Manchester City 6-0 Tottenham: Key Observations
Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City made quite the statement on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, beating Tottenham 6-0 in a one-sided affair. For the visitors, a return to the drawing board is necessary, as the Spurs faithful start to question their side’s ability to challenge for a top-four berth.
Despite the dominance of the hosts, a number of tactical observations can be made from the game.
City’s movement off the ball far superior to Tottenham’s
Both sides play bespoke versions of the 4-2-3-1 formation, with one side freescoring all season long and the other struggling to hit the net from open play. A key reason for this could well be the respective attackers’ movement off the ball, with a noticeable disparity between the sides on Sunday.
While City wingers Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri popped up on the touchline, ran in behind their opposition full-backs and pushed in-field to take up dangerous positions, their Tottenham equivalents were too predictable.
Aaron Lennon and Erik Lamela were given the nod, and similar to the likes of Andros Townsend and Gylfi Sigurdsson, consistently looked to push in-field and get involved centrally. This bunched up Spurs’ attacking game and resulted in limited space. The resultant intricate and tight-knit play proved ineffective.
What ever happened to Tottenham wingers staying wide? With Lennon and Townsend (he is left footed, play him on the left!) natural widemen, for Spurs to find more space in the final third this duo need to hug the touchline.
Tottenham’s defensive positioning completely flawed
Spurs had been applauded for their defensive prowess ahead of the game, but in truth two men this season have ensured the side’s previous miserly rearguard record.
Hugo Lloris’ ability to play as a keeper-sweeper and Jan Vertonghen’s pace to cover in behind have got Tottenham out of danger on more occasions than the White Hart Lane faithful would care to remember this term. With both off the boil at the Etihad Stadium, Spurs’ defence was cut to ribbons.
As good an attacking full-back as Kyle Walker is, he over-relies on his pace to cover for his positional naivety. He was found out repeatedly by Samir Nasri here, as he consistently was caught too far up the pitch.
The main problem area though was the north Londoners central defensive partnership. Despite the superb movement and interplay of Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero, Spurs’ defence were at sixes and sevens from the first whistle to the last.
Younes Kaboul is only returning to action after prolonged injury and did what he could. Spurs captain Michael Dawson, not for the first time this season, looked like a pub player. His lack of speed saw him consistently outstripped, he was continually dragged out of position and individually beaten on countless occasions.
The answer? Tottenham simply must put Jan Vertonghen back in at centre-half. The Belgian is one of the best central defenders in Europe and can offer the leadership, physical presence and pace that Dawson severely lacks. No left-back? Play Vlad Chiriches there until the return of Danny Rose; as a collective Spurs will be much stronger.
The art of two strikers
City showed Tottenham just how effective playing two strikers can be, with the home side’s strike pairing devastating. Negredo and Aguero worked together to unpick the opposition defence and bring others into the game.
At the other end, talented striker Roberto Soldado has been completely isolated by Tottenham’s formation all-season long. In the brief period that Emmanuel Adebayor was on the pitch with the Spaniard, Spurs instantly looked like more of an attacking threat.
It is time for Andre Villas-Boas to abandon the 4-2-3-1 formation – it is clearly not working. What ever happened to 4-4-2?
City on the other hand are as dangerous an attacking unit as anyone in England, and this result shows that they are real contenders for the Premier League crown.
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Nasri: Blues showed their true colours in triumph
MIDFIELDER Samir Nasri believes Manchester City are proving what they are capable of at the Etihad Stadium after routing Tottenham yesterday.
City made a mockery of pre-match predictions that this would be a tight affair with a 6-0 thumping of Spurs to underline their title challenge against a side that have strong designs on a top-four finish.
While the Sky Blues are struggling on their travels, the thumping win kept City's 100 per cent record at home in tact, with six victories and 26 goals scored at Eastlands this season as they bounced back from a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last time out.
"It was really good and we showed once again that against the big squads we always respond at home. It's a great result, 6-0, you don't see it that often," said Nasri.
"We maintained our great run at home."
Spanish winger Jesus Navas book-ended the scoring in the first and last minute, with his opener coming after just 13 seconds.
Sergio Aguero also bagged a brace, while Sandro's own goal and Alvaro Negredo's curled effort sealed an emphatic win.
"All the goals were really nice, it's difficult to pick one of them," Nasri said.
