Post by deadbat on Jan 22, 2020 0:01:34 GMT
The Blades went down to a Sergio Aguero strike after a moment of quality from Kevin De Bruyne undid a brave United performance where they had held City off for 73 minutes. The visitors had been the better side and Dean Henderson had kept the home side in it with some wonder saves including a penalty save from Jesus. United were excellent without the ball and kept a solid shape being workmanlike and organised but maybe will be a touch disappointed at their work on the ball and the fact they did not have a legitimate effort on goal all night. Still, the Blades have given a really good account of themselves twice against the current league champions and many other sides have been put to the sword against them. United now can moved on from the incredibly touch period of games and focus on games that give them a far greater opportunity of points.
United made two changes from the side that started at Arsenal with Besic in for Lundstram and Billy Sharp making a surprise start, in for Lys Mousset. For City, they fielded a wealth of attacking talent and could leave superstars like Aguero and Bernardo Silva on the bench but still had the likes of Sterling and De Bruyne starting along with the returning Aymeric Laporte in defence.
City began with all the possession and forced United back as the Blades had to keep a solid defensive shape. Sterling and De Bruyne were instrumental on the ball and were probing but O’Connell and Egan got interceptions. United got the ball forward for the first time and Sharp and McBurnie linked well but Sharp’s cross was intercepted by Fernandinho. City showed their ability to break and O’Connell had to deny the advancing De Bruyne. Besic’s wild tackle rightly earned him a yellow card after he lunged in on Laporte and then City nearly scored after a mistake from Basham. He was robbed by Sterling and neat quick football saw the ball sent switched between Mahrez and De Bruyne, before the latter’s close-range finish was superbly pushed away by Henderson.
United got another yellow card when Norwood pulled back an attacker as City again threatened to break at speed. After the ball was cleared for a corner, Fernandinho returned the ball over and Otamendi’s spectacular bicycle kick was saved by the feet of Henderson. Once again, he had kept United in the game.
McBurnie and Sharp had worked really hard for United and the former won a corner which saw Egan and Laporte come together after a challenge on Ederson. McBurnie’s good work won another period of brief respite for United in a game that City had dominated possession.
Mahrez worked his way into the box from the left moving away from Stevens before Basham came in and made contact. It was a clumsy challenge and there was contact and referee Mason awarded the penalty. Any VAR check confirmed that it was adjudged the correct decision. Jesus took the kick but it was not far enough away from Henderson and he made a great save. He clutched the rebound to the delight of most inside the ground. Replays showed the keeper was off his line but these days no one is sure what might be looked at and what is ignored and there was not even a check for this for any possible retake opportunity.
Fleck was booked for a foul on Fernandinho was skipped away and De Bruyne fired over not long after. The City skipper was himself booked after a series of fouls and finally given his card after he went through the back of McBurnie.
The half time whistle came soon after and United were still well in the game thanks to the brilliance of Henderson coupled with a tenacious, hardworking performance.
City continued to dominate the ball after the break but Fleck drew two challenges and Rodri cynically hauled him down to earn himself a booking. United then won two corners and were making a better fist of pushing City back. Sterling and then De Bruyne nearly got in but O’Connell did well to make two interceptions. Rodri headed not far wide from a corner before Mousset came on for Sharp, whose efforts were warmly applauded from the crowd.
Sloppy play saw United turn it over and the cross came over Jesus outjumped a stationery Basham and should have done better but headed straight at Henderson. It was blood and guts stuff and both teams were going for it. McBurnie and Baldock combined to feed Basham whose cross shot was parried out by Ederson and fell to Mousset but the sub tried an audacious back heel when a pull back to Fleck may have been the better option and the keeper saved comfortably.
Aguero came on for Jesus and he was immediately involved as City came at the other end but Egan stepped in to make a vital block.
On 72 minutes, some lovely football by the Blades nearly led to a goal. Several quick passes on the edge of the box saw the ball moved out to the left and the cross came in from Stevens and McBurnie could not quite get the final touch although he would probably have been flagged offside.
