Leicester 1 – 3 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS

An efficient performance. At times, especially in the first half, there was a relentlessness about the intensity with which we played but for the most part there was an organised control about City’s play. Leicester were spirited and never collapsed, as some sides have done in the Premier League when faced with our attacking onslaught, but they were merely spectators as and when we decided to impose our quality.

Aleks Kolarov opened the scoring with a mesmerising thunderbolt of a free-kick before Edin Dzeko netted a brace to guide us to the semi-finals without problems. This competition may well be the lowest of our priorities this season but it still represents a chance for silverware and despite our clear desire to reclaim the Premier League title and to make an impression in Europe, that opportunity to lift a trophy and instil a greater winning mentality into the players should not be one that is passed up too easily.

Fortunately, there is too much quality and healthy spirit in the squad for that to happen. Manuel Pellegrini made eight changes yet still named a side which was solid defensively and oozed creativity. Throughout the side, there was experience and purpose; Kolarov was a vibrant performer down the left, Vincent Kompany was able to assert his authority at the back, whilst Dzeko was a decent spearhead in attack. The three who really stood out, however, were Jack Rodwell, David Silva and James Milner.

Rodwell’s season and, indeed, career at City have been blighted by injury but he seems to be just about overcoming his hamstring issues and demonstrated yesterday his potential with a wholly positive performance. It was the first time he’s started for City since the last round, against Newcastle, and what was noticeable was his utter devotion to driving forward at every moment. As soon as our attacking midfield trio received the ball, Rodwell was determined to bomb through the midfield and link up in the final third. He saw one shot saved early on by the home side’s ‘keeper and that movement beyond Dzeko into advanced areas typified his constant positivity. He faded, understandably, after the break as he tired but there were signs of his purpose and intent which can only serve us well.

Alongside him were the duo of Silva and Milner, their reputations among opposition fans contrasting but their understanding on the pitch equal. Both know the value of the other. One controls, twists, weaves and waltzes his way through a game; the other offers a more direct style, but complete with intelligence and vision. And together, they link up superbly. Milner’s form over the past month or so, whether in a containing role or injecting intensity in forward areas, has been excellent, whilst Silva’s everlasting quality is undeniable.

The only downside was the hamstring injury suffered in the opening exchanges by Pablo Zabaleta. With Micah Richards also on the sidelines at the moment, as he has been for much of the past couple of seasons, it is a major blow to lose the Argentinean, whose character and tenacity are matched by his importance and quality. In terms of possible options to fill in on the right of defence, Dedryck Boyata was deployed in that role yesterday, but is a centre-back by trade and looked nervy on the ball. Milner has played there in emergency before and would be comfortable overlapping and sending over a stream of crosses, but he’s not a natural defender and that shortcoming could be exposed by a decent side. Gael Clichy has played there once before for the Blues, against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League, and could be a possibility against the better sides as he would offer a defensive instinct. It is likely to be Pellegrini’s toughest selection dilemma for a while.

Other than that, this went exactly as the manager would have liked. Three more goals, plenty of exciting football and a secure, routine passage to the last four of the competition. Onwards, on four fronts, we march.

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