MAN CITY 5 – 0 Blackburn – MY THOUGHTS
16 Jan
Another game, another win, another rout. Blackburn resisted bravely in the first half, helped in no short measure by our lack of cunning in the final third, but once Alvaro Negredo netted in injury-time before the break and then again just after, it became a one-sided affair and a display of effortless grace. Come the end, and with relentless waves of City shirts pouring towards their goal, the visitors had tired and lost hope, yet for half of the game they were a compact, resolute unit.
Initially, as in the first leg at Ewood Park, the Blues, having made a string of changes, looked toothless. We controlled possession and reached a certain point in Blackburn’s half without problems but then, with men behind the ball and no space in which to work, they dared us to show ingenuity. Missing the trio of Yaya Touré, David Silva and Samir Nasri, we looked devoid of ideas. James Milner isn’t one to force the issue, Jesus Navas drifted infield and thus negated his threat from out wide and the pattern of play was becoming a touch frustrating.
And then came the one moment of quality in the opening period, Fernandinho whipping in a sublime cross for Negredo to head home and ease the building tension. A second goal just a couple of minutes after half-time and we were cruising. Edin Dzeko and the returning Sergio Aguero added the gloss, giving the scoreline a commanding look that does the visitors a disservice.
That we were well below our best and still scored five says much about our strikers and the clinical form they’re in at the moment. Aguero’s return can do nothing but help and although only a brief cameo last night, he looked sharp and keen. Negredo’s scintillating goalscoring run continued and Dzeko notched another brace, typifying the City performance: lethargic and ineffective in the first half, then eager and bright after the break.
Cardiff are next up in the Premier League at the weekend and they’re likely to sit back, defend on the edge of our box and attempt to frustrate us. What last night proved is that we don’t have to perform at our peak for the whole game to break them down. Remain patient, create chances and our strikers will drive us to the three points. Onwards, on four fronts, we march.
Another good read and I agree with most. Cant really blame CITY for the obvious lack of creative quality in the first half, just down to more bad injury luck missing Merlin, Yaya and Nasri would knock most teams out of there stride.
Thought Garcia looked to have improved 50% for me and I now feel quietly confident he is going to make the grade!
Does anybody know if Kolarov has a twin?? or can this be the same player from last season no1 left back for me now.
I agree, Kolarov has switched things round so much it looks likely if anyone makes way for a new left back it will be Clichy. I didn’t think I would be saying that.
His left foot is brilliant, and we have always known about it. However, he has been such a wasteful footballer over the years at City; greedy to boot.
Looks like Pelligrini has waved his wand and worked wonders ith him. Pelligrini is the new Merlin? Dumbledore, maybe?
Good win, very professional second half, navas was good, he’s a handful, unusual for a wide man he has a good head on his shoulders, he was just hungry for the ball first half, that’s why he goes inside, fair play Blackburn & there fans, the manager seems to be a nice chap too. They look like they have a couple of decent youngfellas there, ignore the media hype about winning the quadruple, they just build you up to knock you down, next game Cardiff that’s it.