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It
is the shift of power that was always going to happen. Manchester United and
Chelsea continued to ignore the flaws in their respective sides. Manchester
City were always going to power through with their deep pockets and reach the
very top.
The
Manchester derby scoreline was surprising but the result was not a shock. A
cynic would suggest that City should be at the top given how much money they
have spent;. A general view of opposition fans is that City are buying there
way to the Premier League title.
But
that doesn’t take away the fact that Roberto Mancini has the strongest squad in
the top tier. A sad reflection on the state of world football that in football,
the team with the most money – as long as they are run and managed well – will
win. It is barely a relevant criticism to say City are buying the League and
therefore devaluing the competition. This has been the case with various teams
since 1992, and City are utilising this method to great effect – both on and
off the pitch.
Last
season the main disparagement with Mancini’s side was that they were too
defensive, that they refused to release the handbrake. This season, City have
kept the defensive resoluteness but added full-throttle attack.
Sergio
Aguero (10 goals this season), Edin Dzeko (9) and Mario Balotelli (6) are
strikers who would fit into any of the top sides in Europe on their day. Samir
Nasri and Adam Johnson are players deserving of more recognition than a spot on
the bench. Indeed, Man City have the best player in the Premier League: David
Silva. An average of 3.6 goals per game this season doesn’t even tell half of
the story; when Manchester City attack, they look like they’re going to score
every single time.
An
all-guns-blazing attacking force would usually result in weaknesses at the
back. But this is a Mancini side. When City defend, they defend as a unit – and
this is a unit that has been built over a short period of time, despite the
fact that all defensive components look comfortable with one-another as they if
they have been playing together for years.
Joe
Hart must now be seen as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. The way in
which he can command his area, distribute early and cleanly – not to mention
his excellent shot-stopping – which is majestic at times.
In
Micah Richards and Gael Clichy Man City have wonderful attacking full-backs who
can defend as competently as well. While in the middle the supreme Vincent Kompany
keeps them all in line, while the ever-improving yet always-mocked Joleon
Lescott looks a lot more comfortable than he has done in recent years.
It
is easy to laugh at Gareth Barry. But the defensive midfielder’s ability to
play an unspectacular role is sometimes confused with ineffectiveness; the
England man is vital to City’s efforts.
Yaya
Toure was restricted to a more subdued role on Sunday to sure up the defence
further, while James Milner appears to have converted himself into a
first-class central midfielder. Both must be seen as two of the most in-form
midfielders in the world right now.
Sunday’s
derby was hardly a thrashing in the traditional sense, though. 3-1 would have
been a fair reflection on the game but, nevertheless, a fantastic last few
minutes from City and an appalling showing from United meant that three more
goals were scored.
There
is not a gulf between the two Manchester clubs. But there is sizeable gap
between the two.
United
need a creator in the middle; Tom Cleverley could be the man to fill this role
but it is simply not possible to rely on such a young and inexperienced player,
nor is it logical to depend upon the inconsistent Wayne Rooney to ignite a
spark into any match. Patrice Evra has endured some torrid form for quite a
while now, while Rio Ferdinand seems to edge closer towards the MLS with every
passing minute. No empire is permanent. It seems as if the domination of
Manchester United is coming to an end, either through fault of their own accord
or the sheer relentlessness of their closest rivals.
City’s
other main challenger has major problems too. Chelsea’s defence is weak, with
John Terry and Ashley Cole struggling more as age catches up with them, while
David Luiz still shows signs of rawness. Strikers Fernando Torres and Didier
Drogba still aren’t the deadly forwards that they once used to be.
Whatever
one’s views on the way in which City have reached their current position, their
effectiveness and, at times, glorious football is undeniably brilliant. They
score team goals that would fit into any end-of-season highlight packages but
they also have the individual brilliance that every top team needs.
Manchester
City are Premier League title favourites. At this early stage, that may seem a
little hasty, especially when City had a similarly impressive start to the
season last term. But this season looks to be different, even if it is just on
paper. This season, City are not just a team of incredibly talented individuals
– they are a ferocious, stunning team.
Manchester City aspire to end the repetitive cycle that has seen only three teams crowned Premier League champions since 1995.
This article
originally appeared on The
Football Front.
