Fulham 2 - 4 Manchester City

FULHAM 2 - 4 MANCHESTER CITY
Richardson 50', Kompany 69' (O.G.)    Yaya Touré 23', Kompany 43', Navas 78', Milner 83'

Jesús heals City havoc at the Cottage

Jesús Navas's 78th minute strike sent Manchester City on their way to a particularly unholy victory on Saturday afternoon. An incongruous own goal from Vincent Kompany threatened to derail City's effulgent start to the game, but a prevailment of class ensured the blues marched towards Christmas in a sumptuous second place.

With repugnant realisations of relegation rattling through the minds of Meulensteen's men, Fulham made a bright start to the game with Adel Taarabt warming the gloves of Joe Hart early on. It was the England stopper's first Premier League start since the 27th of October and he showed no signs of stiff hands.

Fulham's vibrance instilled sincerity into City's play as they looked to maintain their recent unbeaten record on the road. On the 23 minute mark, Steve Sidwell made the criminal error of bringing down David Silva just two yards outside the box and as Yaya Touré approached the ball, the travelling City faithful commenced their celebrations. The wonderful whip into the top corner of Stekelenburg's net marked the Ivorian's fourth free-kick of the season and City were deservedly in front. 

(Yaya Touré celebrates his delicious opener)

Sitting in a nauseating 19th position, the Cottagers refused to relinquish their desperate hunt for a goal, but the Premier League's top scorers weren't content with just the one. With just minutes left in the first half, Martin Demichelis's aerial prowess presented Vincent Kompany with a tap in to make it 2-0. The Belgian's first goal of the season concluded a comfortable first 45 minutes for the blues and the antibiotics prescribed for their tumultuous travel sickness was finally beginning to kick in. 

(Vincent Kompany's first goal of the season gives Manchester City a 2-0 lead at the break)

An elementary first half saw complacency characterise City's second half display and pompoisity was duly punished just five minutes into the second half when Kieran Richardson got the goal the Cottage was craving. Some surprisingly sloppy play from David Silva saw Adel Taarabt race past Gaël Clichy and angle in a superb ball to Richardson who couldn't miss. 

Injuries to Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards forced a naturally right-footed Gaël Clichy into an unnatural role at right-back and despite his best efforts, the Frenchman was faltering. City's defence were beginning to exhibit the dubiety that had symbolised the blues' conduct on the road all season and with just over 20 minutes to go, Vincent Kompany's curious clearance outrageously looped a helpless Joe Hart to present Fulham with a deserved equaliser. Sascha Riether's tame cross was a due a routine clearance from the Belgian, but a cruel bobble sealed an unlikely comeback for the hosts.

(Vincent Kompany literally cries tears of blood following his horror own goal)

Enlightened by the conviviality of the Christmas period, City's very own saviour Jesús Navas was insistent that Manchester City were not about to experience yet another slip up at Craven Cottage. With just 12 minutes left on the clock, the Spaniard sped onto a sublime through ball from compatriot David Silva and fired home from an impossibly tight angle to restore his sides' lead. 

(Jesús Navas puts Manchester City back in the lead)

Jesús's holy touch on proceedings resurrected a seemingly crumbled Manchester City side and the blues quickly grabbed another courtesy of James Milner to prevent yet another unpalatable Fulham fightback. A phenomenal ball from Álvaro Negredo with the outside of his left boot fittingly found City's outstanding player of December who sealed the win for the blues with his second goal of the season.

(James Milner seals the win for City)

Savvy substitutions from Manchester City's Chilean chancellor prevented another unimaginable slip up for City on the road, and currently, no one deserves a first team place more than James Milner. Defensive lapses may be a newfound feature of our play, but even without Sergio Agüero, our appetite for goals is likely to keep digging us out of trouble. 

Should Arsenal and Chelsea draw on Monday night, Manchester City will approach the 25th of December in 2nd place. Happy Christmas!

