Reasons To Be Cheerful, despite, Leicester 0 vs. 0 City

“We’re not where we should be right now in the table, but we’re right in the mix without really playing that well.
”

, Joe Hart – 29/12/2015.

On what was ultimately a frustrating night for City, the Citizens showed a lot which was positive for a side written off by many in the media since the advent of Ozil fever.

The team set up with a very positive outlook, Aguero returning to replace Bony from the weekend line-up, and a return to 4-2-3-1 with Silva, De Bruyne, and Sterling sat behind in a fluid set up that moved to 4-4-2 when pressure allowed and promised goals. Sadly, however, it was not to be. Despite dominating the first half, and breaking down a very solid 4-5-1 from Leicester on numerous occasions, the quality of the final ball or finish was lacking. Sterling, in particular was bright, forcing three saves from Schmeichel in the first forty five. Ironically though, Leicester had the best chance when a mistake from Fernandhino on 39’ allowed a through ball to Vardy, who placed his shot high.

The second half was slightly better from Leicester, they pressed the ball higher, and the “give it to Gordon” (aka Jamie Vardy) tactics benefitted from more accurate long passes to the league’s top scorer. But the better football was still coming from City, with them playing like the home team, and Leicester reliant on hitting quickly on the break or creating from set-pieces. The match stats back that up, with City dominating possession (61%), shots (21 vs. 11), and corners (13 vs. 1). However where it counted, in front of goal, the only stat that counts is the 0 vs. 0 (though on another day Craig Pawson would have given City a penalty for the foul on Aguero by Leicester’s Inler just before he was withdrawn on 63’).

So City finishes the first half of the Season still with more than a shout in four competitions. A semi-final place waits in the League Cup, and having qualified top of their Champions League group for the first time, they have a credible chance to move forward to the quarter finals, with a game against (hopefully) ring rusty Dynamo Kiev. Even in the Premier League, where City have shown some of their more frustrating traits, they lie only three points shy of leaders Arsenal, with a superior goal difference, and with all the games against credible title rivals to be played at the Etihad.

It would be incredibly unlucky for City’s injury crisis from the first nineteen games to continue for the rest of the season, so there are definitely reasons to be cheerful going into the New Year.

#CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Back With A Bang, City 4 vs. 1 Sunderland

"We returned to our normal performance of playing attractive football, trying to scoring goals.”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 26/12/2015.


This was just what City fans had wanted from Santa. A display of confidence, purpose, and bravado in front of a record 54,523 crowd, who were hopeful of a reboot in performance after seeing the unveiling of City’s new badge.

In need of points having lost the previous six pointer to Arsenal, Manuel Pellegrini had made the bold move of starting with a 4-2-2-2 formation, despite being shorn of City’s talisman Kun Aguero by a knock from the Arsenal game, which meant he could only start on the bench. So Raheem Sterling partnered Wilfried Bony up front, the big Ivorian still needing some confidence boosting performances to fully convince the City faithful.

City’s play began with a swagger that had been missing since the end of the record unbeaten run back in September against West Ham. Kevin De Bruyne was unplayable as he covered the space created across both wings by the irrepressible David Silva. The two put on a footballing master class which would fill Soccer AM’s showboat two times over, with touches and moves normally reserved for the training ground.

Raheem Sterling started the dissection of Sam Allardyce’s, compact Sunderland set up, with his speed and movement causing no end of difficulty for the Sunderland defence. He could, and should, have been awarded a penalty on 5’ after being brought down on the left of the area by Billy Jones, but instead received a yellow card for simulation. The first of many decisions from referee Anthony Taylor who presumably felt sorry for the torment City’s attack were subjecting on Sunderland.

The breakthrough came quickly though, as seven minutes later De Bruyne seized on an over hit Kolorov cross, and as the jeers from Sunderland fans stuck in their throats, he curved in an inch perfect cross for Sterling to head down and past a stranded Vito Mannone, one nil.

Five minutes later Yaya, who together with Fernandhino had been dominating the midfield, got in on the scoring. Seemingly unsure whether the score with his left or right boot, he baffled the Sunderland defence before eventually deciding to pass the ball with pace into the side netting from 20 yards out with his left boot. The game was afoot, and City were in the driving seat.

On 22’ a fabulous curling free-kick from De Bruyne, was met by Bony’s head for him to guide the ball into the right of the Sunderland net. The ease and accuracy of De Bruyne's ball and the payoff of the direct play from City made you wonder why oh why City do not go for the jugular like that more often.

City dominated the rest of the half but the only effort which found the net, from Sterling, was called back, quite rightly, for offside. Still the first half had been pure entertainment and just what the team needed as a boost for a packed fixture list in the next two weeks.

The second-half started as the first had ended, with City dominating the play.

The fourth goal came on 54’, Kevin De Bruyne playing an unplanned one-two with Sunderland defender Coates, and then calmly passing the ball into the net to add a goal to his two assists.

Borini grabbed a consolation for Sunderland on 59’ after City failed to pursue the second ball from a half hit Cattermole shot, however this was City’s day from start to finish, with a series of bizarre refereeing decisions keeping substitute Cattermole out of the book perhaps Sunderland’s real highlight.

David Silva won a penalty after another foul from Coates just inside the box, but Bony placed the ball high right and over, to take the shine off what could have been a hatrick performance. That and the untimely withdrawal of a returning Kompany after only nine minutes of a cameo substitute performance.

Results elsewhere had fallen kindly, Leicester beaten by Liverpool, and Arsenal later trounced 4-0 by Southampton. All of which means the six pointer against Leicester on Tuesday 29th could bring City level on points with the current league leaders. Given this performance the team should go into that game with confidence, but will still need to be at their best to beat this season’s surprise package.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Rope A Doped, Arsenal 2 vs. 1 City

"But in these important games you cannot make those mistakes.”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 21/12/2015.


I think most everyone called this. City to lose either by a bizarre Andre Mariner decision, or a defensive faux pas. It was the latter which got us. Mangala providing the unforced error on 46', allowing Walcott to play in to an unmarked Ozil, who set Giroud through to finish between Joe Hart's legs. 2 vs. 0 at half time and City had played into Arsenal's hands once more. Arsenal inviting City's attacks, and hoping to set up on the counter. Unluckily for City both the times Arsenal did create a chance in the first half they scored.

Up to the first goal City had appeared in charge of their own destiny, having the majority of possession, and forcing several attempts on Peter Cech's goal. On 30' De Bruyne came the closest to breaking the deadlock for City, Aguero managing a deft flick to the Belgian on the right, just inside the Arsenal half, De Bruyne bore down on goal and perhaps should have squared to Silva, but instead he shot just wide of the left hand post.

Seconds later Arsenal were in front, with what was Arsenal's first attempt on goal, Ozil played in Walcott and the Arsenal winger lashed the ball into the top right of City's goal. The goal seemed to sap City's confidence, and the final 15 minutes of the first half belonged to Arsenal without troubling Joe Hart until Mangala's mistake.

