Manchester City must use their next three fixtures to provide a reaction

As Erik Lamela, the man who I had publicly taunted for being a complete and utter waste of time and money, brought both Willy Caballero and Martin Demichelis to their knees and rolled in Tottenham's fourth goal of the day, I smiled.


(Erik Lamela tussles with fellow Argentine Martin Demichelis - image via Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It was the smile of a Manchester City fan who had just watched a comedy sketch worthy of north Manchester's Sunday league - the sniggering pointing in the direction of an Argentinian duo who earn more in five minutes than the entire population of that league do in a year. On Saturday afternoon, they, and Manchester City's side in general, were earning the tag of the Premier League's bottlers.

"Why are you smiling?," I was asked by a friend. 

"Because I'm not surprised," I replied. 

Any City supporter would have issued you with the same response. After winning our first five league games with not even a smudge to rub off Joe Hart's gloves, a catastrophe was always more likely to follow over continued success. Successive defeats against Juventus and West Ham United were briefly consoled by the 4-1 mauling of Sunderland in the Capital One Cup, but City suffered a similar fate to that of the Black Cats when they visited White Hart Lane last weekend. Harry Kane and Erik Lamela scored in the 4-1 win over Pellegrini's side - two players you could have bet your family's wellbeing on scoring before the game - and two of the goals were offside. And by offside I mean "has the linesman fallen asleep?" offside. 

It was a bad day for the linesmen, but even worse for the Blues who look to be running out of steam after an excellent start to the campaign. Manchester United now sit at the top of the table and, even worse, David James is beginning to show his face again.

Not all is gloom and doom, though. If anything was going to derail City's sizzling start to the season, it was going to be injuries. It's no coincidence that injuries to David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Agüero and Joe Hart - our best players - have run parallel with poor results. Money has been spent on the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling who have certainly made a significant impact on the team, but no amount of money can compensate for a spine that has been integral to City's success in the last five years. Without the leadership of Hart and Kompany, the mind of Silva and the incisiveness of Agüero, any team, regardless of their other assets, will struggle. 


(City have missed the leadership skills of their captain Vincent Kompany - image via Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

City have shown that, with that spine, they are capable of dismantling any side. No team in the division is yet to play the entertaining football that City have played so far this term and no team in the division has the same luxury of talent we currently have at our disposal. With a point to prove, Pellegrini's men must take advantage of their next three fixtures to provide a reaction. 

No fixture is easy, but City will expect to win their next three games should the services of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and David Silva become available to them once again. Kompany was on the bench in the weekend defeat and both Hart and Silva have a chance for Wednesday according to their manager. The Blues travel to Germany in the week to face Borussia Mönchengladbach who have won only twice in seven Bundesliga games this season. The Germans, in their current form, present City with their best chance of getting their first Champions League points on the board and it's an opportunity they must take if group qualification is to be secured. 

Home fixtures against 19th place Newcastle United and newly promoted Bournemouth follow. City haven't lost a home league game against the Magpies since 2000 and have never lost a domestic game against Bournemouth in their entire history. These are must win games.

Both the Champions League and the Premier League has a tendency of throwing up shock results on occasion, but Manchester City must ensure they are not the victims of that infamous 'magic' in the next month if silverware is on the agenda this season. 

Sunderland 1 - 4 Manchester City: Thoughts & Ratings

A good, old-fashioned trouncing was what Manchester City required to suffocate the misery of two consecutive defeats and that was exactly what the Blues entertained their fans with in a 4-1 Capital One Cup win over Sunderland on Tuesday night. 

(Manchester City ran riot against Sunderland on Tuesday night - image via Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After respective losses to Juventus and West Ham United last week, City needed to prove to themselves that the early hype was justified. Imperious displays from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling proved that it probably was.

Manuel Pellegrini fielded a strong eleven at the Stadium of Light, a team that the club itself admitted would "promote a lot of debate". Sergio Agüero, Nicolas Otamendi and Yaya Touré were selected among eight other senior players, whilst Patrick Roberts, Pablo Maffeo and Manu García could only make the bench.

