Every Silva Lining, City 3 vs. 1 West Ham

“We deserved to win by more...”, Pep Guardiola – 28/08/2016.

Goals; Sterling (7, 90'+2), Fernandhino (18'); Antonio (58')

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Cabellero (5.5)
Zabaleta (5.5)
Otamendi (6.5)
Clichy (6.5)
Stones (7), (Kolorov (6.5), 59')
Fernandinho (7.5)
Sterling (9)
Silva (c) (7.5)
Aguero (6.5)
De Bruyne (7), (Fernando (5.5) 88')
Nolito (8), (Nasri (7), 75')

Stats;Possession, 67%/33%; Shots, 22(5)/9(2); Fouls, 5/10
Referee; Andre Marriner (2.5 blind as a bat!)

A breathtaking first half, followed by a wobble in the second, and an ending where City could have had another three goals. Another two steps forward and one back perhaps, as part of the City team's learning curve under Pep, but what a two steps they were. 

"Unplayable" is an over-used term within the media pundit hyperbole we hear every weekend, but, there were two or three moves by City in the first half which were beautiful to watch. One of these was Sterling's opener; Zabeleta and Clichy had kept the ball alive on the left after a long clearance from City's sixth minute corner, before passing to Stones, who played a brief one-two-three in the centre circle with Silva, allowing City's magician to gain three yards before drifting left, holding the ball just an extra second, to release Nolito on the left wing to drive a cross to Sterling which he met sweetly with his instep to guide the ball into the right of the goal, 1-0.

From that point on, for the first half, City looked to be a class of their own, fully in control of the game, it was only a wonder that City did not get a hat full. The second goal stemmed from Sterling's  continued industry, winning a free-kick from the right; which De Bruyne curled in beautifully for Fernandhino to meet solidly in the center of the area with bullet header, 2-0.

The start of the second half went equally well, with a couple of chances; one, an effort from Nolito found the back of the net, but was ruled out for offside. City could and perhaps should have had a third, had Aguero not been incorrectly called offside five minutes later. At this point West Ham were becoming more robust in their outlook on the game, and for the second game in a row the referee failed to do the brave thing and send off a player for blatant second bookable offences, this time Masuaku the left back being let off the hook on more than one occasion.

And then came the City wobble on 58', Zabeleta was outplayed on the right of the City area, allowing a simple cross and Antonio to pull one back for the Hammers. Game on.

For the next twenty minutes, City had to play themselves back into the game, with West Ham's continued pressing finally starting to pay dividends. But play themselves back into the game they did, and this is perhaps even better news than the twenty minute passing masterclass of the first half. Stones (incapacitated already with a knock to the eye, when West Ham scored) was replaced by Kolorov, who again looked calm and composed on the ball; perhaps not quite as imperious as Stones had been, but still unrecognizable from the player who disappointed so often last year. And then there was Nasri, unseen so far this season, he not only made a surprise substitutes appearance, but he was excellent, and could have had two goals of his own before being instrumental in Sterling's second to finally put the game beyond West Ham's reach in extra time.

So a great result, and in the end a great performance. Further headaches for Pep, but mostly in a good way, in that even the players not guaranteed game time seem to be playing great football when given the chance.  One piece of bad news is the possibility of Sergio being reprimanded for an off the ball incident in a fracas with Winston Reid. The replays showed a high arm from Kun following a push in the back, and given City's luck with referees, this may rob City of his services for the Derby in two week's time.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

One From The Hart, City 1(6) vs, 0(0) Steaua

“That was a really special night for me. We all know there is a situation going on. This is a special place for me, I've made no secret of that. Situations occur in football. We are men and we get on with it.”, Joe Hart – 24/08/2016.

Goals; Delph (55')

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Hart (c) (7)
Maffeo (6.5)
Clichy (6), (Angelino (6) 60')
Kolorov (7)
Stones (7.5), (Adarabioyo (5.5) 60')
Fernando (6)
Navas (6)
Delph (7)
Iheanacho (6.5), (Fernandhino (5.5) 75')
Toure (6.5),
Nolito (7)

Stats;Possession, 62%/38%; Shots, 10(6)/6(3); Fouls, 17/8
Referee; Pawel Gil (7)

Stated as a dead cert City win before the game, it took a much changed City side fifty-five minutes to break down a stubborn Steaua team, determined not to leak any more goals following last week's 5-0 hammering. 

Of the eight changes made to the City starting line-up , the obvious talking points were the reintroduction of Joe Hart (Captain for the night) and Yaya Toure into the starting eleven. Both acquitted themselves well, Joe in particular using what might be his last appearance to show what City may miss if he does depart the club this summer. Having shown that if forced he will use his feet for short passes, he was particularly impressive when called into action on 73', making two saves in quick succession, first pushing over Stanciu's free-kick and then blocking Tudorie's effort.