Pellegrini changed it around at half time, bringing on Sterling for Delph and reverting to a more straight forward 4-2-3-1. The game was slightly more open, and City played some deft touches to keep the pressure with the ball, but what at the start of the season was cutting and incisive was now ponderous. Bony replace Aguero on 60' and the more direct approach started show some dividents. However, the lack of willingness to try and take a chance was perfectly summed up by substitute Navas, when finally released 1 on 1 with Cech he chose to try a near impossible dink cross, rather than attempt a shot of his own.

Toure's goal on 82' was world class, Sagna playing the ball short from the right and the City Captain passing the ball first time high to the left, impossible for a stranded Peter Cech to get to. It was enough to provide a nervy finish to the game for Arsenal, but they egged out every second they could to claim the 3 points and go 4 points above City going into Christmas.

So now the games come thick and fast. Boxing day sees Sunderland as the visitors and City need to be resolute to remain in the title race. The test will be whether the City players can apply the same application going forward as they have in their Champions League games across Christmas and deep into the New Year. If they cannot, then you feel the longer Kompany remains an injury enigma, the wider the gap to the top may grow.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

The Best & Worst, City 2 vs. 1 Swansea

"Most important today was to take the three points, and we took it, but we were lucky, and we are happy about that."

, Wilfried Bony – 12/12/2015.

On a day which epitomised a Manchester Winter, with driving wind and rain giving a cold wet start to fans and players alike, City put in a performance which epitomised the good and the bad of their play at the moment.

No one was really expecting a dead man's bounce from Swansea, despite parting ways with their manager only two days ago. The search for a replacement is on, but as caretaker boss Alan Curtis admitted in the run up to the match, Garry Monk's departure was still on the players' minds, and was all the more painful because Monk had been at the club for so long. So it was no surprise Swansea made a slow start. allowing City to dominate early possession, with City comfortable whilst not making any impact with the ball in the final third.

City's blunt start was highlighted by Swansea claiming the first chance with Otemendi being brushed off the ball by Wayne Routledge before placing his shot straight at Joe Hart on 5'. The first City chance came on 13', with Silva passing to Bony, who's swept left foot effort was straight into the arms of the keeper, Fabianski. The half continued in a similar vain, City's build up precise, but laboured, giving Swansea ample time to collect themselves, and the occasional break into the City half by Swansea enough to give City fans concern. It wasn't until the 24' that City's next real chance came, with Navas finally finding some space on the right of the box, and as the Swansea defender slipped, Navas's left foot shot deflected for a corner. But from that corner, finally came some decisive play, and as Bony was left with acres of space in the box he stooped to head and score against his old club.

The hoped for resurgence to put the game to bed, however, did not come, and despite continually excellent work by Fernandhino and Yaya to break up play and retain possession, the forward line was not making an impact. The only other notable chance of the half fell to Yaya on 39', but he unfortunately toyed with a possible shot for too long before driving his effort straight at Fabianski. So half time arrived 1 vs. 0, but without City never really getting out of third gear, and despite the 60% possession, Fernandhinho's break up play was the highlight.

The second half opened with Sterling making way for Delph, which was no surprise given the minutes played midweek against Borussia, and the long run of games ahead. The switch to a three in midfield somewhat dampened the extra closing and energy with which Swansea were approaching the game in the second half, but far from nullified Swansea entirely, and the game continued to be fairly even. The first chance came on 50' from a free kick on 25 yards outside the left post of the Swansea goal, which Yaya got over the wall but too near Fabianski to trouble the keeper. Two minutes later it was Yaya again, as he burst just inside the right of the 18 yard box, but sliced his effort. On 60' Swansea showed they were still far from out of the game, when following a wayward high kick from Sagna, Sigurdsson got his free kick up and over the wall, to be parried by Joe Hart.

David Silva's easing back into the City setup following injury, continued as he was replaced by De Bruyne on 67'. But it was Swansea's increased tempo which continued to cause concern. Swansea's increased energy was also being aided and abetted by some interesting decisions by the referee, and needless free-kicks being given away by City's defence, not least of which Mangala, who earned himself a yellow when diving in on the left touchline, giving yet another easy set play for Swansea to get the ball into the area on 76'.

By this time City were creating fewer chances of their own, with Delph's shot on 79' curling well past the right post, having been put in by a Joe Hart long kick, a rare effort. By the time Bony made way for Iheanacho on 83', it did appear some of the City build up play was going through the motions, and was completely devoid of any urgency, with either tiredness or complacency meaning even the slick passing from the first 60 minutes had gone. And then on 91', City paid the price, as the midfield opened up to spectate two simple Swansea passes taking the ball the full length of the pitch for Gomis to brush off Mangala and bang the ball over Joe Hart to make it 1 vs. 1. It wasn't surprising, but it was lackadaisical defending at best.

City "fight to the end" we sing, but few truly believed it at that moment. Luckily one of the few that did was Yaya Toure. As City pressed on the right following the restart, the big Ivorian decided to assert his presence on the game in the way only he knows how. Picking the ball up from Navas on the right edge of the 18 yard box he drove the ball left footed and it deflected off Iheanacho into the top left corner of the net ... 2 vs. 1 GAME OVER ... Yaya Toure take a bow!

And so it finished. The two sides to Man City's current interpretation of "typical City" there for all to see. Ninety minutes of playing within themselves, allowing a team on the ropes to play their way back into a game, with Swansea even claiming the most shots and shots on target, only for City to snatch a victory at the end.


@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

City 4 - 2 Borrusia Monchengladbach - A 'Raheem' End to a Nightmare Group

"It was his birthday – I told him before the game that the minimum he had to do was score two goals" Manuel Pellegrini - 8/12/2015

Having already qualified for the last 16 of the competition, City were in the unfamiliar position of looking up, rather than down their Champions league group, with a view to clinch the top spot from Juventus.

Following the dire showing at the Britannia just three days earlier, and 'Gladbach coming off a win against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, this was a game predicted to be balanced on differing confidence levels. City fell short at the weekend in a number of aspects, but one of the overarching criticisms was the selection made by Pellegrini. Here we finally saw City seemingly put previous bravura behind them and played a packed midfield three of Yaya, Delph, and Fernandinho. The bigger talking point was City playing without a recognised striker with Sterling, De Bruyne, and Silva playing a dynamic front three favouring energy and dynamism rather than the much criticised static forward play of the big Ivorian, Wilfried Bony.

City's final group game saw the opening intent and pace out the blocks that we have become accustomed to in the ECL, but has sadly been missing in many of our premiership performances. It also almost felt like a new signing was amongst the midfield due to the recharged batteries of Yaya Toure, pulling the strings, as illustrated within the first 5 minutes with a bursting break forward from midfield, but who's cross was just too much for any of the front trio to get on the end of. Giving Yaya the license to go on these sorts of runs with the reassurance of two men covering for him really showing its worth from the start.

