Swansea 2 – 3 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
2 Jan
We’re told that champions win when not at their best. To that end, this City victory, a decent display but by no means a special one, and coming away from home against talented opponents, should count for something. We have now recorded three successive victories over the challenging Christmas period and these three points now make it seven wins from the past seven games. And we haven’t been at our thrilling, exquisite peak.
Instead, we’ve had to show character and grit in recent fixtures, and there was plenty of that on show at the Liberty Stadium yesterday. Swansea passed the ball attractively, they moved quickly in midfield and although they tired towards the end as we belatedly established control, they are a very capable side who posed problems. That we struggled to find fluency and rhythm to our attacks and yet still deservedly won says plenty about the ability of our squad.
In terms of our play going forward, we were decent enough without reaching the standards of which we know we’re capable. Missing David Silva’s touch and knack of finding space, we found it tough at times to retain possession but when it looked as if we might struggle to force the win, we stepped it up, scored twice and then coasted through the remainder of the game. A late Swansea consolation aside, the final few minutes were fairly comfortable.
Much of the praise should be directed towards our defence. On the right, Pablo Zabaleta was his usual impenetrable self. Powerful in the tackle, quick to stop a cross and eager to burst forward, he’s the complete fullback and has a developing relationship with the ever-threatening Jesus Navas. On the other side of the pitch, Aleks Kolarov produced his best performance for the Blues, combining his usual menace in the final third with a resoluteness in defence that he has rarely shown. He didn’t get beaten by Swansea’s wide men, he was sharp to the challenge and assured on the ball. Throw in a right-footed goal, only the second of his career, and it was a hugely impressive display.
Between those two were Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic. The latter has had the odd trouble in his time at City with physical strikers and Wilfried Bony had the better of him outside the box as Nastasic tended to stand off him due to his inability to dominate in the air. However, when crosses came into the box, both he and Kompany were flawless. They cleared everything, averted danger and were calm in possession, starting attacks and spreading an air of reassurance. It was a performance of authority.
Next up are a couple of cup fixtures which allow Manuel Pellegrini the opportunity to rotate the squad and rest any weary figures. We’ve come through a series of hard-fought games successfully and are now poised just off the top of the table. And all that without performing at our best. Positive signs, indeed.
Agree with all of this. Maybe Navas edged it for MOM IMHO.
For me the first result I am looking our for now is Chelsea’s. They look like the team that will be grinding out result after result. We only have to slip once, and they will be above us. Frankly, we still look too shaky away from home, starting 4-4-2 with Yaya not doing his share of defensive duties.
I think we should start 4-5-1 with an extra holding midfielder. Javi Garcia played well against Swansea.
I wouldn’t say flawless on crosses – check out their first. He was an inch offside but non of the players knew that (partic VK).
Nasty is excellent on the ball but gets turned too easy – if we could merge Lescott’s man marking and Nasty’s composure that’d be great. But of course we can’t.
At last pundits are picking up on Toure’s lack of defensive ability/desire. Away from home he should play further forward with Milner holding and Dzeko on the bench.
Posted on Wed am that very sentiment !!
Who was Kompany giving a rollocking to as he covered someone to tackle and concede a corner? The poor guy looked exhausted. He cant do everything. Kolorovs body language when tracking back tells its own story. By better sides we will be taken apart.
On a positive note we did well to win when not as solid as we can be…and going forward we alway look likely to score….and I include Kolorov in that..his offensive work is good.
It was the ref.
Enjoyed the read, agree with most but I’m a little more concern with our general Defensive displays.
Whilst Kolarov perhaps had his best CITY game I cannot help feeling we need to add more strength into
our defending?
Maybe Lescott and even Richards should be sacrificed for 2 new World class defenders ?????