City must go shopping as weaknesses exposed

With so much going on down south at Chelsea, Manchester City’s problems have probably been under-estimated — or at least under-reported — for most of this season; but they were finally put into sharp focus yesterday as Manchester United ended their two-year unbeaten record at the Etihad and gained a major advantage in the title race.

It has been two years and 37 games since anyone last beat City on their home ground; and for that reason alone this was a landmark day. But there was far more for manager Roberto Mancini to think about despite his side’s spirited comeback that saw them come from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 — only to succumb in the end to Robin van Persie’s last-minute free-kick.

City may not have endured the kind of managerial upheaval and supporter-led revolt that has gripped Stamford Bridge recently but nevertheless there has been an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the way their campaign has gone; and now it probably needs to be addressed.