BREAKING: Manchester City fans set stadium ablaze today after yet another embarrassing performance against low side Feyenoord as they want Pep Guardiola SACKED
Jump to content
UK News Website of the Year 2024
Log in
See all Sport
Manchester City in fresh state of crisis after extraordinary meltdown against Feyenoord
Key moments
26 November 2024 • 10:43pm
90 mins Man City 3 Feyenoord 3
GOAL! Away side come from 3-0 down to equalise
82 mins Man City 3 Feyenoord 2
GOAL! Visitors get another back
75 mins Man City 3 Feyenoord 1
GOAL! Hadj Moussa gets one back for the visitors
53 mins Man City 3 Feyenoord 0
GOAL! Haaland gets his second of the night
50 mins Man City 2 Feyenoord 0
GOAL! Gundogan doubles home side’s advantage
Erling Haaland looks perplexed
Manchester City surrendered a three-goal lead Credit: PA/Martin Rickett
Even at their imperious best, Manchester City have seldom had much joy away to Liverpool and they will travel to Anfield on Sunday with even more reason to doubt themselves after an extraordinary capitulation against Feyenoord ended with the team being booed off.
After five successive defeats, City appeared to be on course to finally rediscover the lost art of winning, gain a modicum of confidence before facing the runaway Premier League leaders and give their hopes of automatic qualification for the Champions League knockout stages a shot in the arm in the process. Two goals from Erling Haaland either side of a deflected volley from Ilkay Gundogan had put them 3-0 up and firmly on course, it seemed, to stop the rot.
But nothing is quite straightforward for the Premier League champions at the moment and all the insecurities and fragility and horrors of recent weeks seemed to come flooding back the moment Feyenoord clawed a goal back and what would prove the catalyst for an excruciating, late 14-minute collapse.
An iconic #UCL comeback!
All three goals for Feyenoord in the space of 14 second-half minutes 🤯#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/uchd8RBCyU
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
Kevin De Bruyne had suggested before this game that City were not responding well to setbacks and had gone “a little bit soft”, and they were very much that as Feyenoord’s substitutes combined to inspire a dramatic comeback and pile on the misery for Pep Guardiola. This felt more like watching the other team in Manchester, who know plenty more about European implosions than a side who have won six of the past seven league titles.
Josko Gvardiol, fresh from making two blunders against Tottenham, was the fall guy here with another two costly errors, but it would be wrong to pin this on a couple of brain fades from one individual. Collectively, City are extremely vulnerable right now, something Liverpool will hope to further exploit.
After seeing their team concede three goals just days after shipping four against Spurs, another collapse was clearly too much for some supporters to stomach, a crescendo of boos cascading around the Etihad Stadium as the winless streak was extended to six matches. They have had it so good for so long in these parts that the current crisis will take some digesting, although it is hard to believe Guardiola really meant it when he said the fans were right to boo. Nonetheless, 13 goals conceded in four matches is deeply concerning.
By the end, Guardiola was sporting a number of scratch marks on his face and a cut to the nose, which he put down to catching himself with a nail. He had cut an agitated figure for much of the evening and was seen grabbing at his face at different junctures during the game. “I want to harm myself,” he later joked, somewhat uncomfortably.
Pep Guardiola walks off with his head bowed
Pep Guardiola watched his team implode Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
Currently 15th in this 36-team Champions League table with eight points from five games, City may have to win all of their remaining three matches to qualify for the last 16 automatically but that will not be easy – even less so if this form persists. A trip to Turin next month to face Juventus will be followed by Paris St-Germain in the French capital in January – two games that would be tough enough if City were flying – before Brugge come to the Etihad. More immediately, Guardiola must rally his troops for a visit to Anfield, where City have only won twice since 1981. Mohamed Salah will fancy his chances running at this defence.
When Guardiola made a triple substitution in the 68th minute, he could scarcely have imagined that before too long that handsome lead would rapidly disappear like sand through his fingers. After Haaland’s penalty had given City a narrow lead late in the first period, two goals within eight minutes of the restart had given them a seemingly unassailable lead. Yet this is what defeats do: they erode confidence, even among the best players. As superb as Feyenoord were in the final quarter of this game, their goals were gift-wrapped by a City team who are an accident waiting to happen at the back.
