Month: December 2021

Algeria international Riyad Mahrez had the highest rating as Premier League holders Manchester City came from behind to beat French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) 2-1 at home in their latest Champions League clash to seal top spot in Group A. PSG needed to win to take control of the group, but they could not hold on to the lead established at the start of the second half as the Citizens scored twice to win the game and also win their group.

According to the rating from The 4^thOfficial, Algeria national team winger Mahrez was given an eight (8) as he was a thorn in the flesh of the PSG defenders. Young PSG left-back Nuno Mendes struggled to cope with the Algeria international who was involved in the two Manchester City goals from the right side of their attack.

Mahrez had the highest score amongst Manchester City players. Portugal international Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Joao Cancelo all had the score of 7.5 each, while Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus was the only change for manager Pep Guardiola during the game. Jesus came off the bench for Ukrainian utility player Oleksandr Zinchenko and he was given a score of 7 alongside German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Rodri Hernandez and Kyle Walker were given 6.5 apiece, while the quartet of John Stones, Ruben Dias, Ukrainian national team star Zinchenko and EdersonMoraes got a score of 6.

Manchester City dominated the game with PSG and they were good value for the win. As a matter of fact, the Citizens could have won by more goals if they took their chances in front of goal. They did well to bounce back after PSG had scored the opening goal of the game five minutes into the second half through KylianMbappe. Sterling equalised for Manchester City thirteen (13) minutes later off the assist from substitute Gabriel Jesus who then scored the winning goal fourteen (14) minutes from the end.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is an early doubt for the Premier League trip to Merseyside to face Liverpool next week after he sustained a groin injury in training last week.

Partey was missing in the Arsenal midfield when the squad for the Premier League duel with Watford was revealed on Sunday. Arsenal thereafter confirmed that the Ghanaian midfielder missed the league clash with the Hornets due to a tight groin.

Arsenal fans would be hoping to have Partey back for the potentially tough game against Liverpool. The Reds are favourites for the three points via the various soccer betting odds on soccer betting sites.

For the Watford game, the Gunners were massive favourites according to soccer betting sites and they were able to live up to their status as favourites with the slim victory thanks to the second half strike from the in-form Arsenal midfielder, Emile Smith-Rowe.

Arsenal could have recorded a big win at home to Watford if their strikers were more ruthless to completely live up to their favourites tag. Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the major culprit after his bad touch led to Bukayo Saka being flagged for offside after the England international scored inside seven minutes.

Aubameyang then went on to miss a first half penalty as he was denied by the impressive Watford shot stopper Ben Foster. The Gabonese international had the chance to give the Gunners the lead from the spot after fellow attacker Alexander Lacazette was brought down by Danny Rose. The half-time gave Watford the opportunity to catch their breadth as they were under scrutiny for the majority of the first half. The game could have been different at the interval if the Gunners converted the first half chances that came their way.

In the second half, Aubameyang scored from an offside position when he could have left the shot taken by teammate Martin Odegaard. The shot from Odegaardwas on its way to the back of the net before the intervention from the Arsenal skipper. In the end, The goal from Smith-Rowe eleven minutes into the second half was enough to hand the Gunners an impotent win and also increase their unbeaten run to eight games. Arsenal are up to fifth ahead of the Liverpool game next week Saturday.