As predicted, a nauseating debate ensued with one pathetic fan wishing defeat upon the side in response to Pellegrini's decision not to include any of the academy in his starting eleven. But the Chilean's decision was a sensible one. It would be irresponsible to underestimate a Premier League team - especially one that reached the final of the tournament two seasons ago - regardless of their form.

City took a 4-0 lead within 36 minutes and the same supporter that threw his dummy out an hour prior to kick off celebrated every single goal with capital letters and exclamation marks. 

It was an efficient performance that saw the 2013/2014 cup winners march on into the fourth round without a scratch. Sergio Agüero, who will have been relieved to find the net after an unfortunate display against West Ham, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling (2) provided the goals for the Blues, whilst Patrick Roberts, Manu García and George Evans all enjoyed brief, but profitable, spells towards the end of the game. 

For me, Manuel played this one perfectly. 

De Bruyne - Sterling link up play

(Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were signed for a combined £100m this summer - image via Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

For £100m, one would expect at least a taste of brilliance from Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne. The pair have scored four goals and provided three assists in domestic competitions this season and are still yet to play in a trio with David Silva. 

The combined speed and creativity of the duo tormented Sunderland all evening. Sterling's perfectly weighted through ball set De Bruyne up for City's second after 25 minutes and the Belgian repaid the favour ten minutes later with a similarly precise pass. 

Both finishes were spectacular, De Bruyne firing in with his left foot from a tight angle and Sterling opening up his body to curl past Mannone and into the far corner. 

Both player represent huge outlays for the club, but the goals, assists and ferocity going forward they'll provide could mean it's money well spent. 

Taking chances

The 4-1 scoreline was representative of City's efficiency in front of goal. Bar one uncharacteristic Agüero miss, City were composed in the 18-yard-box and hit the back of the net with 57% of the shots they had on target. 

With the same composure last Saturday, the club's unbeaten Premier League run would surely still be in tact.

Stats

Shots: 14

Shots on target: 7

Goals scored: 4

Player Ratings

Willy Caballero 7

Bacary Sagna 7

Nicolas Otamendi 7

Martin Demichelis 7

Aleksandar Kolarov 6

Fernandinho 7

Yaya Touré 7

Kevin De Bruyne 8

Jesus Navas 7

Raheem Sterling 8

Sergio Agüero 6

Substitutes

Patrick Roberts 6.5

Manu García 6

George Evans - no time to mark

Jesus Navas: The Footballing Equivalent Of Testicular Vasocongestion

There's pace that lifts you off your seat, there's movement that yanks the eyes from side to side and there's a boyish enthusiasm that you can't help but sympathetically applaud.


(Jesus Navas was unproductive from the wing against West Ham United on Saturday - image via Getty Images)

And that's about it, really.

Of course, we're talking about Jesus Navas - the most infuriating Manchester City player to watch after the great Edin Džeko who, in all honesty, Manuel Pellegrini would have liked to have had available on Saturday evening. 

Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League campaign was brought to an abrupt end in a 2-1 loss to a West Ham side who have enjoyed their travels this season. Hammers' supporters were ready to accept defeat before kick off  - one fan account reacted to City's £300m-plus line-up with an acquiescent "F*ck" - even after enjoying away wins against Arsenal and Liverpool already this term. 

One would have assumed City's form could even afford them a late injury to David Silva in the warm up. He was replaced by Navas. But even in this City side, furnished with extraordinary talent in every position, exchanging the abilities of David Silva for Jesus Navas is like exchanging the sun for an LED bulb. 


(David Silva picked up an injury in the warm up - image via Getty Images)

One supporter brilliantly described Navas as "the human equivalent of premature ejaculation" as tempers flared after the full time whistle. A scene plays out involving a quick one-two that evades the full-back, a burst of speed takes the Spaniard to the by-line. Three hungry forwards await the arrival of the ball in the 18-yard-box. Fans spring to their feet, their backs tilting at a 45-degree angle, their eyes wide awaiting the beautiful climax to the perfect move. And they wait some more, and some more, and some more. 