What City did get from playing a three is a very condensed midfield which led to a cagey next ten minutes. One incident to note was the dangerous high kick on Sterling from the Gladbach centre half Nordveit which escaped caution but looking back really should have seen him in the book at least, Sterling lucky to come out unharmed.

City continued to probe from deep but never looked like troubling Sommer until some outstanding football on the left with delph finding Sterling who sumptuously back heeled the ball into the path of David Silva who rockets the ball into the roof of the net. El Mago and the birthday boy linking up perfectly to give City the lead.

But... the lead did not last long, around two minutes actually. With a classy break from the German side, Stindl and Johnson weaving through the City ranks, setting Korb up on the right hand side of the box who finished first time across a helpless Joe Hart into the bottom left hand corner. The pace and precision of the German side's attack cannot be understated, but again question marks over the City defence who always seemed to be scrambling back for recovery, and no real ownership taken to step forward and confront the oncoming players, something City have been spoiled with Kompany making look easy for years.

City did however continue to see the majority of the attacking play if not  the usual possession, with Yaya orchestrating from deep and dictating a higher tempo game. This saw him win the ball and instigate an attack through De Bruyne, and eventually had the ball fall back to him, and in typical Yaya fashion unleashed a shot from distance on 33' which sailed over the bar. No goal, but showed continued belief and good intent from the City attack.

Unfortunately, City could not make the most of their attacks in dangerous areas and against the run of play Gladbach broke again from deep, and with a bit of good fortune a deflection fell to Raffael who instinctively stuck a leg out to finish from 6 yards out. Despite the positivity in City's play from deep, the lack of a  cutting edge when in possession, and solidity in defence, meant City once again headed into half time losing 1-2.

Some of the media would have you believe Pellegrini doesn't seem the type to demonstrate a boisterous, passionate half-time team talk. Well he must have done something right last night as the City who looked to be missing that ruthlessness in the first half, certainly had the bit between their teeth in the second.

It was one way traffic throughout, with Sterling in the thick of many chances. A lofted cross from Fernandinho saw Sterling's shot well saved on 58'. Two minutes later, Sterling danced across the 18 yard box with the ball eventually being picked up by Silva who's shot unfortunately was straight at the Swiss goalkeeper. The third in a flurry of chances on 62' saw Sterling pick up the ball on the edge of the box from Kolarov who found him in space, but the birthday boy couldn't quite finish.

Pellegrini decided to get some fresh legs on 64' with Navas replacing KDB (who has been forced to play far too many minutes due to City's injury hit last few months) and also saw a vulnerability in 'Gladbachs ranks in replacing Delph for Wilfried Bony, as the blues reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation in search for the equaliser.

Bony's introduction almost immediately paid dividends as he produced a fantastic diving save from Sommer on 67'. The momentum building, City just had to make the breakthrough at some point. On 69' news began to filter down that Sevilla had done City a huge favour and gone 1-0 up against Juventus. Not sure if the news had reached the pitch but the opportunity to finish top of the group was now up for grabs. Despite the constant bombardment and pinning back in the German half, City couldn't find the well deserved goal to get them level. Until that is, the two substitutes made an impact, Navas linking with a marauding Clichy who pulled the ball back to Bony who's slight touch on the ball put it straight into the path of Raheem Sterling who slotted the ball into the net at the back post. Game on!

The psychological barrier broken, opened the floodgates, and just two minutes later the ball broke quickly to Bony who showed his prowess in turning inside Elevedi, and then had the strength to hold off the defender and play through Sterling; who opened up his body, and finessed the ball into the top right of the net with one deft touch. And just like that it was all over, Sterling involved yet again combining this time with Kolarov who fizzed the ball into Bony who having fluffed his first shot, made sure at the second time of asking. City finish top of their Champions league group of death!

To ring an old cliche, this was definitely a game of two halves. The theme of my blog entry on the Juve game was that we missed that ruthlessness to bury chances and kill teams off. Well I can safely say I was happily proved wrong by the boys in the second half.

An individual mention needs to be made for Raheem Sterling. On his 21st Birthday, he certainly looked leaps ahead of the boy who sulked around in a Liverpool shirt and instead gave the performance of a 50 million pound wonderkid who's workrate, tireless energy and cutting edge proved the difference on the day.

Now we know that we definitely won't get Barcelona or Bayern in the next round. Based on yesterdays second half performance, is it too early to start dreaming of a night in Milan come May?
@PatrickElano

No Excuses, Stoke 2 vs. 0 City

""It was a disappointing start and we couldn't recover from it. We didn't play well.”

, Joe Hart – 05/12/2015.


I have made something of a point within this blog of mentioning City's application and approach in the opening stages of games. Being "at it" from the kick off with energy and purpose, has been fundamental to all of City's great displays over the last few seasons. Its no surprise that City's worst performances have been against the backdrop of lethargic starts. Be it a lack of respect for the opposition, an eye on the next match, tiredness, or lack of concentration, it really doesn't matter, starting slowly in the Premier League is too big a risk, even to a side of City's obvious qualities. And yet they do, probably one in every two games. A lot of times the team recover quickly, or their class shows over the ninety minutes, but sometimes they don't recover; West Ham, Liverpool, Stoke are all examples of this.


Stoke did not just start this game quicker, they had done their homework, and were no doubt rubbing their hands in glee when they saw City opening with a midfield two in front of the currently underperforming Demichelis/Otemendi partnership. The only surprise is that City found Stoke playing a high pressing game from the off, a surprise. Mark Hughes may have his detractors, but he's not stupid, and he knew that going for the jugular from the first minute was Stoke's best chance of getting something from the game.


Stoke have also added some tasty players into their traditional style of solid work ethic and slightly misjudged tackle. Shaqiri, ex-Bayern and Inter, is one of these, and it was his guile which opened up the right hand of City's defence before crossing to Artaunovic to open the scoring on 7'. Eight minutes later the same combination was again City's undoing, Shaqiri producing a defence splitting pass onto Artainovic, who finished passed an oncoming Hart. Unfortunately neither of these goals were a wake up call, and City were somewhat lucky to only be 2 vs. 0 down at half time.


Bony's replacement at half time was a surprise to no one, with the clock ticking on the big Ivorian's time as City's No.2 striker, given the energetic and mature displays of Iheanacho, who again replaced him. The other substitution, Delph for Fernandhino was a strange one for me, and was perhaps done with an eye on the Borussia game in midweek (indeed perhaps too many players had their eye on the Borussia game in midweek :/). Certainly City continuing to rely on two midfielders to hold a side with the bit between their teeth was a gamble, especially given Silva was showing lack of match fitness and it was known he would not be asked to play out the full 90 minutes, returning as he was for his first full EPL start for eight weeks. Although the second half started slightly better, soon the inevitable cracks, which show when any side is chasing a game, started to have an affect. Stokes confidence grew again, and they probably created the better chances during the second as well as the first 45, and if it were not for more Joe Hart heroics, the score could have been worse.


