PSG 2 vs 2 City: Advantage City after Round One in Paris

Goals; 2/2

Line Up (4-2-3-1); Hart, Sagna, Mangala, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, KDB, Silva  Aguero

Stats Possession 67%/33%; Shots 16/11; 

Since City’s last outing in the Champions league, we’ve seen both sides of Pellegrini’s men. With a frustrating error ridden display against the rags which also saw Hart get injured, followed by the return of Kevin De Bruyne from his injury lay off picking up exactly where he left off in the thrashing of Bournemouth. So in City’s biggest ever Champions league bout, were we to get the Jekyll or the Hyde? In a season plagued by injuries it was City’s big Ivorian talisman’s turn for the treatment table and having proven just how vital he still is to the club on the big occasions, Pellegrini had to fill those boots and our ginger Kev did just that.

Prior to the match everyone had written off City’s chances (as per usual), but this definitely suits the City mantra. If we gave them a go, that’s all the City faithful were after. Gave them a go we certainly did. As per usual in the Champions League, City got out of the blocks early, harassing the Parisians and turning their defence inside the first 30 seconds which led to Sergio drawing a foul and a yellow card for Sideshow Bo.. I mean David Luiz. Two minutes later City were in behind again with Fernandihno gaining a bit of luck with his pass ricocheting off Cavani into the path of Navas who drew an early corner from his driven cross. Exactly the start we were after, directness, pressure, high tempo.

If our attacking play was our Angelina Jolie, our defence unsurprisingly showed glimpses of Susan Boyle. Otamendi attempting to channel his inner Zidane and carry the ball through the midfield only for his attempted pass to be intercepted leaving Cavani to play Matuidi in behind. Mangala scrambles back to cover his partner’s error and manages to put his French compatriot off enough for him to scramble his legs and fall to the deck. Irate PSG players swarm the referee claiming a penalty, despite our best friend Rio also claiming it was a penalty, when Howard Webb is on your side you know there must be some sense in the world. Nevertheless, a let off for Otamendi who could have got his teammate in much more trouble. 

Still, this wouldn’t be a City match without more penalty drama. This time (obviously) it was Luiz who searched for contact with his trailing leg as Sagna came to close down the Brazilian who went down as quickly as his 50 million value. Penalty given. Again, everyone stating that this was not a penalty. Ibrahimovic steps up and Hart played his customary mind games by making the Swedish icon wait as he took his time behind the goal. Hart continued to smile at Ligue 1’s leading scorer as he stepped up and emphatically dived correctly to his right and palmed the penalty behind for a corner. Justice. 

The first half continued to see PSG with the most possession but the midfield rocks of Fernando and Fernandinho were not giving them any room to exploit our shaky defence. It was City’s turn next to have an attempt on goal as Navas picks up the ball on the wing and plays an inch perfect cross to David Silva at the back post who just couldn’t direct his header towards goal.

This discipline got its reward on the 37’ as Fernando intercepts a wayward pass from Matuidi and recycles the ball to a charging Fernandinho who lays it into the path of De Bruyne. With only had thing in mind, one touch out his feet the Belgian drives the ball past Trapp and the net bulges. 0-1 City! De Bruyne once again proving just how much we have missed his eye for goal since his absence. 

But of course, with every moment of excellence, we have a moment of absolute catastrophe. The blame has been passed between both Hart and Fernando for this one, but I think they were both as bad as each other. Without going into too much detail because you just have to see it to believe it. Never play a short goal kick into the centre of the goal. Don’t turn into the striker’s path with the ball. If in doubt, get rid. All of which you hear shouted from the sideline at every Sunday league game up and down the country. This time it was the Champions League Quarter-Final where it was needed. I can’t even begin to describe it. Let’s move on. 1-1 at half time. 

The second half continued in the same manner as the first, PSG continued to dominate possession, but hardly troubled Joe Hart’s goal. It wasn’t until the 58’ that Maxwell got in behind Sagna to whip the ball into the City box but Mangala was there to sweep the ball behind for a corner. Unfortunately, it was the resulting corner that met the head of Cavani at the near post which Hart could only parry into the path of Rabiot who simply tucks the ball into the net at the far post at the expense of a helpless Hart, 2-1. This is where I’d like to give a special mention to the official’s behind the goal proving their undeniable worth by not spotting that Ibrahimović was in an offside position and interfering with play for this equaliser. Do we expect any different?

