Sports
‘Man City, Now Favourite For EPL Title’
Former Manchester City boss Peter Reid believes the current team can beat Manchester United to the Premier League title after thrashing their rivals 6-1.
City’s win extended their lead at the top of the table to five points and Reid believes the strength of the City squad has overtaken United’s.
“You don’t win anything in October but they are hard to beat and they have strength in depth,” said Reid.
But ex-United midfielder Lee Sharpe said there had not been a power shift.
He said, “Manchester United are still vastly experienced when it comes to winning leagues and winning games.
“It’s maybe a wake-up call to work on a few things, but they will come back from this and they will still be challenging for the league.
“When it comes to the last six games of the season when the pressure really starts to mount, that is when United have the experience of being in that position before whereas City haven’t, so nothing is won or lost just yet, it was just a bit of a shock result.”
Manchester City have not won the top-flight title since 1968, during which time Manchester United have won 12 league titles.
But Sunday’s defeat was the heaviest suffered by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the worst loss at Old Trafford since 1955.
Reid, who managed City between 1990 and 1993, believes the manner in which City won the game showed there is an added swagger to the side.
“David Silva is possibly the best player in the Premier League this year, that has helped them,” he said. “Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero have come in and they are attacking-minded players.
“There is a belief and a confidence from the manager [Roberto Mancini] and I think the players have got that as well.
“There was a real confidence about the way he went about it at Old Trafford, but don’t write off the red half of Manchester.
“They’ve been there before and, knowing Sir Alex Ferguson as I do, it wouldn’t surprise me if he went into the transfer market in January and bought a couple of midfield players but that result for City will be massive for their confidence.”
Sharpe, who played for United between 1988 and 1996, agrees that City have a chance to win the Premier League this season but states that experience favours Chelsea and his former club.
But he thinks Ferguson’s side, which have conceded the most number of shots in the Premier League this season, need to be better organised and have more consistency in defence.
“United need a bit of organisation and a bit of leadership,” he added. “Rio Ferdinand has been out for quite long periods, Nemanja Vidic was not playing on Sunday.
“I know Wayne Rooney is there with a bit of experience who can grab people by the scruff of the neck, but they maybe need for a midfielder who can be a leader and tighten things up when things are going bad for them during the game. A bit of consistency in the back four would also help.
“Newcastle have conceded six goals and they have had the same back four and the same keeper in every game and United have not done that.”
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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