“We were all really good on the pitch and I hope on Tuesday we will do the same.”
, Fernando – 23/04/2016.
Goals; Fernando (35'), Aguero (43' Pen), Iheanacho (64', 74')
Line Up (4-4-1-1); Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolorov, Navas, Fernando (Demichelis 72'), Silva (Delph 57'), Toure , Iheanacho, Aguero (Bony 65')
Stats;Possession, 53%/47%; Shots, 11(6)/14(2); Fouls, 8/8
Referee; Robert Madley
Line Up (4-4-1-1); Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolorov, Navas, Fernando (Demichelis 72'), Silva (Delph 57'), Toure , Iheanacho, Aguero (Bony 65')
Stats;Possession, 53%/47%; Shots, 11(6)/14(2); Fouls, 8/8
Referee; Robert Madley
City claimed their fourth win in five games in a subdued, but clinical display at the Etihad.
Manuel Pellegrini had decided attack was the best form of defence, in naming an offence minded 4-4-1-1 line-up, whilst managing to rest or restrict game time for a number of players key to City's hopes in the Champions League game against Real Madrid on Tuesday. The most significant change of which was to start the little used, much much loved, Kelechi Iheanacho for the first time since his hatrick against Villa in the FA Cup in January. The nineteen year old did not disappoint, despite having to fill the boots of arguably City's most effective player of recent weeks, Kevin De Bruyne, playing just in front, rather than just behind Sergio Aguero.
The game started ever so slowly. Stoke were short on their big name players, Affellay joining the Potter's treatment list on Friday to join the influential Shaquiri. As a result, Mark Hughes set up with a withdrawn 4-5-1, the plan to park the bus whilst hitting City on the break, as they had done so successfully in the same fixture last season. The Stoke plan looked to be holding for the first half hour, with decent breaks from an impressive Arnautovic and Diouf, and a good chance to score on the volley, wasted by Shawcross from a succession of corners.
On thirty minutes, however, City had an unlikely breakthrough, when Fernando rose to meet an accurate corner from Navas at the near post, and produced a glancing header into the bottom left corner of Shay Given's goal any striker would have been proud of, 1-0 City.
Stoke did not crumble however, keeping to their game plan, but it began to become apparent that, aside from Arnautovic, they might lack that bit of guile to make their recurring breaks count for much. Then on 42' the gulf in talent was made to count. Iheanacho played a wonderful one two with Toure before being "clothes-lined", by Shawcross. Blatant penalty, and after a brief hesitation referee Madley pointed to the spot. Up stepped Aguero to loft the penalty left of Given, 2-0.
After the break, City started even slower! with perhaps Madrid on the mind of those hoping to start against the Spanish giants; but again Stoke were unable to make any of their attacks count. Joselu even missed a sitter, timing his run onto another Arnautovic cross to perfection before blasting over from near the penalty spot.
Then it was Iheanacho's chance to shine. On 50' he had seen a rasping shot saved by substitute keeper Haugard (Shay Given having not returned in the second half due to a groin strain). On 63', as Bony prepared to replace Aguero, Zabaleta made a 40 yard right wing run, before providing a slide rule low cross to the waiting Nigerian, who cooly slotted the ball home from left of the penalty spot, 3-0. Ten minutes later, it was Iheanacho again, put in on goal by an intelligent reverse from Bony, he drove past two Stoke defenders before rounding the keeper and slotting home, 4-0 City, and the man of the match award confirmed!
Before the game, City fans could not have wished for better, a 4-0 win and Pellgrini given the chance to rest, Kompany, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, (who didn't play) and Silva, and Aguero (allowed early baths). Was the substitution of Fernando rather than Toure a telling sign for Tuesday? only time will tell, but given how low key City's approach to the game was, it all added up to a very satisfactory three points.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