Player Ratings

Joe Hart 7 - A solid return to first team football from the Englishman who produced a couple of vital saves to prevent a Fulham fightback. Will keep his place on Boxing Day.

Gaël Clichy 6 - You have to feel for the Frenchman who started the game in an unfamiliar right-back position, however, he struggled and lost Taarabt for Fulham's first.

Vincent Kompany 7.5 - Scored and didn't put a foot wrong until his outrageous own goal.

Martin Demichelis 7 - The Premier League is beginning to take note of Demichelis's power in the air and he was on hand with his head to set up City's second. Still lacks pace.

Aleksandar Kolarov 7 - Fired in a number of dangerous crosses but unfortunately, they were never met by a City player.

David Silva 7.5 - Scampered around the field in typically classy fashion and his assist for Navas was delightful.

Fernandinho 7 - A relatively quiet performance from the Brazilian but shielded the defence rather comfortably

Yaya Touré 7 - Atrocious conditions saw the Ivorian shy away from most of the action, but give him a free-kick just outside of the box and he will delivery every single time.

Samir Nasri 7 - Was manned brilliantly by Fulham's defence and despite his best efforts, he could never penetrate.

Edin Džeko 6.5 - Passed up yet another opportunity to impress Manuel Pellegrini with a number of squandered chances. Substituted.

Álvaro Negredo 7.5 - Battled brilliantly and although he couldn't score, his assist for Milner's goal was a thing of beauty.

Substitutes

Jesús Navas 7 - Grabbed a vital goal for his side.

James Milner 7 - Continued his fine form with another goal and swung things in City's favour.

Javi García 6 - Calmed the play.

Match Stats
Shots on target: Fulham 6 - 10 Manchester City

Shots off target: Fulham 3 - 3 Manchester City

Blocked shots: Fulham 4 - 4 Manchester City

Corners: Fulham 4 - 4 Manchester City

Fouls: Fulham 7 - 15 Manchester City

Pass Completion: Fulham 84% - 85% Manchester City

Tackle Success: Fulham 65% - 32% Manchester City

Possession: Fulham 49% - 51% Manchester City

Fulham v Manchester City

                                                         

Preview

Sir Alex Ferguson may have escaped the burgeoning muscle of Manchester City, but for his old accomplice René Meulensteen, things have only just begun.

The ex-Manchester United coach assumed responsibilties on the bitter banks of the River Thames after compatriot Martin Jol was relieved of his duties earlier this month. However, the Cottage has failed to provide a cosy crib for the Dutchman and his side sit in a viperous 19th place. 

The Cottagers have won only once in their last eight games, conceding a troubling 20 goals in the process. Fulham's foul form has seen a sulking strike duo of Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz frequent the local travel agents with respective moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Anderlecht on their Christmas wishlists, however, with a combined total of just four goals all season, a sufficient amount of blame has to be put on the couplet.

 

(Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz have failed to find goalscoring form this season)

Admirably, Fulham's Dutch dictator will refuse to erect obstacles in the path of any uncommitted Fulham player and has already commenced preparations for the January transfer window. Manchester United's out-of-favour Brazilian midfielder Anderson is believed to be on Meulensteen's radar whilst former fan favourite Clint Dempsey could make a return to the club on loan from Seattle Sounders. 

Reluctantly boasting the league's worst defensive record, the visit of a gluttonous Manchester City side comes at a poisonous period for a Fulham outfit lacking in confidence. However, René Meulensteen will be salivating over an unlikely victory over a side he used to adore torturing. 

Aiming to magnify Meulensteen's misery are Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City. The blues seem to have found a remedy for the atrocious away form that threatened to derail their 2013/2014 campaign and have avoided losses in their last four away games in all competitions. Convincing victories against Leicester City, Bayern Munich and West Bromwich Albion have inculated a carnivorous confidence into the title chasers whose greed for goals continues to escalate uncontrollably. 