After this let off, City broke and got the vital opening goal. Sterling moved the ball over to the right and with United stretched, De Bruyne sent over a wonderful cross that was perfect for AGUERO to convert from close range.
United fans tried to respond with fantastic backing and they continued to give City a real go but they struggled to find the quality or composure to break them down. Robinson and Lundstram came on for Besic and Basham and then Aguero was booked for kicking the ball away. After another soft decision went against United, McBurnie was booked for protesting.
Sterling nearly made the game safer after a jinking run and a shot that went narrowly wide. Baldock went down after a challenge and Mahrez was off target, before the United full back was deemed fit to continue.
Stoppage time saw United hit a few hopeful balls forward but they could not create any final chances although the ball was in the City box from a final attempt to muster a chance before Mason ended proceedings.
United – I will throw out all the clichés and say once again, a fantastic effort. We worked so hard, were organised, resolute and off the ball did so many good things. I thought we kept in the game thanks to Henderson making three fantastic saves and then after not creating anything, had a few moments second half. I thought the attitude, the ability to stay in the game and just keep disciplined was great. Players were covering for each other and really doing the little things to stop them cutting us apart. They had one great chance thought Sterling and then one off a set play and Henderson made two good saves. The penalty was sloppy from us and a silly rash tackle but again Henderson bailed us out. I thought the front two worked hard on scraps and even though we did not play much possession stuff, they held it up and stemmed the tide and helped us remain very much in the game.
Not sure we had anything clear cut at all and the two good moves saw Mousset try a daft back heel and then McBurnie may have been off. Bit disappointing, we never really had a meaningful shot all night or make the keeper properly work at all. That is the big criticism for me as other teams Norwich, Palace and Wolves have got through this defence (and we did at City a few weeks ago). All the quality came from them and on another night, it would have been 2 or 3-0 and probably deserved on possession and chances. Hard to stop them when they beat the press and come at you. They have such pace and running from all over the field. Still think when they are on form, they are the best side in the league – may sound ridiculous when Liverpool are running away with things. The speed they move it and move it on to each other is frightening and you realise how far them and Liverpool are off the rest of the league. We played a big club in Arsenal at the weekend but they are light years off City with the pace, speed and athleticism of their players.
I did think United were a bit rushed in possession and went long too much. We lacked the composure we have in many other games. I get City press you and don’t give your time and maybe the shock factor was not there after we played them well at the Etihad but I think some of our players were guilty of getting rid too easy. We overplayed a few times at the back and nearly cost us but not in midfield and further up the field. I thought the midfield three worked hard but tonight they were just up against far superior players and it showed. They were just quicker, more skilled and better in every aspect but no shame in that. I thought Bash really struggled tonight and made a number of mistakes. It was the worst he has been for a while. Egan and O’Connell had a few nervy moments but stuck at it. We saw little of the wing backs going forward but that is maybe as City matched us up, showing the respect Pep gives us. The front two worked so hard but had no service as we were so deep trying to stop the fast break and the pace they have on the attack. When you lose it, they are often in and two passes and it is a chance.
I cannot knock United too much tonight. We gave the Champions a tough game and they had to score a fantastic goal to win it. I think we could have done better with the ball and this has been a theme for the last 4 games since we played well at City. We seem to have stopped trusting our ability to move it about and started going long more/channel balls. That is fine now and again. We have not seen the overloads/the ability to get 3 v 2 in any areas and it had been a bit more like a 5 then a 3 at the back. It is hard versus such quality teams.
Just glad now to get this run out of the way. I would have expected 4 defeats from City x 2/Liverpool and Arsenal. We got one point more than I thought we did and beat West Ham. Now we have a few weeks off nearly and then have to get back to what we can do in terms of having more of the ball, getting forward and making chances. We will not have to face any opponent as tough for the run in and can go into any game seriously thinking we can get a result.
Ratings:
Henderson 9/10 – Superb performance. Made one stunning save and then another very good one. Then saved a penalty and got up and got the rebound. His handling was good and he had no chance on the goal at all as the cross cut everybody out. Looked a top-class keeper. Only knock on him was his kicking again was a bit mixed.
