All the pre-match FA Cup semifinal talk for Manchester City v Brighton was about how tough it was for the league champions to sell their ticket allocation.
There seemed to be a complete absence of the game itself as Pep Guardiola’s side were obviously going to win.
And they did but were definitely second best to a brilliant Brighton performance.
City fans had been saying “we can’t afford a trip to London and rip-off Wembley prices twice. Some of us are going to miss the semi and would rather go to the final”.
Arrogant as it sounds, you’d probably bet your wife and kids on City progressing, so I guess you’ve got to just look at it as practical?
When you’re on the trail for the elusive “quadruple”, there’s a lot of extra fixtures, not forgetting trips through Europe.
And when you start adding up the costs, let’s say conservatively £150 (R2 800) for a standard away game in England and maybe double that for a trip across the channel, it turns into a small fortune.
MONEY WISE: Gaps in the stands at Etihad Stadium. Photo: Supplied.
So the argument over the weekend (from United fans) saying 40 000 Sunderland fans managed to make it to London last weekend for the Checkatrade Trophy Final doesn’t really compare.
But anyway, back to the football and it was an unbelievable game.
Chelsea, who are running on reserve at the moment, took the Seagulls apart last weekend.
I remember thinking during that game, wow, they’re really s***.
But of course, walking out at Wembley has changed the world for many a man.
They were hungry, tireless, breaking City down and flooding forward with attacking football.
On another day, (with another striker) they could have scored three or four!
It was a great game to watch and I thought Brighton probably edged it given the chances. Sunday provided another great spectacle at the national stadium.
Incredible cup football, which gave us one of the most unlikely comebacks in recent history.
Wolves were in full control, 2-0 up with 12 minutes to go, only for the Hornets to attack like a frenzied swarm and get rewarded with two goals to take it to extra time.
BRILLIANT: Gerard Deulofeu. Photo: Tim Ireland/AP Photo.
Watford playmaker Gerard Deulofeu’s second brilliant effort of the afternoon wrapped up a mid-May appointment with City.
The first semi seeded a bit of doubt in my mind.
I’ve been absolutely convinced that Pep has the title race in his pocket, but following a struggle at Wembley and Liverpool’s solid performance at Southampton, is it all over?
Liverpool looks to have an easier run-in on paper.
City face Spurs twice in the Champions League (and again in the league) which will probably take more out of them than Porto will against Liverpool.
But as it stands, Sunday afternoon could make or break for the Scousers as Chelsea visit Anfield.
You never know what you’re gonna get out of Maurizio Sarri’s side these days, but one thing is for sure, the whole of England will be behind the Blues.
No one really cares if City win the league, it’s kind of expected, but if Jurgen Klopp gets it right, it’ll be declared a national disaster I have a feeling Chelsea will take a point, what y'all saying?
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