In the resulting minutes after the goal it seemed City may have run their course as PSG piled on the pressure as Ibra hit the bar on 62’ with a looping header. However, it was the City in the Champions League who fight to the end, who waited for the right moment to strike. Silva dispossessed Aurier on 71’ and played the ball into KDB and then to Navas. The Spaniard quickly shifts the ball into the path of a marauding Sagna who fizzed the ball across the six yard box and with a bit of fortunate pinball in the box, fell to Fernandinho who powers the ball through Thiago Silva and into the bottom corner of the net. 2-2!

Based on my own experience of last night, there was not a single bum on chair for the remaining 20 minutes of the first-leg. Delph replaced KDB and sured up the midfield as City saw it over the half way point with the match finishing 2-2 and City having two away goals to sit on. Taking the Premier League out of the equation. This was another tactical masterclass from Pellegrini, once again flexing his eye for the perfect away performance i the competition. Special mention to Eliaquim Mangala, who lived up to his pre-match comments and produced a fine defensive display, digging Otamendi out of trouble on a number of occasions. Hart and the Ferna twins (despite the one comical error that I will attempt to erase from memory) were also outstanding. Six days until a truly historic experience for all blues around the world. 

@PatrickElano

How Much Have We Missed Kevin DeBruyne, Bournemouth 0 vs. 4 City

“Very happy with the win, very happy with my performance!”

, Kevin De Bruyne – 02/04/2016.

Goals; Fernando (7'), De Bruyne (12'), Agüero (19'), Kolorov (90'+3)

Line Up (4-2-3-1); Caballero, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Fernandhino, Silva (Nasro 66'), De Bruyne (Kolorov 57'), Aguero (Iheanacho 79')
Stats;Possession, 46%/54%; Shots, 11(2)/15(7); Fouls, 9/8
Referee; Robert Madeley

How much have City missed Kevin DeBruyne!?! The answer it would seem is an awful, awful lot. Not that this was a game built on the Belgian's excellence alone, this was, at last, a Premiership ninety minutes that the whole team could be proud of. From the back we had Willy Caballero, who could have been forgiven for nipping off for a quick pastie in the first twenty minutes so little had he to do, but kept his concentration to pull off a world class save on 30' from Cook's header and Bournemouth's first real effort on goal. Through the defence we had Otamendi snapping into (thankfully) well timed challenges, and Zabaleta at his indomitable best whilst providing space for Navas to burn. In the midfield Fernandinho had one of those games where you wonder if the guy really does have a third lung.  Whilst up front De Bruyne ran the show whilst Aguero used the whole width of the pitch to ensure he ran the Bournemouth defence ragged.

OK, so Bournemouth will not be ripping up the Premiership any time soon, but they had won five of their last six, and this could have been a real banana skin of a game for City. Before the game the vultures were circling, but although its still a long way until City hopefully secure a top four finish, this was an assured performance from start to finish, which showed none of the hesitancy and lack of pace in the attack which has hampered recent performances.

The first half was a joy to watch. Bournemouth have started their last few games by getting out of the starting blocks quickly and putting the opposition on the back foot, but after a tricky first two minutes it was then City's quick, intricate passing which had the Cherrie's at sixes and sevens for pretty much the rest of the game. On 6' a back heeled one-two between Silva and De Bruyne gave City a corner from the right, which Navas took and Fernando steered in his volley like a crack forward. Then on 11' came a beauty from De Bruyne, as Aguero dinked the ball over the defence, and Silva cushioned the ball for the Belgian to volley home. 2-0. On 18' Aguero made it three; De Bruyne (again) passed forward in the box and Navas managed to hook a great cross to the back post for Sergio to head across goal and in. 3-0, and City were flying. City could have made it four or five before half time with Fernandhino hitting the crossbar, and Aguero missing the left post, when he looked more likely to score.

The second half again started well, with a De Bruyne first time effort from an Aguero cross being well saved, and a shot from the edge of the box from Aguero hitting the side netting. From that point on City controlled the possession, without ever needing, or wanting, to get into top gear, with the Champions League clash with Paris St Germain in midweek on the horizon. De Bruyne, Silva, and Aguero all made early exits before a cameo rocket of a goal from Kolorov in extra time sealed the match 4-0.