Gvardiol had played fairly well until the point he fell to pieces. The Croatian is in a difficult spot and Guardiola was right to say the defender – still only 22 – will need some looking after. Feyenoord’s fightback began in the 75th minute, shortly after Brian Priske had introduced Jordan Lotomba and Santiago Gimenez, when Gvardiol made a complete hash of an intended back-pass to Ederson that was intercepted by Anis Hadj-Moussa before he applied a cool finish. At that point, there should still have been no cause for alarm within the City ranks. They were good for their 3-1 lead and Feyenoord, save for a couple of efforts in the first period, had not really troubled Ederson’s goal.
But an unease hung around the Etihad – and Gvardiol was clearly affected by his mistake so soon after his blunders against Tottenham. From his loose pass, Feyenoord won possession and Igor Paixao – outstanding on the night – crossed to the far post where Lotomba’s cut-back sneaked between Ederson and his near post allowing fellow substitute Gimenez the most simple of tap-ins.
City’s collapse was complete a minute from normal time when Feyenoord exposed Guardiola’s high line, allowing Paixao to run in behind, head the ball past the onrushing Ederson and cross to the far post for David Hancko to head home past Rico Lewis. Jack Grealish hit the crossbar thereafter, but City could not snatch a late winner and now head to Merseyside in a worsening state of crisis.
Latest updates
James Ducker
Northern Football Correspondent.
Luke Edwards
Northern Football Writer, at the Etihad Stadium.
Kieran Crichard
live updates
27 November 2024 • 12:09am
10:42PM
Your reaction
Hector Phillips: “Gvardiol gave the ball away twice -2 goals Nathan Ake not quick enough to track back- 3 goals.Regardless of the defensive lapses, If Guardiola plays a high line like this against Liverpool like he did with Spurs and tonight with Feyernoord, Liverpool will score 6-7. It may be time to just change things a bit. For once, sit back as the away team and let the opponent do the running. Last time City played like that they ended up winning the champions league but can Pep get his ego out of the way and be pragmatic ever again?”
Brian Johnston: “How utterly classless to boo their team from the City supporters. After prolonged success their team need support, not more stress.”
Paul Kingsley: “When your backline is defending on the halfway line, someone with good legs is always going to be able to run in behind them.”
Elvin Reece: “It was like watching Laurel and Hardy that defence. Liverpool are going to batter us!”
David Bromhall: “Salah will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing that defence. 7 goals conceded in two games …”
J Baucher: “Billion pound bottle jobs.”
10:33PM
Post-match thoughts of Brian Priske
“I’m sure he’s proud!”
Brian Priske has generous words for Liverpool boss Arne Slot after masterminding a comeback against Man City 🗣️#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/8nlOzR3nzv
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
10:30PM
Meltdown
1 – For the first time in what was the 942nd game of his managerial career, Pep Guardiola has seen his side fail to win a match after leading by three goals. Remarkable. pic.twitter.com/1Ehm11ax8D
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2024
10:28PM
Feyenoord fans right now
𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐔𝐒 RIGHT NOW. 🤯#mcifey • #UCL pic.twitter.com/VWwEWgwo4s
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) November 26, 2024
10:26PM
Feyenoord’s turnaround
An iconic #UCL comeback!
All three goals for Feyenoord in the space of 14 second-half minutes 🤯#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/uchd8RBCyU
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
10:25PM
The thoughts of Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola’s full-time reaction after seeing his Man City side throw away a 3-0 lead at home…
🎤 @gabrielclarke05 #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/PHYBEQMbMi
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
10:20PM
Stuart Pearce on Amazon Prime
“All the things we spoke about before the match, they were all there in the second half. The high line, individual errors. That is what has lost them the lead.
“I suspect there will be one or two home truths in the dressing room. Credit to Feyenoord. They kept going and kept going and their fans and celebrating like they have won the league.
“This is a footballing dynasty here and to win four Premier Leagues in a row you must have superb talent and desire and all of those buzz words you associate with football.
“But this is unknown territory for Manchester City and they have got to adapt quickly. They have the biggest test in the Premier League on Sunday with that match against Liverpool.”
10:19PM
Throwing away victory
Pep Guardiola had his head in his hands when Josko Gvardiol’s mistake made it 3-1. Perhaps that pre-empted what was to come as Manchester City then collapsed.
