MAN CITY 3 – 1 Sunderland – MY THOUGHTS
3 Mar
So, there it is. A further trophy added to our rapidly-growing collection, this time delivered by one nonchalant brush of Yaya Touré artistic right-foot and Samir Nasri’s swerving, powerful, emphatic strike. The first-half lethargy, bringing unhappy memories of last season’s FA Cup heartbreak sharply back to mind, was cast off in the space of a couple of decisive minutes as City finally awoke from their extended slumber to clinically sweep to victory. Jesus Navas rounded off the drama late on before Vincent Kompany raised his arms, Capital One Cup success achieved, and celebrations began. Sweet, sweet celebrations.
Hard-fought celebrations, too. For the best part of an hour, the mood inside the ground had been considerably edgy. As with the encounter with Wigan towards the end of the last campaign, we had travelled more in expectation than hope. Then, we had been favourites to dispose of our lowly opponents. Subsequently, confidence was replaced by complacency and we paid the penalty. This time, it was felt there was a renewed sense of hunger as we looked to avenge that loss. The players would come out firing, it was thought, against an inferior Sunderland side. Surely we couldn’t throw away such a presentable opportunity for silverware once more.
And yet, as Gus Poyet’s side pinched a goal and then sat deep, defending with resilience and spirit, and posing the occasional problem on the break, it was heading that way. Passion, heart and belief coursed through Sunderland’s players and fans, ambition and hope burning brightly as they eyed a memorable upset. Fabio Borini’s superbly-taken goal was a reward for their spirit and it gave them a lifeline onto which they could hold. Still, for all their commitment and organisation, and despite the negativity that characterised half-time conversations in the City end, there was the feeling that the Blues had to produce something more substantial in the second half. Fortunately, that proved to be the case.
That said, I’m not sure this was the classic game of two halves. It wasn’t as if City were abysmal before the break and then magnificent afterwards, rather that two moments of sheer magic changed the complexion of the match. In the first half, City’s possession was harmless. We had control of the midfield areas as our opponents retreated towards their goal, but there was a collective shirking of creative responsibility. Too many passes were sideways and the tempo non-existent. At our best, we operate with an eye-catching fluency and buzz the ball around in the final third before creating gaps and firing home. On Sunday, there was none of that. It was sterile domination.
Even after the break, although there was some sense of increased urgency, this wasn’t the pulsating City to which we have become accustomed, waves of attacks pouring forward in an incessant attacking manner. Instead, there was more harmless control and frustration became more noticeable. Then came the first injection of Yaya Touré-inspired brilliance. As the ball left his stride, it seemed an innocuous chip into the box. As the ball nestled in the top corner, it was anything but.
That moment brought us back to life and matters improved considerably just seconds later as Samir Nasri swept home a scintillating move to complete the turnaround. Costel Pantilimon’s distribution was perfect, Sergio Aguero’s control pinpoint and Aleks Kolarov’s cross found Nasri hurtling towards goal. The Frenchman displayed all of his technical excellence to rifle City into a lead which never looked like being relinquished.
That is the reality these days. City don’t need to be at their best for the whole game, nor, indeed, for a whole half. With such ability in attacking areas, it only needs one flash of talent from the likes of Yaya, Nasri, David Silva or Aguero and a game can change. All of Sunderland’s endeavours were undone by the Ivorian’s delicate, delicious shot and then Nasri’s ruthless finish. It was as simple as that. This was by no means a vintage City performance, but with such refined quality lurking throughout the squad, it didn’t need to be. The challenge now is to use this trophy as a springboard to further successes.
Did Sunderland really sit that deep in the first half? I don’t think so.. we should really have been 2-0 up in the first half. Sunderland were the better team in the first half and should be given more credit than in this article. City were the better team by far in the second half and deserved to lift the cup, Sunderland had chances to make it 2-2. I was disappointed that we only heard the city fans after your second goal was scored. I’ve always liked the Manchester City fans because they are real fans just like SAFC. After reading these comments it seems to me that there is a little cockiness beginning to come from yourself. Well done tho and I hope to see City win the league
I agree this guy is a little bit cocky, I think he’s American.
However, I was at the game and was sat in the Club tier at the Sunderland end and I heard a huge roar from the other end when the equalizer went in.
You might have been groaning too much to hear it…
Agree also that you were the better team in the first half we simply didn’t have a clue going forward (as we’ve been for weeks now) and it took a moment of genius to turn the game.
Great cup final though.
Always have time for the Mackems, especially for their chant at Man Utd at the end of the 2011-12 Season (“who are ya!”) which will hold a place in my heart. SAFC are in good hands under Poyet. A very savvy manager. Sunderland were excellent yesterday not only with their commitment but in their execution of a game plan. As Poyet said, they didn’t make a mistake but were simply outdone by two moments of brilliance. I’m confident SAFC will not only beat the drop but will climb up the table. Best of luck to you as well. Peace
Good Post Macken
Fantastic, nothing like the smell of a trophy on a Sunday afternoon, I’ve handed out big stick to yaya & nasri over the years, the goals…… Holy shit, poetry- I won’t ever forget them ( who will????) I tip my hat, I’m over the blue moon….love it super brilliant no words the rush…… Lift off.
Its an article from a Manchester city fans perspective, if you want something that shows equal interest in both sides then read a broadsheet. I wouldn’t go on a Sunderland blog and expect a full and equal review of both sides. The third paragraph describes how well Sunderland did at times and the author eludes to how we won the game with 2 great moments; hardly far from the truth
There is nothing in this article that I would consider unfair or ‘cocky’, we have won trophies in recent years and our club is growing at a rapid rate, we won this game and deserved to. Do you want us to refer back to 10 years ago everytime we win a game? You move on with the times and this is where we are, and yes we are loving it and no we haven’t forgot how far we’ve come.
Good to see the artistry in YaYa’s and Sami’s goals recognised; the skill involved and the execution was fantastic. This is something that would have to be practiced and practiced regardless of any natural talent, not the traits of the work shy. YaYa repeatedly delivers when it counts most.
I enjoyed the review but, I wasn’t at Wembley and it was broadcast on Satanta in Australia, no comment was made about the Mike Doyle tribute in the commentary, and I haven’t seen it mentioned in any post match review; I hope his memory got a good ovation.
I have always had a soft spot for Sunderland supporters and loved it when they gave it to United when we won the EPL!