"We scored six goals, but we had a clean sheet as well."
Man-of-the-match Aguero added: "I'm very happy. Now we must continue the same way."
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas admitted his side had paid a "heavy price" for a woeful performance.
The Portuguese may be under a bit of pressure after the north London side's second defeat in a row – following a 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle before the international break.
But while Tottenham came away from that game cursing their luck after a phenomenal performance from Magpies goalkeeper Tim Krul, they were outclassed in every department by City.
Man City are only going to improve, warns Milner
Manchester City are only going to get better and will soon to start to fire on their travels, James Milner has warned the rest of the Premier League title hopefuls.
City have been outstanding at the Etihad Stadium this season and Sunday’s 6-0 mauling of Tottenham made it six wins out of six for Manuel Pellegrini’s men at home, where they have scored a staggering 26 goals.
It’s been a different story away from home, however, with four defeats so far, but Milner insists City have simply been lacking luck on the road.
“Things are going well for us at home – the chances seem to be going in. I don’t think we are playing too differently at home to the way we are away, but we are not getting the luck and the momentum is not quite with us at the moment,” the midfielder said, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“At home we are playing really well and, hopefully, that bit of luck and the chances that are going in for us at home will start going in for us when we are on our travels.
“You look at the games we have lost away from home and we have had the majority of possession. The Villa game we didn’t deserve to lose. Against Sunderland, we had most of the game in the second half, they defended very well, and Chelsea was obviously disappointing.
“It’s not like we are playing really well at home and then going away and playing terribly. I don’t think we are deserving to lose those games away, but that is football and we need to make sure those little mistakes we are making away from home get cut out.”
It’s hard to see how City can improve on their sensational display against Tottenham, but Milner reckons they can step up another level once Pellegrini, who replaced Roberto Mancini as manager in the summer, has fully implemented his ideas.
“The longer we are together, you will only see us improve,” he said.
“You know how much of a change it is when you go into a new club as a manager and the players have to get to know you and what you want. The more time we have together, the better we will get.”
City’s stand-out player this season has arguably been Sergio Aguero, who took his tally to 15 goals in 15 games with a brace against Spurs.
The Argentine has been in formidable form alongside Alvaro Negredo, who also netted on Sunday, while Jesus Navas is beginning to impress and also scored twice in the win over Spurs.
And Milner has hailed City’s strike force as among the best in the business.
He said: “He [Aguero] is unbelievable. This season he has been brilliant for us. He seems to have gone up another level. He has been absolutely outstanding.
“But we have got world class players all over the field. It was a great team performance yesterday.
“It was great for Jesus to get on the scoresheet a couple of times and he is going to be a great player for us.
“Negredo has been amazing since he has come, he brings so much to the team. We got so much competition for places up there.”
Fernandinho hails City swagger after Spurs rout
After featuring in City's 6-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday, Fernandinho praised manager Manuel Pellegrini's attacking style.
Fernandinho watched his City team-mates destroy Tottenham and then declared that it is a little like watching Brazil!
The Blues blitzed Tottenham 6-0 to blow away the memories of their Sunderland flop and re-ignite their Premier League title fires.
And there was a certain samba swagger about the way they unhinged hapless Tottenham with silk-smooth attacking football – although their only Brazilian was very much the straight man, anchoring midfield to allow his team-mates to strut their stuff.
Not that Fernandinho was bothered, as he has made his name in that role and still hopes he can be the “water-carrier” in Brazil’s World Cup team.
Asked whether it was just like watching Brazil, the 28-year-old smiled and said: “Our team is very good and has a very good manager and our style is like this. We always try to play good football and always try to put on a show for our fans.
“It’s a long time since I lived in Brazil! I have been in Europe for eight years, so maybe I have forgotten about the Brazilian style of football.”
But Fernandinho let the friendly smile drop just for a moment when he contemplated the problem which is still facing City if they are to truly challenge for the crown.
He said: “When we play at home it is no problem because we play good football. We attack and put in good performances and we did that against Spurs.
“Maybe we need to change something when we play away. Maybe our attitude has to change and hopefully in our next away game we can do that.
“We must play the same always, at home and away, and that will be a challenge for us.”
The whopping win, against a side which began the day a point ahead in the table, makes City the top scorers in the league by a clear 10 goals – they have now bagged 34 in 12 games, well clear of second top scorers Arsenal and Liverpool.
