Purely Man City

14/03/07: City 0 Chelsea 1 Updated: October 3rd, 2007

I’m not sure whether a fifth league defeat on the trot has ever prompted so much optimism before, but if that Daily Mirror story claiming the team “are at war with each other” was true then relegation would be a near certainty.

After yesterday’s display it’s pretty clear the story had little truth in it. Team spirit ain’t the problem. Pearce is.

One goal in the last six league games and precious few chances is certainly worrying, but options are there. Miller could be played in his natural role, Sturridge could be given a start and Mpenza has potential with more match sharpness.

But the best option of all must be to get rid of Stuart Pearce and Steve Wigley without delay.

~ Pearce’s post-match interview
~ Getty Images photos
~ Latest Premiership table.

Match stats

I got an email about the stats for the Blackburn game asking why they showed that City had two shots saved when he couldn’t remember any in the game. The answer is the stats are taken from a live commentry and that is what they showed. There’s often a difference between the stats listed in the live commentry and the Opta stats and I’m not really sure why. For instance the Opta stats for this game at Sky Sports lists the shots on target as City 1 - Chelsea 4, the BBC have it at 3-3 and the Guardian claims it’s 2-4.

Match reports

City 0 Chelsea 1
City produced a much improved performance but still suffered another defeat after Frank Lampard bagged his 20th goal of the season for Chelsea.

City regain pride but Lampard takes the points (Sam Wallace)
On the whole this was a dreadful game and, for City, Darius Vassell and Emile Mpenza were anonymous in attack.
Joey Barton is almost certain not to feature in Steve McClaren’s England squad announced tomorrow, but he provided the most substantial resistance. He failed miserably in trying to con a penalty out of Alan Wiley with a stumble into Geremi, but otherwise was his usual belligerent self, the prime mover behind City’s best work.

Terry targets quadruple as Chelsea close gap on United (Matt Hughes)
“People say we’re split down the middle, but there’s no way we can play like that with a split camp,” Pearce said. “I’m pleased with the endeavour and thought we deserved something from the game. We’ve got to show another ten performances like that to win back the fans. The fans here are pretty genuine and if you get booed off it’s not for nothing. I think they’ll appreciate that performance if not the result.

Lampard’s strike turns up the heat on Pearce (Daniel Taylor)
Pearce could draw on the fact that his players were applauded, rather than booed, off and, apart from some jeering when Georgios Samaras entered the pitch as a second-half substitute there was nothing like the brutally voluble dissent that accompanied their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Blackburn at the weekend.
City even matched the champions for pockets of a tense and ragged match but ultimately the only statistics that matter are of a sixth successive league defeat, with no goal at home since New Year’s Day.

Lampard gives City the blues (Tim Rich)
The bookies may contend that neither Pearce nor Jose Mourinho will be taking charge of their respective sides next season, although this was far from the rout that might have triggered another wearying change of management in the blue half of Manchester before the weekend.

Only flops for City are their dire srikers (David Mcdonnell)
If anything, the outpouring of venom at Ewood Park seemed to have had a cathartic effect on City’s fans, as they rallied behind their side in a way they have failed to show for much of the campaign.

Player ratings

Ratings come from (in order): Grob, Reaper, Spurge, Dr Spectrum (Mancityfans), Father Dougal MaGuire, rascal (Bluemoon), blue tones (Citymancs), MEN, BBC, Sky and Sky Your Rating.

Isaksson: 7, 7, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6.2, 7, 7.7 (av: 6.6)
Precious little to do other than pick the ball out of the net when Lampard scored winning penalty (MEN)
Couple of good saves, great distribution, no chance with the pen, had the SWP shot covered, strange decision to let the ball run out at the end. Happy to finally see him between the sticks, let’s hope its permanent. (Grob)
Unable to give more on the strength he had very little to do - good save from Ballack free kick. (Spurge)
Saved everything that could be expected, looks a bit dopey tho. (Dr Spectrum)
Glad he was playing and didn’t let himself down. (FDM)
Very little to do against one of the best teams in the world. (rascal)

Richards: 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6.0, 5, 6.5 (av: 6.3)
Gave away the spot kick but was unlucky and then held his nerve well for rest of the game. (MEN)
Great going forward, great defensively, sadly his one error cost us the match. Unfortunate but his best performance for a few weeks. Used correctly as an attacking threat for a change also. Hope he plays in that position every week. (Grob)
Tried hard but inexperience cost him pen and the one he cleared off line was because he sat 5 yards behind rest of defence to play them onside - made amends with calm goal line clearance and plenty of hard graft. (Spurge)
Marked down for silly lunge (although it was a dive) (Dr Spectrum)
Not one of his better games but proud he looked upset when he gave the pen away. (FDM)
The fact Robben was on the right mostly speaks volumes. (rascal)