Even without the injured Sergio Agüero, the Citizens will fancy their chances against a side that have kept only three clean sheets all season. Fresh from his double that downed Leicester City in mid-week, Edin Džeko believes he can fill the void left vacant by the prolific Argentine and many see the opportunity as the Bosnian's last chance to impress Manuel Pellegrini. Džeko has notched up an impressive two goals and two assists in his seven games against Fulham and will be desperate to add to that record in a bid to secure a starting place in Pellegrini's eleven.

(Edin Džeko has vowed to fill the void left by the injured Sergio Agüero)

If proceedings go perfectly for the blues over the weekend, they could approach Christmas in a sumptuous second place. Santa Claus may not be ready to sail the skies just yet, but Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping for an early Christmas present on Saturday with a win over Meulensteen's men.

1-3

Line-Ups

The doors of Manchester City's injury room continue to swing wildly as Pablo Zabaleta enrolled onto the blues casualty list on Tuesday night. The defender joined his Argentinian compatriot Sergio Agüero after suffering an early hamstring twinge that is expected to keep him out until mid-January. With Micah Richards also entertaining a hamstring injury of his own, Dedryck Boyata is expected to fill the role.

(Manchester City's forgotten man Dedryck Boyata is in line for a re-call)

Fulham are still without Hugo Rodallega, Fernando Amorebieta and Brede Hangeland ahead of Saturday's clash. 

Possible line-ups

Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos, Hughes, Riise; Sidwell, Parker, Kasami; Dejagah, Berbatov, Kacaniklic

Manchester City: Pantillimon, Boyata, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Nasri, Yaya Touré, Fernandinho, Silva, Negredo, Džeko

Key Players

Scott Parker

If Fulham are to record an unlikely victory on Saturday, a disciplined and organised midfield will be key. The England veteran has won an impressive 54% of his duels this season and has a pass accuracy rate of 87%. Fulham's engine room will need to continue his solid record if Fernandinho and Yaya Touré are to fade in Saturday's game.

David Silva

Manchester City's midfield wizard has made an emphatic return to first team action with two goals in two games. Despite his admirable appetite for assists, the Spaniard has been continually criticised for the lack of goals throughout his career and 'Merlin' seems to be gradually allowing them to characterise his game.

Head to Head Stats

• Manchester City have won 5 out of their last 10 fixtures against Fulham
• 3 of those 5 victories have been away from home
• Manchester City have scored 20 goals in their last 10 games against Fulham
• Fulham's last victory against Manchester City was in April 2009 when a brace from Clint Dempsey secured an away win for his side
• Manchester City have not kept a clean sheet at Craven Cottage since December 2002

2013/2014 Stats

• Manchester City (47) have scored 32 more goals than Fulham (15) this season
• Fulham (28) have conceded 12 more goals than Manchester City (16)
• Both sides have scored an impressive amount of goals from free-kicks this season. City with 11 and Fulham with 8
• Manchester City have a pass accuracy of 87% this season. Fulham's is 6% lower at 81%
• Fulham have the lowest shot accuracy in the league with just 37% of their attempts going in
• Manchester City (218) have created an incredible 100 more chances than Fulham (118) this season

Leicester City 1 - 3 Manchester City

LEICESTER CITY 1 - 3 MANCHESTER CITY
Dyer 77'                                                       Kolarov 8', Džeko 41', 53'

Džeko double finishes the Foxes.

Edin Džeko bagged a brace on Tuesday night to send Manchester City into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup. The Bosnian's delicious display has elevated the striker to the top of Manuel Pellegrini's list of replacements for injured striker Sergio Agüero who is expected to be out of action for 8 weeks.

The tie presented the blues with a potential banana skin as Pearson's men aimed to preserve their foxy record at the King Power this season. However, the sublime superiority of England's highest scoring team ensured the Foxes wouldn't be indulging in an unlikely feast.