Baldock 6.5/10 – Did not get forward much at all tonight and was having to defend a lot. They did get thought a few times between him and Bash on this side as they found little pockets but that was not down to his mistakes just good skill/runners off the ball. Second half he did have a bit more of a foray forward and involved in the move that led to the Mousset chance. Wanted a foul for a pull as we attacked not long before they went and scored and got very angry. Love his aggression and will to win.
Stevens 6.5/10 – As above really, he had to defend a lot more than normal but you expect that. He looked to get forward but often they just shuffled across and he had to go back. A few times players skipped past him as he tried to get back and cover but that was just sheer pace. He did put in one good cross second half that just evaded McBurnie. The goal came down his side and maybe he could have got across and been a bit tighter to De Bruyne but I suppose technically that is not his man.
Basham 4/10 – Thought it was a poor performance tonight. He has been phenomenal this season but the big chances came from him. He gave it away for Sterling and they nearly scored, was ball watching when the ball came across for Otamendi and then the penalty he came across and dived in for no reason. He knew it was a penalty from his reaction. Second half he lost Jesus for a free header and then a few other times he lost the ball or was sloppy. Did have one good run when his cross came over and Ederson pushed away.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Apart from a daft dive and tackle on Sterling (could have been booked for both of those) he was our best defender. He won numerous tackles, blocks and interceptions and came out when he could. At the end he was a bit aimless when he knocked it high in the air rather than trying to fire a ball to a shirt. He did play well tonight against some really tough opponents and kept his shape and concentration.
Egan 7/10 – His distribution with the ball was a bit off I thought and first half they pressed him and he went long too much. Defensively he was good though and stepped in to win a number of key balls. The goal it is hard as the ball comes across and maybe he loses Aguero for a split second but it came in transition and they were not really on men as it happened and such a good ball. He was steady for the most part though and did not let get quicker, tricky players run by him.
Norwood 5.5/10 – Not sure he got on the ball much at all tonight and his passing when he had it was poor. Worked hard and tried to disrupt when he could and made sure they did not run through us too much. He just did not influence things and when he had it, he did not show the composure he normally does and knocked a lot of long stuff/channel balls. Off the ball he made a silly tackle for a yellow and then hard for him to commit too much. He could have got another yellow for a late tackle. His set plays were a bit floaty too. Not is best night.
Besic 6/10 – His stupid early tackle nearly cost us as some refs may have sent him off. This restricted him a bit after but then he started snapping and tackling when he could. Used the ball ok when he had it but not sure he saw much of it, like the rest of the midfield. His best work was off the ball as eh chased back, tracked runners and picked off some dangerous attacks. Did ok but not sure any of our midfield saw enough of the ball or kept it long enough.
Fleck 6/10 – His mark is similar to the others in midfield as he simply did not see enough of it. He had that one slalom run when he got upended and maybe another one of carrying it but for the most part he did not see the ball and really influence play as we were knocking it long or not seeing it. He tried to chase and harry but another that have away a silly yellow. I thought the midfield was our weakest area (along with wing backs not getting forward tonight) as they did not get on the ball/keep it, or create anything at all for the strikers.
McBurnie 8/10 – Our best outfield player but quite a distance. Worked so hard and won most of his headers, hold up play and showed some lovely bits of intelligent link and passing play. He did everything he did with little behind him at all in terms of support either next to him, passes/crosses or getting ahead of him to help him. He carried on working hard and stretched City with his running and persistence. He did not maybe have any chances other than one at full stretch but his overall play, effort and intelligence was very much McGoldrick mark 2 in terms of how he played. Showed he can do this sort of role and not just an out and out frontman.
Sharp 7/10 – Thought he worked really hard too and held it better than any other game this season. He invited contact and won free kicks and showed desire to want to hold the ball and try to move us up the field. He looked quite energetic tonight and I felt that his running/movement was good. He did tire a bit after the break but not sure we looked any more dangerous when Moose came on. At the moment it is McBurnie and one other and not sure he showed today he is any worse than the rest who have all not looked remotely like scoring or showing consistent form over the last month or so.
