A loss at Goodison Park against a determined Everton side might be enough to end Manchester City’s hope for a second consecutive Premier League title.
Manchester City’s dramatic league win last season divided football fans world over between the two halves of Manchester. The injection of towering finances had finally seemed to bear fruit as Roberto Mancini marshalled his men to the summit of England’s top-most football honour. While nearly all football experts believed in a fierce rivalry to have been born in terms of competence within Manchester, the season that followed did not suggest so.
With nine games to go, Mancini’s Blues are way short of successfully defending there “champions” label, with the Red half of Manchester nearing to a 20th league title. Last season’s win saw City win a trophy in the top division of English football after 44 years, and in the current scenario it might have to wait again before winning it back.
Last night’s defeat against Everton seems to be the final blow for City’s title chase, in a season where the likes of Joe Hart, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and David Silva, the catalysts of last season’s historic achievement, failed to find form. The absence of Vincent Komany due to injury added to the Citizen’s woes as without him its defense failed to narrate the dominance it needed.
The frustration of City fans escalated further as Manchester City crashed out of the Champion’s League, ending up at fourth place in the group stages.
Mancini’s 3-4-3 system has failed to deliver this season, and he went back to 4-4-2 before the break. Whatever the formation, City’s men lacked the flair and spark required at this level to dominate proceedings. With the absence of Yaya Toure due to migraine, City missed an important component of its midfield and the efforts of Argentinean Carlos Tevez were not enough to topple a determined Everton side.
What didn’t help City’s cause was an erratic night for the referee Lee Pobert who awarded the Blues a free-kick instead of a penalty with just four minutes when Everton midfielder Fellaini handled the ball inside the box. A penalty might not have been enough at that stage but it could have sparked a possible comeback for the Citizens.
The comeback never came and one feels all City now have to play for is a second place finish. Mancini’s men are currently five points ahead of Spurs and seven points ahead of another London club Chelsea, with Arsenal nine points behind. Later on, a derby win at Old Trafford might be the intended target to refuel some of the lost pride. Manchester United, on the other hand, will be fully focused under manager Sir Alex Ferguson to leave its rivals with no chance whatsoever.
Had City been more determined there might still be a dimmer of hope for them to pose some kind of a threat, with the Manchester derby still to play. But with the gap now extending to 15 points, it is fair to say that the red and white ribbons might already be tied on the Premier League trophy.
With nine games to go, Mancini’s Blues are way short of successfully defending there “champions” label, with the Red half of Manchester nearing to a 20th league title. Last season’s win saw City win a trophy in the top division of English football after 44 years, and in the current scenario it might have to wait again before winning it back.
Last night’s defeat against Everton seems to be the final blow for City’s title chase, in a season where the likes of Joe Hart, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and David Silva, the catalysts of last season’s historic achievement, failed to find form. The absence of Vincent Komany due to injury added to the Citizen’s woes as without him its defense failed to narrate the dominance it needed.
The frustration of City fans escalated further as Manchester City crashed out of the Champion’s League, ending up at fourth place in the group stages.
Mancini’s 3-4-3 system has failed to deliver this season, and he went back to 4-4-2 before the break. Whatever the formation, City’s men lacked the flair and spark required at this level to dominate proceedings. With the absence of Yaya Toure due to migraine, City missed an important component of its midfield and the efforts of Argentinean Carlos Tevez were not enough to topple a determined Everton side.
What didn’t help City’s cause was an erratic night for the referee Lee Pobert who awarded the Blues a free-kick instead of a penalty with just four minutes when Everton midfielder Fellaini handled the ball inside the box. A penalty might not have been enough at that stage but it could have sparked a possible comeback for the Citizens.
The comeback never came and one feels all City now have to play for is a second place finish. Mancini’s men are currently five points ahead of Spurs and seven points ahead of another London club Chelsea, with Arsenal nine points behind. Later on, a derby win at Old Trafford might be the intended target to refuel some of the lost pride. Manchester United, on the other hand, will be fully focused under manager Sir Alex Ferguson to leave its rivals with no chance whatsoever.
Had City been more determined there might still be a dimmer of hope for them to pose some kind of a threat, with the Manchester derby still to play. But with the gap now extending to 15 points, it is fair to say that the red and white ribbons might already be tied on the Premier League trophy.
