Reasons To Be Cheerful, despite, Leicester 0 vs. 0 City

“We’re not where we should be right now in the table, but we’re right in the mix without really playing that well.
”

, Joe Hart – 29/12/2015.

On what was ultimately a frustrating night for City, the Citizens showed a lot which was positive for a side written off by many in the media since the advent of Ozil fever.

The team set up with a very positive outlook, Aguero returning to replace Bony from the weekend line-up, and a return to 4-2-3-1 with Silva, De Bruyne, and Sterling sat behind in a fluid set up that moved to 4-4-2 when pressure allowed and promised goals. Sadly, however, it was not to be. Despite dominating the first half, and breaking down a very solid 4-5-1 from Leicester on numerous occasions, the quality of the final ball or finish was lacking. Sterling, in particular was bright, forcing three saves from Schmeichel in the first forty five. Ironically though, Leicester had the best chance when a mistake from Fernandhino on 39’ allowed a through ball to Vardy, who placed his shot high.

The second half was slightly better from Leicester, they pressed the ball higher, and the “give it to Gordon” (aka Jamie Vardy) tactics benefitted from more accurate long passes to the league’s top scorer. But the better football was still coming from City, with them playing like the home team, and Leicester reliant on hitting quickly on the break or creating from set-pieces. The match stats back that up, with City dominating possession (61%), shots (21 vs. 11), and corners (13 vs. 1). However where it counted, in front of goal, the only stat that counts is the 0 vs. 0 (though on another day Craig Pawson would have given City a penalty for the foul on Aguero by Leicester’s Inler just before he was withdrawn on 63’).

So City finishes the first half of the Season still with more than a shout in four competitions. A semi-final place waits in the League Cup, and having qualified top of their Champions League group for the first time, they have a credible chance to move forward to the quarter finals, with a game against (hopefully) ring rusty Dynamo Kiev. Even in the Premier League, where City have shown some of their more frustrating traits, they lie only three points shy of leaders Arsenal, with a superior goal difference, and with all the games against credible title rivals to be played at the Etihad.

It would be incredibly unlucky for City’s injury crisis from the first nineteen games to continue for the rest of the season, so there are definitely reasons to be cheerful going into the New Year.

#CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Back With A Bang, City 4 vs. 1 Sunderland

"We returned to our normal performance of playing attractive football, trying to scoring goals.”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 26/12/2015.


This was just what City fans had wanted from Santa. A display of confidence, purpose, and bravado in front of a record 54,523 crowd, who were hopeful of a reboot in performance after seeing the unveiling of City’s new badge.

In need of points having lost the previous six pointer to Arsenal, Manuel Pellegrini had made the bold move of starting with a 4-2-2-2 formation, despite being shorn of City’s talisman Kun Aguero by a knock from the Arsenal game, which meant he could only start on the bench. So Raheem Sterling partnered Wilfried Bony up front, the big Ivorian still needing some confidence boosting performances to fully convince the City faithful.

City’s play began with a swagger that had been missing since the end of the record unbeaten run back in September against West Ham. Kevin De Bruyne was unplayable as he covered the space created across both wings by the irrepressible David Silva. The two put on a footballing master class which would fill Soccer AM’s showboat two times over, with touches and moves normally reserved for the training ground.

Raheem Sterling started the dissection of Sam Allardyce’s, compact Sunderland set up, with his speed and movement causing no end of difficulty for the Sunderland defence. He could, and should, have been awarded a penalty on 5’ after being brought down on the left of the area by Billy Jones, but instead received a yellow card for simulation. The first of many decisions from referee Anthony Taylor who presumably felt sorry for the torment City’s attack were subjecting on Sunderland.

The breakthrough came quickly though, as seven minutes later De Bruyne seized on an over hit Kolorov cross, and as the jeers from Sunderland fans stuck in their throats, he curved in an inch perfect cross for Sterling to head down and past a stranded Vito Mannone, one nil.

Five minutes later Yaya, who together with Fernandhino had been dominating the midfield, got in on the scoring. Seemingly unsure whether the score with his left or right boot, he baffled the Sunderland defence before eventually deciding to pass the ball with pace into the side netting from 20 yards out with his left boot. The game was afoot, and City were in the driving seat.

