones finds Akanji who brings down a ball from a different stratosphere with the most delicate control on his thigh. Grealish is at the byline but can’t find a teammate with his cutback.
29 min: Reed is having an influence in the middle. That’s another ball stolen and he then shakes off two City players to retain possession. Reid also jiggles around a couple of tacklers. This is sharp from Fulham. At least it was until Walker’s extra pace means he comes away with the ball near the touchline.
28 min: It was a good save from Leno but you expect him to make it. Grealish telegraphed the shot. Had he gone to the near post he might have had more luck.
27 min: Grealish has hit the post! Leno made the save and tipped it onto the upright. Grealish again in space on the left receives a diagonal ball. He then controls, opens his body and looks for the far corner. It doesn’t quite have the elevation so Leno can get a hand to it.
25 min: Fulham again disrupt a slow City build up and the crowd roar as they counter. But City are too sharp and steal it back. Haaland collects a long ball from the halfway line. He tries to work the space but loses his footing and bobbles it out for a goal kick. Strong defence from Adarabioyo.
Rick Harris is sticking the boot in (though to be fair he sent this before Ream left with an injury):
“It is interesting that if you discount the fool who invented the curse that is the internet, notable Tims are pretty hard to find. Tim Ream could however be long remembered as the guy who gave Haaland his 50th goal of the season after just two minutes in this game.
‘Oh Tim’ doesn’t begin to describe such colossal clumsiness.”
23 min: Better from Fulham. They’re starting to pressure City without the ball and Haaland is forced to come deep to help out.
22 min: Fulham string a slick move down the left and an inside ball is expertly dummied but Reid on the charge through the middle isn’t on the same wavelength. Almost. Had he controlled he would have been through on goal.
20 min: Yes indeed. Ream’s right arm is in a makeshift sling fashioned from his shirt. Maybe his shoulder. It was a nasty fall as he got in a mess with Alvarez. He’s making his way off the pitch. Issa Diop comes on.
19 min: There’s a delay as Ream receives treatment. He looks in genuine pain. Not sure what’s ailing him but there’s movement in the Fulham bench. Not looking good for the skipper.
James Boyle has solved the Premier League’s most pressing problem:
“Hi Daniel. This may a weird thought but what about Haaland playing one season for say 10 different EPL teams – could be on lottery basis. This would bring joy to the lucky clubs fans and we’d get to see how good he was while playing for Wolves, Spurs etc. Might spread the honours around a little?”
Where do I place my vote in favour of this?
18 min: Ream gets in a proper tangle and almost gifts Alvarez the ball at the byline. But a brilliant recovery tackle from a retreating Palhinha snuffs out the danger.
16 min: Crikey, football eh? It just shows that if you produce a bit of quality in this low scoring sport you can steal a result. Long way to go but that will give Fulham confidence that if they can hold firm at the back they’ve got a chance.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Man City (Vinicius, 15)
Oh wow! What a goal! Where has that come from? A long ball to Wilson into the box and the header back lands for Vinicius who lashes it past a statuesque Ederson.
Updated
14 min: Haaland gets the ball as he’s moving away from goal. He holds it up, pivots and feeds Grealish on an overlap down the inside left channel. Grealish opens his body to shoot but it’s a tame effort along the ground straight to Leno. Should have done better there.
13 min: Gundogan is running the show. He picks out Marhez in space but Robinson doesn’t dive in, stands his ground and makes another good tackle.
12 min: An excellent cover tackle from Robinson hacks it away from Marhez just as he was about to latch onto a sweeping diagonal from Gundogan.
10 min: City are so good at taking their time. Other teams would be looking for that killer pass. They recycle it knowing there’ll be other options. Fulham do win the ball back in midfield and eventually Vinicus has it in the box. But he can’t turn and shoot.
8 min: Good feet from Stones keeps it moving. Walker then switches to Grealish who cuts back onto his right foot before dinking a ball in the mixer. Alvarez nods it to the back post and Mahrez volleys firmly, but straight at Leno. Wouldn’t have counted as the Algerian was offside. Still, lovely play as they switched gears.