Subs –
Mousset – Came on and tried to get behind them but things did not quite stick. I felt he looked a bit lazy and was caught offside or not first to it. Had that half chance and tried something silly. Involved in a few other attacks but not sure we saw him stretch or get behind them like he did at City. He has not scored for 10 games now and has not maintained that great form of October/November when he looked a real star in the making and has not made much impact recently.
Robinson – Did not see much of the ball at all. They were actually attacking more than us even at 1-0 and the game was all a bit stretched. I am struggling to remember anything he did at all but that is more about the game than him.
Lundstram – At least got a bit more involved than the above two even if he sent in two disappointing crosses. He ended up wide right and had a few moves where he was involved. Hopefully him losing his place will give him the kick up the back side he needs to regain his form.
Manager Wilder 7/10 – It was an organised performance with desire, work rate and stickability. We made them have to score a great goal and they were in a game. He will agree we showed little genuine quality on the ball and it was a bit direct at times. Not sure we tested them at all and will say we have to show more composure and belief. I felt we lacked that a bit tonight on the ball. We need more quality to be able to create things – you look at Palace with Zaha at the weekend and other teams who have played City (Wolves) and they can unlock them. We have better defences than those teams but we did not look like scoring tonight and the midfield did not have their best game albeit playing top level opponents. We need to find more quality to open teams up whether it be from midfield or from another forward. When they send our wing backs into our half and pen them in and get tight on Norwood, we struggle. Those three are so important and when teams take them out of their normal game, we tend to go a bit more direct and feed off scraps and won’t try and play thought the middle. We needed to change it up a bit today but could not as they were just so good when they robbed us / turned it over so we kind of had to sit safe. I would have liked a bit more caution to the wind last 10 minutes but not sure we really did hit. If they got a second so be it but even with the changes, we rarely had enough bodies up the top of the field.
City – Deserved to win the game and maybe should have won by more. They had all the chances and all the quality but could not convert and then for a spell second half we worried them but they made the change and he make the difference. They have some superb players. De Bruyne even in fits and starts is something else and then Aguero takes the one big chance that comes to him. Sterling goes to ground a lot but is so hard to stay with and Rodri sits in front of the defence and does a great job. Think he is very underrated. Interesting they opted to play three centre backs and match us up. They ended up with Rodri in front, then De Bruyne and then Sterling and Mahrez taking it in turns to assist Jesus. They have such speed when they break and I actually think they are a better away side than home as teams will try and attack more (even us) and they can pick you off and off they go. At home teams will sit in even more…although we tried that tonight with quite a bit of success. After they missed the chances first half not sure they had too many clear ones after the break and it was a bit annoying, they scored when they did as another 10 minutes and they become a bit panicky and things open up at the other end. They will say they did well defensively and limited us to very little. Laporte coming back helps them in this regard.
Opponent Man of the Match – De Bruyne is a delight to watch. His close control and passing marks him out as one of the best players in the World. Sterling also was very good as he floats off people and you cannot touch him. Ederson is also incredible with the ball at his feet.
Opponent Weak link – I thought Walker was maybe their weakest player and his touch was off all night. Jesus ran him close with a few misses and some petulant moments.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Odd one as I thought Lee Mason was slow, behind the play and seemed to guess a lot of things. He does not play an effective advantage and I did think he gave them a lot of 50-50 stuff for minimal contact. The bookings were fair enough although they seemed to have to do a lot more to get booked – he seemed to take an age to book Aguero for throwing it behind and almost thought I can’t book Sergio! Then Sterling walks off forever and does not go out nearest touchline and is ignored. He probably got the pen right but could not wait to give it. I am not a big fan of his and feel at times he did not really have control for both teams and free kicks/throws were being taken from the wrong place all night. The assistant referee on the South Stand side though made Mason seem fantastic – as this fella did not have a clue. He missed a push on Baldock and then once the ball did not even go out and he waved his flag. He had no idea on offsides and was never in line also. Truly useless.
