“ ... there was some good battles and interventions out there and for us, a good draw."
Vincent Kompany 25 October 2015
After the swash and buckle of 11 goals in two premier league games this was a game of a different sort. A game that if played by Chelsea last season would be winning plaudits from the press and erstwhile pundits alike.
The return of Vincent Kompany showed why City have missed him in the previous seven matches, whilst shipping goals in each of those games. All three of Kompany's peers have had individually solid performances during that time, you would even say City missed Mangala while he was briefly out, but as a defensive unit City have just not been on the same level without their leader.
Today was indeed a day for leadership. A "proper" match Graham Souness said, with "impeccable" defending on both sides, and he was right. Neither team was set up to lose, both playing a solid looking 4-2-3-1; initially neither team pushing their full-backs too far forward. Yaya played his part as the tip of a central midfield, rather than a roaming 10, but it was Fernandhino who was the most effective, both in quelling fires and instigating counters. It reminded me more of some of the 90's derby games, where effort and sweat were City's best option to break down an obstinate United who bit into their tackles two on one against DeBruyne and Sterling with little sanction from referee Mark Clattenburg.
But it would be churlish to have a dig at the ref. Yes United were robust, but for the most part, City gave as good as they got. Indeed Yaya was the first to have good fortune when he could have received a yellow early on, as could several players (Valencia on several occasions) throughout the game.
So an old fashioned slug-fest was played out. City perhaps edging a first half where United did not create a chance, but United having by far the better of the second. United probably went closest, with an effort from Lindgard late on brushing the cross-bar, after good work from Martial on the left, but both teams had few chances.
Both the shot count (6) and the shots on target (1) were equal for both sides, and while United edged possession, City played more of theirs in the United half. So nil nil was a fair result, and as Joe Hart commented on the defensive display “ ... its nice to know we have that in the locker"
Both the shot count (6) and the shots on target (1) were equal for both sides, and while United edged possession, City played more of theirs in the United half. So nil nil was a fair result, and as Joe Hart commented on the defensive display “ ... its nice to know we have that in the locker"