So a game to quickly forget, with the alarm bells from the back four when Kompany is not present fast becoming a loud blaring klaxon. Whatever the right answer, be it delving once more into the transfer market in January, or (as would be my preference) recalling Denayer from his loan in Turkey, something has to be done if City wish to pick up silverware this season. The chances of Kompany seeing out the rest of the season injury free are low, and without him the defence looks lost and leaderless whenever City are on the back foot. Something also needs to happen about the slow starts, and that one lies squarely with Pellers.


@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

El Mago Returns, City 4 vs. 1 Hull

"Its not easy to replace David."

Manuel Pellegrini, 01 December 2015.

Manuel Pellegrini backed up pre-match comments that he considers the Capital One Cup an important competition in naming a strong line-up, which saw David Silva step up as captain in his first start for eight weeks, following his ankle injury.

In keeping with City's better performances they got out of the blocks early, Fernandhino and Delph providing the lungs of the team, as they chased down Hull throughout the opening minutes.

The approach paid dividends with Hull being forced into some early errors, including a handling of the ball outside the box by Hull keeper Jukupovic on 7' not given by the referee.

The early pressure paid off on 11' as Fernandhino closed down, forcing the loose ball to De Bruyne who's effort crashed against the right hand post before rebounding to Bony who confidently slotted the ball home. A much needed goal for the Ivorian who has struggled with injury and form in recent weeks.

Hull were down but far from out, as despite a lot of possession and neat one and two touch football from City, Hull continued to grow in confidence, and forced their first real chance through Hayden on 19'.

The rest of the half continued in a similar vein with City carrying 65.5% possession with Silva pulling the strings, but unable to create any clear cut opportunities. A further half chance for Bony on 31' being perhaps the best of the half chances they did create.

The second half started with much more promise, with the passes being just that bit more telling, the best of the early chances falling to De Bruyne on 56' as his long range effort found Jukupovic once again, and a curling left foot effort from Navas which flew over the left upright on 60', following a knock down from Bony.

Navas made way for Sterling on 61' having taken a couple of knocks in both halves, and on 70' Bony made way for Iheanacho.

It was still Silva, however, who was dictating the play. Hitting a rasping shot just high and wide right on 71' and dinking a right foot effort just wide of the left post two minutes later.

On 79' the second breakthrough finally came with the two substitutes combining with Sterling's pace taking him into the 18 yard box to latch onto Delph's pass and cross directly into the path of Iheanacho, who made no mistake from three yards out.

Two minutes later it was all over for Hull, as De Bruyne latched onto a knock on from Iheanacho to put the tie beyond doubt.

The 86th minute saw perhaps a reason for De Bruyne to start to take more free-kick responsibilities as his kick from the left hand side on the edge of the 18 yard box sailed up and over the wall with ease beating Jukupovic all ends up.

A consolation goal for Hull on 92' from a sweet effort from the impressive Robertson, showed Hull may be worth a punt for promotion from the Championship. They provided stern opposition up until the final 20 but kept going to the end in the face of an impressive City display.

So a satisfying night out for a City team looking to reclaim the trophy for the fourth time, after last winning the competition in 2014 in Manuel Pellegrini's inaugural double winning Season. Man of the match Silva was outstanding, De Bruyne irrepressible, and Otemendi again looked very solid at the heart of defence. Of further note is it looked as if the injury fairy had for once been absent from the Etihad, although Aguero is still nursing his ankle from Saturday and remains a doubt for the visit to Stoke at the weekend.
 
 

City Emerge Victors In Tough Saints Encounter, City 3 vs. 1 Southampton

"It was not an easy week - we’ve won just one point of our last six so it was important to beat a difficult team who were unbeaten away.”

Manuel Pellegrini, 28/11/2015.

A week is a long time in football, and City were coming off two painful defeats, last Saturday to Liverpool, and mid-week to Juventus in the Champions League. This was not an easy fixture, and I'm sure the headline writers were poised should City have failed to overcome Southampton, despite their unbeaten away record in the EPL.

I made three observations in watching what was an absorbing contest between City, and a bustling and confident Southampton. Firstly Manuel Pellegrini made the right choice in setting out to kill the game early. Choosing a three man midfield, and including Delph and Fernandinho to press and break early, put City on the front foot against a Southampton side which had done its homework and closed the available space quickly. City bossed the game for the first 30 minutes, during which they pressed and harried, while passing the ball quickly and accurately, as they scored two, and could easily have had two more.

The first goal came on 9' after Sterling first pressed, and then dispossessed the Southampton right back Yoshida, before dashing into the eighteen yard box and picking out DeBruyne with his cross, who crashed the ball home from close range.

Aguero could have added a second minutes later when put through one on one with the keeper by Delph, but was denied as Stekelenburg raced off his line quickly to get his legs to the ball as Sergio tried to stab his shot home.

A headed effort by Fernandhino was then deflected wide by Steven Davis' using his arm on 18'. In what was unfortunately a series of bad calls by the referee Roger East, the decision to only give a corner and not the penalty, was one of the worst.

City had some payback a minute later, when Delph was rewarded for his excellent contribution as he powered home Kevin De Bruynes' low corner, the ball taking a deflection passed a stranded Stekelenburg.

Secondly, Pellegrini in taking the game early to Southampton, anticipated the tiredness which impacted City's game after the first half hour. The exertions of the unsuccessful mid week trip to Italy, and a long injury list, which has meant minimal rotation, lead to an evident easing of the pace and City being second best for long periods. The two goal lead already established when Southampton did score, through Long on 49', meant less nervy moments than we have seen recently in similar encounters.

Thirdly, and perhaps most controversially, I have finally concluded that I no longer believe Wilfried Bony to be an upgrade on Edin Dzeko. I fact I would go as far to say that City would be better served to blood Iheanacho, than to use the big Ivorian. This was painfully evident when Bony replaced Aguero on 64', in what was hopefully a precautionary substitution. The move made sense, both to continue to ease Aguero back after injury, but also to give City an out ball to ease some of the increasing pressure. This is a player who is desperate to prove to himself, as well as to a baying media, that his "Big Club" move was a good investment of £27m. Yet his movement was sloth like and his use of the strength, used to such wonderful effect at Swansea to hold up the ball and opposition defenders alike, was non existent. I would suggest, given the Citizens usual set ups and tactics are designed around the pace and movement of Aguero, that Iheanacho is a far more obvious substitution going forward if Bony continues to be incapable of showing any of the attributes for which City invested so much.

That said, Bony was involved in the much needed third for City on 69', back heeling an initial cross from Sterling to "man of the match" De Bruyne, who crossed for Kolarov to scream a shot into the bottom right of the Southampton goal.

Just as big a cheer was then given on 75' as the much missed David Silva came on as substitute after a seven week lay off, with an ankle injury exacerbated on international duty with Spain in October.

