Johnny On The Spot: #NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED. Backed by a hooded Pep Guardiola reinstalled in the technical area following the space oddity that was the no show against Lyon in the Champions League, Manchester City blasted back in style to the power of five through a torrid Welsh monsoon…This was as consummate an away team performance as you are likely to see in the top flight this season. The conditions were dreadful, the heavy rain was relentless, yet time and again the champions took the game to a beleaguered Cardiff in merciless fashion. The Bluebirds were woeful and immensely fortunate to have started the second half with Joe Ralls still on board following his appalling foul on Ilkay Gündogan shortly before half time – Michael Oliver serving up the latest reminder of the poor standard of English refereeing.
The timing of this thumping win on the road could not be better. With hacks and pundits continuing to trip over themselves to crown Liverpool as this season’s champions, the Blues have kept pace with the scouse media darlings and maintained an average scoring rate of three goals per game for good measure. Kun Agüero’s work rate was immense and the catalyst of this victory, but so satisfied was El Boss with our talisman’s output, the centurions played out the last half hour without a centre forward. The icing on the cake being two goals for his replacement Riyad Mahrez.
The games continue to come thick and fast now, with the memory of “Lyongate” swiftly buried, Oxford you are next.