Big Willy!, Liverpool 1 vs. 1 City (1-3 On Penalties)

“I prefer to lose a title than to lose my word, so Caballero played tonight.”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 28/02/2016.

Goals; Coutinho (83'); Fernandinho (49'), Penalty Shoot Out; Can; Navas, Aguero, Toure
Line Up (4-2-3-1/4-3-3);Caballero, Sagna (Zabaleta 90'), Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernando (Navas 90'), Fernandhino, Silva (Bony 110'), Sterling, Aguero
Stats;Possession, 61%/39%; Shots, 16(4)/20(7); Fouls, 18/15
Referee; Michael Oliver

I so nearly labelled this blog entry "Loyalty", and it would have been a fitting title for our dignified manager. Seldom is such a word used in football these days, let alone by a jaundiced media in regard to our beloved Man City. But the loyalty shown for Man City's deputy keeper Willy Caballero, by Manuel Pellegrini, ultimately won City their, and Manuel Pellegrini's second League cup in three seasons. In doing so Pellegrini vindicated his loyalty to the veteran keeper. He also vindicated his decision seven days ago in fielding a largely EDS eleven away from home to Chelsea in the FA Cup, now adding a League Cup win, to an impressive 3-1 away win in Kyiv in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Not that Man City's "charming man" will be singing his own praises, far from it, his post match interview, where he explained any other decision than to play Cabellero as unthinkable, showed again what a complete gentlemen he is, whatever the media throw at him.

Cabellero's penalty shoot out performance was simply outstanding. He saved two good, and one very good spot kick, just as City's hearts looked like being broken after Fernandinho had missed City's opener in the shoot-out. Caballero himself put his new found agility and confidence down to "intuition", but whatever it was, it vindicated both himself and his manager's confidence in him, as he saved point-blank from Origi's header in extra time and then pulled off the three penalty shootout saves in a row which won City the Cup.

Not that this was a keeper who plucked an undeserved victory out of the bag, quite the opposite. The first half was a cagey affair, with Aguero having the only real clear cut chance; latching onto a defence splitting through ball from Silva on 24' and cutting inside Sakho, only to see Mignolet get down at the last moment to touch his effort onto the post and out. In the second half, however, City dominated and should have had the game wrapped up in ninety minutes.

Aguero had already had one missed half chance from a Silva through ball, when on 49' he danced around the right of the penalty area before slotting through the assist for Fernandhino to blast the ball from a tight angle into and through Mignolet's legs, 1-0. Then on 60' Sterling had the chance to make the story of the day all about him. After the usual infantile booing from the Liverpool faithful (sic) all game, he was still bossing the left flank, with Clyne lucky to have only received one yellow with ever more desperate fouls on the youngster. But when the ball came in from Silva, seemingly on a plate, Sterling could only place the ball to the right of the post. Then came the ubiquitous terrible refereeing decision, denying City a penalty. On the 63rd minute Moreno dangled his leg behind him having been beaten by Aguero, catching the Argentine's ankle and impeding the attack, penalty!?! No :(, despite Oliver being less than eight yards from the incident, he bottled it and waved play on. City kept on the pressure though, and more than 75 minutes had passed without Liverpool registering a shot on target. Aguero had a couple of half chances, and then on 79', Sterling again had a chance to silence the boo boys, but shinned left of the post after latching onto a fine low cross from Aguero.

Then the unthinkable happened (or perhaps for City the inevitable); 84' a scramble in the area, City's defence looked shaky for the first time, Lallana scabs a shot against the post when tackled, and the rebound goes to Coutinho who registers Liverpool's first shot on target and equalises. 1-1. In the closing minutes, City again had good chances to score, with Fernando hitting the ball straight at Mignolet on 86', and the Liverpool keeper again coming to their rescue on 89' saving a Yaya Toure effort from close in. Full time 1-1.

In extra time Pellegrini tried to again up the tempo, pushing on Navas for Fernando, at the same time as replacing the injured Sagna for Zabaleta. No matter how City pressed though, the script seemed to be written "City undeservedly lose the cup to one shot on target by Liverpool, referee fails to give nailed on pen". Personally I was in bits, as to be fair the extra period was far more closely fought than the second half, with Liverpool coming close a couple of times; with the Origi effort I mentioned above being the closest. City again though created the most chances; with the Aguero effort at the end of the first 15 minutes from a one two with Silva perhaps the most deserving.