And the truth is that it could have been even more, as Samir Nasri hit the bar and Alvaro Negredo, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho all spurned golden chances.
Fernandinho is still seeking his first goal for the Blues following his £30million move in the summer, but he was simply happy to have played a vital role in a stunning City display, and to have provided the cute pass from which Negredo scored a beautiful fifth goal.
“I wasn’t frustrated not to score – the right moment will come along and next time I get a chance I will score,” he said.
“But we scored six, so I can live with it – it wasn’t beautiful, but it wasn’t important.”
Fernandinho was back in the side after a tweaked hamstring he suffered against CSKA Moscow kept him out of the defeat at Sunderland.
But his big-money move from Shakhtar Donetsk, partly designed to make him more noticeable to the Brazil national team coach due to the higher profile of English football, has not worked as yet.
The 28-year-old was again snubbed by Brazil for the international friendlies last week, but he made his point by completely out-shining Paulinho – who played both games for his country – in midfield.
Fernandinho has begun life at City very well, and has improved to the point that he was badly missed at Sunderland – and his return made a difference against Spurs.
But he is not about to get hung up on the fact that he has not been picked by Brazil since February 2012.
“I have time to do this,” he said. “I have six months and will keep working hard. The Premier League is a big difference to the Ukrainian League and if someone in Brazil is watching the games here and gives me the chance, I would be very happy.”
Pellegrini Chasing Ball-Playing Centre-Back - Player Report On The £10m Man
Kurt Zouma - a defender so chunky that even the most powerful strikers struggle to get the better of him. The 19-year-old centre-back is slowly progressing into one of the most impressive European footballers on the big stage right now. His good performances have seen Saint Etienne sit in ninth place this season and also attract interest across elite for his services, including such teams as Manchester United, Chelsea and most recently Manchester City according to Goal.com.
But who is he, and what could he offer his potential new clubs?
So far this season the powerhouse has won 10/11 of his tackles, which is 91%, and 36/45 of his headers, which is 80%.
His positional sense is remarkable for someone of such a young age and he never shies away from his defensive responsibilities. Zouma has averaged 11 defensive actions per game during his 11 appearances and completed 86% of his passes, which is amongst the top at the club.
He has had four shots at goal but only one has been on target, and has made two individual errors this season, but neither have resulted in a goal against St Etienne.
Zouma would be a very solid addition to any club he is at, and if you don;t believe me from the statistics then watch this clip.
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Arsenal and Manchester City Lead Chase for Casillas
It has been no secret that Arsenal have been on the lookout for a world class keeper for some time. Despite the continued faith that Arsene Wenger has extended to Wojciech Szczesny, the Gunners truly could still make an upgrade.
Likewise Manchester City after having placed the greatest faith in Joe Hart for the better part of the last five years, now look to be in need of a change of face between the sticks with Costel Pantilimon not expected to be the long term solution despite the growth that the Romanian has shown.
Reports from Spanish paper El Confidencial claim that Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas could be available this coming summer with both of the two Premier League sides believed to be looking to make major moves for the Spanish International.
However, with the World Cup only seven months away, Casillas could be looking to make a move much sooner if his career with Madrid is truly coming to its close despite the players comments mentioned below.
In a promotional event this Thursday, Casillas himself made it clear that he was not happy and that without first team action he would be left greatly disheartened:
"I love Real Madrid, but I have to see if I’m playing or not. If you ask me how I feel about not playing, I’d say that I’m sad."
Casillas's agent made comments that the 32-year-old is considering his options away from Madrid, despite his love and loyalty to the club, if a move will help him regain a first team place and help the club move forward.
“The keeper is looking over his situation. He has ruled out an immediate exit in the winter window, something he did think about last summer, when he first realised that nothing had changed and the bench would be his habitat every weekend."
The Spaniard's agent continued with the news that his client well and truly could be headed to the open market this coming summer:
"It’s not enough to be back-up for Diego Lopez in La Liga. He doesn’t feel comfortable, and knows that an irregular amount of importance is given to any gesture he makes [while sat on the bench], and now he’s considering the possibility of listening to one of the different proposals he has for next season.
He wants to helps his team, his club, as the Madrid supporter he is, and one of those ways could be to start thinking about his future away from the side.”
