West Brom 1 – 2 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
21 Oct
This was a performance and result that Champions produce. In the face of adversity, the Blues battled superbly with ten men for 70 minutes, dominating possession, controlling the game and scoring twice in the final ten minutes to record a fully-deserved victory. Having seen James Milner sent off, correctly, early in the first half, this was a display that highlighted the spirit, togetherness and self-belief that the squad possess, that drive to keep going until the end which has been evident throughout the season so far.
Despite operating with one less player for the majority of the game, the Blues were terrific. To have had 61% possession with a full compliment of individuals would have been impressive enough away to a West Brom side who had started the season so well, but to achieve such a feat with just ten men says everything about the quality and character of the team. It was a performance which continued our recent good form and builds momentum before Wednesday’s crucial Champions League tie with Ajax.
Roberto Mancini’s tactical flexibility following Milner’s early sending off was key and showcased the Italian at his decision-making best. Having started the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation and Mario Balotelli on the left of the attacking trio, the manager then altered that system to become 4-3-1-1, with Carlos Tévez operating between midfield and attack to link up play and Mario Balotelli given the responsibility, as he was for Italy in the European Championships over the summer, of leading the line on his own. And it worked.
Balotelli was terrific. As always seems to be the case, he grabbed many of the post-match headlines and has split opinion amongst Blues, but I thought his performance, when on the ball, was his best in a City shirt. His pace and trickery were in evidence throughout, his hold-up play exceptional and his strength and touch were both superb. It was a perfect example of how to operate as a sole striker, bringing others into play and occupying the West Brom defenders.
However, the flip side was that he was almost sent off. What actually happened is he received a booking (a harsh one at that, considering the nothing nature of his tackle and the far more serious ones from players on both sides which went unpunished) but Mark Clattenburg seemed determined to pick on Balotelli because of his reputation. The Italian doesn’t help himself at times – holding his face when he was pulled down by the throat is undesirable – but the way he maintained his composure in the second half before he was substituted suggested he may just be maturing. Slightly.
The introduction late on of Edin Dzeko and the Bosnian’s subsequent two goals were further examples of Mancini’s tactical plan working, especially considering the winning goal, scored in injury time, was crafted by all three substitutes. Aleks Kolarov won the ball from a corner and passed it to Sergio Aguero, who in turn played a delightfully weighted in to Dzeko to send the away fans delirious. It was a goal which has made many claim Dzeko deserves to start, but that naively overlooks his regular underwhelming performances when handed a starting berth. It seems, at the moment at least, the Bosnian is far more effective coming off the bench late on to pose a different threat to tiring opposition defences.
One other player I’d like to focus on is Joe Hart. Roy Keane had branded him as “cocky” in midweek but we saw yesterday how what he actually meant was that our goalkeeper has a huge amount of self-confidence, backs himself and has a rare ability to forget his mistakes. For England, he had committed a poor error, his judgement in coming for a corner off and he was punished by conceding a goal. But whereas many goalkeepers would have let that mistake affect them, Hart was back to his commanding, authoritative self against West Brom. He was decisive in coming to claim corners and crosses, oozing self-belief. As a ‘keeper constantly in the spotlight, that is exactly what you need.
Opposition View: West Brom have started the campaign very well, especially at home, but they seemed scared of our threat yesterday and altered their tactics accordingly. Whereas they had previously set up with an attack-minded formation, they reverted back to a defensive mindset on Saturday, perhaps understandably given our quality, but Milner’s red card should have encouraged them to push further forward. As it was, they offered very little as an offensive threat until the introduction of Peter Odemwingie, who provided an added spark and thrust. They didn’t deserve anything from the game but will be disappointed to lose in such circumstances and will be ruing Romelu Lukaku’s header which he should have buried but only directed at Joe Hart.
As for the Blues, it was an excellent, character-filled display, one worthy of all three points. Next up is a must-win Champions League encounter with Ajax before Swansea visit the Etihad Stadium next weekend.
You statement on Dezko ‘s under-performance ,when he is handed a starting role, is misleading at very least due to it being out of context. Both City goals were due to long playing balls that is usually in contrast with City’s default playing style of short passes and use of small spaces to create chances. It is like playing Augero as striker then try to send long balls from wings and expect him to deliver with 5.5 height! and then brand him under-performer when he fails to deliver. Same applies to Dezko. If City plans to start Dezko or Ballo, then they need to play to their strength.
While I can see your point and do agree to some extent, it doesnt excuse the fact that his first touch is way off at times when he starts.