Then came the penalty shoot out, and the glorious vindication of our veteran keeper Willy Caballero. The hatrick of saves were magnificent, and the three City penalty takers who did score, Navas, Aguero, and finally Yaya Toure (always the man for the big game moment), all took solid purposeful efforts into the corners of the net, despite the huge occasion. City had finally nullified Liverpool's good fortune and had come out deserved winners. Caballero was carried on Wilfred Bony's shoulders to take deserved cheers from the crowd, and Manuel Pellegrini proved yet again to be the consummate gentleman, with a genuinely humbling end of match interview, marvelous.#CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Round 1 To The Engineer, Dynamo Kyiv 1 vs. 3 City

“We played a serious game because we had to win this”

, Sergio Aguero - 24/02/2016

Goals; Buyalskyy (59'); Aguero (15'), Silva (40'), Toure (90')
Line Up (4-4-2);Hart, Clichy, Otamendi, Kompany, Sagna, Fernando, Yaya, Fernandihno, Sterling, Silva, Aguero (Iheanacho 90')
Stats;Possession, 49%/51%; Shots, 11(3)/12(5); Fouls, 4/10

Following the toughest few weeks in terms of results for Pellegrini’s men, and having suffered successive home defeats for the first time in the Chillean's tenure as City boss, the important games are now coming thick and fast. This away trip to the Ukraine, in City’s first knockout Champions League bout away from the Nou Camp, marked City's first real chance of putting their stamp on the competition in our short history in the ECL. Questions were asked by us fans, as to whether it would be Kyiv's lack of match sharpness, or City's poor form that would have the biggest say in Kyiv; as the home side played their first game after a three week winter break. The British media, however, were still selling web clicks on Pellegrini’s decision to rest the first team in the FA cup against Chelsea for this "prioritised" game. On the night it would seem that whatever Alan Shearer and co. thought about the decision, it mattered not a hoot to the team and the fans on a freezing evening at the NSC Olimpiyskiy.

It was a cagey start with no team really holding onto possession or making use of the ball. Kyiv with the first effort of the game tentatively tipped on to the bar from the England number one. After ten minutes, City managed a string of corners and one eventually found Yaya who nodded it down into the path of Aguero to rifle the ball with his right boot into the bottom left of the 41 year old Shovkovsky’s goal. Gifting City's crack player that much space in the box will always mean paying the price and City were 1-0 inside 15’, a great start.

Following the opener, City were initially unable to keep hold of the ball with Kyiv enjoying more possession in front of their home fans. The deeper positioning of City's formation coped well with this, and despite the possession there was no real danger. The Kompany and Otamendi partnership, also looked more solid, something City fans have been hoping for all season. Also the double act of Fernandinho playing right and Fernando to the left of what was ostensibly a three man midfield, was doing an excellent job screening the defence, and harrowing the opposition for the ball. Sterling, completing another confident European performance, continued to look menacing down the left hand side, both in controlled possession and on the break. This more direct approach down the wing is something City could have benefited from in recent matches, his pace and directness in getting to the bi-line, and terrorize his opposite full-back a joy to watch when in full flow. 

Following some great pressing play City began to look much more comfortable in possession, really looking dominant and forging chances without letting Kyiv get a look in. On 35', Fernando again showed great tenacity to fight to win the ball back, creating a chance which eventually fell to Yaya who forced a save from the keeper. On 40', City's new found confidence and dominance paid off, Clichy sent the ball long for Aguero who effortlessly brought the ball out of the air and played a reverse pass into the path of a marauding Sterling. The winger hit the bi-line and cut the ball across expertly for Silva to knock the ball in at the back post! From defence to attack with such intensity! 2-0 city! Aguero then almost immediately ended the tie as a contest before half time as he found himself bearing down on goal, but unfortunately pulled his shot wide of the right post.

Still City had ended the half looking hot in the freezing Ukrainian weather. Pellegrini’s tactics of pressing from the ‘Ferna’s’ was the anchor for allowing Yaya the breathing room to dictate neatly with Silva. The players dynamically adapting to their movement and even allowing Fernandhino to appear as right midfield on a number of attacks. Also, having the dynamism of Clichy and Sagna down the flanks allowed the midfield breathing room not having to recover from a failed Kolorov overlap that hasn’t gone to plan, as they bust a nut to get back. Hart's quickness in distribution also helped in keeping Kyiv turning and running back towards goal, City always looking for an opening and not giving the Ukranian's any breathing room when in possession.

