In a game that looked full of life for a whole 686 seconds, there was a lot to be learned about a very impressive Manchester City side: Samir Nasri hasn’t been worth the £25m he cost The Citizens, despite his electric start to life at The Etihad; although they lost, City can consider Manchester United as the underdogs next time they visit; and, as Roberto Mancini said, “I think more than ever that we can go on and win the league.” The parts were greater than the whole in this Manchester derby in which it was the red half that recorded their 2nd derby victory in 3 this season. However, it was five finer things in the game that will determine whether Manchester City will go on to win the title, instead of their fiercest rivals.
The five things we learned about Manchester City this weekend…
- 1. Manchester City will miss Yaya Toure
Starting with, and including, the 3-2 loss to Manchester United in the Third Round tie at Sunday lunchtime, Manchester City have to endure 8 games without their Ivorian central midfielder and his newly-returned brother, Kolo. The engine of Manchester City’s midfield, typified with his parting performance against Liverpool in which he ran from box to in 10 seconds culminating in winning a penalty, is now on international duty with his country competing for the African Cup of Nations. Mancini described his performance against Liverpool as “typical” stating that he, “wanted to leave on a good note,” and having scored, assisted and shielded the defence in a clean sheet performance he did exactly that. Not only has Yaya scored 6 in his last 13 Manchester City games from midfield, but he has laid on 6 assists in the PL so far this season and out of the 1800 minutes of Premier League football that Manchester City have played this season, Yaya has only missed 49, leaving him as the most played player for City. Filling the Toure role against United was De Jong, whose lack of bravery allowed Welbeck to score United’s second. Toure will miss both legs of the League Cup semi-final, as well as tough fixtures against Tottenham among 5 Premier League games that City play in his absence. Luckily for Mancini’s Europa League campaign, his return should coincide with their clashes with Porto.
- 2. Manchester City will miss Vincent Kompany even more
When Mancini emphasised just how much Manchester City would miss Yaya during the African Cup of Nations, Alan Hansen stated on Match of the Day that, “they would miss Kompany even more,” if they were to lose him, labelling him as the best defender in the Premier League and a “fan’s favourite.” Now, having received a four-match ban for serious foul play, the strength of Hansen’s claim will be measured. “Kompany is of the highest class both as a player and a leader,” said the BBC’s football expert, “If they lost Kompany I am not so sure they could cover his absence so easily.” With Kolo Toure on international duty with his brother, the sentiment expressed by Hansen is heightened. Options for Manchester City at centre back are now limited to their only two natural centre-backs: Joleon Lescott and Stefan Savic. The latter has only played 190 minutes of Premier league football this season; however, his second half display against United on Sunday saw no goals conceded, despite having only ten men. As well as Wigan, Kompany is set to miss the three hardest games of City’s stretch of fixtures without Kolo and Yaya: both Carling Cup semi-final ties against Liverpool and Tottenham in the league. Almost fatefully, Manchester City will now feel the full force of Hansen’s hypothetical predicament.