So City finish the day reclaiming first spot in the EPL after a largely convincing display. Although in a way disappointing, the draw earned by Trafford away to Leicester means City now sit above "the Foxes" on goal difference, and barring miracles at Carrow Road tomorrow should hopefully see the weekend through in that position. So onwards to a League Cup Quarter Final on Tuesday at home to Hull, hopefully with the team reinvigorated, and Aguero and Silva reunited again.


@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Just missing that cutting edge?, Juventus 1 vs. 0 City

"We are quite disappointed. It was a 50-50 game and we had a lot more chances than them but we were not clinical.”

, Yaya Toure – 25/11/2015.


A new position for City fans to be in this; with the team heading to Turin already guaranteed a place in the knock-out round of the Champions League. In what was originally labelled another group of death, Pellegrini’s men were one victory away from finishing top. This seemed at odds with form, a) following the embarrassment of Saturday evening, b) this being the toughest away fixture of the campaign so far, and c) a bench looking extremely lightweight due to injuries. Yet the general consensus seemed to be that City could beat Juve in their own back yard.


If you have read previous blog entry’s you’ll notice the theme for these occasions has been for City to press early, and last night was no exception. KDB creating the most likely first half chance on 15' out on the left hand-side, whipping a cross into the box for Yaya whose tangle with Chiellini led to the ball falling to Fernandinho at the penalty spot, only for the Brazilian to cannon his effort high and wide from what should have been first blood, and reward for City’s intent in the first 15.


Juve were however more than lively themselves. A certain Paul Pogba definitely lived up to the suggested price tag set by Juventus, showing power and pace from midfield, and also the flair to cause the City defence serious problems. On 18', following the breakdown of a break by City, Pogba skipped passed DeBruyne and spread the play to the Juventus full-back Alex Sandro who put in a sumptuous cross into Mandzukic, who made Otamendi look like he was 3 feet tall; outmuscling the centre half to then easily stroke his volley past Joe Hart. Despite City’s intent and possession, we were once again behind in the Champions League.


City continued to dominate possession in the first half, but sadly missed the class of David Silva finding pockets of space and creating something out of nothing, and never looked like really troubling Buffon. When Juventus did get the ball they impressively moved up the pitch with pace and guile. On 27' that guile almost saw them double their lead, with a lofted pass out to the right wing cushioned into the path of a suddenly in form Mandzukic, who connected sweetly on the half volley. Luckily ‘Mr Champions League’ Joe Hart instinctively dove low to his left to palm the Croat’s effort wide. Lots of possession, but a mixture of a rusty attack and a nervy back four meant City never looked truly comfortable throughout the game.


Juventus seemed to have taken a leaf out of City’s playbook against Liverpool and consistently gave the ball away in dangerous areas, showing real lack of pass appreciation. The most dangerous coming just before half time with Marchisio playing a hospital pass back, which Aguero snuffed out quickly but took the ball slightly too wide while under pressure by the ever impressive Buffon, who closed him down and ushered the ball out for a corner. While only a half chance, a chance that a fully fit, in form Aguero would have made better use of. City head into the break down by one but by no means out of the match.


The second half was managed (frustratingly) very well by The Old Lady, with a combination of diving by Dybala amongst others, and perfectly timed substitutions really taking the sting out of the game. Both sides were unlucky in the first ten minutes of the second half, with the post denying a Fernando header from a corner with Yaya unable to poke the ball past Buffon. Two minutes later the City defence were split by a beautifully weighted pass by Bonucci finding the newly introduced Morata, with Otamendi caught in no-man’s land. Morata attempting to lift the ball over Joe Hart into the far corner of the net, but the ball drifting wide saw an oncoming Sturaro stretch to meet it only for his touch to ricochet off the outside of the post.


Due to the card happy referee, Fernandinho made way for Delph on 60’ who looked full of energy when he came on. With Aguero only just back into the fold, he also made way on 69’ for Raheem Sterling, with KDB now playing a more central role in front of Yaya. Unfortunately this did not have the same effect as against Sevilla. Juventus tried, as you would expect any Italian side, to defend their lead and City struggled to find that cutting edge to break down the Italian banks of four.


Arguably City’s best chance to level the score came on 79’ when KDB broke down the right hand side and fizzed the ball across the Italian side’s six-yard box only for Sterling to fluff his lines and hit his left footed shot against Barzagli and the ball trickled out for a corner. A final talking point would have to be Joe Hart’s departure on the 81’ being another worrying addition to City’s injury ridden season.


Twitter after the defeat, as it is wont to do, seemed to go into a downward spiral of blame and conspiracy. However, when taken into context, this was a game that on any other day City would have won comfortably. Injuries to Silva, Nasri, Aguero, Kompany will always impact any team and if City had that final piece of the jigsaw I have no doubt could well have been top of the group. With all things considered this was the hardest away fixture, with a chopped and changed starting eleven, and no fully fit recognised striker. If we can get all the squad back come spring I think City are better equipped than ever to take on the inevitable Barcelona or Bayern in the round of 16… Though winning may be another matter.



@PatrickElano

Eye Off The Ball, City 1 vs. 4 Liverpool

"I am more than angry, it was a complete disaster"

, Manuel Pellegrini 21 November 2015.

For those of us of a certain age, humbling performances against Liverpool are second nature, and to try and ease the pain I could try and dwell on circumstances...

...Yet another international break impacting selection?, (Kompany injured again for Belgium, Otamendi unavailable to start after appearing for Argentina, Silva still unavailable after seven weeks out from the previous break playing for Spain, Aguero needing to be withdrawn early, returning as he was from his own injury picked up in the same break playing for Argentina).

...Players affected by the atrocities in Paris being asked to play too soon, the rousing La Marseillaise pre kick off surely bringing every emotion back to the fore? (Mangala was particularly poor, and Sagna a yard off the pace).

...The managers eye drawn to the midweek game in Turin, and the difficulty in the next round of the Champions League if City do not claim top spot by taking something verses Juventus in Group D.

... Or how on another day the challenge on Sagna leading to the first goal would have been given as a foul, the second offside, and how perhaps just one of the penalty appeals could have been given.

But that would mask two fundamental points which cast the outcome of this game before a ball was kicked. Firstly playing only two in centre midfield was never going to work against a Klopp side, even if Yaya had got out of first gear, which he didn't. Secondly Liverpool wanted it more. Goals on 7' Mangala (OG), 23' Coutinho, 23' Firminho, and Skyrtel 81', could have been more, and but for a fifteen minute renaissance just before and after half time, prompted by a fabulous effort from Aguero on 44', City were off the pace. The change in formation at half time was long after the horse had bolted.

So a game to forget quickly if you're a City fan, and look to Turin ourselves in the hope that today's sacrifice of three points was not in vain.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Not The Stuff Of Dreams, Aston Villa 0. vs. 0 City

"It was tough playing against City. I was there at 14 and I had mixed emotions. I always want City to do well but I am a Villa man now."