City, being City did get slightly complacent for periods at the start of the second half as Kyiv do show that this game isn’t over yet, forcing chances through Yarmolenko who was easily their most dangerous player on the night. Also it wouldn’t be a @PatrickElano blog post without the mention of some form of penalty shout. Last night there were at least three. The first for Sterling who was brought down just before the Kyiv goal, having weaved his way into the box from the left flank, was I believe correctly judged to have gone down too easily.Then out of nowhere, Kyiv had a nothing, hopeful cross into the box, which although headed out by Otamendi, had no pressure on the second ball, and Buyalskyy hit it first time with the ball deflecting off the bearded Argentinian and past Hart. After being in control, the Ukrainians were back in it. 2-1 with still half an hour to play.

City, were not however knocked off their stride by this setback and instantly looked to bounce back on the attack. The second penalty shout came and went, with Silva having his heels clipped in the box, to add to the many penalty’s not given for City so far this season. This was almost immediately followed by a third shout, Fernandinho, who looked to be enjoying his new right sided central midfield role, was sandwiched by two Kyiv defenders as he cut into the box. Not as clear cut as the Silva foul, but we've all seen them given to the usual suspects away from the Etihad :/.

As the half wore on, the game continued to ebb and flow, but City continued to look the more likely. On 76' Fernandinho and Silva linked well, with the Brazilian playing a sumptuous the ball across to Aguero, only to see the keeper claims well at the feet of the striker. On 80' Yaya ventured forward using Sterling on the left who stood the ball up perfectly for the big Ivorian, only for him to put his header wide. This should have restored city’s two goal lead, and was a huge opportunity, which may have been playing on Yaya’s mind as he looked to make up for the miss. Make up for it he did however; "OH MY GOD YAYA STOP THAT IMMEDIATELY", was my actual quote at the time of goal (heard apparently in the flat below). On 90' Yaya played the ball around the corner to Fernandinho on the right, before barging his way past the defence to receive the ball on his ‘weaker’ left foot and sumptuously stroking the ball into the left corner around the the helpless Kyiv keeper. A truly Yaya-esque finish of sheer beauty. The game finished 1-3 City!

Pellegrini the engineer, had passed the first test in proving his sacrifice of the FA cup was the correct decision. City comfortable in both halves with welcome tenacity by the midfield to cover ground and harass Kyiv into making mistakes and not allowing the home side to use their possession to any affect. There was also a refreshing tempo to using the ball once City turned over possession, looking to instantly break forward and give an edge to the usual slow passing game we have been used to recently. Kyiv showed glimpses of why they deserved to be in this stage of the competition, but overall City deserved the fantastic victory. Special mentions to Fernando and Fernandinho who probably covered the distance from Manchester to Ukraine over the 90 minutes. Also to City's own Merlin who looked closer to the tempo setting magician that we know him to be.

Three away goals and a two goal cushion heading to the Etihad making things that much more relaxed. But even more crucial is the confidence boost this will hopefully give for Wembley! Can we start dreaming of Milan yet, blues? No, probably not, but not a bad step forward!

@PatrickElano 

Priorities Chelsea 5 vs. 1 City

“Priorities”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 19/02/2016.

Goals; Diego Costa (35'), Willian (48'), Cahill (53'), Hazard (67'), Traore (89') Faupala (37')
Line Up (4-4-2);Caballero, Zabaleta, Adarabioyo, Demichelis, Kolarov, Fernando (Humphreys 78'), A.Garcia, M.Garcia, Celina (Barker 53'), Iheanacho, Faupala
Stats;Possession, 62%/38%; Shots, 19(8)/8(3); Fouls, 3/11

We shall not know until next Wednesday night in Kyiv whether the decision to play seven of the EDS squad in this tie was the right one or not. Certainly fans' opinion is split, however, given the 3000 plus miles the first team squad will travel over the next 7 days, you can see the logic of the decision. Once the FA bizarrely decided to make the late Sunday, and not the late Saturday BBC televised game, the one City had to play, leaving only 72 hours before kicking off in Ukraine, Pellegrini was quick to point out that a team full of youngsters would be the outcome.

As for the result, Chelsea played very well, but the score somewhat flattered, with bad goalkeeping being more at the heart of City's second half woes, than bad displays from the youngsters. Adarabioyo and Faupala had particularly good games, but really all the young players accounted for themselves well against one of the best Chelsea performances of the season.

