MAN CITY 5 – 0 Newcastle – Four Things We Learned

City reveal their true colours at last

This was the City we have been waiting for all season. Forget the often insipid football, predictable and one-paced domination and defensive vulnerability, this was exactly what supporters have been asking for. Flying out of the traps, pressing high, moving the ball at speed and with purpose, scoring early and killing the game by half-time. If was everything we wanted, and everything we have only seen in rare patches this season.

After a free weekend following the FA Cup collapse against Middlesborough, it was hoped that this would be the game to turn it on, to send a message that, following Chelsea’s draw at home to Burnley, we were still there, still fighting, still ready for a title battle. Newcastle gifting a penalty with less than a minute on the clock helped, but more than just that goal, it was the attitude which was so refreshing. City’s midfield and attack hunted in packs, forced errors and then were clinical enough to pounce on them. Three goals by half-time finished the game as a contest and two more shortly after the break afforded Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri rests ahead of Tuesday. Job done.

Nasri is just as important as Yaya

Much of the focus before this game was on the return of Yaya Touré after his spell at the African Cup of Nations and how the Ivorian’s absence had cost City dearly. Yet it was overlooked somewhat that Nasri had also missed plenty of action, with City winning none of the three games that the Frenchman sat out through injury. With both of them back, however, City regained rhythm and elegance in midfield, and along with Silva’s creativity, posed a constant threat.

Nasri’s resurgence since Manuel Pellegrini arrived at the club has been remarkable. For two seasons under Roberto Mancini, he contributed a negligible amount, happy to sit on the fringes of games and shirk responsibility. Many Blues would have been happy to see him leave. Not so any more. Now, having matured and added application to his natural talent, he’s a key figure in the side, offering thrust and invention, effort and commitment. His return to full fitness has gone slightly under the radar, yet the difference when he features is marked.

Dzeko and the Bony effect?

It has been claimed by some that City’s best player yesterday was Wilfried Bony, not for his debut cameo but for the effect his arrival had on Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian produced his best performance of the season – perhaps one of his best in a City shirt – reminding supporters what is capable of after a largely underwhelming campaign in which he has struggled for form and goals.

Bony seems to be an excellent signing for City, matching a physical presence with a controlled touch and an ability to bring others into play, but he had to wait for his first start. Dzeko got the nod from Pellegrini and repaid the manager’s faith with a sterling display. He took his goal superbly, but also showed a willingness to work for the team and contribute to attacks that has rarely been evident. Was it the Bony effect and the added competition for places? It’s too early to say as Dzeko could easily revert to type in his next match, but this was a statement from the Bosnian that he is still a valuable option.

Selection clues for Barcelona?

As soon as Dzeko grabbed the third goal yesterday, Pellegrini’s thoughts would have turned to the challenge of Barcelona on Tuesday. He was able to take off his most important three attackers to protect them ahead of the Champions League encounter, but whilst much of the side picks itself, there are still a couple of interesting dilemmas.

It would be a huge surprise if Pellegrini were to play two up front, so the inclusion of Jesus Navas for Dzeko looks probable. Yaya Touré is suspended and so Fernando is likely to step in alongside Fernandinho, even though a personal preference would be to play James Milner (if fit) in a central role thanks to his greater mobility and composure on the ball. And then we come to defence. Gael Clichy will replace Aleks Kolarov, Martin Demichelis expected to do the same with Eliaquim Mangala, but then there is a battle between Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna. The former offers much more going forward, the latter more secure defensively. Having got the nod against Bayern Munich twice and then Chelsea, it would be no surprise to see Sagna line up on Tuesday.

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