Action images via Reuters/ Peter Cziborra
England took Spain to the brink in a thrilling UEFA Nations League clash at Wembley on Saturday night, falling to a 3-2 defeat to the newly crowned world champions thanks to big errors from Man City stars.
Spain took the lead through Lamine Yamal after less than two minutes following a Marc Guehi error, before the Three Lions fought back to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. Kane then missed a penalty in the second half, before Spain mounted a comeback.
A Nico O'Reilly mistake allowed substitute Alex Baena to fire a low strike into the corner past James Trafford, before Mikel Oyarzabal scored a delightful dink to extend Spain's unbeaten run to 39 games.
The England game was the first time that any Man City players have been on the pitch since the news on Friday that the club had been found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges related to financial breaches by the Premier League.
The accusations have hung over the club for years, and there is now speculation that the club could be kicked out of football altogether, with league titles potentially stripped from them between 2009 and 2018.
Pre-match build-up saw players and pundits asked about their thoughts on the situation, and while everything is being kept close to the chest currently, it's clear that the news is having an effect on the camp. Captain Harry Kane admitted after the game that there had been discussion in the camp ahead of the game, but said that the City players in the squad would deal with that when they returned to Manchester.
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But if Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly's performances in the game are anything to go by, then City's season could be about to unravel with some major problems on the way.
Guehi was at fault for the first goal as he lost all focus and didn't realise Yamal was behind him, turning into his path before being unable to prevent the incredible teenager from slotting the ball into the net. O'Reilly was then at fault for Spain's equaliser in the second half, needlessly holding onto the ball for too long before inexplicably passing it straight to Dani Olmo rather than a teammate.
They didn't look their usual composed and assured selves, and if they take that form back to City, then it could have compounding effects.
Maresca Must Find a Way to Ignore Noise
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The noise at the Etihad Stadium will be deafening one club football returns in two weeks, and it will likely go on for a prolonged period of time, with City set to appeal the decision.
But if the news is affecting players like Guehi and O'Reilly so much, so soon, then bigger players under more scrutiny are likely to be feeling the squeeze even more. Now it's time for the manager Enzo Maresca to really earn his money.
He must find a way to ensure that the squad stay focused on the task at hand until any sanctions are handed out, and then find a way to navigate that situation. The team are currently top of the Premier League with a perfect record of five wins from five games, so things have started well.
But if Guehi and O'Reilly's performances are anything to go by, and it is only one game so there is no certainty that is the case, then things could be about to go from bad to worse for Man City.