“Beating United in the FA Cup Semi Final is a highlight - that was the day everything changed”, Pablo Zabaleta – 16/05/2017.
Goals: Jesus (27'), De Bruyne (29'), Touré (57'); Robson-Kanu (87')
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Caballero (6)
Fernandinho (6)
Otamendi (6)
Kompany (6.5), (Stones 77' (5))
Kolorov (6)
Touré (7.5), (Fernando 81' (5))
De Bruyne (8)
Sané (7)
Silva (7), (Zabaleta 82' (10))
Aguero (8)
Jesus (7.5)
Caballero (6)
Fernandinho (6)
Otamendi (6)
Kompany (6.5), (Stones 77' (5))
Kolorov (6)
Touré (7.5), (Fernando 81' (5))
De Bruyne (8)
Sané (7)
Silva (7), (Zabaleta 82' (10))
Aguero (8)
Jesus (7.5)
Referee; Craig Pawson (6)
Stats;Possession, 71%/29%; Shots, 21(5)/10(2); Corners, 7/1; Fouls, 8/11
A night of high emotion, as the Etihad bade the fondest of farewells to honorary Mancunian, Pablo Zabaleta. He may not have started but the chants rang true and clear from the kick off for the man who has seen the rise of our proud football club over nine years, and played such an important part in its success. Winning two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, Two League Cups, and a Charity Shield in the process; it would seem Man City is in his heart as much as he is in ours.
Luckily, after the lacklustre performance against Leicester at the weekend, City played a game worthy of such an occasion. From the first whistle the football was more assured, and importantly quicker and more varied. From the point where Aguero's through ball found Kevin De Bruyne on the left of the Baggies area and the Belgian forced the cross onto to Jesus to score on 28', City looked back in control of their Champions League destiny.
Less than two minutes later the same trio linked again, this time Jesus returning a pass first time from Aguero into the path of De Bruyne, some 22 yards out, for him to pass the ball sublimely into the right of the goal, 2-0.
Minutes went by and many more chances came and went, City could easily have been four to the good at half time, and six by the time Yaya Toure glided into the area on 57', latching onto Aguero's return pass and brushing off all attempts from the defence before cooly passing the ball low into the bottom right corner, 3-0.
Soon after the celebratory atmosphere was electrified, as a clearly emotional Zabba stepped onto the pitch to take his place back at right back. Some of the momentum was gone but City could still have had another couple before West Brom got their consolation goal three minutes from time.
Everyone stayed, everyone wanted to give Pablo Zabaleta the send off he deserved. Mario and Status Quo's Francis Rossi beamed in good will messages, and the big man continued to get the loudest cheers of the evening as he was presented with his honorary lifetime Season Card, and uttered the immortal words at the top of this blog page. The player who has won the most tackles inthe Premier League since 2011 - he is the f*&^%$£! man.
City move onto Watford on Sunday knowing a win will secure third, and a point the coveted Champions League spot. The least of what was expected at the start of the season, but at least the momentum is back. #CTID.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