, Micah Richards 08 November 2015.

Just as night follows day, you can rely on our beloved City to bring you back down to Earth with a bump, just when you think you have lift off. The Sevilla performance was a distant memory by the time Wilfried Bony requested to be substituted for a tightened hamstring on 23'. At that time City's performance was already crying out for some youthful vigour, and I can't help but conclude that Manuel made the wrong choice in bringing on Navas instead of Iheanacho. This is not a slight on Navas, who was without doubt our best player on the day, but 2014/15 showed that there is a line between respect for lower placed sides, and being brave enough to kill the game as early as possible. This was a game which showed again that City are short of that killer instinct, and the "safe" substitution showed that.  

The first half was unremarkable. Kolorov had pinged an exquisite ball across the box (with Bony nowhere to be seen), and been unlucky on 17' when a combination of Guzan and the woodwork denied him. Sterling could arguably have had a penalty when Ciaran Clark clipped the winger as he, somewhat predictably, cut inside the centre half, but the referee waved away his claims. Sterling could also have done better to get onto a DeBruyne cross from the right on 42'. Otherwise it was a pedestrian performance, a whole 45 minutes wasted.

The second half was somewhat better, with City keeping the ball, and using Navas with effect. On 54' Navas again got away from his marker to clip a wonderful cross, which Sterling headed goal wards from point blank range, only for it to hit Guzan on the forehead and bounce away. On 66' Navas (again!!!) crossed to find DeBruyne who scuffed the attempt whilst attempting a Hollywood back-heal. And so it continued, but again without the tempo of attack required to guarantee to break down stalwart defences in this mood.

The substitution of Delph for Yaya on 78' was a strange choice, and gave away momentum. However pathetic the booing of Delph is, it was guaranteed, and also guaranteed to give Villa fans an excuse to stop biting their fingernails at a point where City were dominating. It was also not the "brave" decision as, to my mind, City needed a striker not more in midfield. From that point the writing was on the wall, Villa had been economical with their allocation of time at dead balls since the first minute, and the last 15 was more stop than start. A mention should be made of Gestede's cheating on 87', launching the ball at, rather than to, Joe Hart and winning a corner; when Gestede should have returned the ball after Joe had sportingly knocked it out of play to allow treatment of N'Zogbia. Left a bad taste, especially after the booing of Delph and the inflatable snakes in the crowd, not good, not good at all.

Extra time brought a header off the bar from Kompany, with the ball eventually being fired wide by Delph, and that was that. Nil nil, and you cannot help but think two points dropped. The lows and highs of City there for all to see once more. The previous two international breaks have brought a halt in City's momentum, and a raft of injuries, so hopefully the next ten days the footballing gods will look a little more favourably on the City squad as meaningless friendly season gets underway.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

 

A Coming of Age?, Sevilla 1 vs. 3 City

"I change also the system as I was not happy in the way we were playing, so today I am happy with this result."

, Manuel Pellegrini 03 November 2015.

Forever the one for the understated press conference, even Manuel was beaming tonight, also sneaking in a dig about how if the game had gone differently then the press would be quizzing him on the omission of Kevin De Bruyne.

However it did work. In fact it didn't just work, it prompted arguably City's most accomplished performance in this competition. Yes even better than the defeats of Bayern or Roma. This performance had everything; power, pace, and composure in the first half, and solidity, shape and discipline in the second ... a perfect "European" away performance. Oh how long have we waited to be able to say that!

This was a team without Aguero and Silva, and as mentioned above there was no place for De Bruyne in the starting line-up. A brave decision to leave out arguably City's best player this season, but it worked. City lined up in a 4-3-3, Fernando pulled way back and Yaya and Fernandhino given licence to break up play higher up the pitch than usual. Sterling and Navas played out wide, but were instructed to put in a shift (two if necessary) to ensure the solidity of the midfield, and Bony was asked to hold up the play, when an out ball was needed. All of these players, indeed the whole team executed the game plan to a tee.

On first observation the line up looked more cautious, but it was anything but, breaking quickly with pace and incisive passing, time after time throughout the game, creating 22 chances in total. Fernandhino had already set up two chances when he measured a pass to Sterling for the youngster to slide the ball left footed past the oncoming Sevilla keeper Rico on 8'.  Only three minutes later City scored again, this time provider becoming goal scorer, as Fernandhino refused to give up on the palmed shot from Bony and headed the rebound solidly into the back of the Sevilla net. 2-0 and City were in dream land. Sevilla had previously won their ten previous European fixtures at home, this was just not in the script.

Fair play to the home side they would not lie down, and started to create chances of their own, amongst City's breaks forward. Coke in particular caused Kolorov difficulty as Sevilla continually overlapped on the right, and it was the right back who broke into City's box and chipped a clever ball to the back post on 25' for Tremoulinas to pull one back.

As half time approached it might have been prudent for City to step off the gas, but this was a City team determined to press the advantage. Collecting the ball on 36', Joe Hart spotted Navas in space and passed the ball long. The Spanish winger controlled and started his run in one fluid movement, holding the ball just long enough for Fernandhino to support, before taking the return ball and punching a low cross to Bony at the edge of the six yard box, which Bony duly passed into the net to restore the two goal advantage.

After the break the frequency of City's attacks subsided, but not the ferocity and pace, and arguably City could have had five goals without further reply. Meantime the midfield three stifled and controlled the Sevilla attacks, minimising the danger on goal. When Sevilla did create half chances Kompany and Otomendi were imperious in holding the back line.

So 3-1 it finished and its difficult to see how the media can spin this to be anything but a step change for City performances in Europe. With Juventus taking the draw in Borussia this means City are the first English club to qualify for the last 16 of the competition (alongside Real Madrid). Qualifying from another group of death, with two games to spare and, hopefully, a shape and tactics which could push us on to win the group and gain a favourable draw ... this really was a night to remember.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

 

City 2 vs. 1 Norwich, City Survive a "Benny Hill" Finale To Remain Top Of The League

"I think that Norwich played very well also, closing all the ways we tried to create space. The chances we did create we missed ..."

 

Manuel Pellegrini, 31 October 2015.

 

The last eight minutes of this game would have been better accompanied by the "Yakkety Sax" theme tune from Benny Hill, rather than the "Come On City ..." chants which finally helped drive the team over the line for the winning goal.

 

The game had started well enough. The big team news being Iheanacho had been rewarded for his cracking midweek display, replacing Sterling for City to set up 4-4-1-1. This set up initially looked to be working creating two clear cut efforts for Bony. But as previously stated on this blog, once the opposition sets up and settles into a compact defence its difficult for the two strikers to find space to work, and chances became fewer and fewer, before Pellegrini opted to  switch to 4-2-3-1 on 54', bringing on Sterling to replace Iheanacho. The breakthrough finally came on 67' with Otemendi sealing his man of the match performance as he rose unchallenged to power home a header from Debruyne's corner.

