Manchester City v Stoke City

Never felt more like singin' the Hughes...


Preview
'Never felt more like singin' the blues, City win, United lose, oh City, you've got me singin' the blues'. One of my favourites, and a melody that has become even more familiar with the mouths of Manchester City fans in the last two years. 

David Moyes and, more recently, Louis Van Gaal have done their best to blunt the forks on the Manchester United blivet, and the Dutchman's latest calamity against MK Dons even forced Edin Džeko into hysterics. But it's a Red Devil's former striker who has presented Manchester City fans with the most joy in the last four years - a man the Etihad Stadium have a lot to thank for.

Mark Hughes was appointed Manchester City manager in June 2008. The Welshman brought in the likes of Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta - players that propelled the club into the realms of success - but the current Stoke City boss is considered as one of the worst managers in City's recent history.


(Hughes spent £138m in his first season at the club, but could only guide the blues to a disappointing 10th place finish)

Hughes spent £138m in his first season at the club, but could only escort the blues to an embarrassing 10th place finish. The former Blackburn manager showed naivety, often prioritising all-out attacking play over defensive solidity. But there was no organisation, and his excessive dependence on Robinho left City vulnerable. 

Although many will draw similarities between both Hughes' and Pellegrini's appreciation for fluid, attacking football, the colour of their hair poses the only real connection between the pair. The Welshman is an accomplished manager, but when given unlimited resources (as he was at Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers), he resembles a rich child in a toy store. His Chilean counterpart is different; he looks to reinforce, organise and improve, rather than create imbalances. Since Mark Hughes left Manchester City in December 2009, he is yet to record a win over his old suitors after seven failed attempts. 

But the 50-year-old isn't a bad manager, and he has successfully infused his attacking philosophies into a Stoke City side that used to be unbearable to watch. The summer arrivals of Bojan Krkić and Victor Moses evidence Hughes' intentions to emerge from the long-ball system that Tony Pulis soiled the Premier League with, and to introduce a free-flowing style of play to the Britannia Stadium. It's refreshing, and after finishing in 9th place last season, it's clearly working. 


(Former Barcelona man Bojan Krkić is set to excite Stoke City fans this term)

The Potters have endured a discouraging start to the 2014/2015 season, losing to relegation candidates Aston Villa and sharing the points with Hull City. Faced with the threat of a carnivorous Stevan Jovetić and a Manchester City side that strolled past Liverpool without ever breaking a sweat on Monday night, Mark Hughes looks set to suffer his sixth defeat in eight fixtures since leaving the Etihad Stadium.

Prediction: 2-0

Line-Ups
Possible Manchester City XI

• Sagna in line to start - Zabaleta can be afforded a rest this season
• Mangala and Negredo (still injured) unfit to start
• Džeko is fine despite picking up a knock against Liverpool, but Agüero could make his first start of the season after scoring against Liverpool

Possible Stoke City XI

• Bojan could start after recovering from a rib injury
• Bardsley is 50/50 to start after picking up a knee injury
• Former City midfielder Stephen Ireland still waiting to score against his old club

Match Facts

• Manchester City have won their last seven home fixtures against Stoke
• Stoke City last won a top flight away tie against the blues in 1980
• Mark Hughes is yet to pick up a win against the club he managed from 2008 to 2009
• City have won 23 of their last 26 Premier League home games

Manchester City 3 - 1 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Player Ratings

Joe Hart - 7
Shot stopping abilities prevented former City-striker Daniel Sturridge from scoring on two occasions, and the England stopper almost made an incredible double-stop to deny Liverpool a consolation. Looks confident.

Pablo Zabaleta - 7.5

Replaced Kolarov in City's back line and provided all the grit, determination and attacking intent that excited the Etihad faithful last term. A brilliant performance marred by an unlucky own-goal. 

Vincent Kompany - 7.5

Made a true captain's block to deny Liverpool in the first half and commanded the back four in a solid display. Outdone by the trickery of Sturridge on one occasion, but Hart was on hand to save the Belgian's blushes.

Martin Demichelis - 7 

Composed yet again, but was caught out by Sturridge's pace late in the second half and almost awarded Liverpool a second goal. 

Gaël Clichy - 7

Preferred to Kolarov at left-back for his pace, and he did well to nullify the threat of Raheem Sterling.

Fernando - 7

Reads the game terrifically and is often in the right place at the right time. His energy and tenacity in the centre of midfield prevented Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson from influencing the play as much as they'd have liked to.

Yaya Touré - 7

Another low-key performance from the Ivorian who controlled City's attacking play from a deeper role yet again. The presence of two strikers will prevent Yaya from wandering into the forward positions he excels in, but his strength still proved vital in the middle.

Samir Nasri - 7

Instrumental in the possession City enjoyed and contributed in attack, too. Low-key, but extremely effective.

David Silva - 6.5 

A quiet one for the Spanish magician. Did nothing wrong, but was unable to supply the creativity and invention he usually offers. Substituted.