The footballing equivalent of testicular vasocongestion, or blue balls, would be a better description. There exists an interminable list of inappropriate metaphors that humorously, but accurately, describe Navas's wing play - the postman that delivers no letters is another -  but every single one of them alludes to his poor end product. I don't take any pride in mocking a player that plays for the team I support, but the frustration has reached astronomical levels.

What's so frustrating about Navas is he's actually quite a useful outlet. On the counter attack his speed is profitable and he puts a shift in defensively, too. But as a winger, you're expected to be able to put a cross in that doesn't meet the feet of your opponent nine times out of ten. As City pushed for an equaliser in a 60-minute onslaught on Saturday, Navas found a fellow Blue with just two of his attempted 20 crosses. In the six league games he has played this term, Navas has completed just six successful crosses out of an attempted 48. That is appalling and, quite frankly, something Manuel Pellegrini shouldn't have to put up with for much longer. 


(A damning view of Navas's unsuccessful crosses against West Ham - image via @Squawka)

In a side that like to spread the ball to the flank, Navas has a huge responsibility to provide for his team, but the £55m capture of Kevin De Bruyne suggests that Pellegrini is finally acknowledging the Spaniard's failure to carry out his duties. The genius of David Silva, who has four assists to his name this season, has masked Navas's impotence who, surprisingly, acts as the side's second-in-command when it comes to creating chances. But when Silva is unavailable, City simply can't rely on the 29-year-old to be the supply man. 

Sergio Agüero, Aleksandar Kolarov and Raheem Sterling also struggled in City's first loss of the season, but all three have shown consistent signs of brilliance in their Premier League careers. Agüero is unarguably the league's best striker when in form, Kolarov is the club's most accomplished left back and Sterling adds vivacity and youth to the side - but with Navas, it often feels like we're clutching at straws when looking for positives. 

With Kevin De Bruyne, who impressed with a goal on his full debut on Saturday, Raheem Sterling, Samir Nasri and 18-year-old Patrick Roberts vying for places on City's flank this season, patience with Jesus Navas's lack of productivity will surely run out soon. 

Manchester City 1 - 2 Juventus: Report, Thoughts & Ratings

With their arms around one another, a triumphant Juventus side approached their equally exultant supporters as the full time whistle screeched inside the Etihad Stadium. They had come from a goal down to beat Manchester City 2-1 in their own back yard - the team that supposedly no one wanted to draw in this year's Champions League group stages. 


(Juventus celebrate their victory - image via Juventus Official Facebook)

For Massimiliano Allegri and his players, this was momentous. His team were savaged in the summer transfer window. The Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal shaped wounds have forced the Old Lady into complete submission so far this term - they're yet to win a game in Serie A. But for Manchester City fans, this was just the same old City they have seen in Europe for the last five years - a team unrecognisable to the one that has been foolproof in the Premier League. 

Manchester City's fear factor in Europe stems purely from big money signings and intimidating words. When asked whether City's current squad was the best since he joined the club, skipper Vincent Kompany said "early signs would say so," but without results, those words are hollow. 

The Blues have only ever managed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League and have never won a truly meaningful game against any of the 'big guns' they wish to compete with. When Sergio Agüero provided an individual masterclass in City's 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich last November, there was a feeling that Manuel Pellegrini's side may finally be swimming into the harbours of Europe's elite, but the Germans had already qualified and when City met Barcelona in the next round, they were brushed aside with ease. 

City have been imperious in the Premier League this season. They have attacked with pace and have defended magnificently. They are yet to concede a goal and have scored 11 of their own. But there was very little of that acceleration and energy on Tuesday evening, and when it did present itself, City didn't take advantage. Raheem Sterling was his side's main threat on the counter attack but directed two weak efforts towards the feet of Gianluigi Buffon that could have sealed the game for the home team. 


