 |
| Talking point...Sagna and Zabaleta see red |
“They looked to me like they were set up not to lose. You look at the time their goalkeeper took on the kicks or the times their players went down and tried to gain time. For me they were happy with 0-0”.
A game that started in the most promising and vibrant manner for us, petered out into a scrappy and eventually controversial manner as Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna saw reds at almost the conclusion of the game.
Despite hitting the woodwork after fine build-ups and shots from Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, we somehow couldn’t find and extra gear needed and allowed City to dictate the dull pace into which the game settled into.
We started with what is now almost the first team squad – the same lineup that beat Chelsea and Birmingham. All eleven starters justiufied the manager’s faith in thme as we pinned City back and could so easily have been 2-3 up in the first 15 minutes. We saw so much of the ball as City yielded the midfield to us and Song, Fabregas and the effervescent Jack Wilshire overran the City middlemen of Nigel De Jong and Yaya Toure.
The goals did not come though and instead, City only had the woodwork preventing them from conceding on two occasions. Second half was an even duller affair as City dug in the trenches and preferred to sit back and defend. Despite throwing on Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner, we couldn’t break them down until things took a turn for the nasty with the double dismissal of Sagna and Zabaleta.
Below are the ratings for an unfulfilled night that rounded up our Christmas programme:
• Fabianski (7/10) – Kept a clean sheet for the second straight game, which is something of a record in itself. He was largely untroubled in goal as City spent most of the match defending.the one good effort they had at goal was a Carlos Tevez freekick which the Pole dealt with very well.
• Clichy (7/10) – Good game as well. Contained the threat of Tevez and James Milner very well. Had a running battle of sorts with Milner but not once was he at the receiving end of anything threatening.
• Djourou (7/10) – His he now confirmed as a starter over and above the bumbling Seb Squillaci? It looks so indeed. Wenger seems to entrust him with defensive organization at the back much more than the veteran Frenchman. He has matured indeed this season and taken his chances with both hands. Last night was another huge plus for his as he helped contain the dangerous Tevez and later Adam Johnson, when he came on. His non-effusive style is so re-assuring indeed.
• Koscielny (7/10) – It turned out to be a night for defences as we did as well as them in that department. The Kos was also clam and collected at the back and seems to enjoy playing alongside Johann. In the absence of TV, this pair must be our first choice. He hardly put as foot wrong and dealt with everything that City mustered in form of an attack.
• Sagna (7/10) – Another fine display from our all-action Frenchman but it was all ruined by that 88th minute altercation with Zabaleta that ended in red cards. He put in his normal, fighting-fit shift and hardly gave room to City’s Toure and Milner. On top of his game for sure and will now get a much needed breather over the next three games. Unlucky to have seen red.
• Song (7/10) – Did his defensive midfield duties perfectly as he put the trio of Yaya Toure and De Jong effectively in the shade. Covered acres of space with endless running and tackling. He surely, surely has attained dizzy heights in his game and is already a huge, important factor in our title charge this season.
• Wilshire (7/10) – Has enjoyed a fruitful spell alongside Song so far this season and flourished once more last night. Saw much more of the ball and used it intelligently as always. Was always available for a pass and gave the ball back effortlessly as well. Almost scored in the first 5minutes with a glancing shot with Joe Hart had to scramble away. Despite the result, he can be proud of his contribution on the night.
• Fabregas (7/10) – What else can be said about El Capitan? Nothing really and he living up to his lofty reputation comes so easily and naturally to him. Put City to the sword with his movement, vision and endless range of passing. Was unlucky not to score with his 34th minute shot hitting the post after leaving Hart for dead. He was no match for the City midfielders as he continually ran rings round all night. Clearly now, he is in the mood for a five-star performances as he seems to have gotten over his niggling injuries.
• Nasri (7/10) –Was also a thorn in the flesh for City. Ran at their defence endlessly and never shirked responsibilities to shoot. Picked up a knock early in the game but shook it off to initiate countless attacks. Unlucky not to have registered a goal.
• Walcott (6/10) – Caused problems for his marker, Jo – of all people! Did his best to keep the attack ticking over but was unfortunate not to have scored himself after hitting the post in the first half from an acute angle. Was substituted midway into the second half and the endless shake of his head showed he wasn’t impressed with the change.
• Van Persie (6/10) – Our Dutch enigma still hasn’t discovered his best form. Still feeling his way back into the game so nothing extraordinary is expected of him at this stage. Also hit the post after leaving City defenders for dead in the first half. His fitness and injury-free from will be crucial in the season run-in, so it is vital that he is not overstretched.
Substitutes
• Arshavin (6/10) – Came on in the 65th minute for an unhappy Walcott and plied his trade on the right wing this time. Did well actually in the short space of time he was expected to work wonders. At least last night, he couldn’t be accused of not showing desire.
• Bendtner (5/10) – He replaced Wilshire as we went in search of a late winner. The new father added little threat to the attack and if the truth be told, he will remain a bit-part player long as the likes of Chamakh and Van Persie are fit.
No comments:
Post a Comment