Even without the sensational Sergio Agüero, Manchester City marched their way to yet another early goal. Aleksandar Kolarov's fastidious thirty-yard free kick on eight minutes flew past the scrambling hands of former City stopper Kasper Schmeichel and commenced City's perfunctory pursuit of goals. The blues have scored before the ten minute mark in six of their last ten games and Leicester City looked to become the next victim of Manchester City's viciousness. 

(Aleksandar Kolarov fires an exquisite free-kick past Kasper Schmeichel)

However, City's slick start was impaired by yet another Argentinian casualty. Just ten minutes into the game, Pablo Zabaleta pulled up with a hamstring injury - the grimace on the South American's face narrating a story no City fan wanted to hear. With Micah Richards also nursing a hampered hamstring, Dedryck Boyata was called upon. With a lack of options to call upon, it seems the 23 year-old Belgian will be occupying that space for some time. 

The early lead instilled a criminal casualness into City's play with Joleon Lescott and Aleksandar Kolarov teasing the home side with equalising opportunities. Passing continued to adopt a sloppiness and the Foxes sensed a vulnerability in their visitors play. Nevertheless, the blues, inspired by the mesmerising magic of David Silva, flaunted their fearsome attacking abilities once again and an excellent stop from Schmeichel kept out an almost-certain Edin Džeko tap in. 

Pearson's men continued to hound the blues and the admirable pressure they were putting on their opponents forced City into relinquishing their rhythm. Fortunately, a Kompany controlled defence showed no signs of crumbling and the Foxes were denied a feast. 

However, clinicalness has been a supreme strength for Manuel Pellegrini's side this season and they punished their host's hesitance with a well worked goal just four minutes before half time. James Milner's excellent chipped ball into the box was nodded in by Edin Džeko who simply couldn't miss. Despite some dreary lapses of concentration in the middle of the park, the blues were breezing toward a savory semi-final place.

(Edin Džeko heads past Kasper Schmeichel to give the blues a 2-0 lead before half time)

The blues began the second half in beastly fashion with Edin Džeko testing Schmeichel with a savage half-vollied strike. It wasn't long until the Bosnian grabbed his second when himself and Milner combined blazingly once again to put the tie beyond any doubt. James Milner's inviting ball from the byline presented  Džeko  with another unmissable chance and the striker etched his name deeper into Manuel Pellegrini's Premier League plans. 

(Džeko celebrates his second which effectively ended the tie)

The 3-0 lead saw the blues turn on auto-pilot as David Silva cruised along the calm seas of the King Power to the resounding roar of the travelling City faithful. However, the Foxes never allowed their tails to drop and with 15 minutes left on the clock, Lloyd Dyer smashed a left footed drive that canoned in off Vincent Kompany and past a helpless Joe Hart. 

The consolation goal made for an exciting finish, but City's progression into the semi-finals of the competition was never in doubt. Manuel Pellegrini's target of five trophies in 5 years was laughed off at the start of the season, but in form like this, the awesome ambition looks increasingly approachable.

Player Ratings

 Joe Hart 6 - Had little to do in yet another game where he couldn't display his shot stopping abilities. Could do nothing for the deflected goal.

 Pablo Zabaleta 6 - Limped off after ten minutes with a hamstring injury that could see the Argentine join his compatriot Sergio Agüero on the sidelines for a number of weeks.

 Vincent Kompany 7 - Consistently in the right place at the right time and never allowed Leicester to trouble City's defence.

 Joleon Lescott 6 - Defended well from a number of Leicester set-pieces but his passing was abysmal at times.

 Aleksandar Kolarov 8 - Combined brilliantly with Milner all game and showed an encouraging desire to get forward. His free kick was incredible. 

 Jesús Navas 7 - Blew hot and cold but his superb pass led to City's second goal.

 Javi García 7 - Didn't put a foot wrong but often slows the play in the middle.

 Jack Rodwell 7 - Brilliant to see the Englishman back in the sky blue of City and he could have grabbed an early opener. 

 James Milner 9 - Has to be considered for both City's starting Premier League eleven and Hodgson's World Cup squad. His form of late has been impeccable and he was on top form again on Tuesday night with two assists.