So the future is bright (even florescent), and hopefully Wednesday night verses FC Dynamo Kyiv, will be the start.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Clattenburg Strikes Again, City 1 vs. 2 Tottenham

“I think more important than my view of the penalty is that everyone saw what happened,”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 14/02/2016.

Goals; Iheanacho (74'); Clattenburg Kane (53' pen), Eriksen (83')
Line Up (4-2-3-1); Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy (Kolorov 75'), Toure,  Fernando (Iheanacho 66'), Fernandhino, Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Stats;Possession, 46%/54%; Shots, 19(4)/6(3); Fouls, 12/17

Mark Clattenburg is the worst type of referee. Not only has he a long long string of controversial performances under his belt, but he is an attention seeker. Presumably laying, what he sees, as the foundations of a future in punditry, or even TV. Hell, the guy is even signed to an agency firm! City have fallen foul of his poor displays on countless occasions, and he had already shown his ability to make headlines in his display in the same fixture at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. So his announcement as official for this game was treated by all City fans with both bemusement and dread.

Unfortunately Clattenburg lived up to his reputation. Whilst awarding the penalty against Sterling on 53', whatever imagined congratulations and applause he heard from the voices in his head; they had no basis within the laws of the game. Sterling was facing away from the ball. The ball hit Sterling's chest first and foremost, with only a secondary bounce appearing to hit his elbow (which it may not have done). Sterling in no way does anything consciously to handle the ball. So as per the rules "handles the ball deliberately" did not come into the equation.

Up until that point, despite better possession, Tottenham had been limited to one long range effort from Eriksen in the first half. City were in control. Unlike the Leicester game last week, City had set up well for Tottenham's tactics, and nullified any attacking threat. City sat more than usual, were prepared for the high pressing, and although not firing on all cylinders, had created more meaningful attacks and continued to do so throughout the game (see stats above). Iheanacho's equaliser on 74', crashing the ball over Lloris from a slick cross from Clichy, was the least City deserved on the day. The fact that Tottenham then went on to win from another incorrect decision (offside given against Aguero, denying him a run on goal) and Tottenham scoring from the resulting free-kick, just adds insult to injury...

Out Foxed, City 1 vs. 3 Leicester

"I don't think its fair to make excuses”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 06/02/2016.

Goals; Aguero (87'); Huth (3', 60'), Mahrez (48')
Line Up (4-4-1-1); Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Demechelis, Kolorov, Toure (Fernando 52'), Fernandhino, Delph (Iheanacho 52'), Silva (Celina 77'), Sterling, Aguero
Stats;Possession, 66%/34%; Shots, 22(4)/14(7); Fouls, 9/15

The signs had been positive going into the game, a reasonable run of seven games unbeaten in the Premier League, and a dogged display, against a renewed Sunderland, mid-week. Things could have been set for City to go level on points with Leicester at the top of the table. Unfortunately football has, and never will work like that, at least not for City, otherwise we'd all be millionaires, and all the bookies broke.

There were three reasons (in my humblest of opinions) City lost this game, and I'm going to order them against my own personal view on how they affected the result. Others will have other ideas, some will say I'm being disrespectful to Leicester. Good; starting a bit of debate is what a blogs all about.

Number one, wrong set up and players out of position. City looked on paper to be lining up 4-2-3-1; moving Yaya out on the firing line of any defensive duties, and allowing the more dynamic Fernandhino and Delph to assist the static City centre halves. Super, sounded like a plan; it would also release some width with Sterling, and allow Yaya and Silva to bounce the ball off each other creating space. Unfortunately the same list of players actually lined up 4-4-1-1; exposing the midfield two, losing Delph in a meaningless role on the left, and having Sterling and Silva take each others space, while nothing happened on the right.

The first goal actually came from a poorly defended free-kick, given away by Kolorov kicking Mahrez as he came in from the Leicester right to the by-line. City's defence then slept through the resulting free-kick, with perhaps Demechelis most at fault, as Huth of all people got his foot the the ball, 0-1 Leicester.The worst of all starts, especially against smash and grab specialists, such as Leicester. It was going to be a long day from that point on, and so it proved.

Things could have been better had a reasonable referee been appointed, rather than the useless Anthony Taylor. Which brings me to point Number Two, penalties. City should have had two before half time. On 24' Zabaleta was scythed on the edge of the area, but referee Taylor bottled the decision and gave only a free-kick. Then on 41' Fernandinho was barged to the ground on the left of the box, without even a sight of the ball, let alone a touch. Taylor had been giving every such infringement by a light blue shirt as a free-kick, but no, not a penalty, play on.

