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Manchester City 5-1 Luton Town Review

Author

Bailey Wynne
April 13th, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

After a huge mid-week game against Real Madrid, Manchester City returned to the Etihad to rest key players and continue their Premier League title charge. Luton Town arrive with a real chance this season to survive relegation being only one point off 17th but the task that awaits them in Manchester was a daunting one.

Manchester City 5-1 Luton Town Review

Premier League

MOTM: Jeremy Doku

Other standout performances include: Kevin De Bruyne, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic

Notable Stats:

  • Erling Haaland is the first player to score 20 Premier League goals this season.

  • Manchester City are currently 41 games unbeaten, their second longest run since 1921 in which that City side went 42 games unbeaten.

  • Manchester City had the most touches (105) in the opposition box in a Premier League game since the 2016/17 season. Second (87) and third (87) place are both held by Manchester City.

Main Takeaways:

Here is how Manchester City lined up for the game and the average player positions against Luton Town. The role of Rico Lewis was quite interesting in this game as he didn’t just invert high into midfield. He did do that at times, getting into good positions inside the box. He’d mostly stay back as Akanji dropped into midfield himself and provided width when Alvarez would drift come inside.

Kevin De Bruyne could well have three assists in the first half, being the key player behind any Manchester City attack. Although the scoreline was 1-0 at the break, City did more than enough to be out of sight. We are seeing glimpses in the last few games of how De Bruyne will play next season, floating across the final third and coming deeper to collect the ball for building up attacks.

Kevin De Bruyne putting Erling Haaland through on goal

Jeremy Doku showed exactly why fans needed to be patient with him, picking his moments and making smart decisions on when to attack. When City have him isolated against the full-back in the second half, he creates the goal and the penalty. In the first half we saw him in tight spaces against the byline, wriggle out and create chances. One in particular for Nunes that he should have done better on.

Doku receiving the ball leading up to the penalty

Doku receiving the ball leading up to his goal

Josko Gvardiol picking up where he left off against Real Madrid and making you wonder if he does have a weak foot. Left corner today and the right against Madrid. Guardiola said after the match that Josko is now doing the simple things right, as a defender he tried to do too much at the start of his City career. He’ll only continue to grow into this role and work towards reaching his potential.

Doku drawing in the opposition players as Gvardiol drifts into space for his goal

Matheus Nunes gave away the ball, after a poor first touch, for the Luton goal. Overshadowing a quietly good performance deeper in midfield. He’s had limited minutes this season (1,330) but today was a calm and composed Nunes. Making runs in behind at the right time, very unfortunate hitting the post on one. Not a player looking to drive forward every time he get’s the ball. If he’s going to be a success at City, this is the type of performance we need to see more consistently.

Matheus Nunes making runs in behind

Moving Forward:

  • Arsenal take on Aston Villa (H) and Liverpool take on Crystal Palace (H) tomorrow in the Premier League. Last weekend Liverpool dropped points against Manchester United so perhaps another title rival stumbles on Sunday…

  • For City it’s time to focus on Real Madrid coming to the Etihad, who also won today in their game against Majorca (1-0) and rested several key players. Stones and Foden expected to be fit to play midweek. Ake and Walker returning to the bench today could be in contention by Wednesday. Ederson started today and will be a consideration for Guardiola against Madrid. Nearly back to a full strength squad.

  • Next weekend is the FA Cup semi final against Chelsea, a game City will not be rotating for and will pose a challenge given the two have drawn twice this season in the Premier League. Man United/Coventry will await in the final.

  • To get a look at the outfield players minutes this season, check out our google sheet here and stay up to date on his needs a rest and who has a bigger role at Man City.

Interesting Moments and Links

  • Our Thread on the quick Takeaways from the game.

  • Markstatsbot - Manchester City vs Luton Town

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Up the Treble Winning Blues.

LAST WORD👋

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Bailey

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