Arsenal, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germaine are all believed to be potential suitors for the Madrid star but there will be likely not decision made until following the World Cup, that is if Casillas does not get forced out of his place with the National Team due to a lack of domestic playing time.
Jesus Navas’ dominating performance
BSports contributor Jason Gomez will be nominating a player of the weekend after each set of Premier League fixtures, with Jesus Navas of Manchester City the first to be selected.
Manchester City has been on and off this season. After 12 matches the Citizens have won seven, drawn once and lost on four occasions. With 22 points they sit at 4th place in the league above Southampton on goal differential. Their away form has been quite poor this term, as they’ve lost 4 of their 6 away matches and have conceded 10 of their 12 allowed goals on the road. The high-powered attack of Manchester City has accounted for a league leading 34 goals thus far and their match against Tottenham over the weekend accounted for six of those goals.
Jesus Navas scored the first goal of the contest just 14 seconds after the opening whistle and that was a perfect start to what was a perfect game from the young Spanish winger. Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris’ clearance went straight to Sergio Agüero and while the French stopper was able to save Agüero’s effort, he was unable to do anything about Navas’ chip from the follow-up. In the 41st minute it was Navas’ cross that allowed Agüero so score his 9th goal of the season. In extra time at the end of the contest, Navas completed his brace after a nice through ball from James Milner left him one on one with Hugo Lloris and the fleet-footed Spaniard finished like a seasoned pro; although the contest was over long before that goal as the Match Analysis match graph (which updates in real-time and is still interactive after the event when using the tool for this and all other contests) shows:
Match Stats: http://soccer.bloombergsports.com/#en/matchups/695015
Navas was absolutely unstoppable on the right side of the pitch. His blistering pace, well-timed runs and smart passing was just too much for Spurs to handle. Navas completed 79% of his passes, dribbled past an opponent and scored on two of his three shots. He also made four key passes, with one resulting in an assist, was never dispossessed, and connected on half of his four crosses. On the defensive side of the game, he also made two tackles and intercepted a pass. In his 10 Premier League appearances this season, 5 starting and 5 from the bench, the Manchester City winger has scored two goals and assisted three. He’s been completing 85.5% of his passes and is averaging 1.6 key passes per match. While Jesus Navas has not received a regular start for Manchester City this season, it seems that this was the breakout performance that he needed and he should now be warming up to the Premier League.
His commanding performance earns him player of the week and Navas could play a big part in Manchester City’s title challenge. Honourable mentions for impressive performances this weekend include: Romelu Lukaku, whose two goals saw Everton draw with Liverpool in his first Merseyside Derby; Wayne Rooney, who took over for Van Persie and really controlled the game for Manchester United when needed (albeit after he lucky to stay on the pitch); Frank Lampard, whose brace added to a stellar performance from the midfield dynamo; and Leroy Fer, who has been one of the only bright spots for Norwich this season.
Manchester City's Joe Hart WILL play against Viktoria Plzen in Champions League
The England number one will get the nod in goal ahead of Costel Pantilimon on Wednesday evening
Joe Hart will be back in goal for Manchester City this week.
Hart was on the subs' bench for the fifth consecutive game as Costel Pantilimon got the nod for City's thumping 6-0 win against Tottenham yesterday .
But Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed the England number one will start in the Champions League clash against Czech side Viktoria Plzen.
"Joe Hart will play on Wednesday," Pellegrini told The Sun.
The Chilean is expected to make several changes to his starting line-up, given that City have already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages
Robbie Savage: Slick Manchester City obliterate shot-shy Spurs
In his regular BBC Sport column on football tactics, Robbie Savage looks at Manchester City's thumping 6-0 win over Tottenham.
Individual defensive errors proved costly for Tottenham at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but the most obvious difference between the two sides was in attack.
Spurs just never looked like turning their superior possession into clear chances, let alone goals.
City had less of the ball but, when they got it, they did a lot more with it.
They moved the ball quicker than Tottenham did, were far more dynamic and ambitious with their passing going forward, and a lot more clinical with their finishing too.
Defending is usually Spurs' strength but they were all over the place at the back and Andre Villas-Boas's team were completely obliterated.
