In the 23rd round of the English Premier League, Manchester City hosted Championship outsider Wolverhampton Wanderers, securing a convincing 2-0 victory with goals scored by Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semeno. For the "Citizens," this result meant not only three points but also a return of new confidence and mood.
The greatest interest in this match was directed at the debut of recently joining the team, English center-back Mark Gehry. He moved shoulder to shoulder with Abdukodir Khusanov in the very center of City's defense. Thus, the duo Abdukodir Khusanov and Mark Gexi, which fans have already called a "new supertandem," officially entered the Premier League.
A reputable source - cityxtra.co.uk experts assessed the actions of Manchester City players after the game and provided a brief summary of each. Below, the content of this analysis is summarized in a simple and pleasant way for fans.
About the goalkeeper:
After the heavy workload at the goal last week, this time a relatively calm game gave him a good chance to breathe. In standard situations, it didn't seem very convincing, but overall, it didn't cause serious problems.
Mateusz Nunes - 8
Having returned to the pitch after the flu break, Nunesh demonstrated his usual lively and agile play. He won most of the defensive duels, and most importantly - a brilliant pass that led to Marmusch's goal.
Abdukodir Khusanov - 7.5
This time too, like the goalkeeper, he managed to play the game relatively calmly. He moved with the ball safely, simply, and accurately. The most memorable moment was his long pass to Marmusch: the stands stirred at the first signal. Unfortunately, Abdukodir missed an assist because the Egyptian striker couldn't convert that episode.
Mark Gexi - 8 (Football Player of the Month)
Gexi must have dreamed of such a first game at City. He easily overcame Wolverhampton's limited risks, adapted to the team's rapid transition from defense to attack, and established himself as a player ready for the big stage. The experts rated him as the best player of the match.
Nico O'Reilly - 8
He's one of the most active players on the left wing lately. Marmusch maintained the width of the attack as he moved to the center, while also frequently retreating and suppressing the "wolves'" attacks.
Rodri - 7.5
He still doesn't give the same absolute confidence in the game without the ball. However, it was clear that ball possession was still invaluable for City: maintaining tempo, controlling the game, and organizing the team.
Bernardo Silva - 8
His work, as usual, often remains invisible, but this time too he "tied" the team game on every side of the field. The biggest award is an assist to Semeno's goal. You could say "low - top."
Tijani Reynders - 7
A brilliant player, but he couldn't fully reveal himself for an hour. Nevertheless, his mobility, pressure, and energy brought constant anxiety to Wolverhampton.
Antoine Semeno - 8
He was invited to increase offensive power on the wings - and Semeno immediately began to carry out this task. He got along well with his teammates, scored a beautiful goal, and even came very close to scoring one more. He said "I'm here" in his debut month.
Ryan Cherki - 7
A free role, close to the "false nine," seemed to suit her perfectly. He often stepped back to tie the game, to make a pass. Only in decisive situations, when his decisions were more precise, could he have become the main character in a multi-goal episode.
Omar Marmush - 7.5
He returned to his familiar role - to move freely slightly to the left, and this decision justified itself. He didn't always win in single combat, but he posed a threat as the defenders opened up behind him. Most importantly, he scored his first Premier League goal of the season with speed and vigilance.
Reserved:
- Phil Foden - 6.5: joined the game and made several pleasant passes.
- Jeremy Doku - 6.5: Despite the fierce clashes, he didn't lose his composure.
- Erling Haaland - 6: coming off the bench wasn't easy for him; he couldn't fully immerse himself in the game.
In conclusion, "City" seems to have found not only a victory but also a new center of defense in this match. Khusanov - calmness and order, Gexi - ready leadership and confidence. If this tandem stabilizes, the City's unsuccessful streak could gradually fade into the past.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