So hopefully this performance shows a chink of light at the end of the tunnel City have dug for themselves in the last six games. De Bruyne seems immediately back to his best, Nasri managed fifteen minutes after a long layoff, and word from the physio's room is that Delph is not far off, and maybe even Hart will be back for the Chelsea game. That together with dropped points at Upton Park by West Ham meant a very satisfying Saturday. So here's hoping that this is the standard set for the rest of the Season. #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

The Demi' lition Derby, City 0 vs. 1 Stretford

“I don’t think muscle injuries can heal in one week. They normally need three or four weeks”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 20/03/2016.

Goals; -; Rashford 15'

Line Up (4-2-3-1);Hart (Caballero 50'), Sagna, Demichelis (Bony 53'), Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Toure, Fernandhino, Silva, Sterling (Fernando 26'), Aguero
Stats;Possession, 55%/45%; Shots, 26(3)/5(4); Fouls, 9/12
Referee; Michael Oliver

For the record, I would have played Sagna at Centre Half and Zabaleta at right back. I take not one iota of comfort from that statement, nor the knowledge that it was a sentiment shared with a number of others before the game started. So whereas I sang the praises of Manuel three weeks ago, at his decision to stick with his principles regarding Cabellero, this time I must equally damn his blinkered attitude towards the veteran Demichelis. The Argentinian simply had not played a single game of merit in a City shirt this season, and today he had a 'mare. The decision to play him was the difference between the two sides in a game of small margins, which so easily could have gone the other way, a terrible decision, hopefully acknowledged when the Argentinian was hauled off early in the second half.

The start was good. The only way City were going to win this game was being on the front foot and forcing the play, and this they did. City forced a corner in the first minute and looked to have the momentum and desire to take the game to United. The first real chance came in the seventh minute, Silva on the left, reversed the ball down the line to Sterling, who's cross to Aguero fell slightly short, but United's half clearance was pounced on by Navas, who chested the ball down and shot, but on his weaker left foot he could only put the ball wide. Navas again went close on 14', Sterling back healed the ball to Silva, who's cross was met by his fellow Spaniard, but unfortunately although the controlled volley went through the defenders legs, DeGea saved with his feet.

Then came the, predictable, defensive error from Demichelis, upon which turned the first half, and unfortunately the game. A simple pass from deep was met by Rashford, and despite all his years of experience, Demichelis dived in, Rashford was past the Argentinian in an instant, and had a relatively simple right foot finish to make it 0-1. What was worse was that the goal blunted any momentum City had had. Up to that point the Citizens had been bossing the game, but after the goal, they struggled to find energy or ideas in the first half. To make matters worse, Sterling had to be replaced by Fernando on 25', limping off with a groin strain picked up from a foul by Mata. It could, however have been even worse; had it not been for a fortunate refereeing decision from Michael Oliver, Demichelis could have actually sealed the game for United, with a rash barge on Rashford in the box on the cusp of half time. Luckily the penalty wasn't given, and City went in 0-1.

With City on the back foot, and momentum needing to be regained,  the second half could not have got off to a worse start. Demichelis (again :( ) played a weak back pass requiring Hart to slide into a challenge with Marshall, injuring himself in the process. The biggest applause of the afternoon from the City fans came as Hart was immediately replaced by League Cup hero Caballero. Looking to allow City to stamp something on the game, (or perhaps just putting the Argentinian out of his misery), Bony replaced Demichelis on 52'. City switched to 4-4-2, and slowly turned the game, but unfortunately not the scoreline around. Aguero was the main threat. He created a chance from nothing on 56' with his pace getting him into the right of United's penalty area only to see his shot go high from an acute angle. Then on 65' he hit the post with a bullet header from a Yaya cross from the right. And then on 71' Aguero created, arguably, City's best opportunity, getting his head to the ball at the back post, with the ball falling to Bony, only for the Ivorian to be tackled as he shot.  A number of other half chances came and went in a half which City dominated, but in the end, as per the game at Norwich the previous week, City's attack was blunted by solid, backs against the wall defending.

What is worse is that fourth place in the premier league is now really looking under threat, with West Ham and United only a point behind City, and City unable to buy a result. Four points from a possible eighteen in the last six games makes stark reading, and something needs to change in the league, and fast. With an ever growing injury list (see Manuel's quote above for how long we may now miss Sterling and Hart), the team is going to have to dig deep over the next couple of weeks to stop a promising Season becoming just a case of wasted potential.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Low Risk, High Reward. City 0 vs 0 Kyiv

“The last two seasons we were unlucky to play against Barcelona in the round of 16. We now arrive in the best eight teams in the competition for the first time and we will see how far we can go.”