FULL ANALYSIS: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25078947
[spoiler]Bingo memorial
Sam Cooke - Chris Smalling's girlfriend
[/spoiler]Newcastle will sign Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, 23, if they lose in-demand 25-year-old shot-stopper Tim Krul, who is being lined up for a £20m move to Juventus.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is prepared to sell 28-year-old striker Nikica Jelavic, who is a target for West Ham, if he can find a replacement for the Croat. Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace are poised to join Everton, Sunderland and Cardiff in the chase to sign £2.5m-rated AIK Stockholm winger Nabil Bahoui, 22. Daily Express
Palace's new manager Tony Pulis has targeted a move for 23-year-old Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes as he bids to save the Eagles from relegation. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are ready to step up their pursuit of Romania forward Ciprian Marica, who plays for Spanish side Getafe, in an effort to fend off Tottenham's interest in the 28-year-old. Metro
Manchester United and Liverpool scouts were impressed by Dundee United's 17-year-old midfielder Ryan Gauld after he laid on assists for all four goals in their 4-1 win over Partick Thistle. The Tannadice club are demanding £6m for his services. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are ready to make an £8m move for Sevilla midfielder Diego Perotti in January after the 25-year-old Argentine expressed a willingness to play in the Premier League. Daily Mirror
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, will bank £1.4m if he is still at White Hart Lane in February under the terms of his £5m move from Manchester City at the start of last season. Metro
Sunderland captain John O'Shea says the over-reaction of midfielder Charlie Adam and the Stoke bench to a Wes Brown tackle helped influence referee Kevin Friend in sending off his fellow Black Cats defender. Shields Gazette
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge may have scored his side's equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Everton after coming on as a late substitute but Reds boss Brendan Rodgers says the 24-year-old needs to improve in training. Daily Star
Everton left-back Leighton Baines limped off in the Merseyside derby and the 28-year-old England left-back is expected to be out until the new year with a broken toe. Guardian
Crystal Palace's on-loan striker Cameron Jerome criticised Tony Pulis for his selection policy at Stoke but believes the new Eagles boss can save the London club from relegation. Times
West Brom captain Chris Brunt, 28, believes it is imperative the club offers a new deal to manager Steve Clarke, 50, who is out of contract in the summer of 2014. Sky Sports
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce cancelled his team's day off on Sunday following their 3-0 defeat by Chelsea and he made his players come in for extra training. Daily Mirror
Former West Brom and Bolton manager Gary Megson, 54, is ready to end his 21-month exile from management by taking over at League Two Scunthorpe. Daily Star
QPR midfielder Joey Barton has called the current Manchester United side "easily their worst in Premiership history" following their 2-2 draw with Cardiff City. DSSC
Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell, 26, revealed that during his time at Manchester United former manager Alex Ferguson used to pull out a sword during youth team meetings to ensure his young players at Old Trafford behaved themselves. DSSC
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata could leave the club on loan in January, with Juventus and Atletico Madrid keen on the 25-year-old Spain international. Mirror
A deal for Manchester United to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo remains a possibility and could happen after the 2014 World Cup. DSSC
United defender Patrice Evra, 32, looks set to be offered a £150,000-a-week deal by both Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco in the summer. Daily Star
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could opt for a lower-profile alternative to the likes of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Aston Villa's Christian Benteke by moving for Getafe's Romania striker Ciprian Marica, 28, in January. DSSC
West Ham are believed to be eyeing a move for ex-Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo, 25 who now plays for Lokomotiv Moscow. Sun
France midfielder Yann M'Vila, 23, currently with Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League, sparked transfer rumours after being spotted in the Liverpool section at the Merseyside derby. Mirror
Portuguese left-back Fabio Coentrao, 25, has dealt a blow to Tottenham and Manchester United by agreeing to stay at Real Madrid. Sun
David Moyes has suggested that midfielder Ryan Giggs, 39, will be offered a new one-year deal at Manchester United. Telegraph
Meanwhile, United defender Rio Ferdinand, 35, says he is considering retiring at the end of the season. Metro
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has increased the rivalry ahead of Monday night's derby showdown at West Bromwich Albion by declaring: "Aston Villa is a bigger club." Birmingham Mail
West Brom manager Steve Clarke wants to stay at The Hawthorns after his current deal expires at the end of the season. Birmingham Mail
Argentine defender Federico Rosso has shown off his multi-tasking skills - after taking out two strikers in one challenge. Metro
