Back With a Bang, WBA 0 vs 4 City

“Very happy about the victory, the goals and the brilliant teamwork. And we are going for more! 💪 C'mon, City!”, Sergio Aguero – 29/10/2016.

Goals; ;Aguero (19', 28'), Gundogan (79', 90')



Line Up (3-2-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (6.5)
Fernando (7)
Stones (7)
Otamendi (7)
Kolorov (6)
Gundogan (8)
Fernandhino (8)
Sterling (7), (Navas (6) 77')
Silva (8), (Garcia (5.5) 83')
Nolito (6.5), (DeBruyne (6.5) 68')
Aguero (9)


Stats;Possession, 30%/70%; Shots, 9(1)/21(8); Fouls, 17/10
Referee; Lee Mason (6.5)

Blistering! In hopefully the first of several paybacks for resting a host of players in mid-week, "Crisis Club" City returned to top form for much of this one sided encounter at the Hawthorns. 

The first half was all about the pace of City's attacks, helped by an instant return to form for Aguero who bagged a brace by half time. City had already had several chances, including an offside goal from Nolito, when Aguero latched onto Gundagans through ball to swipe home the first on 19'. His second nine minutes later was even better as he lashed the ball with dip and curve into the top right of the goal from the edge of the penalty area. "City are back" sang the faithful, and it looked as if they had never been away as the chances racked up. Nolito and Fernando both had good chances blocked before Nolito broke through on 34' only to have his effort ruled out for offside.

After the break, the Baggies did start to show signs of life, and with City having missed a couple more chances to put the game beyond them, Rondon rose to beat Bravo to the ball but thankfully put his header wide on 54'. City needed a third to calm the fan's, if not the players nerves, and  on 77' Gundogan having his best game in a City shirt so far provided the answer, latching onto an Aguero chip to calmly finish past Foster, 0-3.

It was the least City deserved having created so many chances from nearly total possession for much of the game. And when Gundogan drove into the area to convert substitute DeBruynes cross on 90' the comeback was complete.

Aguero has now moved into the top 20 all time premier league top scoerers with his 149th goal for the club. City return to the top of the table overtaking Arsenal again after their earlier win away to Sunderland. A lot had been made of a win-less streak of six matches, but City could not have wished for a better warm up for the big game in mid-week verses Barcelona...if they match this form it could be a cracker    #CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Not To Be, Reserves Fall Short At The Swamp, Trafford 1 vs. 0 City (EFL Cup)

“I'm proud of the young players and how they played. At that level you need to be more clinical with the last pass but it's difficult against United”, Pep Guardiola – 26/10/2016.

Goals; Mata (54');



Line Up (4-4-2) (match ratings in brackets); 

Caballero (6.5)
Maffeo (7.5)
Kompany (c)(5.5), (Kolorov 45' (5.5))
Otamendi (6)
Clichy (5)
Fernando (7)
Navas (7)
García (7)
Nolito (6), (Aguero (6) 71')
Iheanacho (6)
Sane (5.5), (Sterling (6) 63')


Stats;Possession, 48%/52%; Shots, 8(2)/5(0); Fouls, 17/14
Referee; Mike Dean (5.5)

A lot of plus points tonight, despite the loss, from what turned out to be a match between City's second string and United's strongest team. 

Pep Guardiola made nine changes, with only Otamendi and Clichy retaining their places from the weekend draw against Southampton. Showing trust in his whole squad, Pep chose a mix of experience and youth, with City's youth contingent including starts for Garcia, and Maffeo, both of whom gave great account of themselves. Maffeo in particular was none stop in keeping Rashford and Shaw quiet for much of the game.

City were more direct than we have come to expect in the opening half, with a more traditional shape to the line up, but the high tempo was there as was the pressing. This pressure on the ball gave City perhaps their best chance early on with the ball being released to Navas, who having one of his better games in a City shirt, crossed neatly for Iheanacho, who unfortunately got slightly under the header as it went high and wide.

After the break, it was United who stepped up a gear, and it was this aggression which brought the goal. Suspicions of fouls first on Otamendi and then Fernando, being waved away before Mata slotted home..

Once the goal went in City didn't really switch up the couple of gears needed to get back into the game. First Sterling and then Aguero were brought on to up the quality, but despite a good ten minute spell, the possession was all outside the box and United's defence never really looked troubled. Though it should be noted that yet again City were denied a clear penalty when Garcia was fouled in the box. So a dissapointing result with the upside of a rested first team squad and a great 90 minutes from two of City's future hopes. I would have liked to have seen Angelino as well, especially given both Clichy and Kolorov remain out of form, maybe soon...    #CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Another Bad Day At The Office, City 1 vs 1 Southampton

“You can win ten times and then you are not able to win five times. I have to discover the reason why and I am going to find that.”, Pep Guardiola – 23/10/2016.

