Did we just beat Stoke? Trafford 1 vs. 2 City

“The first half was... err...really good”, Pep Guardiola – 10/09/2016.

Goals; Ibrahimovic (42'); De Bruyne (15'), Iheanacho (36')

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

Bravo (5)
Sagna (6.5)
Otamendi (8.5)
Kolorav (7.5)
Stones (7)
Fernandinho (8)
Sterling (7.5), (Sane (6.5) 60' )
Silva (c) (8.5)
Iheanacho (7), (Fernando (6.5) 53')
De Bruyne (9.5), (Zabaleta (5.5) 90')
Nolito (8)

Stats;Possession, 40%/60%; Shots, 14(3)/18(6); Fouls, 15/10
Referee; Mark Clattenburg (4.5)

This is turning into a match plan now for City; breathtaking first half, followed by a wobble in the second, and an ending where City could have had another three goals. But the icing on the cake this week was that they made United look very ordinary on their own turf, reverting in the end to long ball football, despite City being away from home, being without their talisman Sergio Aguero, and gifting the home team a goal just before half time. 

This was another fully deserved win, City were unplayable for large stretches of the first half. The pundits may put that down to United players not being up for the game or the wrong team selection by Moanrinho, but the truth was that they didn't know whether to stick or twist, such was the movement both with and without the ball by every player in a blue shirt.

De Bruyne was like a man possessed, picking up space on both sides of the pitch, and it was fitting he got the first goal. A long pass forward from Kolorov was deftly headed on by Iheanacho; De Bruyne beat Blind to the ball, and gave De Gea the eyes right, as he slotted left, 0-1. Fifteen minutes later and it was De Bruyne involved again, as his left footed shot ricocheted off the left post to fall to Iheanacho to slot home, 0-2. It could have been more as United were being outclassed in every department.

Then came the moment the pundits had prayed for all week, when Bravo flapped at a hopeful punted free-kick from Rooney, gifting Ibrahimovic a goal before half time. Whatever Bravo's career stats show (and they show he was the least error prone keeper in Spain in Primera for most of his Barcelona career) you can bet there will be more column inches about that on Sunday than City's humbling of United for the first forty minutes of this fixture.

Second half, and the hopeless Mkhitaryan and  Lingard were removed, as was any self respect within the "Theatre of Dreams", as United opted for Stoke City tactics c. 2008, to try and rescue something from the game.

For the next twenty minutes, City had to play themselves back into the game, with higher pressing from United paying dividends, and long balls at every opportunity. But play themselves back into the game they did. Guardiola made a quick change, opting to bring on Fernando to help break up the play, slow the game down, and drive for a more counter attacking style. The only down side from the game from thereon in, was that City did not make good on the many counter attacks, which had the United back four on the back foot time and time again. De Bruyne again going closest with a reflex shot running onto Sane's pass in the box, which hit the post and rolled along rather than across the goal line on 75'.

So a great result, and a great performance. Clattenburg was dire ,but in a steady "I'm not going to book any red shirts" way rather than his usual dreadful match changing decision way (take a look at the foul count plus there were four or five like this waved on). There has been some post match fluff spoken about Bravo's challenge on Rooney in the box, but it was clearly one footed, and Bravo's instep took the ball not his studs. At that stage Rooney was on his fourth "unseen" yellow card offence.

This could, and perhaps should, now lay down the marker for something special to come. City have secured their four game winning run (six if you include the European games) using last seasons squad. A squad obviously reinvigorated not just by the manner and approach to the game, but in the confidence the manager is giving the players to be the best they can be. Kolorov, Otemendi, and Sterling in particular are unrecognizable from the players which ended last season. We still have the best of the new signings to look forward to. Sane came on today and was immediately involved and dangerous, and you imagine Gundogan will do exactly the same when given his chance. Stones already looks the perfect long term Kompany replacement, so the future looks bright!

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me