7 min: Haaland is really strong and holds the ball up to keep it moving. City playing with a back two almost. Walker is essentially serving as a winger.
6 min: Fulham counter but City nick it back as if they have an extra man on the field. I fear for Fulham. I really do.
6 min: Mahrez has it inside the box on the right. He twists and turns and looks to move it onto his left foot for a shooting chance. He does so but comes back again and loses it.
5 min: City are just as ruthless without the ball. They pick their moment to press and steal it from Fulham. Walker seeing a lot of it on the right.
4 min: Is that the game already?
GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Man City (Haaland, 3 pen)
50 goals this season for one of the most phenomenal footballers I’ve ever seen. He smashes the penalty to Leno’s left but it hits the side netting before the keeper reaches it.
Updated
2 min: Haaland 50 loading. Gundoagan sprays a brilliant ball out to Grealish who floats in a cross to the far post. It bounces and Alavarez is floored by Ream. No question about it. Penalty given.
Updated
1 min: As I said. Stones further ahead between the midfield and the back three.
Formation update: According to the graphics on Sky City are playing a 4-5-1 with Stones in the back four. I’m not sure that’s exactly how they’ll line up. I can see Stones playing a little higher up alongside Rodri with Gundogan in a 10 role and Alavarez darting about.
Anyway, the whistle has sounded and away we go!
The players are filing out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. Fulham in their classic white with black shorts, City in their changed strip of diagonal black and red stripes. Not a fan of that bit of gear I must say.
I was so focussed on Haaland and his imminent half century that I failed to mention that there’s no Kevin De Bruyne this afternoon.
He picked up a “niggle” in the win over Arsenal and was substituted with 10 minutes to go after scoring twice.
I LOVE this from Eric Petersen:
“Good morning from Pittsburgh! I’m dating myself with this, but Meat Loaf has been playing on repeat in my head most of the weekend, with revised lyrics:
And the Premier League gives us
The drop zone
The top four
But there ain’t no way the title’s up for grabs still
Now don’t be sad
‘Cause two out of three ain’t bad”
I was wondering when I’d get my first bit of Arsenal related correspondence and Rick Harris, in an email titled ‘Ha ha ha ha Haaland’ duly delivers:
“Hi Daniel, I think it is fair to say that Arsenal have done a Newcastle 1996 and all we really needed before their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of the current and likely continuing PL champions was Arteta to lose his rag and splutter ‘I will love it if we beat them’. I really can’t see Fulham having the ability, desire or sheer bloody mindedness to thwart City today and Haaland will undoubtedly score goal 50 of a truly incredible season.”
Fulham are experiencing something of a dip in form. They’ve lost three of their last five and have won just two of their previous seven league games.
They’re leaking goals at the back, conceding 13 from their last eight without a clean sheet.
This does not bode well in a game where they’re on the wrong end of a 4-28 aggregate score from the previous ten meetings with City.
Fulham are 10th on the table but they’re now safe with 45 points. So it’s not too serious where they finish but after once dreaming of a spot in Europe they’ll want to stop the slide and retain their top half finish.
If you haven’t already done so, I highly recommend you read Donald McRae’s interview with Andriy Shevchenko. A staggering story brilliantly told.
As if to underline Fulham’s impressive improvement, City needed a 95th minute penalty from Haaland to secure all three points back in Manchester earlier in the season. Alvarez, who starts today, bagged the opener before a penalty from Pereira levelled it before the break. After more than an hour without another goal it looked like Fulham would snatch a draw Haaland squeezed his spot kick under Leno.
“Hi Daniel,”
Hey Richard Hirst. Thanks for checking in.
“It’s a mark of how far Fulham have come that I’m regarding this game as the proverbial ‘free hit’, whereas in seasons past fixtures against Man City followed by Liverpool would have been the sealing of our inevitable relegation. Marco Silva has done a great job with a team that has a majority of players who played for us in the Championship. I’m not sure he has had the recognition he deserves.”
