MAN CITY 2 – 1 Liverpool – MY THOUGHTS
27 Dec
City’s home games this season have been characterised by attractive football, frenetic pressing and relentless waves of attacks. To all those qualities, we can now add resilience. Liverpool were the latest side to leave the Etihad without even a point, but their commitment and eagerness to pour forward resulted in a thrilling, if hugely nervy, encounter. Against our most troubling opponents so far this campaign, City displayed plenty of character and spirit to match passages of pulsating football.
It was a different type of performance to what we have become accustomed. There were still a number of sublime moves, with David Silva and Jesus Navas at the heart of everything positive, but this was a collective effort full of grit and battle. And those more attritional qualities were needed against a vibrant away side, electric on the counter-attack and technically capable.
Liverpool were impressive opponents. The pace of their front three and the speed with which they moved the ball from defence to attack was startling and they caused problems throughout. Afforded too much space in the centre in the first half, they were the better side for spells of the game but lacked a clinical touch to match their sparkling play.
It says much about City’s resilience and determination that we secured the victory.
We showed flashes of our ability in advanced areas, notably through the blistering pace of Navas, the physicality and willingness of Alvaro Negredo and the control of David Silva. Navas was a prominent presence, whether on the wing or drifting infield, and his fleet of foot adds such an exciting element to our forward forays. He could be even more direct at times, but what he does is dynamic and he provides the perfect contrast to our other more delicate playmakers.
Otherwise, it was tough to single out any City stars who caught the eye. Vincent Kompany struggled with the movement and clever touch of Luis Suarez, whilst Fernandinho and Yaya Touré gifted our opponents too much time in the middle of pitch to control proceedings. That said, it would be overly harsh to criticise City’s display. We might not have dominated play as we so often do, but when we needed to grind out a result, we did and that battling spirit should be applauded. Not every game can be a rampant procession. Although let’s hope that is the case once more against Crystal Palace on Saturday!
the lino and ref looked like two extras on citys side i have never seen this before i have only ever seen united get help like tha,.i watched this game with two city fans and the three of them commented on it how did you miss it or never commented on it.yes you got the three points but grind it out i dont think so
don’t be a cry baby. errors in football happened. negredo goal against Newcastle was ruled for offside.
just one mistake for official your crying. even if you got the opportunity and score. we were capable of score more. so stop crying
Every team gets bad call from refs here and there and we have had our won share those calls much like the Liverpool goal that was ruled offside but it was not. However, what you are missing is that City was the better team in all aspects from chances, possession, shots on targets, corners, etc and in the end the better team won. Just bitching on the missed goal and playing the victim card make you a bad loser. Liverpool is a great team and I would personally love them to be a top team in EPL to compete against for many future years instead of those red scum United rags.
Ken
Please don’t try and degrade a marvellous game of football with snippets of bitterness !!
Remember we too have had our share of dodgy decisions.
You’re obviously a self loathing, hard-done by scouser.
Why is every Liverpool fan a victim? You had one bad decision, in comparison with the three penalties City didn’t get.
The reason Swarez doesn’t get the rub of the green is obvious, but you backed him because you’re desperate. He’s going to come with his problems; enjoy him because he’s not going to be there next season
Roger’s comments are consistently embarrassing; your managed by the David Brent of football. The guy actually thinks he’s Bill Shankly
and a evertonion sorry missed that out thats why 3
From a Liverpool supporter. Good write up. I think we gave you a good game though was very worried about the number of Sakho/Cissoko gave the ball away, particularly in the second half. Overall a draw may have been a fair result but I was at least pleased we made a game of it! And I believe the players of both sides showed a great deal of respect for each other after the game. There seemed to be a real acknowledgement that both teams played with a great deal of skill and passion. Well done, and I hope we can keep on your tail for the rest of the season…
Sadly I not as articulate as the author of this very good and FAIR match report.
great article and totally unbiased for a city forum,no sycophantic ramblings on how ye were the best team in the world blah blah blah,yeah,great game that was end to end at times,thought your midfield wouldve been more dominant but it didnt pan out that way,we both had great chance but migs blunder cost us in the end.would be unreal if ye have to come to anfield on april 12th in a table topping clash!!!
It was a wondeful game even though we got beat, great skill and high intensity. We could have knicked it in the end. The liner made a bad call on the offside, but other clubs have had poor decisions this season. Coutinho should have given Hart no chance and Sterling flashed over the bar late on. Cant remember City having anything 2nd half.
Overall happy to have gone toe to toe with City and I have no complaints.
Well done to LFC for making it the best game of the season. So glad you had the courage to play attractive, attacking football (unlike Mourinho’s morons against Arsenal)!