By Alex Mason
My thoughts
Last night’s game against Newcastle United was a walk in the park for many of the City players. This is mainly because Newcastle had 10 men for 45 minutes, and when your team is up against the likes of David Silva, Sergio Agüero and Yaya Touré, your team is in for a long game.
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| Photo: Official MCFC Facebook |
There were a lot of positives out of last night’s game for City. However, an injury to captain Vincent Kompany will have City sweating, as they only have one fit centre-back in Joleon Lescott. Young prospect Matija Nastasić is out with an ankle injury, but he is expected to be back in training this week. City will need to recruit another centre-back if they are to win the Premier League. It will be very hard to play 38 Premier League games alongside the FA Cup, Capital One Cup and Champions League with only three recognised centre-backs. Of course Micah Richards and Javi García can fill in at centre-back, but I believe that they play better football in their regular positions.
Debutants Jesús Navas and Fernandinho were very impressive considering it was their first Premier League game. Navas’ width is something City missed last season and his energy on the pitch is something that will make full-backs fear playing City. New signing Álvaro Negredo came on for the last 10 minutes and had a debut goal ruled out for offside. Overall it was a very impressive display form City.
Player ratings
HART: Had very little to do all game all game. Made a very comfortable save from Cheick Tioté in the first half. Hart needed a clean sheet to boost his confidence after his error in midweek for England.
TSBV Rating: 6/10
ZABALETA: Had a very good game. Linked up well with new signing Navas and it looks like Zabaleta will continue from where he picked up last season, in very good form. Glad to see him pen a new deal hours before the game last night.
TSBV Rating: 7/10
KOMPANY: Hopefully his injury will not keep him out for too long, his presence on the pitch is something that gives City belief. Had a very good game before he went off injured.
TSBV Rating: 7/10
LESCOTT: Had a decent game. Not a lot to do in fairness with Newcastle down to 10 men. He looked a bit nervous in the first half, but overall a good solid performance.
TSBV Rating: 7/10
CLICHY: Looked very comfortable all game. His speed and attacking display is something that you’ll always get with Clichy. Defensively had very little to do.
TSBV Rating: 7/10
FERNANDINHO: Very good display from the new signing. He was booked for his challenge on Yoan Gouffran in the first half but overall a good performance from the Brazilian.
TSBV Rating: 7/10
YAYA TOURE: An excellent free kick in the second half from the big man. Played a very good game besides Fernandinho. Toure will always be one of the first players on Pellegrini’s team sheet every week.
TSBV Rating: 8/10
NAVAS: Very impressed with his energy and speed. He played a very central role last night but he showed us glimpses of his pace on the wings. I think he will be a very important player for City this season.
TSBV Rating: 8/10
SILVA: A very good header in the first 6 minutes gave Silva his first goal of the season. His consistency in games is frightening, he always looks a threat. I can see a very good partnership developing with Silva and Navas in the midfield this season.
TSBV Rating: 8/10
DZEKO: Man of the match and how he deserved it. He had 8 attempts on goal last night, and should have got his name on the score sheet. 2 assists from the Bosnian and a very impressive display. Expect big things from Dzeko this season
TSBV Rating: 8/10
AGUERO: Despite not taking much part in pre-season, Aguero had a brilliant game. His goal was brilliantly taken in the first half. He won the free-kick for the 3rd goal and looked a threat throughout the game. Hopefully he can keep fit for the rest of the season.
TSBV Rating: 8/10
Substitutes
NASRI: Come on as a substitute on the 62nd minute for Aguero and had an instant impact by scoring a well taken goal on the 75th minute. He had a poor season last season, only scoring 2 goals in the Premier League. He has a lot to prove.
TSBV Rating: 7/10
GARCIA: Came on for an injured Kompany on the 71st minute. He looked very comfortable in the game. Didn’t have a lot to do to get a good rating.
TSBV Rating: 6/10
NEGREDO: Came on with 10 minutes to play replacing his fellow Spaniard Silva. Negredo had a debut goal wrongly ruled offside. He looks like a powerful striker that’s not afraid to shot from anywhere.
TSBV Rating: 6/10
Note: All pictures above from MCFC Official Facebook page
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