Goals; Iheanacho (55'); Redmond (27'); 

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

Bravo (5.5)
Kompany (5.5), (Navas (5.5) 78')
Stones (5)
Kolorov (5.5)
Sané (7), (Nolito (5.5) 90')
Fernandinho (6.5)
Sterling (6.5)
Gundogan (5.5)
De Bruyne (5.5), (Iheanacho (7) 45')
Silva (6)
Aguero (6)

Stats;Possession, 65%/35%; Shots, 14(3)/6(2); Fouls, 11/10
Referee; Clattenburg (5.5)

Whisper it quietly, but within all the clap trap written this week regarding City's demise, there is one grain of truth. City's defence may cost the club any meaningful progress this Season. Or more accurately, the players inability to adapt to the obsessive way of playing absolutely everything from the back, may cost City any meaningful progress this Season. Today Southampton's Redmond was the beneficiary, as he had a goal gift wrapped with a bow on top by a John Stone's schoolboy back pass. Last week it was Everton who were the benefactors, costing two points more points at home.  In mid-week it was full party bag time at the Camp Nou with Bravo, Gundogan, Kolorov, and Stones, all falling prey to attacks of the collywobbles at vital moments in a vital fixture.

So while the first half at the Etihad today was an unacceptable return to the de-energized and largely unfocused City performances in the worst moments of last season, in the end it was yet another defensive mistake which cost City the possibility of a win.

The second half was slightly better. De Bruyne was withdrawn, possibly purely a tactical change, possibly due to carrying a knock, and Iheanacho introduced. Whatever the reason, Iheanacho was certainly the stand out performer of the second half for City. And his aggression to get to the ball paid off within ten minutes of his introduction, as he got the better of Van Dijk (who had up to that point looked immovable), to nudge the ball home from three yards from Sane's cross from the left.

Following the goal, City finally looked something of the side which powered to a 10 game winning streak at the start of the Season. The front five came alive, perhaps the best chances falling to Gündogan, whose right foot effort from inside the box was saved well by by Forster on 69', and Aguero with a header just wide on 77'. But it was too little in the end to beat a resolute Southampton side who had seen the blueprint laid down by Everton last week, and followed it to the letter.

And its this blueprint which is the most worrying. Unlike the Spuds game, where City were beaten by the better team on the day, Spuds having far more aggression and quickness of thought. Everton and Southampton have both simply set out a back six, and a solid centre three willing to take the chance that the referee will not show a yellow when leaving a foot in (which they invariably do not). Its the sort of conundrum which Pellegrini was lambasted for when he couldn't resolve it, but is something Pep has so far also been unable to get his head around. Perhaps its as simple as looking back to what was working at the start of the season? Sterling out right, Nolito on the left, De Bruyne and Silva both given free reign and total commitment to pressing to make up for the self inflicted pressure on the back four. Whatever the answer it is needed quickly.

The press will now delight in informing us that City have not won in five. And there is now the unwelcome visit to the swamp for the EFL cup in mid-week. With Mourinho a past master at parking the bus, and having seen how easy it can be to do that and hope for a clangar from City's defence things may get worse before they get better. #CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

A harsh lesson at the Nou Camp, Barcelona 4 vs.0 City

“We must be closer now. This is football. We want to grow step by step. ”

, Nolito - 19/10/2016

Goals; Messi (17,61,69); Neymar (89)


Line Up (4-2-3-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (4)
Zabaleta (6) (Caballero (6.5) 57')
Otamendi (6.5)
Stones (5.5)
Kolorov (5)
Gundogan (6.5), (Aguero (5.5) 79')
Fernandinho (6)
Sterling (7.5)
Nolito (7), (Clichy (5.5) 57')
Silva (6),
De Bruyne (7.5)

Stats; Possession 54%/48%; Shots 8(3)/5(4); Fouls 15/17.

Starting to get a sense of De Ja Vu with some of these Blog posts. However, UEFA’s warm balls landed City with another Champions League meeting with Barcelona. It was ‘written in the stars’ that Pep would kick his first Champions League Campaign in blue having to face the Catalan giants that he so adores. 

City are enduring their most difficult period under Pep. However, no matter how hard the media try, this is by no means DEFCON 1. Having gone three games without a win, going to the Nou Camp was always going to be the ultimate test. 

