Sergio Aguero back on form, a second game-changing goal in as many games for James Milner, a quite beautiful fourth from Samir Nasri but, for Manchester City, it’s as you were.
Maybe not in terms of the performance, because City were more convincing in the second-half here than they have been at any time in 2015, but the news of Willian’s late goal for Chelsea will have dampened the party atmosphere in the dressing-room after. It keeps the gap at the top at seven points, with another game gone. Manchester City are still in the wishing business. They need to make a point on Chelsea every two games to be within striking distance on the last day of the season. Willian’s goal, therefore, was huge – eclipsing the efforts of Aguero, Milner and Nasri as impressive as they were. City will think a three-goal winning margin at cussed Stoke is a result of true champions; but so is digging three points out of a game drifting towards stalemate.
That is the problem with playing catch-up. Manchester City could arguably have lost the title here – had Chelsea’s lead stretched to double figures it would have been close to insurmountable – but they are too far adrift to talk of reeling the leaders in just yet. Certainly, retrieving five points is better than seven, though, and a 4-1 win at Stoke would have been an excellent springboard. So they’ll take the positives, but with each game that passes without inroads made, optimists at the Etihad will be harder to come by.
For now, many will take heart in the hope a corner has been turned. City came here with seven points from six league games, and one goal in the last 20 scored by a recognised striker. It is a run that has seen Manuel Pellegrini’s long term future doubted and the break-up of last season’s title-winning team advocated. Yaya Toure has certainly looked better from afar playing in Africa than he did in a City shirt in the early months of the season.
And in the first-half at least there was little to suggest a change of direction. Stoke were the better team, had the better chances and a 1-1 scoreline will have felt like hard cheese. By the end, City were confident, emphatic winners. The ground was half-empty and quiet save for a boisterous away end, and Stoke faded away in mediocre fashion. It showed there was life and spirit in City yet – but they need Chelsea to similarly surrender those qualities if it is to make a difference.
The first chance of the game fell to City after David Silva had battled gamely through a series of tackles, slipping the ball inside to Aguero. Unfortunately, Fernandinho fancied his chances, too, and came steaming in, putting Aguero off his stride, resulting in a tame shot easily gathered by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. From there, it was all Stoke – starting in the sixth minute when Victor Moses had a dipping shot from range that Joe Hart fumbled at his feet, the ball spinning from his hands for a corner. From the dead ball, Peter Crouch won a header which appeared to be stopped on its way to goal by the arm of Milner. Stoke players appealed furiously, referee Lee Mason waved them away.
No comments:
Post a Comment