“After four minutes, two-nil is difficult for the team”, Pep Guardiola – 10/12/2016.
Goals; Vardy (3', 20', 78'), King (5'); Kolorov (82'), Nolito (90')
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (4)
Zabaleta (5)
Sagna (5)
Stones (6.5)
Kolorov (4)
Fernando (5)
Navas (5.5), (Sterling 58' (5.5))
Gündogan (4.5), (Nolito 68' (6.5))
Silva (5.5)
Iheanacho (5.5), (Toure 58' (5.5))
De Bruyne (5)
Stats;Possession, 22%/78%; Shots, 10(6)/19(4); Corners, 3/11; Fouls, 10/7
Referee; Michael Oliver (5)
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (4)
Zabaleta (5)
Sagna (5)
Stones (6.5)
Kolorov (4)
Fernando (5)
Navas (5.5), (Sterling 58' (5.5))
Gündogan (4.5), (Nolito 68' (6.5))
Silva (5.5)
Iheanacho (5.5), (Toure 58' (5.5))
De Bruyne (5)
Stats;Possession, 22%/78%; Shots, 10(6)/19(4); Corners, 3/11; Fouls, 10/7
Referee; Michael Oliver (5)
The highs of a six game perfect start in the PL, a derby victory, and even the more recent drubbing of Barcelona at the Etihad, all now seem a distant memory. City's achilles heal has been well and truly exploited in recent weeks, and never more so than by Leicester's route one yesterday. Below are five home truths, rammed home at the King Power Stadium:
1. The purchase of Claudio Bravo, at the expense of fan's favourite Joe Hart, could well already be the undoing of Pep Guardiola's Premier League title attempt. Hart's shop stopping ability has of course been missed, especially in light of Bravo's inability to get anywhere near a ball, but its more the lack of vocal presence and any kind of command of his defence which is Bravo's undoing. He has been a fish out of water since he first pulled on the shirt.
2. The shoe-horning of Gundogan alongside both Silva and De Bruyne was a retrograde step on his return from injury. In the advanced position he has been asked to play he sucks the space from the other two. If he is to play it needs to be much deeper or either Silva or DeBruyne must make way. Nolito, though not the technical player Gundogan/Silva/DeBruyne undoubtedly are, has much better sense of position and knows when to be out wide, as shown in the opening six wins of the Season.
3. Given the pure comedy of City's back-line, and apparent lack of confidence in the youngsters, City simply must invest in a solid centre half and left back in the up coming transfer window. For now, simplicity, and perhaps allowing the defence to retreat an extra ten yards would be the pragmatic thing to do before what, if anything, is left of John Stone's confidence is completely shot.
4. City do not get enough men into the area when attacking, leaving some wonderful play completely unfulfilled and wasted.
5. Perhaps the only surprising one of this list. What happened to the high energy closing of teams seen in the first six games of the Season, and recreated so spectacularly against Barcelona? Serious questions now need to be asked of work rate as well as confidence having shipped seven goals in two games.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
