“We are so happy to be there. We’ve played most of our games away against three teams from the Premier League and one of the best in the Championship so it’s a huge compliment to the team”, Guardiola – 11/03/2017.
Goals: ;Silva (2'), Agüero (67')
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (6.5)
Zabaletta (7)
Otamendi (6.5)
Stones (6)
Clichy (6.5)
Toure (7), (Fernando 86' (5.5))
Sterling (6.5)
De Bruyne (6)
Silva (7)
Sané (7), (Nolito 70', (6.5))
Agüero (7.5), (Iheanacho 90'+1 (5.5))
Referee; Mike Dean (4.5)
Stats;Possession, 31%/69%; Shots, 18(10)/3(1); Corners, 1/7; Fouls, 19/11
This was so nearly a huge bounce as preparation for another season defining game in mid-week [away against Monaco in the Champions League].
City created chances, good solid chances, throughout the game, but having gone 1-0 up in the second minute, with Silva scoring from six yards out after Pablo Zabaleta had time and space to cross low from the right; Silva, Sterling, and Sané proceeded to throw chance after chance away.
City are on the way to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final, but could it could have been so much more. A couple of take-aways ...
City created chances, good solid chances, throughout the game, but having gone 1-0 up in the second minute, with Silva scoring from six yards out after Pablo Zabaleta had time and space to cross low from the right; Silva, Sterling, and Sané proceeded to throw chance after chance away.
City are on the way to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final, but could it could have been so much more. A couple of take-aways ...
1. Middlesbrough set out to disrupt City's rhythm through foul means not fair, with several challenges which would have brought grimaces from the manager of the "Dog and Duck" . Mike Dean was just woeful again in his decision making and keeping his cards in his pocket, allowing season wrecking challenges to be waived away, Leadbitter in particular should not have been on the pitch at half time.
2. City's kit men need to get a grip, as the studs used on City players's boots certainly did not.
3. A lot of respect shown by Pep for this competition fielding arguably his strongest eleven [keeper not withstanding].
4. Shooting practice for Monday morning maybe :) ... the stats don't lie, City should have had six plus, but rushed too many chances.
5. Big respect to Kun Agüero, who again ran himself ragged, despite the looming ECL game, and scored with a real strikers finish, getting away from Fabio in the box to thump home the second from Sané's cross from the left.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
