Neville claims Feyenoord draw hit City harder than Tottenham defeat

In an unexpected turn of events, Manchester City faced a significant setback when they drew 3-3 with Feyenoord during a match held at the Etihad Stadium. This clash unfolded after City suffered a crippling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham. The draw with Feyenoord was particularly disappointing for the team as they held a commanding 3-0 lead only to concede three goals in the final 16 minutes of the match. The game occurred on a Tuesday night, following the Tottenham defeat that occurred just a few days prior, plunging City's performance under scrutiny. Analyzing the implications of these results, football pundit Gary Neville expressed that coming back from a seemingly favorable position against Feyenoord only to lose control felt even more damaging than the defeat by Tottenham. In his comments on Sky Sports, Neville emphasized the mental toll this would take on a squad known for their winning mentality. He reflected on the idea that being three goals ahead could create a false sense of security, making the subsequent collapse feel particularly devastating. Neville articulated that this kind of result would be difficult for any team to process, especially for players accustomed to a culture of success. As City prepared to face their next challenge against league leaders Liverpool, the atmosphere at Anfield was expected to be intimidating. Liverpool's impressive form at the start of the season added to the urgency for City to regain their footing after a series of disappointing performances. With the potential of falling 11 points behind in the league standings, Neville noted that the pressure was mounting for City. He added that the weight of expectations and the reality of their situation might hit hard when faced with the intensity of Liverpool's home crowd. Overall, this stretch of poor results put Manchester City in a precarious position as they sought to turn their season around. Next up was a crucial clash against Liverpool, making it imperative for them to rediscover their winning form in order to avoid slipping further in the title race. How the team responded to this challenging phase remained to be seen, but Neville's insights reflected the heightened awareness around the fragility of the team's current state.