Manchester City slickers deliver strong
This was the performance of a group of players stung and hurt by the criticism that came their way last season, one underpinned not just by their obvious ability but by hunger and desire. Qualities found wanting barely a few months ago.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side have put down a marker here this Premier League title is one they are intent wrestling off a Chelsea team that had it far too easy in the previous campaign. At times last season City’s play lacked purpose, individuals within the team appeared without focus. Against Chelsea they were rampant, chasing lost balls, harrying defenders. Jose Mourinho’s side were not given a moment’s rest at the Etihad yesterday.
In defence, Vincent Kompany was a colossus; the rugged determination matched by a return to the outstanding attributes of his defensive play. Yaya Toure dominated midfield with the kind of focus and authority seldom evident as City finished runners-up last season. And Sergio Aguero — one of the few who emerged in credit in the campaign just gone — possesses the drive and bombast to inspire and galvanise those around him. If he stays injury-free he may well be unstoppable.
Right from the off, City looked to stamp their authority . David Silva’s through ball after 19 seconds sent Aguero clear but Asmir Begovic narrowed the angle and saved with his boot, Jesus Navas striking the loose ball past the post.
It was a blitzkrieg start from City — their attacking triumvirate of Raheem Sterling, Silva and Navas eager to test the experienced legs of John Terry and Gary Cahill’s capacity to read the game. Aguero was a menace in front of the trio. Perhaps it was the ticker tape welcome as City opened their redeveloped South Stand which transported Aguero back to Buenos Aires but he almost played with the kind of fear and exuberance of his Independiente youth.
The Argentine’s bullish strength allowed him to receive Aleksander Kolarov’s pass, hold off the Chelsea defence, and muscle a low shot on the turn, which Begovic reacted well to save. The move was repeated moments later with Navas the provider this time and another Aguero effort. This time Begovic’s save prompted admiration from Aguero — who applauded then high fived the Bosnian. An acknowledgement that, but for Thibaut Courtois’ stand-in, City could have been three up inside 20 minutes.
Almost inevitably it was Aguero who provided the coup de grace for City’s dominance and Chelsea’s lethargy just after the half-hour mark. Aguero, surrounded by Chelsea shirts, received a clever pass from Silva and following an intricate and technically superb one-two with Toure, he applied a low finish.
The elegance of the footwork, and skill of the move was executed with the precision of a pair of figure skaters. It felt more like Torvill and Dean, than Toure and Kun. The goal was Aguero’s 10th in his last nine matches stretching back to last season; there is no escaping the fact the stocky Argentinian’s fitness is vital to City’s bid to wrestle back the title. If City were serene and aesthetic, Chelsea were irritable and agitated. Diego Costa, like a stroppy teen with a hangover, appeared angry with anyone and everyone who happened to cross his path as they players made their way down the tunnel at half-time. John Terry did not emerge for the second-half — the first time in 177 matches the centre-back has been taken off by Mourinho. In his absence, Chelsea flickered into life and Ramires had the ball in the net five minutes into the second, only for the referee’s assistant to raise his flag for offside.
But it took until the 70th minute for Chelsea to bring a meaningful save from City goalkeeper Joe Hart with a chance from which they really should have profited.
Costa bustled down the left flank and cut the ball back for Eden Hazard on the penalty spot. The young Belgian sold the City defence a dummy to create an opening but Hart reacted smartly. Any lingering hopes of a Chelsea comeback were snuffed out 11 minutes from time when Kompany’s strength and desire to beat Branislav Ivanovic to a Silva corner saw him glance to arrow a header past Begovic.
There was a ruthlessness about City as well, encapsulated in the gloss they put on the result with a third late on. A sloppy half-hearted pass from Ivanovic, indicative of Chelsea’s half-cooked show, was seized upon by Silva and the ball found Fernandinho, who dispatched a first-time shot into the corner.
Hart 7; Sagna 6, Kompany 8, Mangala 6, Kolarov 7; Toure 8, Fernandinho 7; Navas 5 (Nasri 6; 65), Silva 8, Sterling 6 (Demichelis 6; 79); Aguero 8 (Bony 6; 83)
Begovic 6; Ivanovic 4, Cahill 5, Terry 5 (Zouma 6; 45), Azpilicueta 5; Ramires 6 (Cuadrado 6; 64), Matic 6; Willian 4 (Falcao 6; 79), Fabregas 5, Hazard 7; Costa 6
Martin Atkinson.
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