Edin Džeko - 6.5

Forced off with a leg injury after a fairly quiet display. Expected to return to the side quickly.

Stevan Jovetić - 8

The Montenegrin is definitely an exciting talent, and his two goals demonstrated his abilities in a terrific display. Full of confidence and expected to play a huge role this season. 

Substitutes

Jesus Navas - 7

With Liverpool pushing forward for goals, the Spaniard's pace gave City a good outlet on the right. Provided a great pass for Agüero's goal.

Sergio Agüero - 7

Won't be happy with the title of 'super sub', but that's what he's proving to be!

Fernandinho - 6
Helped City see out the victory.

Manchester City 3 - 1 Liverpool

MANCHESTER CITY 3 - 1 LIVERPOOL

Jovetic 41′, 55′, Agüero 69′                                   Zabaleta 83' (o.g.)

(Credit - MCFC Official Facebook)

Jojo shows his mojo as slick City spank Liverpool

Twelve months ago, Stevan Jovetić watched his new Manchester City teammates fall to a 3-2 defeat in Cardiff from the sidelines. Accompanied by the crushing weight of persistent injury, the £22m Montenegrin signed from Fiorentina became worryingly familiar with the Etihad injury table, but a ghost to his fans. 

A year on, and last year's Premier League runners up crumbled under the crushing weight of Stevan Jovetić's appetite for goals. Revived and free from the harassment of torn hamstrings, the 24-year-old was at the double to propel Manchester City past Liverpool on Monday night. It's funny how things change.

The Premier League champions welcomed a packed Etihad Stadium back to the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 victory over the side that pushed them so close for crown last term. City's enviable strength-in-depth conquered a Liverpool side still mourning the loss of Luis Suárez, and although the visitors perhaps enjoyed the better of the first half, they lacked the firepower the new Barcelona man offered them last season.

(Luis Suárez scored 31 goals for Brendan Rodgers' side last term)

But as Manchester City fans know too well, Liverpool's new £16m man certainly possesses the ability to create 'fire'. Former City striker Mario Balotelli watched on from the stands after completing his move from AC Milan to Anfield on Monday afternoon. But it was a bittersweet reunion for the Italian as he watched his new club fall to defeat.

The pace of Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling threatened to unlock a rigid Manchester City defence in the opening 40 minutes, but a mistake from new signing Alberto Moreno obstructed his side's momentum just minutes before half-time. The 22-year-old hesitated to clear inside the box, and Stevan Jovetić pounced to smash the blues into the lead.

(Jovetić celebrates City's opener - credit MCFC Official Facebook)

The young Spaniard, given a 'baptism of fire' debut against Manuel Pellegrini's men, was issued an early lesson on the pace of the Premier League by a man in ferocious form, and the home side took complete control of the second half aided by a show of clockwork interchanging between Yaya Touré, David Silva, Samir Nasri and new-man Fernando. 

And it took City just ten minutes to double their lead. An enchanting move, instigated by a delicate flick from Stevan Jovetić, was finished off by the Montenegrin who sent a 45,500 crowd into raptures. The Etihad faithful were treated to only a handful of exciting glimpses of the 24-year-old last season, but the forward's tantalising talents could become a regular attraction at Eastlands this term. 

(The Montenegrin forward doubles his tally - credit MCFC Official Facebook)

Edin Džeko was forced off with a leg injury on the 68 minute mark, and his replacement took the opportunity to add his own flavour to proceedings expeditiously. Just 23 seconds into his cameo, Sergio Agüero ran on to a sublime ball from Jesus Navas to angle in City's third. 

The Argentine's predatory instincts in front of goal supplied home fans with an encouraging reminder of the ammunition Manuel Pellegrini has available to him this season, and the Etihad's guests with an intimidating view of what they're up against this campaign. 

(Sergio Agüero scores just 23 seconds into his 22-minute cameo)

Liverpool's efforts were rewarded with a late consolation goal when Pablo Zabaleta turned into his own net following a goal-mouth scramble with Rickie Lambert. Joe Hart showed admirable reactions to deny Lambert's initial effort, but could do nothing to stop his Argentinian team-mate marking his first appearance of the season with a blemish. 

(Pablo Zabaleta puts the ball into his own net - credit Getty Images/BBC Sport)

With the mojo of Jojo and the carnivorousness of Sergio Agüero in their forward line, Manchester City have an attacking duo capable of steering them to yet another Premier League title. The blues strolled to a comfortable victory over last year's runners-up without ever stepping out of first gear - it could be frightening when they finally do. 

Match Stats

Possession: Manchester City 53% - 47% Liverpool

Shots: Manchester City 9 - 11 Liverpool

Shots on target: Manchester City 4 - 3 Liverpool

Corners: Manchester City 6 - 7 Liverpool

Fouls: Manchester City 13 - 7 Liverpool