Sensational result that has made me very happy, we showed real class, quality and character yesterday
You lot have taken over from your neighbours as the smuggest,unliked fans in the country.
I cant see your comment through all the trophies mate
Success does tend to bring out feelings of jealousy Mr Richards, but don’t get too concerned, it’s not something that your club is ever likely to suffer from.
lol mr izzett
J Richards, where in the above has anyone been arrogant? We are happy to win away from home with 10 men against a team who are unbeaten at home, we had more shot on and off target and more possession. Now is that arogance or a statement of fact. Just take the loss mate and stop looking like a COCK!
As a (hopefully) quite reasonable Albion fan I do agree with most of the blog. I was a little disappointed we didn’t keep the ball a bit more during the early stages of 10 v 11 but obviously can’t be too critical considering the quality of opposition.
But just a few things..
1) For all the possession (admittedly impressive 1 man down) I didn’t think City were all over us or had a load of great chances..
2) .. certainly not of the quality of those we had near the end- Lukaku being in good position to bury three of them.
3) We have been impressive going forward but aren’t really a possession-based team ala Swansea, leaning a bit more to counter-attacking.
Also, I know it can be a bit tiresome and boring for people to just point to City’s wealth, ‘buying success’ etc. to end all/any debate, but if there’s one thing it doesn’t buy you it’s the ability to say you were ‘in the face of adversity’ against a West Brom side comprised largely of sub-£1m players. Ever.
Congrats anyway I’d say I still dislike United more if that’s any consolation
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Thanks for that.
Having followed City for more than 50 years, 20 as a SC holder, it does gall me when opposition fans assume that our fans have arrived recently post our good fortune in gaining an owner who invests in the club, the infrastructure and the community. Furthermore, he invests with the clear intention of it being self sustaining as soon as possible and who is clearly in this for the long term.
Our historic fan base is loyal, noisy and long suffering. We sold out Maine Road for every league game the season we played in the third level, there was a 5000 long waiting list for seasons cards. We know where we came from and most of us remember this and pay due deference to the supporters of clubs who we respect who have similar traditions. Added to this we have had to suffer a situation where we have played second fiddle to the two decades of our neighbours unparallelled success and the smug, insufferable superiority complexes of their supporters, many who couldn’t find Manchester on a map of the UK if paid to.
All of that is what makes normally mild mannered and well intentioned City supporters like me respond with a deliberately offensive post to the likes of Mr Richards.
Now you I can happily apologise to without necessarily agreeing with all you wrote. You have a well constructed team, a sound manager and a well managed club and most of you deserve to be where you are, following a side worthy of the commitment of your supporters.
‘bluebullet says it all really you should start playing in red.
I’m not a west brom fan by the way
you obviously didnt get it, i acted in a way you described us to be, mainly because it amused me. But also because I know what great fans we are, whether you think so or not.
J Richards, you came here FIRST and called City fans the most unliked fans in the league. And you are surprised you get a reaction? I don’t understand people like you.
Just a quick note on saturdays referee, Mark Clattenburg. When watching the James Milner incident at the time I was adamant it was never a red card due to Joleon Lescott being there to cover and therefore ,ilner not being last man. However, having seen it a couple of times it was the correct decision. Lescott wouldn’t have had the pace to get there.
Despite this decision Mark Clattenburg is an awful referee. He reminds me of Graham Poll before he (thankfully) retired. Clattenberg is ref who seems to feed off making the game all about him. Taking any attention the team playing, he thrives off the fame like no other ref and, if you look at the decisions makes, get alot wrong.
Referees are not supposed to take into account the relative speed of different defenders. The rule is nothing to do with ‘last man’ that is a fallacy, the rule is ‘denying a clear goal scoring opportunity’ and if the FA can rescind John Terry’s card against us a while ago when Terry plainly and cynically fouled our player, because ‘his distance from goal made it unsound to assume that the fouled player would have achieved a clear goal scoring opportunity.’
I wonder how referees can make the decision that Clowntenberg made with Milner if that is the official criterion. Long was 25 yards from goal and Lescott not a million miles away.
I feel that referees need to take account of whether or not it was an honest attempt to get the ball or a cynical foul. It it’s the latter send the player off, I’d have no problem if that was ours or anyone other clubs player, because it’s a cynical act of cheating and there’s nothing ‘professional’ about it.
My neighbour is a referee and they do have to take the pace of players into consideration as it does effect whether it was a goal scoring opportunity milner made a HUGE error he shud have let long go through and score and if we we’re playing a team better on the ball we wud have lost