Crowd/Atmosphere etc – Good atmosphere and City fans made a fair bit of noise. It got louder and livelier after the penalty miss and then the levels went up as we had a bit of a go second half but the goal flattened us a bit. I think at times it can be louder and I feel the home fans have been a bit theatre orientated to start games and are almost waiting for something to happen before they respond. The home games now rarely start with an intimidating atmosphere when we being and it is almost as if fans need a spark to get involved.
United made two changes from the side that started at Arsenal with Besic in for Lundstram and Billy Sharp making a surprise start, in for Lys Mousset. For City, they fielded a wealth of attacking talent and could leave superstars like Aguero and Bernardo Silva on the bench but still had the likes of Sterling and De Bruyne starting along with the returning Aymeric Laporte in defence.
City began with all the possession and forced United back as the Blades had to keep a solid defensive shape. Sterling and De Bruyne were instrumental on the ball and were probing but O’Connell and Egan got interceptions. United got the ball forward for the first time and Sharp and McBurnie linked well but Sharp’s cross was intercepted by Fernandinho. City showed their ability to break and O’Connell had to deny the advancing De Bruyne. Besic’s wild tackle rightly earned him a yellow card after he lunged in on Laporte and then City nearly scored after a mistake from Basham. He was robbed by Sterling and neat quick football saw the ball sent switched between Mahrez and De Bruyne, before the latter’s close-range finish was superbly pushed away by Henderson.
United got another yellow card when Norwood pulled back an attacker as City again threatened to break at speed. After the ball was cleared for a corner, Fernandinho returned the ball over and Otamendi’s spectacular bicycle kick was saved by the feet of Henderson. Once again, he had kept United in the game.
McBurnie and Sharp had worked really hard for United and the former won a corner which saw Egan and Laporte come together after a challenge on Ederson. McBurnie’s good work won another period of brief respite for United in a game that City had dominated possession.
Mahrez worked his way into the box from the left moving away from Stevens before Basham came in and made contact. It was a clumsy challenge and there was contact and referee Mason awarded the penalty. Any VAR check confirmed that it was adjudged the correct decision. Jesus took the kick but it was not far enough away from Henderson and he made a great save. He clutched the rebound to the delight of most inside the ground. Replays showed the keeper was off his line but these days no one is sure what might be looked at and what is ignored and there was not even a check for this for any possible retake opportunity.
Fleck was booked for a foul on Fernandinho was skipped away and De Bruyne fired over not long after. The City skipper was himself booked after a series of fouls and finally given his card after he went through the back of McBurnie.
The half time whistle came soon after and United were still well in the game thanks to the brilliance of Henderson coupled with a tenacious, hardworking performance.
City continued to dominate the ball after the break but Fleck drew two challenges and Rodri cynically hauled him down to earn himself a booking. United then won two corners and were making a better fist of pushing City back. Sterling and then De Bruyne nearly got in but O’Connell did well to make two interceptions. Rodri headed not far wide from a corner before Mousset came on for Sharp, whose efforts were warmly applauded from the crowd.
Sloppy play saw United turn it over and the cross came over Jesus outjumped a stationery Basham and should have done better but headed straight at Henderson. It was blood and guts stuff and both teams were going for it. McBurnie and Baldock combined to feed Basham whose cross shot was parried out by Ederson and fell to Mousset but the sub tried an audacious back heel when a pull back to Fleck may have been the better option and the keeper saved comfortably.
Aguero came on for Jesus and he was immediately involved as City came at the other end but Egan stepped in to make a vital block.
On 72 minutes, some lovely football by the Blades nearly led to a goal. Several quick passes on the edge of the box saw the ball moved out to the left and the cross came in from Stevens and McBurnie could not quite get the final touch although he would probably have been flagged offside.
After this let off, City broke and got the vital opening goal. Sterling moved the ball over to the right and with United stretched, De Bruyne sent over a wonderful cross that was perfect for AGUERO to convert from close range.
United fans tried to respond with fantastic backing and they continued to give City a real go but they struggled to find the quality or composure to break them down. Robinson and Lundstram came on for Besic and Basham and then Aguero was booked for kicking the ball away. After another soft decision went against United, McBurnie was booked for protesting.