The big talking point before kick-off was Pep’s team selection. De Bruyne  was depolyed as City’s most advanced player (on paper) in the elusive false 9 position, leaving Aguero on the bench. 

Rocking the unconventional European orange and purple strip, City started with a real intent to lay down a marker. Barcelona looked far from their untouchable status and this was a City team that looked like they were gunning to take the ultimate scalp. 

Unfortunately this wasn’t to last, despite matching Barcelona in the opening periods, City had to be pitch perfect. The hope that the stars may have aligned lasted all of 17 minutes, when until an untimely slip from Fernandinho gave Messi a simple path to goal which he was never going to miss. 

Going one down at the Nou Camp is the worst possible scenario for any side. Nevertheless, in terms of clear cut chances City had the majority. Some fantastic solo play from Gundogan brought a good save from ter Stegen. John Stones should have made better use of a sumptuous cross to the back post. All moments that could have completely shifted the match, but a lack of clinical finishing was always going to haunt us. 

The final half an hour was one to forget. The public eye has been fixed on Claudio Bravo’s performances since Hart was deemed surplus to requirements. Heading back to his previous club was never going to be a quiet day at the office for the Chilean. However, it was the attribute that he was brought in for which let him down. A haphazard first touch led to the ball being at the feet of Luis Suarez who went to chip City’s current number one. Bravo instinctively stuck an arm up out of his area, blocking the Uruguayans attempt but the resulting red card was inevitable. Game over.  

If the game ended before this incident, the match would have been settled on a slip and the phenomenal Lionel Messi taking his chance. However, it was an exhibition once City were down to 10. Chasing shadows, unforced errors and a whirlwind that was spiraling out of control. 

Was this a 4-0 game? Absolutely not. But City have now had a red card in 4 of the previous 5 meetings with the Spanish Champions. Despite improvement on and off the pitch, this is still an occasion that seems to overwhelm players new and old. This is a club that is going through a rapid transformation period, arguably the greatest since the takeover. Therefore basing the status of this City side on these early games would be extremely naïve considering Barcelona’s dominance, put in place by City’s current boss I hasten to add. 

On a personal note, am I convinced by Bravo? Not yet. I still believe that Joe Hart is a better shot stopper. BUT, if you can’t see the reason why he was brought in by now then you never will.  

We are not at the level of Barcelona, Bayern or Real Madrid. But that sure doesn’t mean we don’t’ have the potential to be breaking down that door soon enough.

@PatrickElano

Toffees Grab A Point, City 1 vs. 1 Everton

“"You can practice penalties but there is no pressure there ”, Pep Guardiola – 15/10/2016.

Goals; Nolito (72'); Lukaku (64'); 

Line Up (3-2-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (6)
Otamendi (6.5)
Stones (6)
Clichy (5.5)
Sané (7), (Nolito (7.5) 71')
Fernandinho (6.5)
Sterling (7)
Gundogan (6.5), (Kompany (5.5) 90')
Iheanacho (6.5), (Aguero (5) 56')
De Bruyne (7.5)
Silva (7.5)

Stats;Possession, 72%/28%; Shots, 19(8)/3(2); Fouls, 7/9
Referee; Michael Oliver (7)

Everton escaped with a point after a breathtaking display of brinksmanship from the Toffee's. Their backs to the wall performance was best exemplified by keeper Stekelenburg, who saved two penalties (though off the line when taken), and deserves all the plaudits coming his way in saving what would have been a worldy from Kevin DeBruyne on 81'; when the Belgian cracked a right foot effort from 25 yards towards the top right hand corner, only to see Stekelenburg tip it onto the post and out.

There was lots to be positive about for City.  A new formation from Pep, saw the welcome return of Kevin DeBruyne, and an excellent first start for new boy Leroy Sané, and it was these two players, together with David Silva who dominated the first half. But with Everton playing all but Romelu Lukaku behind the ball, it was hard work finding any workable space for City's attacking players in the final third. When City did get the ball into the area, the final ball just lacked that cutting edge, despite some fabulous build up play. On 43' it looked like City would finally find that breakthrough when David Silva was tripped by Jagielka in the box after shimmying past two other Everton defenders, DeBruyne stepped up for the penalty but Stekelenburg, off his line, saved to his left.

The second half started as the first had ended, with City pressing Everton back deep, but unable to find the telling pass. There was an air of typical City when, having had only one previous attempt on goal, Everton broke with Lukaku finding himself one on one with first Clichy, and then Bravo on 64', before slotting home. It was a poor goal to give away and there's no getting away from the mistake from Clichy, who had otherwise had a good game.

