If we can do any small thing to repay Sheikh Mansour for transforming the fortunes of our club, then our biggest win since 1937 against the most successful English football team in history, on his first visit to a rain-sodden Manchester, probably isn't a bad offering. The last time Liverpool lost by three clear goals in the league was against our neighbours in the March of 2008. The last time we beat them was in 2005 thanks to an injury time flying left-foot volley from one Kiki Musampa. But then, the times are a-changing.
When the team was announced, I was worried about the seemingly defensive selection Mancini put out: it looked to my untrained eye that we were giving Liverpool too much respect - but it was precisely our five man midfield that kept our stronghold on the game. Yaya Toure played as a supporting striker at times and with Tevez seemingly under instruction to remain upfront, we kept our shape a lot better than against Tottenham last weekend.
Along with everything else, it was a commited team performance of the sort many have doubted our 'newly assembled side' is capable of producing. Yet only two new signings featured here - and one has played with five of his teammates on international duty.
The industry and quality that typified City's performance was all to see in the debutant James Milner. He must have been secretly rueing his declaration that he would 'play anywhere' when he found himself lining up on the left wing, but it is a measure of his professionalism and his attitude (sadly missing in the man who went the opposite way) that he produced the performance that he did. Adaptability, energy, industry, skill and creativity were all there to see in our new signing.
It was pleasing to see such a core of English players in the team and not many sides across the Premiership can boast six native starters this weekend. Barry, Hart, Johnson and Milner, in particular, were outstanding, and Richards and Lescott didn't do themselves any harm either. If City can develop with this core of young English players then it will not only be good for City, but good for England as well. 'Ruining the English game' indeed!
It is entertaining to see the swift about-turn that the media can make after one game - writing us off after the Tottenham game, writing us up after the Liverpool game - but Mancini was wise to play down the hysteria that was brewing. With players absent and time to develop, there is a chance that things will get even better, but it is important to keep that in sight and to stoke up that winning mentality to avoid slip-ups against lesser names such as Timisoara on Thursday and Sunderland on Sunday. The enjoyment from nights such as last night is for us and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nayhan!
Player ratings:
Hart 8; Richards 7, Kolo Toure 7, Kompany 8, Lescott 7; De Jong 8; Milner 8, Barry 9, Yaya Toure 7, A. Johnson 8; Tevez 7.
Man of the match: Gareth Barry
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