 David Silva 8 - Controlled the game with accuracy, composure and class.

 Edin Džeko 7.5 - Still has his quiet moments but bagged a brace that will elevate his confidence.

Substitutes

Dedryck Boyata 6 - Wandered out of position on a number of occasions but coped relatively well in his new position.

Samir Nasri 6 - Helped City see out the game.

Stats

Possession: Leicester City 42%   Manchester City 58%

Shots: Leicester City 7   Manchester City 18

Shots on Target: Leicester City 4   Manchester City 10

Corners: Leicester City 2   Manchester City 8

Fouls: Leicester City 7   Manchester City 12

Leicester City v Manchester City

                                                               

Preview
Pearson's Foxes aim to scavenge an unlikely Capital One Cup semi-final place from Pellegrini's goal machines.


Tuesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final tie between Leicester City and Manchester City is already being shrugged off as a 'given'. With the battered bones of Bayern Munich and the arid ashes of Arsène Wenger's Arsenal decaying in their path, the blues are expected to crush and crumble Pearson's pretenders with similar force in mid-week. 

However, 3rd placed Leicester have only suffered one loss at home this season and the King Power stadium has proven to be a foxy fortress for the promotion chasers. Former Portsmouth striker David Nugent has been in slick form for Pearson's men this year, netting ten of his side's impressive 32 goals in the Sky Bet Championship. The former England striker will indubitably be relishing the opportunity to face Premier League defenders once again on Tuesday.

With Manchester City's defence recently bolstered by the return of Vincent Kompany, Nugent's chances of piercing a back-line that are yet to concede in the competition remain agonizingly low. Even more encouragingly for the Chilean chancellor, his side have continued their terrific tradition of firing in goals like bullets in the Capital One Cup and have netted seven goals in their two wins against Wigan Athletic (5-0) and Newcastle United (2-0). However, the absence of Sergio Agüero could restrict the flow of City's gush of goals. 


(Sergio Agüero limped off with a calf injury on Saturday)

The Argentine, who netted his 13th goal in 15 games on Saturday, could be out of action for 6 weeks if report submitted by the Daily Mirror is to be believed and former City keeper Kasper Schmeichel will be delighted with the news. The blues have undoubtedly lost a lethal weapon, but six weeks on the sidelines for City's most ferocious attacker provides a perfect opportunity for £25m man Stevan Jovetić. The Montenegrin has entertained injury problems of his own this season which have threatened to tarnish the striker's start to life in Manchester, however, the highly-rated youngster could well fill the gap left by Sergio.

A sold out King Power stadium will roar with the voices of 33,000 hungry foxes on Tuesday night, but Manuel's minions will be aiming to march above an unlikely embarrassment.

1-4

Line-Up
After returning to training in the week, Stevan Jovetić has been declared fit enough to play on Tuesday night. However, Agüero's injury may tempt Pellegrini into fielding star singer John Guidetti whom the City crowd are desperate to see in action.

 
(John Guidetti could start alongside either Álvaro Negredo, Edin Džeko or Stevan Jovetić on Tuesday)

Micah Richards and Matija Nastasić are still weeks away from fitness and City's defence is likely to follow the rotation policy it has experienced all season with Joleon Lescott and Aleksandar Kolarov set to compete for places. 

James Milner, Javi García, Joe Hart and Jesús Navas are all contenders to start in the eleven.

Possible line-ups

Leicester City: Schmeichel, de Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Dyer, Nugent, Vardy.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Lescott, Kolarov, Navas, Garcia, Fernandinho, Milner, Džeko, Jovetić.

Key Players

David Nugent
The striker has been in impressive form for the Foxes this season, netting 10 goals in 20 games for the club. He has international and Premier League experience and will be relishing the opportunity to prove his credentials against top flight defenders once again on Tuesday.


