Boateng He certainly needs games, and so it was good that he played. He was more or less ok defensively, and his attacking contribution was limited to end of either half. It was his getting forward which enabled our good spell between our two goals, and he's a useful presence in the final third, but there are times when - apologies for over-simplifying - you just want him to try more. 6
Kolo Touré Both of our centre-backs looked lost in the absence of Vincent Kompany. Kolo was noticeably cautious and pausing under pressure, and clearly did not enjoy the channel-running of Darius Vassell. 5
Lescott Like Kolo, he's half the player without Kompany aside him. Made a few important interventions in the second half, but seemed to have caught Kolo's indifference to, well, heading the ball away at crucial junctures. 6
Kolarov Again, a slightly mixed performance. He's sharp and incisive and precise in the final third, which I like, but for whatever reason he still doesn't look particularly secure: he gets dragged out of position, has no pace on the turn and doesn't desperately enjoy having people running at him. The man needs games, I guess. 6
Vieira Asked to do a fair bit of work in central midfield, he looked accomplished as ever until opponents got too close to him. Can pick a pass with sufficient time, but that's it. Moved further forward at the end but didn't really have the legs to break late into the box. 6
Milner Possibly his best performance for City, driving forward from midfield. He led our first half improvement, scoring his first City goal with an confident left footed shot. Moved wide later on, and led the break down the left that nearly led to de Jong's goal. 7
SWP Dreadfully disappointing in what might be his last game for City. Only lasted 45 minutes but barely got on the ball, and when he did his decisions were so bad they made his woeful execution look acceptable. Hooked at the break but it could have been sooner. 4
Jô I didn't mind Wednesday. It was Arsenal, it was away, he was on the wing, etc. But this was just something else. He started off leading the line, then dropped off Tévez, then went wide, then back into the hole but everywhere he played he made me want to scream. If at Arsenal he reduced us to ten men with his anonymity, on Sunday he was so destructive we were effectively playing with nine. In fact, with his ability to shut down City attacks and pass to blue shirts, he was one of Leicester's more accomplished defenders. And I had such high hopes given that he's a cup specialist. 2
Tévez Another very good game, he took a while to get into it but he scored an excellent goal (think Joe Cole at Old Trafford last season), and was the best player on the pitch in the second half, holding up the ball well and dropping deep and picking passes when no-one else would. His run, hold and lay-off to de Jong on 80 or so minutes was very good forward play. 7
A. Johnson Not really on his game, which was a shame as this is the sort of game in which he should flourish. Had a few good moments but struggled to get in behind or to win set-pieces like he usually does. 6
Subs:
De Jong Came on at half time and reminded us what an accomplished footballer he is, sitting in front of the back four and allowing us to keep the ball comfortably under some decent pressure from Leicester. Ought to have scored his first City goal and won the game, but didn't. 7
Zabaleta Fifteen minutes in midfield, where he hasn't played much this year. Tidy and energetic. 6
1 comment:
Bit generous with Jo, but otherwise I'm with you.
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