Fueled by a brilliant show of attack, Manchester City seized the top of the Premier League for the first time this season. And even his adversaries stopped to admire his work.
The use of the VAR was again evidenced Tuesday, in a comical way. West Bromwich Albion’s defenders practically came to a halt and watched as João Cancelo fired warped into the upper angle for City’s second goal in the emphatic 5-0 win.
Shortly before, the assistant referee had raised the offside flag, but City, unlike West Brom, continued the play. Bernardo Silva recovered the ball and sent it to his Portuguese compatriot Cancelo, who, without rival, had time to prepare his shot from the edge of the area
The video showed that Silva was in good position, which validated the goal. City were on track to match their loosest win this season.
And judging by this meeting and by what has been seen in the last two months, Pep Guardiola’s team will be difficult to stop.
“Now, with VAR in these situations, we have to follow the plays until the end, because we never know what will happen,” Guardiola said. “Is the goal going to be valid or not? Nobody knows. So you have to continue until the play is over ”.
City reached seven consecutive league wins – and 11 in all competitions – in a menacing streak. They became the ninth different team to have topped at the end of a day this season.
Even if Manchester United regain the lead this Wednesday with a win against Sheffield United, it seems that City looks like they will be the team to beat.
West Ham moved up to fourth place with a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace, while struggling Newcastle lost 2-1 at home to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds.
Leeds conjured a three-game losing streak in various competitions.
Arsenal avenged a loss to Southampton in the FA Cup at the weekend, beating the Saints 3-1 in the league.