Pep Guardiola has his head in his hands
No wins in six now for Manchester City Credit: Carl Recine/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola looking dejected
Manchester City threw away a three-goal lead Credit: Dave Thompson/AP
10:17PM
Nathan Ake speaking to Amazon Prime
“It is a difficult night. We played quite well and had it under control but then it all changed. At 3-1 up you have to stay strong mentally. They pushed on and perhaps we could have gone forward more. When we conceded the second it invited more pressure. I think we gave it away. The only thing we can do now is stay strong. It feels like a defeat. It is a tough night but we have to look forward to the Liverpool game, which will be a tough game. We have not been in this situation many times. We have to stay strong mentally and stay together. Every season people write us off.”
10:13PM
The equalising moment
David Hancko equalises for Feyenoord
Feyenoord equalised at the end of normal time Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images
Feyenoord celebrate their equalising goal
Feyenood looked down and out with 20 minutes left Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
10:11PM
Andros Townsend on BBC Radio 5 Live
“I am lost for words. It was not vintage Manchester City but they were cruising. It was a comical defensive error from Josko Gvardiol that allowed Feyenoord back into the game and they capitulated. Gvardiol then gave the ball away for the second goal.
“For the third goal, there is no need to play the high line when you are one minute away from a first win in six matches. In the end, all that hard work from City is undone, and the pressure now mounts even more ahead of the Premier League game against Liverpool.
“We have never seen defensive frailties like this from Manchester City before. It seems to be popping up in every single game they have played recently. But I think at least it is a good thing that it is individual errors that are costing them, as opposed to the structure in which they are playing.”
10:10PM
Gael Clichy on Amazon Prime
“I’m lost for words…”
Gael Clichy’s immediate reaction to seeing Man City throw away a three-goal lead to Feyenoord…#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Fa2sNDQrYT
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
10:10PM
Away fans enjoy their comeback
A comeback nobody expected.
Feyenoord fans are going wild in the away end after that one 🙌🔊#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/pslCgJ32QZ
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
10:06PM
What a turnaround from Feyenoord
Feyenoord players celebrate with their fans
Celebrating with their fans Credit: Hannah McKay/Reuters
The Feyenoord players celebrate in front of their fans
From 3-0 down to draw 3-3 Credit: Molly Darlington/Reuters
10:04PM
No victory for Pep Guardiola’s side in six
Man City’s poor run continues.#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/ya4oyONfFF
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
10:03PM
Meltdown
75 – Manchester City are the first team in UEFA Champions League history to be leading a match by three goals as late as the 75th minute and fail to go on to win. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/QFkxrMUEbN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2024
10:02PM
Tonight’s results
Slovan Bratislava 2-3 AC Milan
Sparta Prague 0-6 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona 3-0 Brest
Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 Red Bull Salzburg
Bayern Munich 1-0 PSG
Inter Milan 1-0 RB Leipzig
Manchester City 3-3 Feyenoord
Sporting 1-5 Arsenal
Young Boys 1-6 Atalanta
10:00PM
FT stats
Possession: Manchester City 64%-36% Feyenoord
Shots: 18-10
Shots on target: 9-5
Corners: 10-2
Touches in opposition box: 44-12
9:54PM
Full-time
That is it and Manchester City have thrown away a 3-0 lead as Feyenoord snatch a draw. A complete meltdown from Pep Guardiola’s side. They are stunned and cannot quite believe what has just happened. They were 3-0 up with just over 15 minutes left but somehow have not come away with the three points.
The Etihad is 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗!
The full-time whistle blows and after being three goals down, it ends 3-3 😱#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/rNKOSCcwRc
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
WHAT A COMEBACK 🥵#mcifey • #UCL pic.twitter.com/ijL7LQm5S4
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) November 26, 2024
9:53PM
90+4 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 3
Just 60 seconds remain.
9:51PM
90+3 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 3
Feyenoord are making their final change as Gonzalez replaces Hwang.
9:50PM
90+1 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 3
Grealish hits the frame of the goal. Inside the box he cuts onto his right foot and his deflected effort comes back off the frame of the goal.
9:49PM
90 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 3
Five added minutes.
9:47PM
GOAL! Feyenoord equalise
They are level with one minute left! From 3-0 down to 3-3. Incredible and the away fans are sent into a state of delirium. The ball is played over the top to Paixao and he goes around Ederson, who came racing out of his box. He stands up a cross to the far post, where Hancko is on hand to head home.