 

That should have been that, however, the mad finale to what had been an otherwise orthodox City performance against belligerent opposition, started on 83' with poor Joe Hart. A possible offside resulting from a cleared corner was not given, and Norwich's Robbie Brady looked to capitalise with a hopeful looping cross which actually fell straight to Joe, who then inexplicably dropped the ball to the feet of a grateful Cameron Jerome to equalise.

 

The positives from the play which followed were that City were galvanised into attack having previously taken the foot off the gas.  Sterling in particular looked lively, and it was his shot on 89' which brought a diving save from Norwich's Martin; who not being Norwich's keeper was duly given a straight red and a penalty awarded.  Hearts were in mouths as Yaya stepped up, but the power of the drive to the left of the keeper was more than powerful enough to score despite Ruddy choosing the right way to dive.

 

It was at this point City went to pieces, with little if any composure on the ball, except perhaps for Sterling and Kolorov. Norwich looked the more likely to score, but they didn't courtesy of luck and one worldy from Joe Hart. So when, deep into the five minutes of injury time, Sterling forced a second penalty as he jinked across the Norwich area, the relief was audible. However, not ever a player to miss a comedy opportunity, Kolorov stepped up to the spot and fired wide as the ref blew for full time.

 

Only the players themselves will know what prompted the collective comedy self destruct. Maybe the thoughts of Sevilla next week, maybe having finally broken the deadlock they thought the game was over and could not refocus; however as stated by Pellegrini there was character in grinding the win and keeping City top of the league.

 

The best show of character however was from City and Norwich fans alike, who on 35' humbled us all with their minutes applause to celebrate the life of father Chris Shaw, cruelly taken by cancer earlier this month. #CTID
 

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

The Futures Bright ... City 5 vs. 1 Crystal Palace

“ He's not just a striker - he provided two assists - I'm very happy for him. He has things to improve but he's working in the correct way."

Manuel Pellegrini 29 October 2015

After an outstanding display by youngster Iheanacho Kelechi, Manuel was being deliberately down beat. Kelechi had shown 90 minutes of guile and composure, not just youthful exuberance, it was a fabulous display.

 

This was not the only highlight. Fernando was outstanding, and worthy of man of the match, had he not been upstaged by the youngster. We also saw more of future hopefuls Patrick Roberts and Garcia Alonso, the latter scoring the fifth goal in extra time, both showing the talent available within the EDS squad.

 

There were six changes to the team which started against United on Sunday. The depth of talent at City has often been questioned against the investment, but this performance went a long way to answering those critics, as this "second" team swept away a strong Palace line up.

 

After an initial 20 minutes, where Palace kept their shape and created chances of their own,  the goals came thick and fast. Bony rose to open the scoring from a DeBruyne corner on 22'. Iheanacho then provided the pass for DeBruyne on 44' who scored from close range. Two nil at half time.

 

The second half opened just as brightly for City and Bony could have had another two goals before DeBruyne repaid the favour to Iheanacho and provided the cross on 59' for Iheanacho to himself get on the score sheet, following a feint by Bony. Three nil and City were in command. On 76' Palace hit self destruct, when from a corner Mangala was clearly held and brought down for a penalty, immediately following a warning from the referee to Palace players about holding in the box; Yaya duly dispatched the penalty, four nil. Delaney then pulled one back for the visitors on 89', which perhaps Cabellero could have held, but it counted for little as Garcia rounded off a flawless evening for the youngsters by latching onto Iheanacho's cross field pass to slam past the Palace keeper in injury time. 

So City are now installed as favourites for the League Cup. As on the same night in deepest Trafford, United lost on penalties to Middlesboro, and on the previous evening, Arsenal lost three nil to Championship side Sheff Wednesday, and Chelsea went out on penalties to Stoke.

City's quarter final will be against Hull at home on December 1st, and if last night was anything to go by fans should look forward to a positive result.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

 

Man City In Goalless Draw Shock, Man United 0 vs. 0 City

“ ... there was some good battles and interventions out there and for us, a good draw."

Vincent Kompany 25 October 2015

After the swash and buckle of 11 goals in two premier league games this was a game of a different sort. A game that if played by Chelsea last season would be winning plaudits from the press and erstwhile pundits alike.

 

The return of Vincent Kompany showed why City have missed him in the previous seven matches, whilst shipping goals in each of those games. All three of Kompany's peers  have had individually solid performances during that time, you would even say City missed Mangala while he was briefly out, but as a defensive unit City have just not been on the same level without their leader.

 

Today was indeed a day for leadership. A "proper" match Graham Souness said, with "impeccable" defending on both sides, and he was right. Neither team was set up to lose, both playing a solid looking 4-2-3-1; initially neither team pushing their full-backs too far forward. Yaya played his part as the tip of a central midfield, rather than a roaming 10, but it was Fernandhino who was the most effective, both in quelling fires and instigating counters. It reminded me more of some of the 90's derby games, where effort and sweat were City's best option to break down an obstinate United who bit into their tackles two on one against DeBruyne and Sterling with little sanction from referee Mark Clattenburg.

 

But it would be churlish to have a dig at the ref. Yes United were robust, but for the most part, City gave as good as they got. Indeed Yaya was the first to have good fortune when he could have received a yellow early on, as could several players (Valencia on several occasions) throughout the game.

 

So an old fashioned slug-fest was played out. City perhaps edging a first half where United did not create a chance, but United having by far the better of the second. United probably went closest,  with an effort from Lindgard late on brushing the cross-bar, after good work from Martial on the left, but both teams had few chances.

Both the shot count (6) and the shots on target (1) were equal for both sides, and while United edged possession, City played more of theirs in the United half. So nil nil was a fair result, and as Joe Hart commented on the defensive display  “ ... its nice to know we have that in the locker"

 

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me 

 

 

True Grit - City 2 vs. 1 Sevilla

“We’ve now won the last two Champions League games with late goals after going behind and showed great character and concentration which is very important in Europe.."

Manuel Pellegrini 21 October 2015

Manuel named an unchanged 11 to the side that swept aside Bournemouth at the weekend with the hopes that Sterling would carry over that confidence and Bony would continue to bag in Sergio’s absence. However, this is City in Europe and a fluid, majestic performance this was not.

Similarly to the previous Champions league games thus far, City got out the blocks early and with serious intent to let the Spanish side know that this was not the City that would be outclassed as with previous campaigns. A certain ex-Sevilla winger in particular looked very keen to get one over his former club after some nice link up play with Bony saw his ambitious strike from the right hand side whistle past the away side’s top left hand corner on 7'. Who are you and what have you done with our onion bag intolerant Jesus!? We like this ambitious Jesus much better.

From that point on the first half can only be described as a slug fest, like two heavy weights refusing to stay down, we got a parking lot brawl. City again not sticking to the tested Champions League script.