City came back strong again and the half chances kept on coming. Then on 69' City looked finally to have got some payback for their attacking play when a clumsy challenge from Jagielka, this time just inside the area on Aguero, brought City a second penalty. Unfortunately it was a carbon copy of the first with this time Aguero placing the ball at a comfortable height for Stekelenburg.

Heads were in hands at this point, but Pep didn't panic. Aguero had just gone close again, when Nolito was brought off the bench, to form an attacking two with Kun. One fabulous cross from the left by Silva later and City were level; as within a minute of coming on Nolito rose to head the ball firmly past the stubborn Everton keeper, 1-1. It could have been better with the aforementioned blaster from DeBruyne being the best of the chances, but it was not to be.

A great performance with one defensive lapse and a couple of penalty misses costing City dear. Onward to Barca in midweek, where you have to hope for a bit more luck! #CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Spuds U Don't Like, Tottenham 2 vs. 0 City

“It is October, you cannot imagine what my team has already done. I am new here. So far it has been an amazing performance but we need more, we have to work more, it is what it is”, Pep Guardiola – 02/10/2016.

Goals; Kolorov (9', og), Ali (37'); 


Line Up (4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 Diamond) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (5)
Otomendi (5)
Stones (6.5)
Kolorov (4.5)
Fernandinho (5.5)
Navas (5.5)
Fernando (5), Gündogan (5.5), 53')
Silva (6)
Aguero (7)
Sterling (7), (Sané (5.5) 87')


Stats;Possession, 42%/58%; Shots, 13(7)/12(6); Fouls, 20/10
Referee; Andre Marriner (5)

Nobody really knows why "Totteringham" reappear whenever Arsenal are in town, or when they are reaching the end of the season. It just happens, sure as eggs is eggs, when the chips are down they blow it, its just a fact. Only it probably isn't "just a fact", it is likely a pychological barrier, the sort of barrier which truly great teams overcome to break old hoodoo's and win no matter what; great teams make their own luck. 

So it was not inevitable City would lose to one of their bogey teams at White Hart Lane, but it does prove City are a good ways away from being a great team, at least yet. Perhaps even, they are not yet as good as they were in their two recent title winning seasons (in both these seasons Tottenham were dispatched, and occasionally embarrassed, home and away, hoodoo or no hoodoo).

Another port of solace when losing big games is to blame a bad referee. Last year Clattenburg certainly played a hand in this fixture home and away. But this year, however inept Andre Marriner was (and I would point to the Tottenham foul count (20) verses cards count (2) as being somewhat ridiculous), City were as lucky to keep Otamendi on the pitch, as Tottenham were to keep Ali, and Rose.

No, it was not fate, luck, or bad refereeing which cost City this game. This time perhaps it was a case of not learning a lesson. Though only a very recent lesson learnt at Celtic. When opposition players are flying into challenges high up the pitch, and City's weakest point is the psychological pressure put on the defence (to the point where  67% of distribution goes to the opposition), then don't pass back ... instead pass forward?

It was this pressure surely, continued from Wednesday, which saw Alex Kolorov "brain fart" an own goal. Waving his right foot at the ball, similar to his actions for Celtic's third, but this time finishing in the top corner of his own goal from Danny Rose's cross.

After the goal, it took City another fifteen minutes to steady the ship; and they were starting to assert some pressure of their own, when they were caught out by quick tackling from Wanyama and deft passing from Son, to let Ali in for Tottenham's second.

There was a lingering hope that just one City goal might start to turn the tide, but City never really had the concerted ten minutes of attack needed. And when the attacks did come (and Sterling and Aguero I thought made some good attempts), the Tottenham defence was solid. One bright point was at least Bravo saved Kolorov's further blushes for his mistake on 65', by saving Lamela's penalty.

So with only one of the many Tottenham fouls being committed close enough to Tottenham's goal for a direct attempt (the resulting Aguero free-kick being well saved Lloris), it never really looked like City's day. Tottenham played their system well, and it would be churlish to say anything else but they deserved the points. City missed DeBruyne and Nolito, who both "get it" in terms of the Pep system, in a way which Navas and Fernando do not; and you perhaps wonder how long they will continue to play in the top games. 

I also wondered would the game be different if Nasri had remained a little longer to fight for a place under Pep [though he was injured again yesterday in the Sevilla win verses Alavés]. But that would be looking back ... and now is the time to learn lessons and look forward, and as per the quote from Pep above, it's very early days; and moving the ball forward quicker is something no one needs to tell Pep about. #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me