“We have to close the game with a second or third goal and we couldn't do that. We created six or seven chances and didn't score”, Pep Guardiola – 05/11/2016.
Goals; Aguero (43'); Forshaw (90+1');
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (6)
Stones (6)
Kolorov (5.5)
Clichy (5)
Fernandinho (6.5)
Navas (7) (Garcia (5.5) 86')
DeBruyne (7)
Gundogan (6.5), (Nolito (5.5) 75')
Silva (6.5)
Aguero (6.5), (Iheanacho (5.5) 90')
Stats;Possession, 71%/29%; Shots, 25(5)/7(3); Fouls, 7/15
Referee; Friend (6)
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (6)
Stones (6)
Kolorov (5.5)
Clichy (5)
Fernandinho (6.5)
Navas (7) (Garcia (5.5) 86')
DeBruyne (7)
Gundogan (6.5), (Nolito (5.5) 75')
Silva (6.5)
Aguero (6.5), (Iheanacho (5.5) 90')
Stats;Possession, 71%/29%; Shots, 25(5)/7(3); Fouls, 7/15
Referee; Friend (6)
For all the statistics stacked up in the Blues favour, the total possession, the multiple attempts on target, the blocks, and the woodwork, there's only one real stat that matters, City drew again. And that's the one which if repeated too often (and its been seen three time already against sides which park the bus), may eventually cost City any chance of the title.
After the euphoria of Tuesday night, it was always going to be difficult to raise the tempo again, but in the first half tempo didn't seem to be a problem, end product did. City were dominant. So much so Boro didn't have a shot, let alone a shot on target. The attacks came in waves, but importantly for Boro, largely from outside the box as the six man defence and three holding midfielders held firm. It was telling that the first save was from a hopeful effort from Kolorov from 25 yards after 23'. But that seemed to get the message through, if Aleks is shooting, maybe something's not quite right? DeBruyne followed up soon after with his own effort just wide, and then efforts from Aguero, DeBruyne , and Silva all came close before FINALLY! the breakthrough just before half time, with DeBruyne threading the ball through half a dozen Boro bodies to meet a perfectly timed run from Aguero to tap in, 1-0.
The second half, should have been easier, a chance to press whilst Boro had to come out. A chance to get another goal on the break or from a loose second ball. But unfortunately it was Boro who came out with the ideas, and City who were already looking tired. Boro got out of the blocks with an early effort from Forshaw, well saved by Bravo out quickly from his goal. But for City the first fifteen minutes of the second half were at best careless, and more than reminded Boro that just a single goal, and they were right back in the game. Perhaps it was too much to ask all the core players from mid-week to maintain the performance for another ninety, perhaps it was just lack of concentration, but City just didn't get going. Slowly but sure Boro edged themselves into a game they had not previously deserved to be in, and City didn't seem to be able to stop it, especially via a series of perplexing substitutions just as you might hope we'd complete a shut out.
And then it came, In the second minute of injury time, a sucker punch. Friend released from marking Navas, was able to lob a hopeful cross put into the box, that shouldn't have been allowed to arrive , and should have been better dealt with by Clichy, as DeRoon got his head to the ball first, 1-1, sickener.
So again the worrying blueprint pays dividends. First Everton, then Southampton and now Middlesboro have simply set out a back six, and a solid centre three, all willing to be overly robust in the challenge. It is something Pep has so far also been unable to get his head around, but needs to do quickly, as rivals pick up points simply because teams are more willing to play football against them. Whatever the answer the players will have plenty to ponder on as they head into an international break, with City having surrendered top spot.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