, Manuel Pellegrini - 15/03/2016

Goals; None

Line Up (4-2-3-1);Hart, Clichy, Otamendi (Demichelis 24', Kompany (Mangala 7'), Zabaleta, Fernando, Yaya, Fernandihno, Navas, Silva (Sterling 79'), Aguero
StatsPossession, 46%/54%; Shots, 7(1)/6(4); Fouls, 11/12

After what seemed to be pretty miserable hangover since City’s Capital One Cup triumph at Wembley, the blues needed to finish the job against Kiev at the Etihad, and get in the pot for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in the clubs history.

The starting line-up saw a welcomed return to the linchpin of City’s midfield, Yaya Toure, who took up his favoured role at the spearhead in a three man midfield with the 'Ferna' twins providing cover.

As it happened, the game was more about what happened in the first 10 minutes to Vincent Kompany, rather than what happened in front of goal. The Captain’s injury plagued season once again taking a downward turn as he pulled up with what seemed to be another calf injury. His face painted a picture worth a thousand blog posts, and his cameo appearance kind of summed up City’s recent form; so much promise, yet disappointment, as he was replaced by Mangala. This feeling was further reinforced with Otamendi also having to make way for Demichelis after suffering a dead leg on 15’. Exactly the opposite of what City needed before the Derby at the weekend.

This is where I would usually delve into the highlights and low-lights of the match, but I think we all have our opinion on the performance, and while Robbie Savage labelled it ‘The worst match I have ever seen’, I have other, slightly more optimistic (and hopefully enlightened) views on the 90 minutes and its implications.

Was it the attacking, fluid, sumptuous football we have become greedy of viewing week after week? No, however, it was a professional performance in a game where we did not need to take any risks. The incentive should have been entirely on the Ukrainians to throw everything at City's improvised defensive partnership, which they did not. If City did attempt to hurt Kiev and go at them full throttle (as the neutral viewer may have been longing for), but ended up being left exposed and conceding, City would yet again be labelled naïve in Europe. Any risk of exerting unnecessary effort leaving City less than fresh for the season defining derby at Eastlands in four days’ time, was therefore avoided, whilst playing safe by having a full strength line-up.

Instead, a method Mourinho, Simeone et al., have implemented to great success in this competition in previous years; professional and efficient, low-risk and high reward, was employed. Though a special mention needs to be made for big Yaya Toure, who was back to his dominating self, and last night made it abundantly clear to all his colleagues, that a slip up was not to be contemplated. Especially it seemed, to big Joe Hart, who responded by pulling off a couple of worldies late in the game.

I’ve always been a Pellegrini supporter, and while I completely agree with others' views that this season should have been miles better than it has been, Pellegrini has yet again showed his tactical nous in the Champions League. One thing he does not get enough credit for, however, is how City have orchestrated themselves among Europe’s ‘elite’ this season. His game management and dynamism reaping rewards in a group stage that every pundit had labelled another group of death for City, and in the end coming out on top for the group for the first time. He has then decided to hit Kiev early in Ukraine, and getting the tie over with. This allowed the coasting performance last night, thus getting City through to the Quarter-Finals for the first time in their history. Have we moved forward under Pellegrini? Undoubtedly. .

As for the future in the ECL; Wolfsburg, Atletico, Juventus, and even Real Madrid are all pretty evenly matched ties that City should be looking to edge, especially with the return of De Bruyne, Nasri and Delph on the horizon. Then with a bit of luck, who knows what could happen. Capital One Cup trophy in the cabinet, Quarter Finals of the Champions league and beyond still on the cards. Pellegrini may have taken us as far as possible, but in a season over-run by injury and complacency, we are still in the running for Milan come May. Let’s stop longing for the summer with Pep and start believing that we can continue to make history right now, because this team are capable, and with Yaya and Sergio in the mix, the sky (and perhaps Barca and Bayern) is still the only limit.

@patrickelano

Not The Stuff Of Champions, Norwich 0 vs 0 City

“We weren't good enough to win the game.”

, Joe Hart – 12/03/2016.

