City Watch: Blues keep pressure on Arsenal

Manchester City enjoyed their second week in a row with no midweek game thanks to their automatic qualification in the top eight of the Champions League. 

The draw for the round of 16 was made on Friday, and the City’s opponents wouldn’t have shocked anyone.

Before I talk about European football, the Blues travelled to Elland Road on Saturday to face an in form Leeds side who pushed us all the away to the final whistle when the two sides met at the Etihad towards the end of last year. 

The Etihad crowd saw their team go two goals up in the first half, before blowing that lead away. 

Phil Foden stepped up to win the game in the dying seconds, giving the Blues a much needed win at the time. 

The test away at Leeds was going to be much more important, as we’ve now entered the period in the season where every point counts, and dropped points, even a draw, can be very costly.

There really isn’t much to discuss in terms of talking points from the game, Daniel Farke’s side started incredibly well, having great chances early on, and probably should’ve been up by at least a goal at the break. 

A lack of taking chances meant that Antoine Semenyo’s goal at the end of the first half was so crucial in the context of the match.

With neither side able to break through in the second period, Pep and his players won their ninth game in ten to beat a stubborn Leeds side and keep in touch with Arsenal.

It felt like a City of old performance, especially in this part of the season. 

It wasn’t the best win we’re ever going to have, nor did we play incredibly well, but our defence held well to pick up another three points.

I think it optimised why our January signings were so important, Semenyo’s goal and Guehi like a brick wall at the back, I honestly don’t believe a victory like that would’ve been possible without the business at the beginning of the year.

City play Nottingham Forest next up the league, which by the time this column is released, will have already been played. 

It’s then a trip to St James’ once again to play Newcastle in the FA Cup, the fifth time this season the two sides have met.

The Blues also found out their Champions League opponents last week, with either Real Madrid or Bodo Glimt waiting, it was just inevitable that we pulled the Spanish giants in the draw.

That’s the fifth consecutive season we’ve played Madrid in the knockout stage in Europe, and honestly, I’m almost happy it was them, because after what Bodo did to us when we played them back in January, I’m terrified of what they might’ve been able to pull off.

Real Madrid will still be no walkover, despite their run of bad form and being fortunate to progress through the play offs, it’s surely lined up to be an incredible two legs of football.