So City went in at half time 0-1 down, when perhaps a fairer reflection would have been 1-1 or even 2-1, given the 73% possession enjoyed. Even at 0-1, however, you felt that a tweek in tactics, and an injection of a new idea, or even a kick up the backside in some cases could easily bring the game back round.

What was not needed was to gift yet another goal to Leicester on the break by forgetting about Mahrez and Vardy... AGAIN. Unfortunately (again only three minutes into the half), that's exactly what City did, allowing a quick break from a City attack. It took only a couple of bounces which went the wrong way in the challenge, and Mahrez finished sweetly, 0-2 Leicester. So my point Number Three, is that Leicester do what they do very well. Not  a million miles from Maurihho's ideas from last season, the break away game plays to Leicester's strengths. It matters not a jot to Leicester that they play 70% of the game in their own half, as they are so effective on the break with the 30% possession they do have. That City's line up did not take account of this (see again reason Number 1), was baffling. If Leicester keep Vardy and Mahrez fit for he duration of the Season (which they have managed so far), given they have no other competitions to worry about, why would they not win the league?

It got worse for City. Referee Taylor (please refer back to Point Number Two) gave a corner to Leicester which was clearly a goal kick, and then Huth climbed all over Demichelis to score a second with his head on 60'. Kun got a consolation goal  on 87', but, after the third City didn't look to have the fight in them to battle a robust Leicester defence.

So none of my three reasons for defeat are new, and they perhaps reflect the new "typical City". A side which for a bit more a guile or a bit more luck, and a bit more common sense, would be better off in the Premier League table for sure :/. #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Resilient, Sunderland 0 vs. 1 City

"We are here to win titles”

, Joe Hart – 02/02/2016.

Goals; Aguero 16'
Line Up (4-4-2); Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Demechelis, Clichy, Toure (Kolorov 79'), Fernandhino, Navas (Sterling 76'), Silva, Iheanacho (Fernando 45'), Aguero
Stats;Possession, 49%/51%; Shots, 11(6)/6(2); Fouls, 6/15

After a promising start, it was in the end a relentless display of dogged defending which saw City grab the points on Wearside. City had put eight past Sunderland on the two previous meetings this season, four at the Stadium of Light in the League Cup, but tonight it was not to be.

The starting line up, saw the fans' dream pairing of Iheanacho and Aguero get a run out in an attack minded line up, but from the whistle it was clear Sunderland and their new signings were up for a fight. City had only seen one sight on goal from an early strike from Aguero on 9', when the Argentinian again ghosted into space  from a pacey, well worked move between Silva, Yaya and Navas. City's Spanish winger playing the final ball across for Aguero to sweep into up to right over Mannone. 1-0 City. For a couple of agonising minutes it looked as if the goal had come at a high cost, as Aguero stayed down having received a hefty whack to his right calf from Jones. The Sunderland full-back was a relieved man not to receive a card, but not as relieved as the City faithful as Aguero rejoined the game three minutes later.

City once more went close on 27' when Iheanacho played in that man Aguero again, but the long range shot ended on top of the Sunderland goal, as defender Kirchoff got the hint of his boot to the ball. And that really was the sum of City's attacking evening. The change of tempo which created the space to score, was not seen again in the first or second half from City, and Sunderland have to be given credit for playing their own game throughout the 97 minutes.

From then on in it was City's much maligned defence who have to take the plaudits. Sagna and Clichy dealt well with constant overlaps and long diagonals into the corner. Otamendi and a fearless Demechelis dealt with the belligerence of Borini and Catermole, as well as some pretty nasty elbows from Defoe who miraculouslly stayed out of the book when on another day a couple of reds could have been shown. My Man of the Match though goes to big Joe Hart. He made yet another world class save on 44', twice denying Defoe first from a quick turn and secondly to have the quick thinking of covering his near post. In the second half he dealt with a succession of in swinging corners from Khazri, designed to go straight in the net, and then stopped a screamer from Jones tipping the ball safely round the post.

So a rugged rather than swash buckling display, but the points all count the same. Especially rewarding as Arsenal dropped two points at home to Southampton, leaving City in second place three points behind Leicester who visit the Etihad this weekend.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me