Sterling nearly made the game safer after a jinking run and a shot that went narrowly wide. Baldock went down after a challenge and Mahrez was off target, before the United full back was deemed fit to continue.
Stoppage time saw United hit a few hopeful balls forward but they could not create any final chances although the ball was in the City box from a final attempt to muster a chance before Mason ended proceedings.
United – I will throw out all the clichés and say once again, a fantastic effort. We worked so hard, were organised, resolute and off the ball did so many good things. I thought we kept in the game thanks to Henderson making three fantastic saves and then after not creating anything, had a few moments second half. I thought the attitude, the ability to stay in the game and just keep disciplined was great. Players were covering for each other and really doing the little things to stop them cutting us apart. They had one great chance thought Sterling and then one off a set play and Henderson made two good saves. The penalty was sloppy from us and a silly rash tackle but again Henderson bailed us out. I thought the front two worked hard on scraps and even though we did not play much possession stuff, they held it up and stemmed the tide and helped us remain very much in the game.
Not sure we had anything clear cut at all and the two good moves saw Mousset try a daft back heel and then McBurnie may have been off. Bit disappointing, we never really had a meaningful shot all night or make the keeper properly work at all. That is the big criticism for me as other teams Norwich, Palace and Wolves have got through this defence (and we did at City a few weeks ago). All the quality came from them and on another night, it would have been 2 or 3-0 and probably deserved on possession and chances. Hard to stop them when they beat the press and come at you. They have such pace and running from all over the field. Still think when they are on form, they are the best side in the league – may sound ridiculous when Liverpool are running away with things. The speed they move it and move it on to each other is frightening and you realise how far them and Liverpool are off the rest of the league. We played a big club in Arsenal at the weekend but they are light years off City with the pace, speed and athleticism of their players.
I did think United were a bit rushed in possession and went long too much. We lacked the composure we have in many other games. I get City press you and don’t give your time and maybe the shock factor was not there after we played them well at the Etihad but I think some of our players were guilty of getting rid too easy. We overplayed a few times at the back and nearly cost us but not in midfield and further up the field. I thought the midfield three worked hard but tonight they were just up against far superior players and it showed. They were just quicker, more skilled and better in every aspect but no shame in that. I thought Bash really struggled tonight and made a number of mistakes. It was the worst he has been for a while. Egan and O’Connell had a few nervy moments but stuck at it. We saw little of the wing backs going forward but that is maybe as City matched us up, showing the respect Pep gives us. The front two worked so hard but had no service as we were so deep trying to stop the fast break and the pace they have on the attack. When you lose it, they are often in and two passes and it is a chance.
I cannot knock United too much tonight. We gave the Champions a tough game and they had to score a fantastic goal to win it. I think we could have done better with the ball and this has been a theme for the last 4 games since we played well at City. We seem to have stopped trusting our ability to move it about and started going long more/channel balls. That is fine now and again. We have not seen the overloads/the ability to get 3 v 2 in any areas and it had been a bit more like a 5 then a 3 at the back. It is hard versus such quality teams.
Just glad now to get this run out of the way. I would have expected 4 defeats from City x 2/Liverpool and Arsenal. We got one point more than I thought we did and beat West Ham. Now we have a few weeks off nearly and then have to get back to what we can do in terms of having more of the ball, getting forward and making chances. We will not have to face any opponent as tough for the run in and can go into any game seriously thinking we can get a result.
Ratings:
Henderson 9/10 – Superb performance. Made one stunning save and then another very good one. Then saved a penalty and got up and got the rebound. His handling was good and he had no chance on the goal at all as the cross cut everybody out. Looked a top-class keeper. Only knock on him was his kicking again was a bit mixed.
Baldock 6.5/10 – Did not get forward much at all tonight and was having to defend a lot. They did get thought a few times between him and Bash on this side as they found little pockets but that was not down to his mistakes just good skill/runners off the ball. Second half he did have a bit more of a foray forward and involved in the move that led to the Mousset chance. Wanted a foul for a pull as we attacked not long before they went and scored and got very angry. Love his aggression and will to win.