Jesús Navas
The Spaniard is set to have a field day down the right hand side and will be looking to torment former Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet. Navas has steadily grown into his role at Manchester City and is beginning to show the class Manuel Pellegrini brought him in for. 

Stats

• The last time the two sides met was in 2011 when a replay was needed for Manchester City to put Leicester out of the FA Cup. An incredible strike from Carlos Tevez sent City on their way to a 4-2 win in a competition they ended up winning.
• The last time Leicester City beat Manchester City was in November 2000. They won 1-0
• Leicester City and Manchester City are the competitions second highest scorers with 7 goals each
• Leicester City have beaten Manchester City at home since March 1988

Manchester City 6 - 3 Arsenal

MANCHESTER CITY 6 - 3 ARSENAL
Agüero 13', Negredo 38', Fernandinho 50', 87'       Walcott 30', 62'

Silva 65', Yaya Touré 95' (pen)

Goals galore as City soar above Wenger's high flying Gunners.

The Etihad Stadium was treated to a formidable flurry of goals on Saturday afternoon as Manchester City and Arsenal netted a nectarous nine goals between them. The titanic tug-of-war served as an educational experience for Wenger's wannabes as Manuel's army marched over a muted Arsenal midfield.

The tie, prompted by many to be the game of the season, certainly lived up to its title as arguably the two best teams in the league notched up some nutritious and mouthwatering attacking football. 

The game commenced with an openness enough to unsettle the most sanguine supporter with Wilshere and Walcott combining dangerously inside Manchester City's 18 yard box. However, the blues continued their season-long tradition of snatching the early goal when Sergio Agüero fired an exquisite volley past Wojciech Szczęsny in the 13th minute. Samir Nasri's corner was flicked on by Martin Demichelis into the path of the Argentine who smashed home his 13th goal in 15 league games. 

(Sergio Agüero celebrates his delicious opener)

The goal infused a malignant impudence into City's play and Vincent Kompany's excellent turn of skill to feed in Álvaro Negredo just 7 minutes later nearly supplied City with their second. However, The Gunners showcased the resilience that has characterised their play this season and punished the blues for some sloppy play on the 30 minute mark.

A complacent turn by Yaya Touré was snatched up by Mesut Özil who teed up Theo Walcott to plant a tame equaliser past a static Costel Pantillimon. The Romanian giant was rooted to the ground in the build up and will have been disappointed to allow such a gentle finish to roll past him.

The return of David Silva cast a mesmerizing spell on proceedings and the midfield magician was proving his worth with some penetrative eye-of-the-needle play. The equaliser had done little to restrain a rampant City side unwilling to surrender their 100% home form and they took the lead once again just seven minutes before the half time whistle blew. A sorcerous ball from Yaya Touré was calmly caressed by Pablo Zabaleta who slid in a perfect ball for Álvaro Negredo who tapped home. The beautifully beastly partnership of Álvaro and Kun has seen at least one of the members of the couplet score in every home game this season, but this time, both of them were on the scoresheet.

(Álvaro Negredo bagged his 7th league goal of the season on Saturday)

Pablo Zabaleta has provided more assists than any other Premier League defender this year and the Argentine was proving his abilities in both attacking and defending again on Saturday. 

The second half began with two significant casualties to both teams. Laurent Koscielny limped off with a knee injury suffered in the build up to Negredo's goal and a calf injury cruelly forced Sergio Agüero off the field of play. The injury threatened to dim the buzzing Etihad atmosphere but Fernandinho's delightul curling finish in the 50th minute ensured proceedings would continue to amaze. A poor pass from Mesut Özil was pick-pocketed by the Brazilian who opened his account for the blues in true samba style. 

(Fernandinho is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his first goal for the club)

3-1 with 40 minutes to go, the Premier League's top scorers eyed another North London annihilation. However, it was the visitors who commanded the half's early play with Olivier Giroud squandering a number of priceless opportunities to put his side back in the game. Costel Pantillimon's timorousness in the air concocted a nervy aura around the stadium and the crowd sensed that more goals were coming.

