Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw by Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium in their Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
It was a day of celebration for the newly crowned Champions, who knew that they would be lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of the game. They, however, came up against a Huddersfield side who were desperate for any points in the fight for survival.
Pep Guardiola’s side started the game well and although they dominated the ball, they couldn’t fashion any clear-cut chances.
David Wagner’s men began to grow into the game and had their first chance of note with 21 minutes gone. Aaron Mooy found Alex Pritchard, whose cracking strike forced Ederson into making a great save.
The Terriers then had another chance 10 minutes later. Mooy slipped through Chris Löwe down the left-hand side, but the defender rifled his shot over the bar.
City still controlled the possession but the tempo of the game dropped off when approaching the half-time break, 0-0 at the break and Huddersfield still believed they had a chance.
The second half soon fell into the same pattern as the first and the home side almost took the lead from a set piece. Jonas Lössl came to claim Leroy Sane’s corner but failed to hold on to the ball; it bounced off a number of players before Tommy Smith cleared it off the line.
Both teams were struggling to create any real tempo on a very hot day in Manchester.
City were searching for a winning goal but were shut out by some brilliant rear-guard action by the Huddersfield defence, who sat deep and did not allow City the space they needed to play their game.
Scott Malone had a great chance to snatch it for the visitors in the stoppage time. The substitute won the ball just past the halfway line and was through on goal. The defender, however, hit his shot straight at Ederson.
The final score was 0-0 and Huddersfield have an absolutely vital point in their bid for survival. City, however, would not let the result spoil their party as they celebrated in style by lifting the Premier League trophy.
Photo: Martin Rickett/Backpagepix
