City recorded their third successive win against England's best team yesterday in a display that suggested we can compete at the top end of the table. It is the games against the teams beneath you that make a season, but the mark of the strength of a team is how they perform against the very best and City look increasingly at home in the top encounters. Before our three victories against Chelsea, the four preceding seasons brought eight losses and a 19-1 aggregate score. If we can raise ourselves for the games against the lesser teams of the Premiership, like we have against Liverpool and Chelsea this season, then we could well be a force to be reckoned with.
Recently revealed as the heaviest Premier League side, and boasting a midfield that included the brawn of Essien and Mikel, Chelsea are well suited to a physical battle - so the fact that a lot of our success came from out-competing them is very refreshing. This was a team performance to ridicule Drogba's pre-match overtures about Chelsea being the possessors of the 'spirit' - that implied City would be lacking in this department. Everyone worked together like 'brothers', as Mancini said of the defence, and didn't allow Chelsea the space to be at their devastating best.
What ensued fell short of some neutrals' thrill-a-minute expectations (foolish expectations considering the two meanest defences of this campaign were lining up against each other), but the contest was enthralling to those with interest. It was always going to be a tight game. People complain about City's three central midfielders, but Chelsea have played with three central players for years, and only in the Ancelotti era have people decided that it is the height of the beautiful game. The game was always going to pivot on the battle in the centre, and Barry and De Jong, in particular, were superb in overcoming Essien, Mikel and, to a lesser extent, Ramires. De Jong has added nearly flawless passing to his combative game this season and his partnership with Barry is becoming formidable. On top of this, our front three (if I can get away with calling them that?) all got back to put a foot in - including Silva, who continues to show he isn't afraid of a challenge despite being at a physical disadvantage.
A lot was made of our selection worries at the back, but in a lot of ways you can trust Boyata and Zabaleta more than Richards and Lescott. Boyata was excellent out of position and, having played ninety minutes on Wednesday, did well to last as long as he did when the pace of first team games is still relatively new to him. Kolo Toure and Kompany continue to grow as a defensive partnership, and whilst outsiders (Buffon, for example!) would point to this being our weakest area, it is proving to be the backbone of the team. The 'unplayable' Drogba was played well by both of them and as a unit City restricted Chelsea to very few chances.
For the goal, Tevez was allowed to reach full flight and Silva's decoy run opened up the space for a perfect finish. There were never going to be many chances and Tevez is the man to convert them - notching up his 25th goal in 29 Premier League games.
Chelsea will probably still be champions, but City have a little piece of evidence that they can compete at the top level. All will be worthless though if we don't follow it up with a victory against Newcastle next Sunday!
Player ratings:
Hart 6, Boyata 8, Kolo Toure 9, Kompany 9, Zabaleta 8, De Jong 9, Barry 9, Yaya Toure 8, Milner 7, Silva 8, Tevez 9.
Man of the match: Nigel de Jong
Yes, I agree - totally enthralling encounter - not just for City fans though - finally large sections of the press are giving City the praise that they deserve. And once Boateng, Kolarov and Balotelli get involved, it can only get better.
ReplyDeleteShame those three biased bores on MOTD can't see how much more entertaining high quality passing and thoughtful,tactical play is, instead of the usual lump it up the field long ball play that they so often describe as thrilling.