Sunderland (a) review

Another win on the road, that'll do very nicely indeed. A comfortable 2-0 win yet Pep was disappointed. Lets look why. Sunderland are bottom, played not very well, created very little yet had 2 big chances to score. Backing off and backing off allowed Defoe to shoot from range and hit the post. So unlucky, their only attempt inside 25 minutes. Later in the half, still at 0-0, Sunderland had a corner and headed their big opportunity straight at a thankful Caballero. Another clean sheet for him. I'm starting to see a pattern. Now the good points of the City defence, Stones played well, Sagna looked ok, Clichy did ok and Kolarov played some amazing balls, looked fine with the high line and made some key interceptions. One of the players of the match for me. He has to play in the next two games for me. Both games suit him, Stoke and Middlesbrough. They aren't quick, there is space to pass and play balls into. Something Otamendi and Stones cannot do. Kompany used to be able to press high up, Stones can do that but doesn't do it often. I think a Kompany and Kolarov CB partnership might be used in the FA Cup on Saturday and why not. Player rotation is key with some massive games against Monaco away, Liverpool H, Arsenal and Chelsea away. Sandwich a CL quarter final in there too if City progress. Lots of big games against quality opposition so big players need some rest in the next week of so. Otamendi has had a bit of rest and will get another I'm sure before Monaco, Stones will get one too. Zaba will get some game time and I'm sure we'll see Fernandinho slip into LB at some point and allow rest for Sagna and Clichy. With Delph coming back, that should allow some rest for Fernandinho and Yaya and I'd like to Garcia start in the cup game on Saturday too. He looks so mature and able. I want to see more. KDB has had a rest and he'll get another, Silva will get some rest too. Aguero may get a little rest too. Bravo may start in the cup too. The 2 players who need no rest are the future wingers, Sane and Sterling. So young and quick and look hungry all the time. They don't look tired. I'm sure we'll see some Nolito and Navas but that may be off the bench. Why? Because Sane and Sterling work so well, you cannot drop them. They were amazing yesterday. Aguero must be loving life because his life has never been so easy. He gets so much help and supply, all he needs to do is drop back, press and if the ball is won back, get into a position where he can score. 

He bagged a a goal yesterday doing that and Sane the other. One in each half. The first, a simple give away, Sterling crosses to the near post. Aguero gets himself into half a yard of space and just chips the ball past a helpless Pickford, who was Sunderland's best player once more. He made some great saves, it would be interesting to see him in a side where the team can defend. See how good he is. Sane bagged the second. Much similar in the play in the build up. Sunderland make a mistake, City, as quickly as possible, give the ball to the wing. Sane made 2 or 3 attempts at dribbles past the defenders (normally at Jones) but with Jones out of position, Sane takes his man on, with so much pace in him, nips in between the man and the keeper (where the ball was) and slots (just) to the far post and hits it with it rebounding into the opposite side of the net. Cool as you like. Sane hit the ball too hard for Silva to tap in in the first half. He overpowered a lot when it only required taps. Silva pivoted well and Sunderland closed down well. Yaya had a couple of opportunities to score and Pickford save Aguero's late effort well. Sterling looked hesitant to shoot and Pep was disappointed that City only scored twice. He has rights to be disappointed because it's missed chances that cost us games. Chelsea at home springs to mind. With huge games coming up, we need to learn to take our chances when we have them. We did it against Monaco at Home so they are capable. Come on boys. We have two big games before that return leg though. 

I'll blog the preview on Wednesday (after Pep's pre match press conference on team news) for Stoke at home, 8pm Wednesday on SKY. Come on lads, just a win will do to start heading towards some kind of guarantee for the top 4. We need top 4 so keep the momentum going.