Norwich 3 – 4 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
30 Dec
Hart - Partly culpable for Norwich’s third goal when he came to punch the corner but missed the ball. Despite the home side scoring three goals, he wasn’t actually tested a great deal in open play. Took plenty of stick from the Canaries’ fans behind the goal in the second half and looked hugely pumped up when throwing his shirt into the City end at the final whistle - 6
Zabaleta – A physical warrior, displaying all the resilience we required in the second half. Was powerful in the air and didn’t allow too many crosses in from his side. Got forward well before the break but could sometimes put the ball into the box instead of turning round and passing it backwards - 8
Kompany - Barnstorming run to create Dzeko’s second goal although he was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch after the tackle in the middle of the pitch as he burst forward. Then produced an excellent challenge which was wrongly given as a free-kick, from which Norwich pulled one back. Authoritative in the second half, looking sharp and commanding - 7
Nastasic – Another solid display, coping well against the physicality of Morison and then later, Kane. Produced one heroic block just before Norwich’s third goal and made a couple of impressive last-ditch challenges in the second half - 7
Clichy - A tireless worker down the left hand side, offering an attacking threat out wide that had been missing from our play the past couple of games. Was out on his feet at the end such had been his workrate and constant pressing of Norwich’s wide men. Occasionally drawn out of position but had the pace and agility to recover – 7
Barry – Outstanding. My man of the match from yesterday. His pressing of Norwich’s midfielders was immense, even when we were down to ten men and having to withstand pressure. Always buzzing around, intercepting attacks, providing cover for our defence and a thoroughly reassuring presence in the middle - 9
Y. Touré - Produced a delightful assist for Aguero’s goal early in the second half and became a threat late on when the game was stretched but as his teammates all around him worked their socks off following Nasri’s sending off, he had an air of lethargy and laziness about his play. Didn’t track runners into our box, didn’t press the opposition and was the only player not to applaud the visiting City fans after the game - 5
Nasri - Had started brightly, offering a calm touch down the right but then reacted strongly to Seb Bassong’s challenge, feigning injury before jumping to his feet and going head to head with the Norwich defender. Then did some sort of to-the-side-headbutt-brush-of-the-face which the linesman took exception to and told the referee to send him off - 6
Silva – Delicate, caressed touch to Dzeko for his first goal and was a lively spark in the first half, roaming about midfield and looking menacing. Forced to retreat after Nasri’s sending off and was replaced by Milner - 7
Aguero - A selfless display punctuated with moments of sheer quality. A livewire before the break, took his goal with absolute aplomb and then spent much of the second half on the left wing, tracking back to help support Clichy - 8.5
Džeko - Took his goals clinically, proving once again how adept he is at finishing chances. Otherwise, his movement off the ball in the first half was poor, looking laboured in getting into the box and not helping out his teammates. Improved markedly after the break, working hard and made himself a dangerous out ball - 7.5
Subs
Milner – The obvious substitute to bring on, he helped shore matters up, providing another willing runner. Wasted possession a few times towards the end but played his part in the second half resilience - 6
Lescott – Introduced to add some height and physicality to the backline in the closing stages - No time to mark
Garcia – Won a couple of headers but was really a time-wasting substitution - No time to mark
A 5 for Toure? I have to say ive only seen the highlights, but considering what i did see and heard of the team as a whole, then if he deserved a 5 it says a lot about him at the moment. Although VFAB definitely has a personal dislike for Toure and I have to take that into account.
I have to disagree with blue bullet – YaYa is essentially a pretty lazy character, aside from the occasional burst or two in a game, he generally ambles about the pitch, complaining about refereeing decisions that don’t go his way. He has been much worse this season than last, and now his shooting skills have become pretty poor too (see how many times he skied the ball yesterday?). I think it will do him, the Team, and Mancini good when he disappears off to the ACN next month – in particular because Mancini will be forced to pick another player for the position other than YaYa who seems to get an automatic selection, no matter what.
In any event we need to do something in the transfer window if we hope to keep up with United, and avoid the chasing pack (Chelsea, Arsenal, & Spurs) – we cannot afford to lose a single game from here on in if we want to retain our title! Demba Ba is an absolute steal at 7.5 million – why the heck aren’t we even showing an interest???
Can’t agree with this post.
Much of what happens when we play well is orchestrated by Yaya, this season he has rarely excelled individually
and it is no coincidence that the team has also under-performed.
As for Demba Ba, he has knackered knees; he has not passed a medical since he failed at Stoke a while ago. WHAM got him for a nominal fee and wages PAYP, Newcastle for peanuts and wages. He also is reputed to have a major ego and attitude. I suspect that we already have our fair share of both in the dressing room.
I think Yaya had a decent game and he definitely deserves more than 5. At least that is my impression of watching the game twice. It is true he failed to track on a few occasions, overall he had a decent game. I think he deserves a 7
Having been at the game, I totally agree with VFAB,
Yaya was absolutely shocking ad has no interest whatsoever in city or the team, e constantly moans and never tracks his men at all. He is lazy and those who so not go to the games love him, those who do go (in the main) see what little impact he has.
Personally can’t wait to see Barry and Milner in CM over January.
Also the fact he walked straight off and didn’t applaud us fans as even the subs did is absolutely pathetic after that day cost me c. £150 and he wants that roughly every minute
>>He is lazy and those who so not go to the games love >>him, those who do go (in the main) see what little >>impact he has.
R u implying that because you attend games, your intelligence and mental analytical capacity somehow gets boosted as opposed to watching the game on TV?
I do understand if someone holds a different opinion that mine and many others City fans who live outside England, love the City club and follow the games through available means. But saying that you are the paragon of intelligence only because you attend games is moronic at the very least.
I live in the North West of Scotland and rarely miss a PL game. That must make me really perceptive (or desperately sad) take your pick!!
When did I say that? TV is very bias, as is sky sports football first and match of the day. Being there at the games highlights many more different things, including how poor Yaya Touré is
NAsri was upended and could have died or be seriously injured and maimed for life. Yet the perpetrator was not sent off. Instead Nasri was off.
I tell you what. I have known for years the the FA in cahoots with the refs go all out to make sure MU wins everything every season.This is one instance.
When MC play Stoke next,don’t be surprised a similar incident will happen. The Stoke player will deliberately goad/provoke a blue. When the blue under extreme stress and provocation hits out,he will be rc.
Any guarantee it won’t happen thereby giving one red faced cause for joy?
Utter rubbish.
He is a highly paid professional.
He acted like a spoiled brat and let everyone down when he got exactly what he deserved.
He got the decision and he should have walked away. Regardless if it was a terrible tackle or not, his reaction did not help only to make things worse. Even if I take that FA is in cahoots with Refs to help United win titles, it would still make the case stronger that he should have walked away.