The use of two banks of five by Staeua left little in the way of space for City's attack, but there were flickers of what Guardiola is trying to instill into the squad. As well as the obligatory pressing, there was some incisive passing back to front from Kolorov and Stones, as well as some quicker balls into the box. City did, however, miss the influence of Sterling, De Bruyne, and Silva; but given the quality in those three names this season that is hardly surprising.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 55' when Delph, playing in an unfamiliar advanced position, rose to get his head to Navas's well weighted cross from just inside the right of the penalty area. Otherwise the game had little of note save Iheanacho's hopefully precautionary substitution for a possible calf muscle injury, having previously ran himself ragged looking for an opening past Steaua's parked bus.

City can be pleased to have continued their 100% start to the Season in all competitions, and can go into the hat for the Champions League draw with confidence, no matter what group stages will bring. If Joe does move on, he can do so knowing his professionalism on and off the pitch has shone through as much in his last game as his first, and that he will always have a place in the heart of the City faithful.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Digging In, Stoke 1 vs. 4 City

“I am a lucky guy because the quality of the players here is amazing...”, Pep Guardiola – 20/08/2016.

Goals; Krkic (49' pen);Aguero (27' Pen, 36'), Nolito (86', 90'+5)

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Cabellero (5.5)
Zabaleta (6.5)
Otamendi (7)
Kolorov (6.5)
Stones (8.5)
Fernandinho (7)
Sterling (7.5)
Silva (c) (7)
Aguero (7.5), (Iheanacho (7) 83')
De Bruyne (7), (Delph (5.5) 88')
Navas (5), (Nolito (8), 69')

Stats;Possession, 57%/43%; Shots, 8(3)/12(6); Fouls, 12/13
Referee; Mike Dean (5.5)

An away game at Stoke, with all the cliches thrown in; wind, rain, and a "robust" Stoke side brought out a different side to City's game. A far more traditional performance was needed, with City compact in the middle, and dispensing with the "false full-backs" seen verses Sunderland, and mid-week in Bucharest. 

Stoke gave nothing away lightly, snapping into challenges for the full ninety minutes, aided by some myopic refereeing (Arnautovic, Bardsley, and Pieters being particularly lucky to stay out of the book early on). That said, it was a Mike Dean's interpretation of the new FA clamp down on "grappling in the box", which broke the deadlock. Shawcross was spotted holding Otamendi's arm and shirt, and the ref pointed to the spot, and Aguero scored his second penalty in two weeks.

From that point on, for the first half, City looked to be a class above, although never quite being fully in control of the game. Aguero's second, a deft header from a beautifully weighted freekick from De Bruyne on the right, helped calm the travelling fan's nerves.

Stoke looked to have City on the back foot for a short time in the second half. Another penalty (this time Sterling adjudged to have "grappled" in the box), was slotted away by Bojan, and this saw the start of a Stoke mini-revival. City's passing became decidedly average (Navas in particular lost his way), and fifty five minutes in the game could have swung back to the home team. At no point, however, did City's pressing game waiver, and that together with the effort and concentration without the ball, meant Stoke were kept on the back foot.

In the end City's strength in depth told.  Iheancho (on for Aguero), and Nolito (on for Navas), brought the extra energy needed to see off Stoke, and Nolito scored two late goals to seal City's win.

The result may have slightly flattered, but, Pep's City proved they can cut it on a wet windy afternoon in the Potteries. City are not wholly reliant on slick passing, and complex tactics, their hard work and intensity proving the difference today.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

It Could've Been Ten!, Steaua Bucharest 0 vs. 5 City

“We played really good...”, Pep Guardiola – 16/08/2016.

Goals; Silva (13'), Aguero (41', 78', 89'), Nolito (49')

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Cabellero (6.5)
Zabaleta (7) (Sagna 70' (5.5))
Otamendi (6.5)
Kolorov (7) (Clichy 75' (5.5))
Stones (7.5)
Fernandinho (7)
Sterling (8)
Silva (c) (7)
Aguero (7.5)
De Bruyne (6.5)
Nolito (7.5)

Stats;Possession, 30%/70%; Shots, 24(12)/8(2); Fouls, 13/14
Referee; Daniele Orsato (7.5)

A devastating passing display saw the blues come away with an important win in this Champions League away leg at the Stadionul Steaua. Despite the score line, City's win was actually well within what could, and perhaps should have been a cricket score. Aguero in particular could've had a hat full, including two missed penalties (one saved, one over the top), on the way to his hatrick. 

Praise should be given to Steaua for wanting to make a game of it, with their intention on attacking City, rather than parking the bus. City's defence as well as the attack played well, restricting Steaua to just two shots on target. Stones, on his Champions League debut, was particularly impressive. Man of the match for me was the ever improving Raheem Sterling, who set up the opener for Silva, and hit the cross bar himself, as he continued to show why City invested so much in his potential last year.

The second leg is at the Etihad on Wednesday, 24 August, with the winners reaching the Champions League group stage. Hopefully even City cannot throw away a five "away goal" lead, and will progress to the group stages for the fifth season in succession.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

... Not Built In A Day, City 2 vs. 1 Sunderland

“We spoke many times what we should do like a team - this is just the first step...”, Pep Guardiola – 13/08/2016.