On 22’ a fabulous curling free-kick from De Bruyne, was met by Bony’s head for him to guide the ball into the right of the Sunderland net. The ease and accuracy of De Bruyne's ball and the payoff of the direct play from City made you wonder why oh why City do not go for the jugular like that more often.

City dominated the rest of the half but the only effort which found the net, from Sterling, was called back, quite rightly, for offside. Still the first half had been pure entertainment and just what the team needed as a boost for a packed fixture list in the next two weeks.

The second-half started as the first had ended, with City dominating the play.

The fourth goal came on 54’, Kevin De Bruyne playing an unplanned one-two with Sunderland defender Coates, and then calmly passing the ball into the net to add a goal to his two assists.

Borini grabbed a consolation for Sunderland on 59’ after City failed to pursue the second ball from a half hit Cattermole shot, however this was City’s day from start to finish, with a series of bizarre refereeing decisions keeping substitute Cattermole out of the book perhaps Sunderland’s real highlight.

David Silva won a penalty after another foul from Coates just inside the box, but Bony placed the ball high right and over, to take the shine off what could have been a hatrick performance. That and the untimely withdrawal of a returning Kompany after only nine minutes of a cameo substitute performance.

Results elsewhere had fallen kindly, Leicester beaten by Liverpool, and Arsenal later trounced 4-0 by Southampton. All of which means the six pointer against Leicester on Tuesday 29th could bring City level on points with the current league leaders. Given this performance the team should go into that game with confidence, but will still need to be at their best to beat this season’s surprise package.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Rope A Doped, Arsenal 2 vs. 1 City

"But in these important games you cannot make those mistakes.”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 21/12/2015.


I think most everyone called this. City to lose either by a bizarre Andre Mariner decision, or a defensive faux pas. It was the latter which got us. Mangala providing the unforced error on 46', allowing Walcott to play in to an unmarked Ozil, who set Giroud through to finish between Joe Hart's legs. 2 vs. 0 at half time and City had played into Arsenal's hands once more. Arsenal inviting City's attacks, and hoping to set up on the counter. Unluckily for City both the times Arsenal did create a chance in the first half they scored.

Up to the first goal City had appeared in charge of their own destiny, having the majority of possession, and forcing several attempts on Peter Cech's goal. On 30' De Bruyne came the closest to breaking the deadlock for City, Aguero managing a deft flick to the Belgian on the right, just inside the Arsenal half, De Bruyne bore down on goal and perhaps should have squared to Silva, but instead he shot just wide of the left hand post.

Seconds later Arsenal were in front, with what was Arsenal's first attempt on goal, Ozil played in Walcott and the Arsenal winger lashed the ball into the top right of City's goal. The goal seemed to sap City's confidence, and the final 15 minutes of the first half belonged to Arsenal without troubling Joe Hart until Mangala's mistake.

Pellegrini changed it around at half time, bringing on Sterling for Delph and reverting to a more straight forward 4-2-3-1. The game was slightly more open, and City played some deft touches to keep the pressure with the ball, but what at the start of the season was cutting and incisive was now ponderous. Bony replace Aguero on 60' and the more direct approach started show some dividents. However, the lack of willingness to try and take a chance was perfectly summed up by substitute Navas, when finally released 1 on 1 with Cech he chose to try a near impossible dink cross, rather than attempt a shot of his own.

Toure's goal on 82' was world class, Sagna playing the ball short from the right and the City Captain passing the ball first time high to the left, impossible for a stranded Peter Cech to get to. It was enough to provide a nervy finish to the game for Arsenal, but they egged out every second they could to claim the 3 points and go 4 points above City going into Christmas.

So now the games come thick and fast. Boxing day sees Sunderland as the visitors and City need to be resolute to remain in the title race. The test will be whether the City players can apply the same application going forward as they have in their Champions League games across Christmas and deep into the New Year. If they cannot, then you feel the longer Kompany remains an injury enigma, the wider the gap to the top may grow.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

The Best & Worst, City 2 vs. 1 Swansea

"Most important today was to take the three points, and we took it, but we were lucky, and we are happy about that."