Dunne: 9, 9, 9, 8, 7, 9, 8, 8, 6.9, 8, 7.8 (av: 8.2)
Absolutely magnificent in defence and attack. Inspirational and will have to be so for rest of season. (MEN)
Immense. Must improve his distribution over the summer if he is ever to reach world class. (Grob)
Immense. Amazing defending, never knew he had so much pace when needed. (Reaper)
Richards take note, learn from the Dunnester, timing of tackle was superlative, I like this man!! (Spurge)
MotM (Dr Spectrum)
Solid as ever. (FDM)
Immense. (rascal)

Distin: 8, 7, 7, 7, 6, 8, 7, 7, 6.0, 7, 7.3 (av: 7.0)
From the moment he outpaced Robben to make first half clearance was on the top of his game. (MEN)
After an early hiccup, was back to his best. I barely saw dogbreath on the ball. (Grob)
After nervous start, improved quickly - good solid display. (Spurge)
Better after some recent shite. (Dr Spectrum)
Don’t think his head is right but but in a solid performance. (FDM)
His best games are when you don’t notice him that much…as it should be with all centre-halfs. (rascal)

Ball: 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 6, 5.9, 6, 7.4 (av: 7.1)
Another who enjoyed a fine night against the champions even though he was left exposed on occasion. (MEN)
Fantastic. Got forward well, defended brilliantly. Great distribution. Looked really up for it. What a great signing he is proving to be. (Grob)
Solid defensively, gets forward he’s worth hangin on to! (Spurge)
V. good. Caught out by SWP once but recovered, useful attacking to as he doesnt tend to lump it, looks a bit of a find. (Dr Spectrum)
Pearce’s best ever signing, superb. (FDM)
Quality throughout and so much better than Jordan and Thatcher. Get him signed up. (rascal)

Jihai Sun: (Miller 63): 6, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 6, 5.1, 6, 6.2 (av: 5.7)
Not a natural attacker but no one could ever accuse him of not giving every ounce of effort he could to cause. (MEN)
Hit and miss. A couple of good crosses but his touch was poor. (Grob)
Looked nervous like a whippet. (Reaper)
Never really got going, but not forthe lack of trying, may need a few games before we see him back to his best. (Spurge)
Could have done more given chances he had to hurt them. (Dr Spectrum)
Poor game, looked out of depth. (FDM)
Busy without imposing himself. (rascal)

Ireland: 6.5, 4, 8, 8, 5, 9, 6, 6, 5.8, 6, 6.7 (av: 6.5)
Looked elegant and composed and troubled champions Chelsea with his passing and movement. (MEN)
Some good things, lots of endeavour, some naiveity. At 21, he needs to step up his game over the summer to fulfill his potential. (Grob)
Very poor, looked like a kid in a man’s game. (Reaper)
After a couple of disappointing performances, back to his best. He was everywhere tonight, battling back and a force on the last third. More of the same please. (Spurge)
Out of his depth against this level of oppostion, didn’t use the ball well enough and totally lost Lampard when Richards saved it. (Dr Spectrum)
City’s only bright spark, superb passing and vision. (FDM)
At times made Lampard and Ballack (2 world class players) look dummies. (rascal)

Barton: 6, 5, 7, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6.3, 7, 7.1 (av: 6.4)
No tangles with Lampard and best two chances fell to him. Shot wide of the target with both of them. (MEN)
Passing was truely awful and his dead balls were pants. Showed heart and endevour though and worked for the side. Needs to stop trying to do everything and concentrate on keeping things simple. (Grob)
Gave the ball away far far too much for a central mid of any team in the Prem. (Reaper)
Worked very hard, not quite finished product. True he needs to deliver better from set pieces and passing, but helped give our engine room balance required. (Spurge)
All over the place in more ways than one. (Dr Spectrum)
Worked hard but thats it, shocking set-pieces. (FDM)
Committed, passed well and always involved. (rascal)

