So the 'jinx' is broken. Or the jinx wasn't a jinx but really the remnants of an era where we didn't regularly win away from home. Nevertheless it is satisfying to overcome these records, and whilst there will be some who would be looking for more dominance or ambition, City needed to return to winning ways after the sloppy moments in the past two games and they achieved this comfortably in the end.
The rain made for difficult playing conditions and it took a while for the game to rise out of the realms of the scrappy. Richards, who sometimes seems to struggle with balance in completely perfect conditions, could hardly stay on his feet and Nigel de Jong didn't care to tone down his combative style in spite of the slippery surface. For most of the first half neither goalkeeper was threatened and for all City were striving for intricacies, the opener came from a long punt forward from Joe Hart. As the Wigan fans' cheers for Hart's slip died down, Tevez was through on goal at the other end and he showed his class with an exquisite chip over Al Habsi.
Tevez was integral throughout and started to show a return to the form of last season. It is a difficult job playing upfront on your own, but he fought well, used the ball intelligently and was central to both goals. There are even hints that an understanding is developing between him and Silva, with a couple of clever combinations suggesting a good future for them as a pair.
City took control in the second half with the comfort of the lead and despite a late Diame header that flashed wide, Hart wasn't called into action. City have been playing possession football throughout the season (or at least trying to) and it is never more effective than when holding the lead. The lead draws the opposition out and instead of passes in and around the back-four, City have full reign for expansive, probing football. It wasn't at its best yesterday, but it allowed City to retain control.
All that said, Wigan were masters of their own downfall. Both goals were comically defended - especially the second - and they presented more gifts on top of them.
Without really reaching full heights this season, City are sitting in the top four. Listening to some people you would hardly guess it. Yes, there is room for improvement, but with players to return, others yet to find full fitness, and the mystical 'gelling' that will improve as the games come, to be within reach of the top at this stage is nothing to be worrying about!
Player ratings:
Hart 6, Richards 7, Kolo Toure 7, Kompany 7, Zabaleta 7, De Jong 6, Barry 7, Yaya Toure 7 (Jo 6), Milner 6, Silva 7 (A. Johnson 6), Tevez 8 (Wright-Phillips N/A).
Man of the match: Carlos Tevez
Ian Woan?
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