Sheikh Mansour- That Was For You

If this Manchester City side need time for cohesion and the patience to bond, well, the end product will be unbelievably frightening.
Liverpool are a side supposed to be challenging with us, the great Liverpool sides, the Rush`s, Fowler`s of this world creating havoc challenging for major honours, if that statements correct then City are on a one way trip to unreachable heights.

The final score line looked irrelevant as the referee called an end to an enthralling occasion. Liverpool were relieved for the match to end in just three superbly crafted goals, trudging off the pitch heads down, gloomy and looking like a side so devoid of creating chances while being so woeful in defence. In fairness there was a reason for Liverpool`s abject performance, this was a City side performing to such high expectations, every blade of grass was covered by an energetic home side, they were clever, industrious and when they needed to be clinical.

To find a man of the match amongst the blue shirts was an unenviable task, it could have been one of five. That factor epitomised City`s performance, it wasn`t a one man show, it didn`t just posses that one piece of brilliance, it contained a team full of confidence, determination and passion. Every pass was fluent, direct, with a purpose. James Milner had a debut to remember, his guile and tenacity proved pivotal, showing why City`s following of him was smart business. It was the ex-villa man who played a vital role in City`s opener, squaring his inch perfect pass for Ex-Villa and England team-mate Barry, who with the opening of his body, guided his left foot shot neatly into the bottom corner. Barry had one of those games, everything he touched worked brilliantly, Gerrard and Lucas looked like school boys against the midfielder as he casually thwarted everything Liverpool had to offer.
As the game wore on the difference between the sides was growing. City looked destined to find that second goal; Johnson was dazzling on the opposite wing to Milner and was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet himself. The second goal did come and for City it was the perfect time. Their resilient and solid display deserved more and after Milner whipped in a delightful corner, Micah Richards rose like a salmon and headed home, with the possible aid of a Tevez deflection. The scorer mattered very little, it was the nature of display that was really pleasing; we entertained, dazzled and in Kompany city have a true defensive great.
Nevertheless, a team that provides such talent as Fernando Torres are bound to cause a problem some time and with City looking comfortable the striker nearly pounced. As Torres and Ngog were given clear cut opportunities, Joe Hart again proved the brave hart he is, with not one, but two contenders for save of the season denying the front men. Firstly, Hart desperately reached for an Ngog shot before spreading himself splendidly to deny Torres.

The points were finally guaranteed when Carlos Tevez, undoubtedly did get in on the scoring action. Liverpool will hope they don`t face talent such as Johnson each week, another scorching run caused chaos in the Liverpool box and after evading a lunging tackle from Agger, Skrtel could do nothing but bring the winger down. Tevez continued his scoring streak from the back end of the last campaign coolly slotting home from 12 yards.

Take your pick between Barry, Milner, De Jong, Kompany, Johnson et al.
After having very little to do, Hart produced a breathtaking double save to deny Liverpool a way back in the game. Looked solid against Jovanavic who was very poor. Tried to support Johno when he could. When called upon he was faultless. Using his pace and experience he denied any attacks. Outstanding. Provided that shield in front of Hart who was very rarely tested. His understanding of the game and skill is unbelievable for a player at such a young age. Liverpool saw him as a weak target but his tackling was relatively sound. Gave the ball away a lot. Probably his best performance in a City shirt. His goal capped off a truly wonderful game. Harrassed and bullied the opposition from the first whistle. Any 10-90 tackle is his let alone a 50-50. Made some dazzling runs. Tricked and forced his way past several lunges. Perfect debut. Two assists and top notch crossing and corner deliveries. Energetic display that didn't stop. Preffered in a more attacking role. Was solid with the ball. Possibly two goals for the hit man who caused the hapless Carragher plenty of problems. Could do very little in the time he was given. Could do very little in the time he was given.

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