(Raheem Sterling squandered two important opportunities - image via Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Wilfried Bony was similarly wasteful upfront filling in for the injured Agüero. The Ivorian amused onlookers with a comical left footed effort on the half hour mark that flew well wide of Buffon's goal and failed to provide Aleksandar Kolarov with a target in the box throughout. The ex-Swansea forward has strength in abundance, but he lacks the mobility of Agüero that City could have utilised. 

Bony's stats
Shots: 3
Shots on target: 1
Take ons: 1
Pass accuracy: 50%

The Blues were reckless in front of goal, but their persistence paid off ten minutes into the second half when Vincent Kompany climbed aboard the shoulders of Giorgio Chiellini and forced the Italian into nodding the ball into his own net. Furious protests assaulted the ears of referee Damir Skomima, but they couldn't prevent City's record from corners growing even more impressive. 

Juventus, runners up in last season's Champions League, were obstructed on their quest for an equaliser by the exceptional Fernandinho. The Brazilian commanded the centre of the midfield, winning six tackles and contributing three interceptions to his side's resolute defensive display. This was a performance loaded with tenacity - the reason why Juventus's biggest threat remained quiet for most of the game. 

Fernandinho's stats
Successful tackles: 6
Interceptions: 3
Clearances: 2
Blocks: 2
Chances created: 2
Pass accuracy: 95%


(Fernandinho was City's top passer and ball recoverer - image via @StatsZone)

But Europe's hottest property and perhaps City's most wanted man would not be kept at bay for much longer. With 20 minutes remaining, Paul Pogba whipped a delicious ball into the feet of Mario Mandžukić who tapped home to equalise. The Italian's Scudetto-winning quality began to surface and the game was won ten minutes later when Alvaro Morata's curling effort found the bottom corner of Joe Hart's goal. 

Defensively, City had been terrific, but a late injury to the impenetrable Kompany cast the back line into uncertainty. Nicolas Otamendi was handed an unexpected debut, but was outwitted by Morata for Juventus's second goal and Aleksandar Kolarov resorted to old habits with a useless strike from 40 yards as the game approached its final minutes. 

Manuel Pellegrini has the players at his disposal to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League trophy this term, but the Blues can not afford to play catch up yet again in an unforgiving Group D.

Player Ratings
Joe Hart 6

Bacary Sagna 6
Vincent Kompany 7.5
Eliaquim Mangala 7
Aleksandar Kolarov 6.5

Fernandinho 9
Yaya Touré 7
David Silva 6
Samir Nasri 6

Raheem Sterling 6.5


Wilfried Bony 5

Substitutes

Kevin De Bruyne 6

Nicolas Otamendi 5Sergio Agüero 5










                    

Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Manchester City: Player Ratings

Joe Hart - 7

Five games played, 0 conceded. Joe Hart has had the pleasure of watching his teammates work their brilliance at the opposite end of the pitch without really having to display any of his own so far this season, but top goalkeepers stay alert. With the game approaching its latter stages, Hart was forced into an acrobatic reflex save to deny Jason Puncheon.

Bacary Sagna - 7

Fears were allayed when Sagna's name was heard over the tannoy at Selhurt Park. The Frenchman, who has been a star performer for the Blues this campaign, had picked up a minor ankle injury in France's friendly against Serbia - a potentially serious problem for a side also missing Pablo Zabaleta. Sagna continued his fine form to nullify the threat of Zaha and Bolasie - two of the division's most dangerous wingers. 

Vincent Kompany - 8

City's scintillating start to the season has been influenced heavily by their captain's return to peak form. Kompany won 100% of his aerial duels and made a total of 13 clearances and interceptions against a Palace side that attacked with intent. A fine performance. 

Eliaquim Mangala - 6.5

City's 4-4-2 formation didn't help the Frenchman who was exposed when Kolarov went forward. Raheem Sterling's willingness to track back and cover for his left-back has prevented attacks coming down City's left hand side, but with the Englishman out of the team through injury, Kolarov had to man the flank alone. It hurt Mangala, but he regained composure in the second half. 

Aleksandar Kolarov - 6

Not the same attacking threat without Sterling and left his flank exposed on a number of occasions.  