Goals; None

Line Up (4-4-2);Hart, Sagna (Zabaleta 85'), Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Navas (Iheanacho 77'), Fernando, Fernandhino, Silva, Bony (Sterling 58'), Aguero
Stats;Possession, 34%/66%; Shots, 5(0)/15(3); Fouls, 15/10
Referee; Jonathan Moss

Despite a blistering opening twenty minutes in both halves for City, today's goalless draw marked the death knell on any lingering hope of overtaking league leaders Leicester. For all that City's approach play bewitched and beguiled Norwich up to the eighteen yard box, the final ball was too often too obvious, or too slow, or both. This was a Norwich side who had lost eight of their last nine, and although their defending was resolute, City were at fault for not doing better in the final third, and were the architects of their own downfall at a Carrow Road ground where, in the past few years at least, a win would be minimum expectation.

The first half started well enough, City pressing high, forcing errors, and more or less having the ball to themselves. Aguero was playing more often than not on the left, leaving Bony as the target man, and allowing Silva the room inside. Fernandhino also tried to get forward when he could, and it was O'Neil's foul on the Brazilian in the 14' that gave City their first real chance on goal, Aguero beating the wall but not John Ruddy from the resulting free-kick. It was Aguero again on 26' creating perhaps the best chance of the half when he created his own space and cracked a shot from the right just outside the eighteen yard box. Ruddy again though saved the shot, this time low and to the left of the goal.

After that the game opened up a little more, with Norwich having more possession, and even coming close with a hit and hope from Chelsea loanee Bamford on 39' hitting the bar. But that for City, in terms of real chances, was pretty much it. As in the previous week, despite Silva pulling the strings, Bony was unable to use the space effectively, and more often than not looked a passenger, as Aguero, Silva, and Navas switched places to no avail. On another day (in another season where City were not constantly beset by injuries), Yaya or DeBruyne might have hidden Bony's failings, but today it was obvious Iheanacho or Sterling should have started. It was these identical situations which occured time and time again last season, and given DeBruyne and Sterling were bought specifically to solve the problems of decisiveness and pace getting into the eighteen yard box, the choice of Bony was a poor one, even if Bony was on form, which he clearly is not.

So it was surprising when the half-time break came and went, and Bony was still on the pitch. And again although City bossed the game right from the start of the second half, the tempo and guile shown last week where it mattered (in the eighteen yard box), was missing. The inevitable substitutions followed; Sterling for Bony on 57' and Iheanacho for Navas on 76', but an hour of the game had been lost, and Norwich were just looking more and more stubborn.

And that's the way the game finished. Though credit has to be given to City for dominating possession so convincingly away from home, a championship winning side would have turned that into more attempts, and would have scored. So, thankfully with one trophy in the bag, City can now only realistically fight to maintain their top four status, whilst making further progress in the Champions League, because the Premier League is gone.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Patience, City 4 vs. 0 Aston Villa

“We will fight to the very end as usual”

, Kun Aguero – 05/03/2016.

Goals; Y Touré (48'minutes), Agüero (50'minutes, 60'minutes), Sterling (66'minutes)

Line Up (4-4-2);Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Navas, Toure (A.Garcia 80'), Fernandhino, Silva (Iheanacho 70'), Bony (Sterling 62'), Aguero
Stats;Possession, 71%/29%; Shots, 19(9)/1(1); Fouls, 10/10
Referee; Lee Mason

At half time at the Etihad, my mind drifted back to the same fixture two seasons ago, as City in their penultimate game of the EPL Season needed to find their way past a stubborn Villa defence fighting for its own survival in the league. After a goalless first half, City then as now ended up 4-0 winners, the most memorable of the goals being Yaya Toure's lung busting box to box run, to lash the final goal into the Villa net. On that cold Wednesday night it was patience, and a little extra tempo and guile, which turned the game, provided by Jovetic.  Today was no different, except the tempo and guile was provided by three City stalwarts who were already on the pitch, Aguero, Silva, and Toure, rather than a super sub. Sometimes games of football cannot be rushed.

The first half had not been difficult for City, save for a familiar story of a team parking the bus at the Etihad, and the lack of the tempo needed to break it down. City finished the half with 80% possession and a pass accuracy of 91%, but statistics like this have not this season won football matches, just ask Leicester! So when Guzan got his hand to a left footed shot from eight yards from Aguero on 18', and Bony failed stunningly to get onto a glorious infield long pass from Clichy on 32' nerves started to creep in, for the fans if not for the players.

