Nasri double helps City record another home victory
By Aaron Leggott
Manuel Pellegrini’s City side continued their formidable home form on Sunday evening to brush Swansea aside with ease.
In truth, a 3-0 victory didn’t show the true reflection of the game, but two goals from Samir Nasri and a terrific free kick from Álvaro Negredo settled the game.
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| Photo: Official MCFC Facebook |
Swansea had their chances to capitalise on the two goals scored by opposition sides at the Etihad Stadium this season, but Jonathan de Guzmán missed a guilt edged chance on the brink of half time - a moment which probably proved the difference in quality between the two sides.
A trip to the Etihad would prove difficult for any opposing manager nowadays, but Michael Laudrup set up his team in a traditional Swansea manager, even if he could have been forgiven for changing his teams tactics.
City started brightly, and nearly grabbed a goal inside the first minute for the second week running, but Sergio Agüero's shot was tame and hit straight at Gerhard Tremmel.
And after Negredo’s 20 yard effort was palmed away by Tremmel on six minutes, there was a feeling that the team from South Wales could be on the receiving end of another mauling from the blue half of Manchester.
However, the Spaniard wasn’t waiting much longer as he opened the scoring just two minutes later with a curling free-kick on the edge of the area. It was his 12th goal of the season so far, and a further indication that Pellegrini spent wisely during the summer break.
Swansea, as expected, started to control proceedings with their passing game and Laudrup’s side came close to scoring, only for Costel Pantilimon to deny Jonjo Shelvey on two separate occasions.
Martín Demichelis then came close for City after his header bounced back into play off the crossbar, but he was nearly at fault for an equaliser, only for de Guzmán to fire his effort high over Pantilimon’s bar.
When travelling to places like the Etihad, you cannot miss chances like de Guzmán's, and the smile on Laudrup’s face said it all.
City were not at their ruthless best, but secured all three points just before the hour mark after a revitalised Nasri grabbed his first with a neat finish before grabbing his eleventh goal for the club 19 minutes later with a left foot finish past Tremmel.
Pellegrini will know that tougher tasks face the Blues, with away games at West Brom and Southampton and a visit from Arsenal all to come in the next fortnight.
What did Pellegrini say?
Stats
City Swansea
46% Possession 54%
22 (7) Shots (on target) 9 (4)
5 Corners 4
6 Fouls 8
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(c) The Sky Blue View 2013
Who knows how the game might have concluded if Swansea had taken their chance just before half time, but we were certainly lucky to still be ahead. I think we would still have gone on to win the game, but without the same apparent comfort.
ReplyDeleteGood to see goals starting to come from the midfield players.