MAN CITY 4 – 2 Cardiff – MY THOUGHTS
19 Jan
Spirited and resilient, Cardiff eventually succumbed. That they weren’t swept aside as so many teams have been at the Etihad this season says plenty about their battling qualities – and much about our profligacy in front of goal – but just when thoughts of snatching a draw entered their minds, City stepped it up a gear and scored twice to glide towards another victory.
Four more goals and three more points maintained our perfect campaign at home so far but this wasn’t the electrifying procession we have seen so often already this season. Chance after chance was wasted and frustrations grew, yet thanks to the individual brilliance we possess all over the pitch, we notched a quartet of strikes to brush off the visitors’ hopes.
With the Blues leading 2-1 at the break, expectations were that we would start the second half positively, score an early goal and then coast home. Instead, there was a noticeable lack of urgency about our play and that raised Cardiff’s ambitions. However, just as they started to drift forward in numbers, Yaya Touré went on a surge forward, thrust aside defenders aplenty and rifled home. A minute later, Sergio Aguero killed off the game with a sublime effort. It was as simple as that.
City’s performance in the first half had been excellent. Edin Dzeko’s scruffy goal brought about the 100th of the season in all competitions but despite our dominance and David Silva’s control of proceedings, Cardiff shocked us with an equaliser. Undeserved it may have been but it sparked us back into life and Jesus Navas’s guided finish restored our lead. It should have been extended. Both Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko wasted a string of presentable opportunities, their good work outside the box replaced by poor work inside. It wasn’t their day.
And yet nevertheless, we scored four. It didn’t feel particularly special yesterday to score that many, purely on account of previous results at home, but that we did, despite our strikers’ wayward efforts, merely highlights the all-round quality in the squad. It should, as we continue to fight on four fronts, stand us in good stead.
Manuel needs a haircut, well done lads on another win Cardiff played well, caused our defence problems, city looked like they were playing at about 70%, sign of a good side who can do that & score 4 goals,is dejong on the cards to come back?? could be a smart move,still not sure as exciting as they are about the center of the pitch, ah well I’m sure they’ll leave there mark.
”individual brilliance” Not too sure about our defence?
Please believe me when I say I’m one happy Blue but the thought of better players running at our defence scares me.