It was Sevilla who were first to come close with Konoplyanka hitting the post from an acute angled free kick from the right. Then at the other end we had De Bruyne interlinking seamlessly with Sterling at the edge of the Sevilla box. With the ball eventually finding Yaya, where he only has one thing in his mind and that is to make the net bulge as we have seen him do on so many occasions. His shot took a nasty deflection and almost catches the keeper wrong footed only for the ball to dip just over on to the roof of the net.

However, it was the Spaniards that got off the mark first, Eva Banega working a tight space with some cute triangles and a bit of good fortune with a ricochet off Kevin De Bruyne leaving three city defenders staring as Vitolo cut the ball back across the City box for Konoplyanka to pass the ball into the back of the net. 0 vs. 1 Sevilla. Here we go again?

Just like in Germany, this seemed to be the wake-up call that City needed and it only took 5 minutes for the blues to find a reply. Yaya with one of his trademark lung busting runs from midfield using Navas' crafty reverse pass to get the ball back and using his bison like strength to hold off the Sevilla defender with a tight turn to fizz the ball into the path of Sterling who’s first time effort was saved by the goalkeeper straight into the path of Bony who bundled the ball against Adil Rami and into the net.  Yaya once again showing just how vital he is to City’s attacking presence in the big moments.

While this should have been where City pressed on the momentum, this was not the case as that man Konoplyanka once again found his way into the City box only for his shot to be deflected behind for a corner. An end to end first half that saw Sevilla probably take it on points but the sides went in level.

Sevilla started after the interval with the bit between their teeth and ex-French international Gameiro should have been wheeling away in celebration only for his header to sail over the top of the bar after finding acres of space in between Mangala and Sagna on the edge of the six-yard box.

What was evident was that City really do miss David Silva in moments like this to provide that little touch of brilliance out of nothing in a game where attrition was the dish of the day, City needed something to put a sting in this Sevilla side who’s stubborn never say die attitude made for an intense mid-week encounter.

Now of course in a game that needs a piece of attacking brilliance to make the difference, the "Engineer" showed how he earned his nickname by bringing on Fernando in place of our only striker Wilfried Bony, thus pushing Kevin De Bruyne into that role that we all love to talk about, the "False 9".

This change seemed to give the Belgian another lease of life in a game where he had already excelled. Minutes later some great movement off a pass from Navas saw him drive the ball across the face of the goal with Sterling just not having the legs to get on the end of it to tap the ball home. It was at that point that I personally thought City had tried everything but it just wasn’t to be. Oh I love it when I’m wrong.

On 91' Yaya received the ball on his left foot and turns out, leaving the Sevilla attacker with his back on the grass. He romped forward in the way only he knows how with De Bruyne to his right. The boy wonder receives the ball on his right foot takes a few steps inside the Sevilla box and cuts inside onto his left and unleashes a powerful strike that nestles right into the bottom left hand corner. WHAT A FINISH.

In a game that needed that piece of brilliance, the combination of Yaya Toure and Kevin De Bruyne means you need not look further. The “Ginger Prince” secured three points in a crucial game at the half way point of the group stages.

Here I’d like to revert back to a previous blog entry where I mention the mental toughness of City and that they had failed to take control of the situation when in Europe. Last night’s game was exactly what was needed to change that. They kept battling, took the game to the death and came out victorious. Obviously our Champions League ‘Hoodoo’ can’t be written off just yet. However, considering we have the most points out of all English clubs at the stage in the competition so far, I don’t think City are getting enough credit.

If ever City needed a win like that before the derby at the weekend, especially with the injuries that we have, this was the time. I really hope City build on this and show they are a team that has the grit, of dare I say it, Champions. While the sour, yet ironic mantra of ‘Typical City’ will always be at the back of our blue minds, could we finally be ready to cast it aside, with ‘We fight to the end’ epitomising City, this season especially. There will always be the grumblers on Champions League night, however it has to be said just how enthralling the campaign has been from a City perspective so far and last night was no different.

@PatrickElano

Reheem Sterling He's Top Of The League, City 5 vs. 1 Bournemouth

"Always good to be on the score sheet, and even better to get a hatrick, but this game's gone now and we need to look forward to Tuesday."

, Raheem Sterling 17 October 2015.

 

No Aguero, no Silva, no Kompany ... no aggressive walking, but another goal laden game at the Etihad, as the stadium entertained its largest crowd yet of 54,502.

 

Given the criticism levelled at Sterling from certain quarters since he joined the Citizens, especially regarding his finishing, this was a two fingers performance, and a welcome confidence booster going into a week of crucial fixtures vs. Sevilla ECL (Wed) and the derby next weekend.

 

Sterling was full of running and alive to possibilities all game, linking well with Bony, having been deployed in a 4-4-1-1 just behind the Ivorian. The more attacking formation provided for an end to end flow to the game, but perhaps not the control required against sterner opposition. Indeed Bournemouth gave as good as they got for much of the opening and could have been awarded a penalty early on as Otamendi didn't see much of the ball with his ditch challenge on Gosling.

 

As each attack developed though, it was clear City had the slightly sharper edge, with De Bruyne in particular giving options all across the front line. The first goal came 8' in from the right with Zabaleta nodding on Fernandhino's pass before Bony knocked the ball forward for Sterling to pounce. Replays showed no offside, as the last line of Bournemouth defence had not yet crossed the by-line as Bony nudged the ball forward. Next it was Bony's turn to pounce in the box, on 12' a driven low cross from Sagna (playing left back in Kolorov's absence) was spilled by the Bournemouth keeper, Federici, and Bony was immediately on hand to score a much needed confidence booster.

 

Bournemouth were not here for the ride, however, and kept their shape and purpose throughout the first half. On 23' their perseverance paid off when Glen Murray latched on to a fine one touch pass from O'Kane to ricochet his shot off Mangala and past Joe Hart. 

A major positive from the game as a whole was City's speed on the counter, and it was such vision and pace which allowed De Bruyne to release Sterling for City's third goal on 28', Sterling feigned not once but twice before rifling the ball home.

 

Bournemouth continued to press for a goal, and this was their undoing as deep into injury time Joe Hart again released the ball early for the lightning Navas to take first time only to delay his shot too long, as the ball came out the edge of the six yard box, however, Sterling was again in the right place to fire home through the keeper's legs 4-1.   

 

The second half was a much more subdued affair. Yaya was replaced in the break by Fernando, presumably in light of the fixtures to come, and Fernando's presence added the control missing from the first half but also signalled a stepping off the gas from City's attack. Nasri replaced De Bruyne, and finally Sterling made way for Iheanacho, leaving the pitch to a much deserved standing ovation and a chorus of "...he's top of the league".

 

Bony finally finished off Bournemouth with a minute to go, using his strength to turn on a Navas cross before driving the ball into the far corner. It was the least his display deserved having being relentless in his work off the ball all game.

 

So a lot of pundits questions answered as to whether City can score goals without Silva and Aguero. Sterner tests lie around the corner but confidence should be high as City welcome Sevilla on Wednesday.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me