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Manchester City took on Cheltenham and you would expect this match to go in just one direction. I expected goals to rain down on Cheltenham and I don't mean any disrespect. I was merely considering the gulf in the class of both teams.
One thing I have always fancied against lesser teams like Cheltenham in comparison to teams with wealth and class like City is that these lesser teams know they have nothing to lose. They know no one would expect them to win. Most people would rule them out even before a ball was kicked like I also did but they go out there to give a good account of themselves and prove doubters wrong.
Well, Cheltenham didn't win the game but they gave a true account of themselves and their individual talents were showcased as well.
It wasn't an easy road for City and Cheltenham gave Manchester City a scare. City wasted too many chances and it looked like they were being punished for that finally but then, they got their head in the game and scored in quick successions.
Gabriel Jesus was the culprit for so many missed chances on the night and in the first minute, he had a looping effort saved by Griffiths; the goalkeeper of Cheltenham when Mahrez gave him the ball.
Torres also came close in the 18th minute when he had a quick snapshot that was brilliantly saved again by the young goalkeeper.
On the other hand, May, in the 23rd minute had a wonderful chance to take his team ahead but he could not make the most of it while the ever-impressive Foden got a wonderful ball from Mendy from the side which he narrowly missed and it went wide.
Foden was the brightest light on the day for City and he found Gabriel Jesus who strangely missed his golden chance when he instead clipped only the outer part of the post rather than get his effort in.
Cheltenham has been known for their long throws and still, their long throw rattled the defence line of City. A long throw came in and after many deflections and touches from Cheltenham players, it finally fell to May who only had to poke it in. He went wild and it looked like City has shot themselves in the foot.
It took them until 81st minute before City could respond and who else to do that other than Foden. Cancelo gave him a wonderful pass and all he had to do was just guide the ball into the net. Game on, 1-1.
The culprit for misses of the night, Gabriel Jesus redeemed himself when City had a second goal in quick succession when he carefully brought down the ball with his chest and blasted his effort in with no mistake this time around, in the 84th minute.
To round off the scoring, Torres also made up for his earlier miss in the 94th minute when Gundogan found him and he did the rest by guiding the ball home.
Cheltenham players can be proud of themselves because at least at one point in the match, they thought they would come off with a win and they played with hearts and characters. It was impressive to see and there is no shame in losing to City. In fact, they gave Manchester City a run for their money.
Manchester City would be facing Swansea in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Let's hope Swansea City won't cause an upset and City would take their chances early.
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