But the second half was a different affair altogether.  City were set on their way by Kun Aguero, on City's right, his pace taking him to the byline where he reversed the ball for Silva who picked out Yaya across the box, right foot, slight deflection, 1-0 after 47'.  Barely had the crowd quietened from the release of nervous energy, when two minutes later, Aguero popped up again, this time to latch onto a sweet through ball from Bony, the ball actually rebounding off Aguero from Richards' attempted clearance for his 20th goal of the season, 2-0.

Two more chances had come and gone, when Silva and Aguero linked up on 60' for Aguero to chest the ball down and strike low into the bottom left of Guzan's goal, the finish was truly world class, and was worthy of any game at any level. Sterling replaced a lacklustre Bony on 59', and seven minutes later, the relentless Navas had provided the cross for the youngster to put the game beyond doubt, 4-0.

The game could have produced eight or nine goals for City. The best remaining chance being from Iheanacho (on for Silva) winning a penalty on 71', only for Aguero to crack the ball against the right post. 4-0 it finished and with Spurs and Arsenal dropping points it was just what City needed to tentatively move back into the title race.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Bad Hangover, Liverpool 3 vs. 0 City

“The team hasn't recovered from the last week. Liverpool played at a higher pace and pressed higher”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 02/03/2016.

Goals; Lallana (33'), Milner (40')Firminho (55')
Line Up (4-2-3-1;Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy (Kolorov 74'), Fernando, Navas, Fernandhino (Iheanacho 53'), Silva, Sterling (Bony 45'), Aguero
Stats;Possession, 49.5%/50.5%; Shots, 10(4)/7(2); Fouls, 14/14
Referee; Martin Atkinson

Surprisingly it was Liverpool who had sprung the changes making five from the side which started against the blues at Wembley on Sunday, including serial tormentor Coutinho who was replaced by Lallana. City made just three from the League Cup winning side, with Hart, Zabaleta and Navas in for Caballero, Sagna, and Toure; the latter two changes forced by injury. On the night I'm not sure if it was Yaya or Cabellero who was missed the most, as City turned in an insipid display, the opposite of their last two outings. In hindsight bringing in some fresher legs in the centre of midfield may have been a wise move, even if the obvious choices all remain injured, the EDS may have provided the answer.

Liverpool started in typical Klopp fashion, and ably assisted by the lack of the referees whistle, flew into every challenge for the opening twenty minutes. This gained Liverpool much of the possession, but without actually threatening City's goal, until a speculative twenty yard effort from Firminho on 22'.As the half wore on, and legs tired on the Liverpool side some inroads were made by City, but with little of the precise build up which had marked City's play on Sunday, and against Kyiv the previous week.Perhaps if City had scored in this period the game would have gone another way, but the closest we saw was a high and wide effort from Sterling.

Then on 33' another inexplicable City moment changed the complexion of the game. Although not under any pressure, Lallana's 30 yard shot was neither particularly well hit, or hit with any real power; yet it easily crept into the bottom left of Hart's goal. 1-0 to Liverpool just as City had seemed to be regaining the ascendancy.

Buoyed by the goal, Liverpool continued to press, and City looked largely unable to respond, clearly missing the muscle and metronome passing of Yaya Toure. Then on 40' things got worse. Again with no pressure on the ball from City's midfield, a simple infield pass to found Milner on the edge of the City box, and suddenly it was 2-0. A half chance from Aguero was deflected off the line by Milner on 45' but the half ended 2-0 Liverpool.

Half time saw the substitution of Bony for Sterling, who had not been playing badly despite the inevitable immaturity of the Kop's constant jeering. The decision was more perplexing as moving to 4-4-2 when the midfield was already struggling seemed an all or nothing move. The as if to prove a point, Fernandinho made way for Iheanacho on 53', closely followed by Liverpool's third goal on 55' this time from Firminho. Game over.

From an attacking sense the substitutions had proved ineffectual. Defensively they had been suicide. We have to hope this was just a hangover from Sunday. City had thrown away the chance to make an impact of the table as Spurs and Arsenal had themselves thrown points to West Ham and Swansea respectively. Some good news at least, but much much better will be needed if even a top four spot is to be claimed by City between now and the end of the season.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me