Shock Man City defeat mars otherwise exceptional week for English clubs in Europe

City’s dismal Norwegian failure feels even more harrowing after the success of all the other English participants. In fact, City are the now the only English club on the outside looking in, with every other side occupying a spot in the automatic qualifying zone. Sure, City do have a home match against Galatasaray to come. But their confidence is ravaged and it would probably take just one early breakaway goal for that match to descend into chaos. In any event, here is my personal ranking of all the English clubs in Champions League action this week.

6. Manchester City lose to Bodø/Glimt in upset for the ages

No prizes for guessing this one. Erling Haaland’s Norwegian homecoming turned into a Lapland nightmare, as Pep Guardiola’s side slumped to arguably their most embarrassing result under his stewardship. City’s plethora of defensive injuries have ripped the heart out of the side, with the likes of Alleyne and Khusanov unable to maintain City’s high defensive line. Bodø/Glimt’s first goal- and the first of Høgh’s brace- perfectly illustrated City’s vulnerability to counterattacks. Honestly, it looks like they are going to concede every time they lose possession in their opponent’s half. This City side looks stale, with Haaland yet to score from open play this year.

5. Chelsea grind their way past Cypriot minnows Pafos

Leroy Rosenior’s first European game as Chelsea manager almost left him with egg on his face. Chelsea should really have cruised at home to Cypriot surprise package Pafos. But despite dominating possession and chances, Chelsea struggled to break down a resilient Pafos side. And the longer the match went on, the more likely it looked as if Chelsea could suffer a similarly humiliating fate to Guardiola’s City. But Chelsea’s pressure eventually paid off , as midfield colossus Moises Caicedo nodded the ball home after Pafos failed to deal with Chelsea’s 13th corner of the match. While not utterly convincing, the result makes it three wins out of four for Rosenior since replacing Maresca.

4. Spurs counterbalance woeful domestic form with solid win over Dortmund

A crisis can breed opportunity. Sure, Thomas Franks’s managerial tenure is hanging by a thread after an endless avalanche of poor domestic showings. But they picked up a crucial win in Europe on Tuesday night, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to enter the automatic qualifying spots (leapfrogging Man City in the process). Frank appeared like he was on a hiding to nothing, with 13 missing players and only 11 senior outfield ones available for selection. He had to trust in youth, naming a matchday squad with eight teenagers. And Spurs looked revitalized, with Wilson Odobert providing two assists in an excellent first-half showing. Spurs’ job was made easier in the 26th minute, as Daniel Svensson was shown a straight red for a frankly idiotic lunge on Odobert. It was a committed all-round performance that has bought Frank a little time. Just how much time remains to be seen.

3. Magpies move into top eight with comprehensive 3-0 win over PSV

Newcastle United strengthened their bid for automatic qualification with a routine 3-0 win over PSV. The travelling Dutch side were in charitable mood in the first 30 minutes, essentially gifting Newcastle two goals through calamitous defending. Keeper Matej Kovar was the first offender, clearing the ball directly to Guimares, which led to Yoane Wissa scoring just eight minutes into his first Champions League start. Yarek Gasiorowski was the next culprit, underhitting a backpass to allow Wissa to feed Anthony Gordon for Newcastle’s 2nd. Harvey Barnes rounded out the scoring just after the break to ensure a comfortable 2nd half kickabout. Newcastle will be sweating on the fitness of Guimares, who went off at halftime after landing awkwardly on his ankle. Next up for Newcastle is a trip to the Parc des Princes for a possible winner-takes-all clash with PSG,

2. Liverpool run rampant at Stade Velodrome

Arne Slot’s under-fire Reds put on a consummate European showing this week, braving a hostile environment and windy conditions to beat Marseille 3-0 at the Stade Velodrome. In reality, the margin of victory should have been wider. Liverpool dominated from the beginning, with Joe Gomez missing a free header that set the tone for much of the evening, For all their endeavour, Liverpool would only take the lead in first-half stoppage time, as dead-ball specialist Dominic Szoboszlai pierced a jumping wall. Liverpool continued to press in the 2nd stanza and would get their just desserts in the 72nd minute, as Marseille keeper Rulli diverted the ball into his own net after wonderful work from Jeremie Frimpong. Cody Gakpo would finish the rout, converting from a late corner to extend Liverpool’s unbeaten streak to 13 matches.

1. Arsenal maintain 100% record with stunning win at San Siro

This Arsenal side means business. Let’s face it; Mikel Arteta probably would have been fired by now had he been at any of the other major European clubs. That Villareal Europa League semifinal exit would have been the end of the line for most. But Arsenal have shown admirable trust in the process and look set to reap the rewards (which is oddly reminiscent of what happened with Ferguson at United). Arsenal beat Inter at their own game last night, pressing high up the pitch and suffocating their build-up play. Gabby Jesus, who has enjoyed a new lease on life since returning from injury, bagged a sneaky poacher’s brace on Tuesday night. The Brazilian applied the finishing touches to a Barca-esque piece of interplay to open the scoring. Inter equalized through a Sucic firecracker but Arsenal would not be denied, with Jesus nodding in a 2nd while Gyokeres collected a 3rd. Arsenal have brilliantly managed their earlier injury issues and appear to have depth in every key position.