For all their spending, City already rely heavily on Adam Johnson and when he didn't fire either, the options ran out. This was nothing new. The statistic which said Mancini was on his longest unbeaten run at City – six games – did not explain the good fortune at Sunderland and edginess at Fulham. Mancini talked away his spat with Moyes last night but the first sense of lost control from him compounds the feeling that he has much work to do.
James Ducker, The Times
In many respects, they [Everton] are a lowbudget version of the Chelsea team that José Mourinho built. Organised, disciplined and dogged but not without flair, City never seemed like breaking their resistance, despite playing much of the second half in a 4-2-4 formation. For all that money can buy, the kind of unity and team spirit Moyes has forged at Everton only comes with time.
Andy Hunter, The Guardian
Of greater concern for Mancini was his side's inability to turn several sustained bouts of pressure into clear openings. Jagielka was fortunate the officials missed his handball when he slipped under pressure from Tevez, but for all their possession City lacked the ingenuity to open a solid Everton defence. Indeed it was the visitors, though encamped inside their own half almost throughout the second period, who came closer to adding a season, with Leon Osman almost capitalising on a poor clearance by Vincent Kompany and Cahill chipping Given from 20 yards only to see the effort sail narrowly wide.Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail
Mark Ogden, Daily TelegraphFrom then on, it was uphill work for City. They are not a team that bounces back well from setbacks. Certainly referee Walton didn't enjoy his best night and City got the rough end of a few decisions.
But Mancini's team seem mentally weak at times and though they pushed hard for parity in the second half, they never really forced Howard in to doing anything remarkable.
City, unbeaten at Eastlands since last April, now faced a true test of their Champions League credentials with Everton determined to resolutely defend their lead.
But while they subjected Everton to intense pressure, City repeatedly crashed against the Merseysiders’ impenetrable rearguard.
2 comments:
City are indeed 'mentally weak'. I think that is at the heart of everything. We don't lack the talent, and on their day City can beat anyone -- just ask Chelsea. But when teams roll up their sleeves and put in a real shift against City, we struggle. I am not sure how much of this can be blamed on Mancini, and I think a few of the players should have a long hard look at themselves. A few in particular have not performed anywhere near their full potential (or salary): SWP, Ireland, and Toure spring to mind. The race for fourth is still wide open but I just don’t see enough steel in City to put us in serious contention. I only hope that in the summer we have a big clear out of players that, while may be extremely talented, lack the mental strength to compete at the very highest level.
spot on Nika, despite the addition of players with a 'winning mentality' it hasnt appeared to of 'rubbed' off on the squad.
Once again city were undone by a physical side, who came to ruffle feathers and they succeeded. We were rattled, they took advantage!
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