Goals; Aguero (4' pen), McNair (87' OG); Defoe (71')

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Cabellero (6)
Sagna (5.5)
Clichy (6) (Iheanacho 72' (5))
Kolorov (6.5)
Stones (6.5)
Fernandinho (6.5)
Sterling (7.5)
Silva (c) (6) (Delph 63' (5))
Aguero (6.5)
De Bruyne (6)
Nolito (5.5)

Stats;Possession, 77%/23%; Shots, 16(4)/7(3); Fouls, 11/14
Referee; Robert Madeley (6.5)

The early Twitter storm surrounded Cabellero replacing Hart [Pep's reasoning ..."he made a very good pre-season"] and Kolorov replacing Otamendi ["...not 100%, the team will not be the same for Tuesday"]. So despite Pellegrini's City having taken Sunderland apart 4-1 at the Etihad last Christmas, the early fanzone confidence seemed to be rocked by this announcement... not yet for some fans "in Pep we trust". 

In the end Kolorov did not play half badly. The Defoe equaliser on 71' could have been avoided through more defensive cohesion, with Stones moving to the ball and leaving space behind being maybe the root cause of the goal, but individual blame would be harsh. Cabellero, if chosen for his superior distribution, was again lacking in that department. Though on the day the Argentinian's goal keeping performance was solid enough, with his best moment being on 40' with a point blank save verses Defoe.

In truth, the game as a whole felt slightly under baked. There were cameos, rather than a grand performance, of what Pep will hopefully bring to City's play. The passing triangles were certainly quicker than a Mancini or a Pellegrini team, but were not yet as slick. And although the playing out from the back was there for all to see; split centre backs, deep defensive midfielder, and closed full backs (all of which had been seen pre-season), it was not yet fluid or even quick. Perhaps most notably Clichy and Sagna, when advanced, played side ways. Arguably, however, it was the front five who slowed the game down too much. Silva (obviously voted Captain by his team mates, as is the Pep way) in particular, was not quite on the money and the ball idled in the middle third for far too long throughout the game.  

That said, this was a solid, (73%) possession football, performance. At no point did City resort to the laborious attacks that haunted the worst moments of last season, and Sterling, Nolito and De Bruyne all had their moments. Sterling in particular looked to want to prove his doubters wrong. The winger was quick into the box and quicker to the ball than Van Arnoult in the second minute to win the foul for the penalty (solid finish to the right of the keeper by Aguero), and throughout the game his running and control were relentless, with and without the ball. For that reason he was my man of the match. City are off the mark under Pep, but it was only a glimpse of what we hope will be a revolution...

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me;

Work In Progress, Some Thoughts On City's Pre-Season

“We have to improve that but if the solution was to play long balls, that would be easy. Four or five times building up we made clear chances.”

, Pep Guardiola – 07/08/2016.

Pre-Season Friendlies Player Round Up

Class Is Permanent; Aguero (8), De Bruyne (7), Fernandinho (7)

Young Guns; Iheanacho (6.5), Angelino (6.5), Gunn (6.5), Adarabioyo (6), A.Garcia (6), Barker (6), Zinchenko (5.5), Maffeo (5.5), Denayer (5), Celina (5), Bytqyi (5)

Solid Showing; Nolito (6.5), Silva (6), Toure (6), Navas (6), Sterling (5.5), Otamendi (5.5), Sagna (5.5), Delph (5.5)

Much More To Prove; Zabaleta (5), Fernando (5), Clichy (5), Kolorov (4.5), Cabellero (4.5), Hart (4.5), Mangala (4.5), Bony (4)

So City's stop/start pre-Season is over, and while the transfer-market chapter of the story has progressed well;

Ilkay Gundogan [Borussia Dortmund, £21m], Nolito [Celta Vigo, £13.8m], Oleksandr Zinchenko [FK Ufa, undisclosed], Aaron Mooy [Melbourne City, free], Leroy Sane [Schalke, £37m], Gabriel Jesus [Palmeiras, £27m], Marlos Moreno [Atletico Nacional, £4.75m]

bringing an intriguing mix of established Champions League level quality, with youthful attacking exuberance (all for the price of Paul Pogba's right thigh).  The performances on the field have shown that the Pep revolution may be some time in the making.

The makings of something new and exciting are undoubtedly there. The work ethic is evident; focused pressing, and a willingness to retreat to an established solid formation as required. The technical intricacy, married to an intense pace of passing possession, was also evident, and at its best a joy to watch. But unfortunately, the City defensive self destruct button, has been brought out again and polished ready for a new season. Mostly, it has to be said, this is understandable. The defense has been a solid choice of experimental partnerships, and youth players. The fact the youth players have for the most part shown up their experienced colleagues is a concern, but you have to hope that for Sunderland, the experimentation will make way for some more conservative choices. At least until some confidence returns to the side in the defensive third. 

The biggest worry is that none of the keepers (and Angus Gunn was otherwise excellent) have learnt distribution in the closed confines of the short passing game. I remain bewildered that Joe cannot think to pick the ball up and throw it, when he has such a range an accuracy on his throw, rather than rely on the two left feet he possesses to kick it out. At one stage (I think it was the Dortmund game) it was commented that 65% of the keepers distribution had been to an opposition player, and this is clearly a priority for next week. Fingers crossed.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me