Stevens 6.5/10 – As above really, he had to defend a lot more than normal but you expect that. He looked to get forward but often they just shuffled across and he had to go back. A few times players skipped past him as he tried to get back and cover but that was just sheer pace. He did put in one good cross second half that just evaded McBurnie. The goal came down his side and maybe he could have got across and been a bit tighter to De Bruyne but I suppose technically that is not his man.
Basham 4/10 – Thought it was a poor performance tonight. He has been phenomenal this season but the big chances came from him. He gave it away for Sterling and they nearly scored, was ball watching when the ball came across for Otamendi and then the penalty he came across and dived in for no reason. He knew it was a penalty from his reaction. Second half he lost Jesus for a free header and then a few other times he lost the ball or was sloppy. Did have one good run when his cross came over and Ederson pushed away.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Apart from a daft dive and tackle on Sterling (could have been booked for both of those) he was our best defender. He won numerous tackles, blocks and interceptions and came out when he could. At the end he was a bit aimless when he knocked it high in the air rather than trying to fire a ball to a shirt. He did play well tonight against some really tough opponents and kept his shape and concentration.
Egan 7/10 – His distribution with the ball was a bit off I thought and first half they pressed him and he went long too much. Defensively he was good though and stepped in to win a number of key balls. The goal it is hard as the ball comes across and maybe he loses Aguero for a split second but it came in transition and they were not really on men as it happened and such a good ball. He was steady for the most part though and did not let get quicker, tricky players run by him.
Norwood 5.5/10 – Not sure he got on the ball much at all tonight and his passing when he had it was poor. Worked hard and tried to disrupt when he could and made sure they did not run through us too much. He just did not influence things and when he had it, he did not show the composure he normally does and knocked a lot of long stuff/channel balls. Off the ball he made a silly tackle for a yellow and then hard for him to commit too much. He could have got another yellow for a late tackle. His set plays were a bit floaty too. Not is best night.
Besic 6/10 – His stupid early tackle nearly cost us as some refs may have sent him off. This restricted him a bit after but then he started snapping and tackling when he could. Used the ball ok when he had it but not sure he saw much of it, like the rest of the midfield. His best work was off the ball as eh chased back, tracked runners and picked off some dangerous attacks. Did ok but not sure any of our midfield saw enough of the ball or kept it long enough.
Fleck 6/10 – His mark is similar to the others in midfield as he simply did not see enough of it. He had that one slalom run when he got upended and maybe another one of carrying it but for the most part he did not see the ball and really influence play as we were knocking it long or not seeing it. He tried to chase and harry but another that have away a silly yellow. I thought the midfield was our weakest area (along with wing backs not getting forward tonight) as they did not get on the ball/keep it, or create anything at all for the strikers.
McBurnie 8/10 – Our best outfield player but quite a distance. Worked so hard and won most of his headers, hold up play and showed some lovely bits of intelligent link and passing play. He did everything he did with little behind him at all in terms of support either next to him, passes/crosses or getting ahead of him to help him. He carried on working hard and stretched City with his running and persistence. He did not maybe have any chances other than one at full stretch but his overall play, effort and intelligence was very much McGoldrick mark 2 in terms of how he played. Showed he can do this sort of role and not just an out and out frontman.
Sharp 7/10 – Thought he worked really hard too and held it better than any other game this season. He invited contact and won free kicks and showed desire to want to hold the ball and try to move us up the field. He looked quite energetic tonight and I felt that his running/movement was good. He did tire a bit after the break but not sure we looked any more dangerous when Moose came on. At the moment it is McBurnie and one other and not sure he showed today he is any worse than the rest who have all not looked remotely like scoring or showing consistent form over the last month or so.
Subs –
Mousset – Came on and tried to get behind them but things did not quite stick. I felt he looked a bit lazy and was caught offside or not first to it. Had that half chance and tried something silly. Involved in a few other attacks but not sure we saw him stretch or get behind them like he did at City. He has not scored for 10 games now and has not maintained that great form of October/November when he looked a real star in the making and has not made much impact recently.