, Wilfried Bony – 12/12/2015.

On a day which epitomised a Manchester Winter, with driving wind and rain giving a cold wet start to fans and players alike, City put in a performance which epitomised the good and the bad of their play at the moment.

No one was really expecting a dead man's bounce from Swansea, despite parting ways with their manager only two days ago. The search for a replacement is on, but as caretaker boss Alan Curtis admitted in the run up to the match, Garry Monk's departure was still on the players' minds, and was all the more painful because Monk had been at the club for so long. So it was no surprise Swansea made a slow start. allowing City to dominate early possession, with City comfortable whilst not making any impact with the ball in the final third.

City's blunt start was highlighted by Swansea claiming the first chance with Otemendi being brushed off the ball by Wayne Routledge before placing his shot straight at Joe Hart on 5'. The first City chance came on 13', with Silva passing to Bony, who's swept left foot effort was straight into the arms of the keeper, Fabianski. The half continued in a similar vain, City's build up precise, but laboured, giving Swansea ample time to collect themselves, and the occasional break into the City half by Swansea enough to give City fans concern. It wasn't until the 24' that City's next real chance came, with Navas finally finding some space on the right of the box, and as the Swansea defender slipped, Navas's left foot shot deflected for a corner. But from that corner, finally came some decisive play, and as Bony was left with acres of space in the box he stooped to head and score against his old club.

The hoped for resurgence to put the game to bed, however, did not come, and despite continually excellent work by Fernandhino and Yaya to break up play and retain possession, the forward line was not making an impact. The only other notable chance of the half fell to Yaya on 39', but he unfortunately toyed with a possible shot for too long before driving his effort straight at Fabianski. So half time arrived 1 vs. 0, but without City never really getting out of third gear, and despite the 60% possession, Fernandhinho's break up play was the highlight.

The second half opened with Sterling making way for Delph, which was no surprise given the minutes played midweek against Borussia, and the long run of games ahead. The switch to a three in midfield somewhat dampened the extra closing and energy with which Swansea were approaching the game in the second half, but far from nullified Swansea entirely, and the game continued to be fairly even. The first chance came on 50' from a free kick on 25 yards outside the left post of the Swansea goal, which Yaya got over the wall but too near Fabianski to trouble the keeper. Two minutes later it was Yaya again, as he burst just inside the right of the 18 yard box, but sliced his effort. On 60' Swansea showed they were still far from out of the game, when following a wayward high kick from Sagna, Sigurdsson got his free kick up and over the wall, to be parried by Joe Hart.

David Silva's easing back into the City setup following injury, continued as he was replaced by De Bruyne on 67'. But it was Swansea's increased tempo which continued to cause concern. Swansea's increased energy was also being aided and abetted by some interesting decisions by the referee, and needless free-kicks being given away by City's defence, not least of which Mangala, who earned himself a yellow when diving in on the left touchline, giving yet another easy set play for Swansea to get the ball into the area on 76'.

By this time City were creating fewer chances of their own, with Delph's shot on 79' curling well past the right post, having been put in by a Joe Hart long kick, a rare effort. By the time Bony made way for Iheanacho on 83', it did appear some of the City build up play was going through the motions, and was completely devoid of any urgency, with either tiredness or complacency meaning even the slick passing from the first 60 minutes had gone. And then on 91', City paid the price, as the midfield opened up to spectate two simple Swansea passes taking the ball the full length of the pitch for Gomis to brush off Mangala and bang the ball over Joe Hart to make it 1 vs. 1. It wasn't surprising, but it was lackadaisical defending at best.

City "fight to the end" we sing, but few truly believed it at that moment. Luckily one of the few that did was Yaya Toure. As City pressed on the right following the restart, the big Ivorian decided to assert his presence on the game in the way only he knows how. Picking the ball up from Navas on the right edge of the 18 yard box he drove the ball left footed and it deflected off Iheanacho into the top left corner of the net ... 2 vs. 1 GAME OVER ... Yaya Toure take a bow!