Hamann (Dabo 80): 6.5, 6.5, 7, 8, 4, 8, 6, 7, 5.5, 6, 6.3 (av: 6.4)
Easily his best performance for City. Broke up attacks, got stuck in and passed it better than of late. (MEN)
Best game in a City shirt but that wasn’t hard to achieve. Mobility is a worry and fitness is a big problem. On the ball he looks the most accomplished of our midfielders. (Grob)
Best performacne in a city shirt against a quality midfiield. Needs a run of games in order to see real benefit. Again provided right balance to our midfield. (Spurge)
Sorry I don’t see it, I think he’s shite, they walked past him whenever they changed gear all night and the pass that led to SWP hitting the bar went within about a yard of him but he wasnt able to move fast enough to cut it out). (Dr Spectrum)
Thought he was different class tonight, shame every bad ball or misplaced tackle gets noticed every time, allowed Gerra…Barton and Ireland to get forward. (FDM)
Really impressed me tonight, kept it simple and the fact one of the best teams in the world created so little was as much down to his sensible covering of the back 4 as anything. (rascal)

Mpenza: 7, 6.5, 7, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 5.9, 5, 6.7 (av: 6.6)
Looks the part and when he gets fitter may well provide the attacking spark that has been so absent. (MEN)
Worked hard on his own. Great in the air, powerfull and has some pace. First touch looks a bit suspect. Hopefully now he’s in the side we will never see that waste of space Corradi start a game for us ever again. (Grob)
For his fitness and getting into the prem stride, great game, hopefully he will get better and better. (Reaper)
Intelligent runs coupled with a good first touch and the ability to create 5 yards by dropping off his marker. Could sew why he has so many international caps, needs to get an edge to his fitness, can see him creating and hopefully taking chances against lesser oppo. Very strong! (Spurge)
Looked like he had presence, put himself about, but couldn’t really do anything against that defense with that service. (Dr Spectrum)
Worked hard but no finish. (FDM)
Gave Terry and Carvalho plenty to think about, some of his movement is very top class. (rascal)

Vassell (Samaras 72): 6, 2, 6, 4, 7, 6, 5, 6, 5.4, 5, 6.3 (av: 5.3 )
His pace could never wriggle him free of the wonderfully well marshaled Londoners’s rearguard. (MEN)
Lots of effort and a big threat with his pace but made too many bad decisions. Was played out of position which obviously didnt help. (Grob)
Lucky to get some freekicks and corners by the ref when they never existed besides that, was very very poor. Very little skill, looks damaged severely in confidence, one of the wonders of the world how he has started so many games with 1 prem goal - shocking. (Reaper)
Want to give him 7 but lacks a final ball/cutting edge. He worried Chelseas with his pace and effort, crying out for killer touch and above all a goal or two. (Spurge)
Worst ever game for City? Took wrong options, slowed us down and didn’t join Mpenza enough. (Dr Spectrum)
Worked hard but no finish. (FDM)
Worked as hard as anyone, but ran into blind alleys when better options were available. (rascal)

Subs:
Miller(Jihai Sun 63): 5, 6, 6, - , 4, 6, 6, 6, 5.5, 6, 6.2 (av: 5.7)
Worried the visitors’ defence (MEN)
Not a left winger. Doesn’t have a clue what to do out there except kick it and run. So raw it’s almost untrue. Needs a season on loan in the Championship. (Grob)
Felt sorry for him on the left, frustrating night but great player in the correct position, should have seen far more football this season. (Reaper)
Was brought on to attack the tiring Geremi who was torn to pieces by Vassell and did fuck all. (FDM)
This ladshould terrify people, but he is only a baby and experience like tonight is invaluable to him. (rascal)

Samaras (Vassell 72): 6, 7, 6, - , 5, 7, 6, 5, 5.2, 5, 5.4 (av: 5.8)
Not warmly greeted and not in game. (MEN)
Some decent touches but no end product again. He was played on the right for some bizarre reason. Poor kid, signing for us must be the worst decision he’ll ever make. (Grob)
Flicked well every header blasted at his head, looked skilled, felt sorry for him with the booing and when he looked up to the box on the wing after turning his marker to see 1 city player in the box marked. Should take off a point for his Beatles haircut. (Reaper)
Didn’t do much. (FDM)
Sadly booed on by some….but he didn’t hide, he got stuck in and I thought Chelsea looked scared of him. (rascal)

Dabo (Hamann 80): 6, 6, 6, - , - , 6, 6, 5, 4.9, 5, 5.5 (av: 5.6)
Held the midfield line. (MEN)
Tidy and put himself about. (Grob)
Replaced a tired Hamann and got involved. (rascal)

Subs not used:
Hart, Dickov