Jesus Navas - 5

A contender for the miss of the season and without the heroics of Kelechi Iheanacho, Navas may have been on the end of a few harsh words from his manager. One feels the Spaniard's time in the first team may be coming to an end.


Fernandinho - 7

A typically tenacious performance from the Brazilian but lacked composure in front of goal where he was presented with a number of decent opportunities.

Yaya Touré - 6.5

Lacked discipline on occasion and his temper prevented him from controlling the middle of the park.

Samir Nasri - 7

Lacks the defensive discipline of Raheem Sterling, but was City's most creative player behind Kevin De Bruyne. His strike forced McCarthy into the save that found the feet of Iheanacho. 

Wilfried Bony - 6.5

Holds the ball up well and shows glimpses of his old self, but needs to do more to hold down a regular place in the team. His partnership with Agüero is yet to take off.

Sergio Agüero - 5

Was frustrated by Palace's defenders who eventually kicked him out of the game. Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his knee injury is not too serious. 

Substitutes

Kevin De Bruyne - 8
A wonderful debut for the Belgian. Supplied City's midfield with composure and creativity, creating five chances in 65 minutes. An assist was nailed on before Navas's horrendous miss!

Kelechi Iheanacho - 7 
Showed striker's instinct to beat two Palace defenders to a stray ball and win the game. A great moment for the youngster who is firmly in Pellegrini's plans.

Martin Demichelis - no time to mark

(All images via and property of  www.skysports.com - http://www.skysports.com/manchester-city-squad)

Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Manchester City: Tap Ins v's Stunning Solo Goals

Tap ins v's stunning solo goals. It's a no brainer. 


(Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates his late winner against Crystal Palace - image via Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Football is not just a sport, but an art form. The man who Maradona turns his way into the 18-yard-box automatically manoeuvres himself into a position of superiority over the fellow that trips and slips along the same route. It doesn't really matter whether player A's goal meant nothing and player B's goal won a major trophy, brilliant goals are taken at face value. 

This weekend two players of similar ages scored goals for their clubs, one decidedly more important than the other in regard to their respective games. Anthony Martial, 19, a £36m buy from AS Monaco, 'scored a sublime late goal' to finish off Liverpool in Manchester United's 3-1 victory over their fierce rivals on Saturday. 

"What a way to announce yourself," said Sky pundit Thierry Henry who has been compared to Martial. "I love the finish, it’s a great finish. I call it freezing the goalkeeper. He puts his head up, he’s looking at the keeper, he takes his time and then goal. It’s so composed." His colleague Martin Tyler was even more appreciative of the strike, screaming "Yes!" when the ball rolled past Simon Mignolet.


(Anthony Martial announces himself to the Premier League with a superb solo goal - image via Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Earlier that day, Kelechi Iheanacho, 18, a graduate from Manchester City's EDS squad, emerged 'to clip home his first senior goal' in the 90th minute against 2nd place Crystal Palace. The goal earned City their fifth consecutive victory without conceding a goal and put them five points ahead at the top of the table, but it drew only murmurs from European media outlets. 

And before I'm hit with the "bitter" and "obsessed" accusations from Manchester United supporters who may be reading this, I don't believe Martial's price tag has anything to do with the heightened coverage. If Iheanacho had shown a similar level of skill to net City's winner, perhaps he would be receiving the same applause? It's unlikely, however. 

Why? Because this country is still captivated by a rivalry that lost its heat many years ago. Manchester United, 20, and Liverpool, 18, dominate English football in terms of titles won, but a title race involving the two clubs last happened six years ago. These are two sleeping giants, the exhausting first half on Saturday afternoon showcased that, and it's questionable as to whether they'll ever wake up. 

As for Manchester City, acquiring a rival for the Premier League title this season is proving to be a difficult task, but we're not complaining. 

A response to Stuart Brennan's piece on David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne

Last week, Manchester Evening News's Manchester City correspondent Stuart Brennan wrote an article proposing that Manuel Pellegrini should play new signing Kevin De Bruyne in the central role and move David Silva out to the right flank. 