And so it finished. The two sides to Man City's current interpretation of "typical City" there for all to see. Ninety minutes of playing within themselves, allowing a team on the ropes to play their way back into a game, with Swansea even claiming the most shots and shots on target, only for City to snatch a victory at the end.


@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

City 4 - 2 Borrusia Monchengladbach - A 'Raheem' End to a Nightmare Group

"It was his birthday – I told him before the game that the minimum he had to do was score two goals" Manuel Pellegrini - 8/12/2015

Having already qualified for the last 16 of the competition, City were in the unfamiliar position of looking up, rather than down their Champions league group, with a view to clinch the top spot from Juventus.

Following the dire showing at the Britannia just three days earlier, and 'Gladbach coming off a win against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, this was a game predicted to be balanced on differing confidence levels. City fell short at the weekend in a number of aspects, but one of the overarching criticisms was the selection made by Pellegrini. Here we finally saw City seemingly put previous bravura behind them and played a packed midfield three of Yaya, Delph, and Fernandinho. The bigger talking point was City playing without a recognised striker with Sterling, De Bruyne, and Silva playing a dynamic front three favouring energy and dynamism rather than the much criticised static forward play of the big Ivorian, Wilfried Bony.

City's final group game saw the opening intent and pace out the blocks that we have become accustomed to in the ECL, but has sadly been missing in many of our premiership performances. It also almost felt like a new signing was amongst the midfield due to the recharged batteries of Yaya Toure, pulling the strings, as illustrated within the first 5 minutes with a bursting break forward from midfield, but who's cross was just too much for any of the front trio to get on the end of. Giving Yaya the license to go on these sorts of runs with the reassurance of two men covering for him really showing its worth from the start.

What City did get from playing a three is a very condensed midfield which led to a cagey next ten minutes. One incident to note was the dangerous high kick on Sterling from the Gladbach centre half Nordveit which escaped caution but looking back really should have seen him in the book at least, Sterling lucky to come out unharmed.

City continued to probe from deep but never looked like troubling Sommer until some outstanding football on the left with delph finding Sterling who sumptuously back heeled the ball into the path of David Silva who rockets the ball into the roof of the net. El Mago and the birthday boy linking up perfectly to give City the lead.

But... the lead did not last long, around two minutes actually. With a classy break from the German side, Stindl and Johnson weaving through the City ranks, setting Korb up on the right hand side of the box who finished first time across a helpless Joe Hart into the bottom left hand corner. The pace and precision of the German side's attack cannot be understated, but again question marks over the City defence who always seemed to be scrambling back for recovery, and no real ownership taken to step forward and confront the oncoming players, something City have been spoiled with Kompany making look easy for years.

City did however continue to see the majority of the attacking play if not  the usual possession, with Yaya orchestrating from deep and dictating a higher tempo game. This saw him win the ball and instigate an attack through De Bruyne, and eventually had the ball fall back to him, and in typical Yaya fashion unleashed a shot from distance on 33' which sailed over the bar. No goal, but showed continued belief and good intent from the City attack.

Unfortunately, City could not make the most of their attacks in dangerous areas and against the run of play Gladbach broke again from deep, and with a bit of good fortune a deflection fell to Raffael who instinctively stuck a leg out to finish from 6 yards out. Despite the positivity in City's play from deep, the lack of a  cutting edge when in possession, and solidity in defence, meant City once again headed into half time losing 1-2.

Some of the media would have you believe Pellegrini doesn't seem the type to demonstrate a boisterous, passionate half-time team talk. Well he must have done something right last night as the City who looked to be missing that ruthlessness in the first half, certainly had the bit between their teeth in the second.

It was one way traffic throughout, with Sterling in the thick of many chances. A lofted cross from Fernandinho saw Sterling's shot well saved on 58'. Two minutes later, Sterling danced across the 18 yard box with the ball eventually being picked up by Silva who's shot unfortunately was straight at the Swiss goalkeeper. The third in a flurry of chances on 62' saw Sterling pick up the ball on the edge of the box from Kolarov who found him in space, but the birthday boy couldn't quite finish.