As expected, The Gunners fired once again with Theo Walcott sensationally curling his second goal of the game past a helpless Costel Pantillimon. The Englishman's recall to the team was proving to be an inspired decision by Arsenal's French enforcer and his goal turned the tides once again as the Londoners began to dominate. Their ascendancy lasted all but three minutes, however, and the blues added a 6th goal to the game.

Agüero's replacement Jesús Navas immediately petrified his Spanish compatriot Nacho Monreal with his pace and played in David Silva who finished wonderfully past Arsenal's Polish stopper. Two goals in two games for 'Merlin' confirmed how important Silva is to Manchester City and the fans are delighted to have him back.

(David Silva scores City's fourth of the game)

The best defense in the Premier League were struggling in the absence of Koscielny as their tally catapulted from 11 to 15 goals conceded. The spectacle almost welcomed its finest goal of the day when Jack Wilshere's 30 yard drive was acrobatically stopped by Pantillimon. The Gunners were fading, but the element of class never left their game. 

Nevertheless, a savage City side sensed more blood and Man of the Match Fernandinho was on hand to masterfully chip over Szczęsny to make it 5-2 and game over in the 87th minute. The Brazilian's faultless display was rewarded with his second goal for the club and the £30m paid for the midfielder is gradually being repaid. 

 

(The Brazilian scored two goals in an exceptional Man of the Match performance)

Extraordinarily, the game was still hungry for more goals and Per Mertesacker's 93rd minute header highlighted City's defensive frailties this season. City's outstanding player of the mid-week win in Germany, however, was eager to continue his fine form and burst into the Arsenal box only to be brought down for a 95th minute penalty. Up stepped Yaya Touré who administered the icing on top of a glistening Premier League cake.

(Yaya Touré slots home City's 6th of the afternoon)

An onimous message was sent out to Wenger's wannabes on Saturday afternoon which signaled the unrivaled majesty and might of Manuel Pellegrini's minions. 35 goals in 8 home games is a record no team seems to be capable of suppressing and the Citizens are well and truly hungry for the title.

Player Ratings 

Costel Pantillimon 6
A nervy performance from the Romanian who showed hesitancy in the air and slow reaction time for Walcott's first goal. He'll have to step up if he is to keep Joe Hart out of the team. 

Pablo Zabaleta 9
Impenetrable, ruthless and unfaultable. Intimidated Jack Wilshere with some crushing tackles and was heavily involved in most of City's attacking play.

Martin Demichelis 7
Generally solid and allowed Sergio to smash home the opener.

 Vincent Kompany 8
Didn't put a foot wrong all game and even showed some of his attacking abilities with some Maradona-like runs.

Gael Clichy 7
The introduction of Theo Walcott threatened to ruin the Frenchman's day but he was solid and composed throughout.

Samir Nasri 8
Was disappointed not to score but he twisted and turned magnificently in front of his old teammates.

Fernandinho 9
Allowed City's magnificent attack to control the game and then exampled some of his own wizardry. His first two goals for the club showed that the Brazilian is not restricted to just sweeping up the play and his first goal was the pick of the lot today.

Yaya Toure 8
His excellent performance was tainted by a complacent backpass that allowed Arsenal to equalise in the first half. Other than that, he was an incessant steamroller that Arsenal's midfield failed to stop.

David Silva 8
Comfortably won the battle of Silva v Ozil with his typical elegance. Scored and was afforded a 20 minute rest.

Sergio Aguero 8

His unbelievable opener opened the flood gates until he was unfortunately forced off with a calf injury.

Alvaro Negredo 8
His work rate is exemplary and he was forced to tackle Arsenal's defence by himself in the second half. Held up the ball remarkably well and scored his 13th goal in all competitions.

Substitutes

Navas 8 - Excellent display from the Spaniard who scared the hell out of Monreal. Grabbed an assist.

Milner 7 - won a penalty and worked tirelessly for his team.

Garcia - no time to mark