I’ve done a few MBMs on Fulham this season and they’ve completely won me over. Full credit to Silva and the players, and the crowd at Craven Cottage. I know the discourse around Fulham can be patronising at times but they’re honestly a delightful club and I hope they continue to rise.
And you’re right, Richard, this is a free swing. Maybe they’ll thwack it out the park…
Updated
City have rather enjoyed playing Fulham recently. They’re on a 13 game winning streak and haven’t lost in 20 game stretching back to 12 April 2009.
Funny enough, that 3-1 reverse was played at the City of Manchester Stadium with a Clint Dempsey double and another from Dickson Etuhu overcoming an early strike from Stephen Ireland.
A pair of Bulgarians in Valery Bozhinov and Martin Petrov led the line for City that day with Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards partnering at the back.
Two of our heavy hitters have had their say on perhaps the Premier League’s heaviest hitter of all time. Does that work? You know what I mean.
Manchester City are very good, but is that very good for English football?
Jonathan Wilson compares this treble charge to the one pulled off by Manchester United in ‘99 and wonders if we’ve grown bored with watching the lions tear apart Christians in the Colosseum.
And Barney Ronay wonders if that cold shiver we feel when we watch City run through teams isn’t fear but ennui.
Haaland one short of 50
City have named three at the back with Stones in a midfield role. They’ll be expected to boss the ball which is good news for the striking Viking up top who is one goal away from a staggering half century in what is surely the most impressive debut season in Premier League history.
Manchester City 3-4-3: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Gundogan, Rodri, Alvarez, Grealish, Mahrez, Haaland.
Substitutes: Phillips, Silva, Gomez, Perrone, Foden, Ortega, Carson, Laporte, Lewis.
Today's team! 💥
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 30, 2023
XI | Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Laporte, Bernardo, Gomez, Perrone, Foden, Lewis#ManCity | @HaysWorldwide pic.twitter.com/RnMX6mz13Q
Vinicius leads line for Fulham
The Brazilian up top will hopefully have a busy day with the ball at his feet, but it’s not hard to envisage a tough afternoon chasing shadows and long balls. Can he make any of them stick and link up with a stacked midfield?
Fulham 4-5-1: Leno, Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream (C), Robinson, Reed, Wilson, De Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Palhinha, Vinicius.
Substitutes: Kebano, Cairney, James, Lukic, Rodak, Solomon, Duffy, Soares, Diop.
Come on Fulham Football Club. 👊#FULMCI pic.twitter.com/RnNxMilBpz
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) April 30, 2023
Preamble
How do we describe Manchester City? A Google search for “Manchester City machine” yields 306,000 results. “Manchester City juggernaut” produces 7,590 hits. “Manchester City unstoppable” comes up with 4,380.
It seems we’ve run out of superlatives for a team that is on track to win a treble in third gear. Except I’ve found one that we haven’t explored yet.
“Manchester City blob” comes up with zero pages on Google. But that is what they are. Though they move the ball at breakneck speed, whizzing it around hapless defenders who must feel as if they’ve been caught in a cyclone, Manchester City as a collective have consumed English football like the slow crawling Blob monster in the 1958 science fiction horror film starring Steve McQueen.
There’s nothing anyone can do about it. There’s no reasoning with it. By the end of the film the carnivorous jelly-like alien remains intact and insatiably hungry. It isn’t thwarted. It’s just shipped off to Antarctica where it’ll hopefully freeze.
Unfortunately for every other side in the Premier League, that isn’t an option here. And next up in City’s sights are Fulham, a team that has punched well above its weight for most of the campaign.
The smart money is on the Blob consuming another victim. Whether they play through the middle, spread it wide, tiki-taka it around or send it long to the big lad with the luscious locks, this result feels inevitable.
But this is football and upsets do occur. A Fulham win would do wonders for a title race that has all but eroded and certainly prove that Pep’s boys are of this world, and not a cluster of creatures from a far off galaxy.
We (everyone but City fans) can hope for something unpredictable. Unless of course the Blob has arrived in west London with an appetite.
Kick off at 2pm BST. Teams and updates to follow.
