City v Chelsea - Post Match

"Rampant"; "Unbeatable"; "Free-scoring"; "Dominant"; "The Best Team in the Country".

You'd be forgiven for thinking that yesterday, City would be facing an impossible task. Merely turning up to make up the numbers. Of course, most journo's and pundits acknowledged that City would be Chelsea's "first real test", but most seemed to be using the line just to have something to say. Most didn't really expect Chelsea to slip up. And who could really blame them? They have been in fine form. Though I might add that anybody who thinks Chelsea have yet to face a "test" does not really understand the Premier League. The same West Brom team that were swept aside by Chelsea on the opening day yesterday won at Arsenal. To steal a cliche then, there are no easy games in the Premier League, no matter how much Chelsea do to try and contradict that saying.

But if Chelsea were the unstoppable force, yesterday City were the immovable object. For all Chelsea's huff and puff, City's door was never going to be blown down. I'll admit to having my concerns prior to the game. I needn't have worried. The same City team that played the perfect Jeckyll and Hyde game against Sunderland (great in the first half; poor in the second) and failed to convince despite picking up three points at Wigan, stepped up their game yesterday.

I should've known. We always do it. I shouldn't have been surprised when Carlos Tevez broke from the half way line and placed a perfect shot through Ashley Cole's legs, past Petr Cech, clipping the inside of the post before hitting the net.
I shouldn't have been surprised when perfect tackle after perfect tackle thwarted every Chelsea attack, eventually forcing Essien into weak long range efforts.

That one goal sealed a thoroughly deserved win then, our third successive victory against The Best Team in the Country.

So, here's my player ratings for yesterday. I've gone with the starting eleven only as none of the substitutes really had enough time to make an impact. Being the traidtionalist that I am, all ratings are out of 10.


Hart - 6 - Not much to say for him really. Thanks to a good defensive performance, he had little to do. He saved well from Ivanovic's rebound in the first half after the ball hit the bar, and he tipped a long range Anelka shot wide (though it was probably heading that way anyway). So, barely tested, but comfortable when called upon.


Zabaleta - 7 - Poor Zabs seems to have become something of a scapegoat recently when things don't go well. I was concerned about his lack of pace before the game but again, I needn't have worried. He was reliable throughout. After picking up a yellow card in the first half I was concerned. I thought he'd become a liability. He does like a rash challenge but he handled himself well and didn't do anything stupid. A solid performance.


Kompany - 9 - He has fully cemented his role as City's "Mr Dependable" now. He always looks calm and yesterday was no exception. This must inspire confidence in him from his team-mates. A very impressive performance and after a couple of seasons of consistent performances there are people beginning to desribe Vinnie as "world class". He's certainly getting there - he could be a rock in our defence for years to come.


K Toure - 8 - Next to Kompany, he is looking a lot better than he did last season. I've lost count of how many perfect tackles he has made so far this season. His timing has become immaculate, time-after-time he gets his foot in just as the opponent is about to pull the trigger. We look to have found our defensive partnership for the season.


Boyata - 8 - I've been impressed by him every time I've seen him (well, with the exception of the Hull away game last season, but we'll forgive that). Yesterday was, as far I remember, his first game at right back in the first team. He handled it well. I've thought for a while now he's going to be a star, and after being in his pocket all game, I reckon Didier Drogba would agree with me. The only thing that costs him an extra mark is the odd moment of inexperience - the tackle that earned him a yellow card in the second half being an example. But we won't dwell on that, he was excellent.

Milner - 7 - Earns his mark for work rate more than end product yesterday. He worked tirelessly for 90 minutes and was up and down the left touchline all game. Few crosses found their target and a few attempted tricks and flicks failed but I'm liking what I see so far.


Barry - 8 - So far this season I have found myself having to eat my words after nearly every game. Last season I was not impressed by Gareth Barry (I made this clear on the Imagine FM Bluemoon Show earlier in the season). I am pleased to say though that he looks a different player this season. Yesterday he showed just how good his vision was, picking out inch perfect passes time and time again and doing a good job of breaking up play.

De Jong - 8 - Imperious. As ever. There's not too much to say here. He goes on the pitch and does his job. Does anybody in world football execute a slide tackle as well as Nigel? He is looking increasingly composed on the ball as well, he is perhaps more skillful than we've previously been allowed to see.

Silva - 8 - His best performance yet. Any concerns about how he'd handle the physicality of the Premier League have surely been banished. He may be slight but he showed just how well he can handle himself. His creative play was excellent and offered a great link between defence and attack. I look forward to seeing him grow into the role in the next few games.

Y Toure - 7 - Not an eye-catching performance in my opinion, but he was solid. Little more to say than that to be honest.

Tevez - 8 - As you would expect, he battled well against physical defenders and as ever, combined it with more than a little skillful play. His goal was excellent. Continues to be worth his weight in gold.

Well, there we have it. That's my little match review.

To steal another cliche, beating Chelsea is excellent. It's how we back it up against Newcastle and Blackpool that will really tell us where we are as a team though. Here's hoping for positive results against Juventus and Newcastle then.

Ciao,

Richard

http://twitter.com/RichardTheBurns