City, meanwhile, will go into Tuesday’s return to Champions League action at home to Atalanta on the back of our superb 2-0 league win at Crystal Palace – and in the wake of that fine display, Eagles defender Gary Cahill believes the Blues are in the mood to claim a third straight league crown.
Elsewhere, there’s high praise for David Silva from a Premier League icon following El Mago’s latest virtuoso performance as well as compelling stats that highlight the importance of goalkeeper Ederson to our collective cause.
There’s also an early look ahead to our clash with Atalanta as well as the latest snippet of transfer gossip too - so plenty to digest this Monday morning.
From the players
FourFourTwo.com – Cahill backs City to mount title charge
“Crystal Palace defender Gary Cahill believes Manchester City have the quality to wipe out Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League.
READ: Guardiola | Gabriel Jesus one of the best signings
WATCH: Inside City | Episode 358
“Before this weekend’s action the Reds were eight points clear at the summit, but Pep Guardiola’s side got back on track with a 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
“First-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and David Silva put City in control and although goalkeeper Ederson had to produce a world-class save to deny Palace forward Christian Benteke in the 76th minute, the visitors secured an excellent win.
“Cahill was part of a Chelsea team which lost an eight-point lead in the space of five weeks over Christmas during the 2014-15 season before they were able to regroup and clinch the title under then-manager Jose Mourinho.
He said: “I don’t want to hark on about the past, but we were eight points clear once and it went to goal difference like that (at the click of a finger). It is so early.
“When you speak about the title being over, you speak about it in February and March time. At the moment, if City stay in and around it, you have seen the quality they have. It is definitely not over.
“City to me played like they knew they had to win this game. There were moments and maybe if they had gone our way; if the second had not gone in and Benteke’s header had. It was an unbelievable save. I was right behind it.
“For me it was a goal all the way and he pushed it onto the crossbar. Again special players are able to do that. If that goes in, it’s 2-1 and maybe it gets a bit hairy.
“Credit to City, they had to win and they did. That is the type of thing as a big team you have to do, but I don’t think they would have gone away thinking they had an easy game.”
News
Manchester Evening News – Icon Shearer hails ‘incredible’ Silva
Paul Clarke: “Former Newcastle United star Alan Shearer has been waxing lyrical about City captain David Silva.
“The playmaker was instrumental in his side’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, helping Pep Guardiola‘s side return to winning ways after defeat to Wolves before the international break.
“He cost £24m and he’s played nearly ten years,” said BBC pundit Shearer.
“He is just an incredible player. He didn’t touch the ball (for the first goal) but his run opens up the space for Jesus to score that goal. It was clever and intelligent play.
READ: Gabriel Jesus reaches City half century
WATCH: Abi v Cancelo | Hungry Hippos
“He is just absolutely magnificent. He starts the second goal. He’s got the drive, desire, hunger and attitude.
“He was chasing people down and winning the ball at 2-0 and he’s 34 years old. He was so comfortable on the ball as well.
“What a performance, what a player and what a career. Of course Man City will miss him next year and the Premier League will as well.”
www.football.london.com – City a world class outfit, says Hodgson
Scott Trotter: “In summing up City’s display at Selhurst Park, Palace boss Roy Hodgson said: “They’re just a very good team, let’s be fair about.
“We are playing against a team that is packed full of world class players and even the ones on the bench are world class players.
“That’s why they are champions of England and of course we know when they play them we are going to have a long spell where you don’t get the ball.
“There will be a lot of talk about their passing ability, so you should it was very good, but one of the major aspects that Pep will be pleased with is their pressure. I thought it was outstanding.
“They gave us so little time on the ball, every time we did try and win it back and as a result it was hard to get the composure that we were looking to get to launch attacks of our own.
“All I can do is hold my hands up and say we lost, not because we were particularly bad or we didn’t do things we set out to do, we just came against a very good Manchester City team that were too good for us.”
forzaitalianfootball.com – City will be tough, admits Atalanta ace
Conor Clancy: “Timothy Castagne hasn’t given up on Atalanta qualifying from their Champions League group despite starting the campaign with two defeats and he’s hoping they can upset Manchester City in their next games.
“The Nerazzurri blew a one-goal lead to in their last group game against Shakhtar Donetsk, but the Belgian is trying to stay positive.
READ: Gabriel Jesus targets more strong displays
WATCH: Aguero antics in post-Palace training
“It [the games against City] will be difficult, but anything can happen in football,” he said.
“We have to go out and give it our all, as we always do. It will be much more difficult but we always play better against big teams.”
“Atalanta face a double header with City next, making it a very real possibility that they could have no points from four games.”
Opinion
NBCSports.com – Stats point to Ederson as the league’s best ‘keeper
Nicholas Mendola: “Christian Benteke rose above a pack of players, snapping a header toward the far post and, perhaps, a Crystal Palace lifeline against City.
“The view from outside the box best tells the story of what happened next, as City goalkeeper Ederson appears from behind the fray to stop the ball from reaching its location with a remarkable save.
“He had a few of those in Saturday’s win. One of his makeshift centre halves, Fernandinho, labelled the performance “superb,” while Pep Guardiola said the saves were “incredible.”
“We’re seeing a lot more love for Ederson these days.
The Premier League’s second place side and two-time reigning champs are one of five clubs to allow less than 10 goals this Autumn, helping City stay within reasonable distance of Liverpool in a bid for a three-peat.
“Brought for his skills in possession, Ederson has completed a league-high 90 percent of his passes and 65 percent of his long balls. Only three others are above 80 percent on all passes and just Kasper Schmeichel is above 50 percent on long balls.
“Ederson, though, has been so much busier in dangerous spots, with his 19 saves inside the box behind only Norwich City’s Tim Krul, Brighton’s Mat Ryan, and Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka.”
Transfer gossip
Nottheoldfirm.com – City eye Kilmarnock youngster
“City are reported to be close to sealing a deal for 16-year-old Kilmarnock talent Liam Smith.
“It’s claimed that a number of clubs are after the Killie prodigy. It is City though who are edging towards a deal.
“Kilmarnock want to get Smith signed up on a longer contract so that they don’t lose him for £200,000 in compensation.
“Smith managed to put himself in the limelight by scoring for the Scotland U16s side in March.
“To most Scottish football fans, Smith will be an unknown quantity. Those who have seen the winger rise through the ranks at Killie though know they have a player on their hands.”
