Premier League Match Report: Manchester City crush Liverpool 3-0
Manchester City's ascendency into the elite section of the Premier League continued as they backed their millions in the transfer window with a performance to savour on the field. At the City of Manchester Stadium, the City Blues were dominant against a lacklustre Liverpool side as they won at a canter with a score-line that read 3-0 to the home team.
It is a score-line which does not flatter City's performance as well. All over the pitch, City were just that much quicker to the ball, more committed in their tackles and looked sharper at the key junctures of the match. Furthermore, they bossed possession, chances and were good value for their money. A goal from Gareth Barry in the first half, followed by two by Argentinean Carlos Tevez in the second half, meant that Liverpool's new boss Roy Hodgson tasted his first defeat.
Before the beginning of the match, all the talk was again how City manager Roberto Mancini would rotate his expensively assembled squad. Choices galore for the Italian and he chose to make yet another decisive decision this week just like in the last match, when he chose the youth and adventurism of goalkeeper Joe Hart over the more experienced Shay Given, and was vindicated by the Englishman's man of the match performance. This week, he chose to bench the talented Spaniard David Silva at the expense of newly acquired recruit and ex-Aston Villa man, James Milner. Mancini chose to describe Milner as the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle and Milner's accomplished performance showed that Mancini was not just giving out empty praise. Milner provided the cut-back to Barry that led to the decisive first goal in the first half.
Another Englishman and man of the match Adam Johnson showed how money does not mean everything. The winger was in imperious form as he tested and taunted makeshift left-back Daniel Agger. Agger was in discomfort all night as Johnson combined intelligent passing with mesmerising runs and strong, pacey running. In fact, it was Johnson's carefully threaded pass to Milner which led to the first goal. Johnson's pace was also responsible in helping win the penalty which led to the third goal scored by Tevez. Johnson beat two Liverpool men at the edge of the box and it seemed he would tumble in the aftermath. Yet, remarkably, the young Englishman regained his balance to take a touch on the ball before he was brought down by Liverpool strongman Martin Skrtel for a clear penalty in the box.
With such an accomplished performance, Manchester City are looking good value for a position in the top four.
But what does the result mean for the red side of Merseyside? Unlucky to lose to Arsenal due to a Pepe Reina own goal on the opening weekend of the season, they were no match for City on the night. Furthermore, they were unable to call on the services of Joe Cole, who was shown a red card in the first game. Javier Mascherano was also missing in action after news that Barcelona had bid for the Argentinean midfield general. And the "Masch monster" was sorely missed, as the Liverpool side lacked bite in the middle of the park where they were overrun by Nigel De Jong, Barry and Yaya Toure.
There might not be many positives for Liverpool in the game, but they can take solace from the fact that they have negotiated two tough fixtures at the start of the season. They will have to make sure they do not miss out on enough points to be out of the running for a place in the top four too early in the season. Another bit of hope was that talisman Fernando Torres got a shift in again in the league. It was obvious from the game that the Spaniard was nowhere near the striker fans recognize and idolize. For the sake of the Liverpool fans, it is hoped that the striker can regain match fitness and his spark after an injury plagued season and a disappointing (personal) World Cup campaign.
Everyone should remember this match because this could be the statement of intent from the blue side of Manchester. After heavy spending and lots of questioning over whether City can compete with the heavyweights in the division, this match could be the beginning of a renaissance for the Manchester Blues.
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