Pellegrini decided to get some fresh legs on 64' with Navas replacing KDB (who has been forced to play far too many minutes due to City's injury hit last few months) and also saw a vulnerability in 'Gladbachs ranks in replacing Delph for Wilfried Bony, as the blues reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation in search for the equaliser.

Bony's introduction almost immediately paid dividends as he produced a fantastic diving save from Sommer on 67'. The momentum building, City just had to make the breakthrough at some point. On 69' news began to filter down that Sevilla had done City a huge favour and gone 1-0 up against Juventus. Not sure if the news had reached the pitch but the opportunity to finish top of the group was now up for grabs. Despite the constant bombardment and pinning back in the German half, City couldn't find the well deserved goal to get them level. Until that is, the two substitutes made an impact, Navas linking with a marauding Clichy who pulled the ball back to Bony who's slight touch on the ball put it straight into the path of Raheem Sterling who slotted the ball into the net at the back post. Game on!

The psychological barrier broken, opened the floodgates, and just two minutes later the ball broke quickly to Bony who showed his prowess in turning inside Elevedi, and then had the strength to hold off the defender and play through Sterling; who opened up his body, and finessed the ball into the top right of the net with one deft touch. And just like that it was all over, Sterling involved yet again combining this time with Kolarov who fizzed the ball into Bony who having fluffed his first shot, made sure at the second time of asking. City finish top of their Champions league group of death!

To ring an old cliche, this was definitely a game of two halves. The theme of my blog entry on the Juve game was that we missed that ruthlessness to bury chances and kill teams off. Well I can safely say I was happily proved wrong by the boys in the second half.

An individual mention needs to be made for Raheem Sterling. On his 21st Birthday, he certainly looked leaps ahead of the boy who sulked around in a Liverpool shirt and instead gave the performance of a 50 million pound wonderkid who's workrate, tireless energy and cutting edge proved the difference on the day.

Now we know that we definitely won't get Barcelona or Bayern in the next round. Based on yesterdays second half performance, is it too early to start dreaming of a night in Milan come May?
@PatrickElano

No Excuses, Stoke 2 vs. 0 City

""It was a disappointing start and we couldn't recover from it. We didn't play well.”

, Joe Hart – 05/12/2015.


I have made something of a point within this blog of mentioning City's application and approach in the opening stages of games. Being "at it" from the kick off with energy and purpose, has been fundamental to all of City's great displays over the last few seasons. Its no surprise that City's worst performances have been against the backdrop of lethargic starts. Be it a lack of respect for the opposition, an eye on the next match, tiredness, or lack of concentration, it really doesn't matter, starting slowly in the Premier League is too big a risk, even to a side of City's obvious qualities. And yet they do, probably one in every two games. A lot of times the team recover quickly, or their class shows over the ninety minutes, but sometimes they don't recover; West Ham, Liverpool, Stoke are all examples of this.


Stoke did not just start this game quicker, they had done their homework, and were no doubt rubbing their hands in glee when they saw City opening with a midfield two in front of the currently underperforming Demichelis/Otemendi partnership. The only surprise is that City found Stoke playing a high pressing game from the off, a surprise. Mark Hughes may have his detractors, but he's not stupid, and he knew that going for the jugular from the first minute was Stoke's best chance of getting something from the game.


Stoke have also added some tasty players into their traditional style of solid work ethic and slightly misjudged tackle. Shaqiri, ex-Bayern and Inter, is one of these, and it was his guile which opened up the right hand of City's defence before crossing to Artaunovic to open the scoring on 7'. Eight minutes later the same combination was again City's undoing, Shaqiri producing a defence splitting pass onto Artainovic, who finished passed an oncoming Hart. Unfortunately neither of these goals were a wake up call, and City were somewhat lucky to only be 2 vs. 0 down at half time.


