Manchester City will be quite pleased with their performance tonight with Pep Guardiola‘s side bagging a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The win sees the reigning champions stick close to Arsenal at the top of the points table. While the Cityzens had almost all their players available for the game, Phil Foden and Ruben Dias did not travel with the side.
Pep Guardiola provided an update on the duo while talking to the media ahead of the game. The Spaniard stated, “He [Foden] is not ready. He is ill. He didn’t feel good, discomfort today and he is back in Manchester. It is what it is. It is a long season, they always happen these kinds of things.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Ruben Dias is also said to be facing the same issue, with Manchester City’s first-choice defender absent for the second game in a row. Dias was a part of the bench during Man City’s 4-0 win over Brighton last week. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ederson had to be taken off the field after he picked up a shoulder injury in the first half. The Brazilian did not take to the field in the second half, with Stefan Ortega coming onto the pitch to replace him between the sticks.
Ederson’s injury an enormous blow to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola and his side will hope that there isn’t anything serious about Ederson’s injury. The Manchester City goalkeeper seemed to be in intense pain during the first half, as he was seen clutching his shoulder while being attended to by the medical staff. Pep Guardiola is yet to provide an update on the goalkeeper with fans hoping to see him in action in the coming weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While there might be a cloud of uncertainty over Ederson’s return, Phil Foden and Ruben Dias could be back as early as next week. Manchester City head back home next week as they host Wolves at the Etihad. A win over their opponents will put them 2 points ahead of Arsenal in the league standings, with the remaining 3 games likely to decide the title race.
The Premier League title race has turned from a three-way deadlock to a two-way road after Liverpool’s constant slip-ups. Jurgen Klopp’s side has secured just 1 point from their last 2 games. Klopp’s men remain third in the standings with 75 points and will need Arsenal and Manchester City to lose at least two games to come anywhere close to the title.