Adaptable City kick on as Tevez remains an outcast
Either way, Carlos Tevez, suspended but not forgotten, was not really missed by Manchester City as they maintained their splendid rhythm with another crushing victory at Ewood Park, even with Sergio Aguero limping off with a groin problem.
The facts are that even before the fracas at Bayern, Tevez had played less than 90 minutes of Premier League football this season, contributing none of City’s 23 goals.
His apparent stance at the Allianz Arena could not have been in sharper contrast with Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson, who were making their respective first and third Premier League starts of the season.
Johnson’s attitude has been questioned on a regular basis by Mancini, while Balotelli’s scrapes in his year in England hardly need to be recounted again but it is fair to say that he is known more for his misdemeanours than for any good he has managed on the field.
Yet Balotelli, who scored the breakthrough goal in the 2-0 win over Everton last week, was all power, intelligence and, even more surprisingly, graft at Blackburn, while even managing to contain himself when decisions went against him.
It seems that the wad of cash, rather than the penny, has finally dropped.
“Everyone knows what Mario’s like but he’s a goal-scorer, he’s man who can get 20 goals a season if he plays as a central striker,” Johnson said.
“He’s a big lad, he’s strong — he’s just got all the attributes.
“It’s just a case of putting it together week in week out for him now. You look at his stats and it just proves his goal-scoring ability. If you give him a chance, he’ll put it away.
“Some people seem to think he’s a bit fancy who scores a great goal now and again but he’s more than that.
He’ll score the tap-ins and scruffy goals as well. He can do everything a striker needs.
“A lot gets said and written about him, just like the rest of the club, but his training this season has been fantastic.
“As long as he keeps on going, nobody will have a problem.”
It is easy to forget that Balotelli only turned 21 in August but his ability to play in any role in a three or two-man forward line has always proved attractive for Mancini.
With Tevez kicking his heels in Cheshire and Sergio Aguero limping off, to be replaced by Samir Nasri, City’s midfield area was once again a flexible one, with David Silva playing off Balotelli.
Another key part of City’s transition from a team that does not lose to a team that wins is their new-found adaptability.
Last week, Balotelli made the difference and this time it was good old-fashioned width rather than tippy-tappy stuff.
After a frustrating opening period, Johnson and Aleksander Kolarov were told to stick to the flanks and Yaya Toure, who has been forced deeper this season following the arrival of Nasri, hit raking diagonal passes for the rest of the afternoon as City cut through the hosts.
Johnson curled in the opener before the hour before Balotelli volleyed in from Nasri’s cross from the left.
A quick break saw Silva lay the ball back for Nasri to add a third and Stefan Savic headed in his first goal in English football late on.
Those Blackburn fans left in Ewood Park turned on manager Steve Kean, who is taking his team on a brief tour of India as owners Venky’s attempt to earn kudos from a team that has suffered five defeats in seven Premier League matches.
“I’m strong. I’m not a weak person. It’s not nice when people are giving you stick but that’s my job and I will take the stick on the chin,” Kean said.
“Obviously we didn’t think we would be in this position when we arranged it (the tour), but it is still a good opportunity to go out there and to train in a different environment.
“To be really close with all the lads left here, could be a really good thing because at times like this, you want to stick together.”
It might sound silly but the turning point was probably when Sergio Aguero limped off with a groin problem. The addition of Samir Nasri seemed to give Roberto Mancini’s side greater flexibility, resulting in Blackburn being pulled apart.
The talk in the stands was of two managers. Roberto Mancini’s name was sung constantly by the 7,000 visiting supporters as they clearly backed the boss over Carlos Tevez. Conversely, Blackburn’s fans have piled further pressure on Steve Kean.
Mario Balotelli (Man City): The Italian is really showing his class now and it appears that his more positive approach and outlook is paying off.
Phil Dowd did nothing to alter the course of the game. A good performance.
City are confident that Sergio Aguero will overcome a groin problem in time for the visit of Aston Villa.
Blackburn go to India next week but then head to QPR before home games against Tottenham and Newcastle. City host Aston Villa then face Villarreal before heading to Old Trafford.
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