Robinson – Did not see much of the ball at all. They were actually attacking more than us even at 1-0 and the game was all a bit stretched. I am struggling to remember anything he did at all but that is more about the game than him.
Lundstram – At least got a bit more involved than the above two even if he sent in two disappointing crosses. He ended up wide right and had a few moves where he was involved. Hopefully him losing his place will give him the kick up the back side he needs to regain his form.
Manager Wilder 7/10 – It was an organised performance with desire, work rate and stickability. We made them have to score a great goal and they were in a game. He will agree we showed little genuine quality on the ball and it was a bit direct at times. Not sure we tested them at all and will say we have to show more composure and belief. I felt we lacked that a bit tonight on the ball. We need more quality to be able to create things – you look at Palace with Zaha at the weekend and other teams who have played City (Wolves) and they can unlock them. We have better defences than those teams but we did not look like scoring tonight and the midfield did not have their best game albeit playing top level opponents. We need to find more quality to open teams up whether it be from midfield or from another forward. When they send our wing backs into our half and pen them in and get tight on Norwood, we struggle. Those three are so important and when teams take them out of their normal game, we tend to go a bit more direct and feed off scraps and won’t try and play thought the middle. We needed to change it up a bit today but could not as they were just so good when they robbed us / turned it over so we kind of had to sit safe. I would have liked a bit more caution to the wind last 10 minutes but not sure we really did hit. If they got a second so be it but even with the changes, we rarely had enough bodies up the top of the field.
City – Deserved to win the game and maybe should have won by more. They had all the chances and all the quality but could not convert and then for a spell second half we worried them but they made the change and he make the difference. They have some superb players. De Bruyne even in fits and starts is something else and then Aguero takes the one big chance that comes to him. Sterling goes to ground a lot but is so hard to stay with and Rodri sits in front of the defence and does a great job. Think he is very underrated. Interesting they opted to play three centre backs and match us up. They ended up with Rodri in front, then De Bruyne and then Sterling and Mahrez taking it in turns to assist Jesus. They have such speed when they break and I actually think they are a better away side than home as teams will try and attack more (even us) and they can pick you off and off they go. At home teams will sit in even more…although we tried that tonight with quite a bit of success. After they missed the chances first half not sure they had too many clear ones after the break and it was a bit annoying, they scored when they did as another 10 minutes and they become a bit panicky and things open up at the other end. They will say they did well defensively and limited us to very little. Laporte coming back helps them in this regard.
Opponent Man of the Match – De Bruyne is a delight to watch. His close control and passing marks him out as one of the best players in the World. Sterling also was very good as he floats off people and you cannot touch him. Ederson is also incredible with the ball at his feet.
Opponent Weak link – I thought Walker was maybe their weakest player and his touch was off all night. Jesus ran him close with a few misses and some petulant moments.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Odd one as I thought Lee Mason was slow, behind the play and seemed to guess a lot of things. He does not play an effective advantage and I did think he gave them a lot of 50-50 stuff for minimal contact. The bookings were fair enough although they seemed to have to do a lot more to get booked – he seemed to take an age to book Aguero for throwing it behind and almost thought I can’t book Sergio! Then Sterling walks off forever and does not go out nearest touchline and is ignored. He probably got the pen right but could not wait to give it. I am not a big fan of his and feel at times he did not really have control for both teams and free kicks/throws were being taken from the wrong place all night. The assistant referee on the South Stand side though made Mason seem fantastic – as this fella did not have a clue. He missed a push on Baldock and then once the ball did not even go out and he waved his flag. He had no idea on offsides and was never in line also. Truly useless.
Crowd/Atmosphere etc – Good atmosphere and City fans made a fair bit of noise. It got louder and livelier after the penalty miss and then the levels went up as we had a bit of a go second half but the goal flattened us a bit. I think at times it can be louder and I feel the home fans have been a bit theatre orientated to start games and are almost waiting for something to happen before they respond. The home games now rarely start with an intimidating atmosphere when we being and it is almost as if fans need a spark to get involved.