(Kevin De Bruyne signed for Manchester City in a £54.5m deal this summer - image via Manchester City Official Facebook)

Unsurprisingly, Brennan revealed in an updated piece how his suggestion "drew howls of anguish" from supporters who have seen Silva orchestrate City's charming football so far this season. So was this article written with the sole intention of provoking, or should the author's recommendation be taken seriously in the interest of benefiting the team? 

Brennan immediately ruffles the feathers, declaring that "those Manchester City fans who think David Silva should stay at the heart of things have it all wrong". But after watching the Spaniard score a goal, register four assists and pick up four Man of the Match award nominations in City's first four games, it's clear that the 29-year-old should be central to his manager's plans this term. Brennan doesn't debate this, but he does have controversial ideas on where Silva is most effective. 

David Silva's move from the left flank into the central position behind the striker has paid dividends for the Blues this season. Whilst it is true that the ex-Valencia man has had no trouble exhibiting his brilliance from wide positions throughout his City career, Silva has been at his best when cutting inside. In City's 2014/2015 campaign, Silva created 72.4% of a total 93 chances when coming inside from the left flank as opposed to 14.1% from areas close to the touchline. 


(A pitch view of the chances David Silva created in 2014/2015 - image via @Squakwa) - Pitch view is landscape


Pellegrini's side were criticised last term for their lack of directness and urgency going forward. The arrival of Raheem Sterling has helped to address that issue and the pace of Jesus Navas on the opposite side has given the team balance. City now play with out-and-out wingers that hug the touchline and allow Silva to exploit space in the centre of the field. Silva lacks the qualities of a natural wide man, crossing and pace are not at the top of his list of abilities, and Kevin De Bruyne's superior speed and willingness to take on his man makes him a much better fit for City's right side. 

In an emphatic 2014/2015 campaign with Wolfsburg, the Belgian created 111 chances (over 50% of them from areas around the touchline) and successfully completed 99 out of an attempted 171 take ons. With Sterling operating on the left flank, City require the same directness and creativity on the right flank and De Bruyne offers more of that than Silva from wide positions. 

Brennan supports his proposal by citing the pair's performances for their respective national teams last week. Silva claimed the Man of the Match award in Spain's 2-0 win over Slovakia playing in a right-sided role whilst De Bruyne created and scored a goal from a central position in Belgium's 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both players were terrific and their displays back up Brennan's article well, but one must acknowledge the respective systems that Spain and Belgium adopt. 


(David Silva played a major role in Spain's 2-0 win over Slovakia - image via Getty Images)

Spain utilised a 4-3-3 formation against Slovakia with Pedro operating on the left as the side's only natural winger. With Fabregas, Busquets and Iniesta making up a trio in the centre of midfield, Silva, given his experience out wide for Manchester City, is the obvious choice to fill the opposite role on the right. Silva assisted Jordi Alba for his side's first goal, but had to cut in from the flank to direct a superb cross onto the head of his left back. At City, with Jesus Navas and Kevin De Bruyne also in the team, Silva can focus on providing those chances from his favoured central position.

As for De Bruyne, his corner assisted Fellaini for Belgium's first and offered a demonstration of his fantastic crossing abilities. However Belgium, unlike City, lack creativity in the centre of midfield with Fellaini, Witsel and Nainggolan operating as a three. In need of goals, as Belgium were against Cyprus on Sunday evening, De Bruyne is the obvious choice to move into the centre to provide imagination - something that David Silva and Yaya Touré can both do in Pellegrini's side. 

Certainly, I see Brennan's logic and also recognise the versatility of both players and their strengths in other areas of the pitch, but I don't believe an immediate shake up would benefit the team in any way. In a league in which many teams play on the counter attack, City have established a formation with out and out wingers that is both ferocious when going forward and resolute when defending and I feel disrupting the balance of the side so early could have a negative impact on the efficiency of our football. 

As an option for the future should results take a turn for the worse? Yes, but as a base formation and so early into the season when the side is playing brilliantly? Definitely not.