City went up a gear after falling behind with a defensive lapse to Big Fat Sam’s extraordinarily static and one directional Newcastle United today. They then proceeded to wipe the floor with them, inspired by the sheer brilliance of one Elano Ralph Blumer. As the great Brian Moore would have enthused at some of his antics, ‘my goodness me!’
His string pulling tomfoolery, jiggerypokery and ability to make things happen had the beleaguered Barcodes relentlessly second guessing what he would do next. Indeed, former England coach self-elect Allardyce must have gone through three packets of chewing gum, nevermind three captains in his desperation to contain the City virtuoso. There cannot have been a better goal scored at Eastlands than Elano’s howitzer of a free kick that thundered past the hapless Given to send the quickening Manchester City juggernaut into orbit.
But this is far from a one man team that continues to gel before our disbelieving eyes.
There were some outstanding performances in sky blue shirts today. Emile Mpenza, as ever, led the line impeccably with a tireless work rate and again got his reward as he impressively repositioned himself to power home a header from Martin Petrov’s latest defence stretching berserker of a run. Mpenza could have scored at least two more. Petrov must have terrified Newcastle, and his goal was expertly converted following another superb run from Elano. Micah Richards, after playing his part in an occasionally ropey first half defensive performance symbolised the team moving up through the gears. An astonishing run from his own half powered him forward to join Stephen Ireland in a counter attack that sadly, he just could not finish. Michael Johnson and Didi Hamman also steadily imposed themselves upon a tiring Newcastle midfield as the game wore on to the extent that the dangerous Martins and Fatty Viduka’s support all but dried up.
City passed and moved with consumate one touch ease at times to the roaring delight of the City faithful.
This fifth victory of the season really is one to savour. Following the second string’s win over Norwich in the League Cup, it is exactly what was required to give us even greater momentum for welcoming Middlesborough and Birmingham to Fortress Eastlands for the second part of this season shaping four game period.
We have undeniably come a long way in a very short space of time. Lest we forget, City are now 4 home goals away from equalling The Pearce and Wigley inspired 10 goal total for the 2006-2007 season!!
You get the feeling that there is much more to come from this Manchester City team and The Iceman was as calm as ever post match in his latest one step at a time, so far so good assessment:
‘This team is very good and when they play more games together they will get even better.’
‘It was a very good performance so I’m very happy and we could have scored more goals.
‘But I am delighted. Good football.’
Good, Sven? At times it was Brilliant.
Share this article