INCREDIBLE SCENES AT THE ETIHAD! 😳
From 3-0 down, Feyenoord are now DRAWING 3-3 with Man City!#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/pMUCrA0jLD
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
9:46PM
87 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 2
McAtee is into the book for deliberately pulling Wellenreuther back.
9:45PM
86 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 2
De Bruyne has an effort from the edge of the box but Wellenreuther makes the save. Considering the time and space a player of De Bruyne’s quality has, he perhaps should have scored there.
9:43PM
85 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 2
Manchester City have now conceded two or more goals in six consecutive games.
9:42PM
GOAL! Feyenoord get another back
This game is not done! Paixao plays a cross to the far post that finds Lotomba, who drags it across from the byline. It hits the post and falls into the path of Gimenez, who chests it into an empty net. There is a VAR check to see if Lotomba was onside but it stands. This game is well and truly on. Still around seven minutes of normal time plus added time remaining.
Maybe I spoke too early. City have switched off and Feyenoord have woken up scoring twice in seven minutes to set up a tense finish at the Etihad. The City fans thought the game was over. We all thought the game was over but the visitors have punished two defensive lapses to make things very interesting indeed. There is suddenly a lot of anger in the stadium.
This game is NOT OVER YET!
After being 3-0 down, Feyenoord now have two goals! It’s 3-2 🫨
How does this finish? #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/LVqbMtXbny
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
9:39PM
80 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 1
Haaland plays it through to McAtee but, just outside the box, a sliding challenge comes in. It takes a deflection that nearly goes over Wellenreuther but he gathers comfortably in the end.
9:37PM
79 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 1
Timber plays it through to Gimenez and, had it not hit the latter’s heel, he would have been one-on-one with Ederson. Let-off for Manchester City there.
9:34PM
GOAL! Hadj Moussa gets one back for the visitors
The ball is played behind the Manchester City defence but Akanji deals with it. Simpson-Pusey heads it to Gvardiol, who attempts a stupid volley back to Ederson that he gets all wrong. Hadj Moussa gets onto it, goes around Ederson and slots home from a narrow angle. Game back on? Pep Guardiola has his head in his hands.
Done and dusted for Man City? It’s not over yet!
Feyenoord have one goal back as Hadj Moussa rounds Ederson! 👀#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/NuWnnicxbL
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
9:30PM
72 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Another double change for Feyenoord as Lotomba and Gimenez come on for Nieuwkoop and Carranza.
9:28PM
70 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Bernardo Silva flights a delightful cross to the far post but Trauner does brilliantly with Grealish right behind him to head behind. Grealish must have thought he would have an easy header to get on the scoresheet but he is denied by great defending.
9:26PM
68 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Manchester City are making a triple change as De Bruyne, McAtee and Simpson-Pusey replace Gundogan, Foden and Ake.
Feyenoord are making a double change of their own as Smal and Milambo go off and Zerrouki and Beelen are coming on.
Manchester City are sending on Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and James McAtee, as well as Kevin De Bruyne, to see out the game against Feyenoord. The cynic in me says we will see both Academy players sold on to another Premier League club in the next couple of years to keep the homegrown player profits ticking over and the club on the right side of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
Pep Guardiola speaks to the substitutes about to come on
Changes for the hosts Credit: Darren Staples/Getty Images
9:19PM
61 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Hancko shoots from range but it goes wide of Ederson’s right post.
9:17PM
59 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Haaland plays it into Foden’s feet inside the box and then gets it back. The Norwegian tries to give it back then to Foden but cannot find him. Foden was offside anyway.
9:15PM
57 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Carranza is the first man into the book tonight as he is shown a yellow card for a foul on Lewis.
9:13PM
54 mins: Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 0
Grealish has a great chance to make it 4-0 but he takes too long on the ball inside the box, which allows Trauner to take the ball away from him.
9:12PM
GOAL! Haaland gets his second of the night
Game, set and match. Nunes is found down the right-hand side by Gundogan and charges into the Feyenoord box. He cuts it across to Haaland, who slides in to put Manchester City 3-0 up and that will be that tonight.
Well that is the game won for Man City and will bring an end to their late autumn losing streak. Lovely volley from Ilkay Gundogan from the edge of the area and kind deflection from a City perspective to wrong foot the goalkeeper and provide the comfort blanket of a second goal. And, as I predicted at hal
Leave a Reply