Yesterday's thrashing of Aston Villa has ensured a very pleasing end to 2010: as the clock strikes midnight for the new year, City will be [joint] top of the Premier League. For a side that is growing as a team, this is not a bad position to be in at just over the half way stage.
One of the factors which is starting to make people look at City seriously is the strength of the squad and that was proven yesterday. Despite Ian Cheeseman and Nigel Gleghorn quivering away in the pre-match build-up on Radio Manchester - the side Mancini picked, minus Tevez, Barry, Kolarov etc, was still mightily impressive. I'm sure it will not have been much of a consolation to a Villa fan to hear that 'Tevez isn't playing, but City will be fronted by Adam Johnson, David Silva and Mario Balotelli.'
The quick start was vital for City and an already pretty demoralised Villa side, looked completely so once the first goal had been conceded and Houllier's containing plan had to be thrown out of the window. It was indicative of the spirit at the club that a contentious decision such as Lescott's second went completely unchallenged by the Villa players.
City had started at a blistering pace and the seemingly effortless ease at how David Silva and Yaya Toure picked their ways through the Villa defence was a delight to watch. Both players got a rousing reception when replaced and it is no coincidence that City's added verve and style has coincided with the coming to form of both of these players.
Balotelli has taken all the headlines for his hattrick and he worked well in the lead striker role. People will grumble about his style, but he seems to possess that vital attribute for a striker: being in the right place at the right time. He can do almost anything with a football - the application will hopefully come with adapting to the Premier League - but as long as he is scoring goals then it is hard to complain (not that that put the people who sit around me off!). The cockiness with which he tackled the two penalties was superb - and whilst it may put some people off him, that belief is very important for a striker.
Another player who took his opportunity to shine was Adam Johnson, who had a superb, well-rounded game. The previous criticisms of his game centred on him being a bit one-dimensional, but he worked hard in all departments today - coupling some breathtaking runs with some equally impressive defensive work.
The game had an air of one that was over after about half an hour - giving City the opportunity to ease off a little, which is ideal given the build-up of games. Villa looked a poor side and you can imagine Houllier won't get much more time to change things there and, at a time when things are going well for City, hearing the one time regular City chant of "we're shit and we know we are" coming from the Villa end is a timely reminder of how far we have come.
Lee Hendrie?
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