Bony's replacement at half time was a surprise to no one, with the clock ticking on the big Ivorian's time as City's No.2 striker, given the energetic and mature displays of Iheanacho, who again replaced him. The other substitution, Delph for Fernandhino was a strange one for me, and was perhaps done with an eye on the Borussia game in midweek (indeed perhaps too many players had their eye on the Borussia game in midweek :/). Certainly City continuing to rely on two midfielders to hold a side with the bit between their teeth was a gamble, especially given Silva was showing lack of match fitness and it was known he would not be asked to play out the full 90 minutes, returning as he was for his first full EPL start for eight weeks. Although the second half started slightly better, soon the inevitable cracks, which show when any side is chasing a game, started to have an affect. Stokes confidence grew again, and they probably created the better chances during the second as well as the first 45, and if it were not for more Joe Hart heroics, the score could have been worse.


So a game to quickly forget, with the alarm bells from the back four when Kompany is not present fast becoming a loud blaring klaxon. Whatever the right answer, be it delving once more into the transfer market in January, or (as would be my preference) recalling Denayer from his loan in Turkey, something has to be done if City wish to pick up silverware this season. The chances of Kompany seeing out the rest of the season injury free are low, and without him the defence looks lost and leaderless whenever City are on the back foot. Something also needs to happen about the slow starts, and that one lies squarely with Pellers.


@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

El Mago Returns, City 4 vs. 1 Hull

"Its not easy to replace David."

Manuel Pellegrini, 01 December 2015.

Manuel Pellegrini backed up pre-match comments that he considers the Capital One Cup an important competition in naming a strong line-up, which saw David Silva step up as captain in his first start for eight weeks, following his ankle injury.

In keeping with City's better performances they got out of the blocks early, Fernandhino and Delph providing the lungs of the team, as they chased down Hull throughout the opening minutes.

The approach paid dividends with Hull being forced into some early errors, including a handling of the ball outside the box by Hull keeper Jukupovic on 7' not given by the referee.

The early pressure paid off on 11' as Fernandhino closed down, forcing the loose ball to De Bruyne who's effort crashed against the right hand post before rebounding to Bony who confidently slotted the ball home. A much needed goal for the Ivorian who has struggled with injury and form in recent weeks.

Hull were down but far from out, as despite a lot of possession and neat one and two touch football from City, Hull continued to grow in confidence, and forced their first real chance through Hayden on 19'.

The rest of the half continued in a similar vein with City carrying 65.5% possession with Silva pulling the strings, but unable to create any clear cut opportunities. A further half chance for Bony on 31' being perhaps the best of the half chances they did create.

The second half started with much more promise, with the passes being just that bit more telling, the best of the early chances falling to De Bruyne on 56' as his long range effort found Jukupovic once again, and a curling left foot effort from Navas which flew over the left upright on 60', following a knock down from Bony.

Navas made way for Sterling on 61' having taken a couple of knocks in both halves, and on 70' Bony made way for Iheanacho.

It was still Silva, however, who was dictating the play. Hitting a rasping shot just high and wide right on 71' and dinking a right foot effort just wide of the left post two minutes later.

On 79' the second breakthrough finally came with the two substitutes combining with Sterling's pace taking him into the 18 yard box to latch onto Delph's pass and cross directly into the path of Iheanacho, who made no mistake from three yards out.

Two minutes later it was all over for Hull, as De Bruyne latched onto a knock on from Iheanacho to put the tie beyond doubt.

The 86th minute saw perhaps a reason for De Bruyne to start to take more free-kick responsibilities as his kick from the left hand side on the edge of the 18 yard box sailed up and over the wall with ease beating Jukupovic all ends up.

A consolation goal for Hull on 92' from a sweet effort from the impressive Robertson, showed Hull may be worth a punt for promotion from the Championship. They provided stern opposition up until the final 20 but kept going to the end in the face of an impressive City display.

So a satisfying night out for a City team looking to reclaim the trophy for the fourth time, after last winning the competition in 2014 in Manuel Pellegrini's inaugural double winning Season. Man of the match Silva was outstanding, De Bruyne irrepressible, and Otemendi again looked very solid at the heart of defence. Of further note is it looked as if the injury fairy had for once been absent from the Etihad, although Aguero is still nursing his ankle from Saturday and remains a doubt for the visit to Stoke at the weekend.