“I am so pleased with how we did and especially the last 10-15 minutes, we did the right way to make the result with a thousand million passes ...”, Pep Guardiola – 13/02/2017.
Goals: ;Sterling (29'), Mings (69' OG)
Line Up (4-3-3) (match ratings in brackets);
Caballero (7)
Sagna (6.5)
Stones (6.5)
Kolorov (6)
Fernandhino (7.5)
Toure (7), (Otamendi 70' (5.5))
De Bruyne (6.5)
Sterling (7.5), (Nolito 90' (5.5))
Silva (8)
Jesus (6), (Aguero 15' (6.5))
Sane (6.5)
Caballero (7)
Sagna (6.5)
Stones (6.5)
Kolorov (6)
Fernandhino (7.5)
Toure (7), (Otamendi 70' (5.5))
De Bruyne (6.5)
Sterling (7.5), (Nolito 90' (5.5))
Silva (8)
Jesus (6), (Aguero 15' (6.5))
Sane (6.5)
Referee; Neil Swarbrick (6.5)
Stats;Possession, 38%/62%; Shots, 5(1)/17(5); Corners, 3/7; Fouls, 8/11
Pep's methodical rebuilding of the 2016/17 Season - following the "crisis" surrounding the Everton result - continued apace on a cold Monday night at the Vitality Stadium.
This was an assured performance, away from home, against a Bournemouth willing to put in 100% from the first whistle. A lot of positives ...
1. Aguero Still Has A Big Part To Play. The City faithful's ninety third minute legend, has been truly worthy of the title since joining the blues in 2011. As the Premier League's most prolific scorer, his contribution is severely undersold in the media, despite being one of a handful of truly world class players in the competition. He was obviously ring rusty following his lay off, but was still hungry where it counts, and forced City's second goal. Hopefully Jesus' injury is not serious and we see both in tandem [UPDATE Wednesday. Jesus has fractured metatarsal, minimum 6 weeks lay off :/].
2. Fernandinho Can Play Literally Anywhere. Is there nothing this man cannot do? Having put in an assured appearance at the weekend as right back, he switched wings and out did himself by playing even better as left back, before switching to replace a tiring Yaya on 70'. Outstanding.
3. Big Decisions Change Matches. One-Nil, only 1 minute after Raheem Sterling had put City deservedly ahead, King pulls Stone's shirt to gain advantage on the break before putting the ball passed Caballero. A clear foul, blown up by referee Neil Swarbrick, disallowing the goal. A correct but brave decision, and a welcome change from the yellow bellied refereeing fodder City have had to put up with too many times this season.
4. Willy Is Number One. It was a while coming, but with Pep having made up his mind to continue playing Cabellero following his Crystal Palace Cup performance, the Argentinian goes from strength to strength. This was perhaps his best City performance since his League Cup Final heroics of last year.
5. We Are Not Worthy.... David Silva, what a player, worth the entrance fee alone on many an occasion his performance tonight was sublime. For me his take down of a high ball, just before half time, to then smoothly glide into an attacking run in one fluid movement was fabulous. Would have been a 10 had his second half volley gone in, but still a man of the match performance.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
