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West Brom took on Manchester City. They have only won one game this season and that is against Liverpool. This was a big test for Sam Allardyce because he has never beaten Guardiola before. The last time he was in charge of Everton, it was a one-sided game as Guardiola ramped up 82% of possession which us the most by any team till date.
Manchester City blew away West Brom with a five-star performance. West Brom might have changed their coach but they haven't changed their form. They were comprehensively beaten on the night.
City signalled their intent from the start when Phil Foden; the boy wonder had so much space to work with on the left-hand side of the goal. He got his shot away with finesse only for the goalkeeper's touch to divert it and it struck the post. There is no denying the fact that Phil Foden is special and he is having a brilliant season.
City didn't have to wait for long when Cancelo's brilliantly found Gundogan and he scored brilliantly. Gundogan has been a man on form this season. He has had 5 goals in 7 games before this game and now he has increased his tally to 6 goals in 8 games. It is hard to leave him out and he has found form at the right time.
The goals started pouring in much to the disappointment of Sam Allardyce. The female line referee flagged for offside while all West Brom player stopped. Since there is VAR, they should know better never to have stopped moving. City continued with the attack nonetheless and Cancelo scored an exquisite goal. The referee picked offside too after consultation with his assistant only for VAR to correctly count it as a goal - 2:0.
Gundogan doubled his tally on the night and City now have 3 goals in the first 30 minutes. What a nightmare start this was for West Brom. It was a great touch from Gundogan and he smartly scored.
Mahrez made matters worse in the 47th minute when he produced a moment of individual brilliance. He got the ball at the side, found his way into the box and curled his effort into the other side of the net. It was pure class.
Mahrez later turned provider in the 57th minute when he passed to give Sterling the easier of tapping to get on the score sheet as well. 5-0 to City and it was indeed a five-star performance. City moved to the top of the league on the day.
City tried to get more goals which would help their goal difference when Rodri headed wide from Zinchenko's corner. He took most of their corners on the day in the absence of Walker and the injured De Bruyne.
Cancelo tried to get a ball in too and it was a wonderful delivery, only for Ajayi to head it away for a corner in the 78th minute.
West Brom on their own almost got a consolation goal in the 90th minute when Robson-Kanu tried to squeeze past Ederson from a corner but Ederson parried it for a corner instead. Robson Kanu felt he should have had a penalty just before that when he was clipped in the box that led to that corner.
In the 91st minute too, Cancelo, who has been phenomenal on the night drew a comfortable save from the goalkeeper. Cancelo has been phenomenal this season and for someone who plays at the back, he has turned into a goalscorer and a goal creator. He is having a brilliant season and City are benefitting from it.
Gundogan now has 7 goals in 8 games and has produced brilliantly this season. This is one of his best seasons so far in terms of goals contribution. He is one of the major reasons why City are back fighting for the title. City has been on a phenomenal run with winning 11 games in a row in all competitions and West Brom is still struggling. This is the 3rd time they are being hit for 5 goals at home. This is another day to forget for West Brom as they are sinking terribly and would take them winning three games or more on the trot to arrest this tide.
City played a wonderful game and they deserved this victory. Top of the table leaders till United takes on another struggler; Sheffield United.
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