City Destroy Rovers

There is a famous cliche which runs along the lines of, 'The Score didn't tell the story'. The cliche normally applies to a losing team who really battled away and should of earned something out of a match. This was no normal game. Manchester City could of and should of been up by the final score line in the opening stages, rather than the full 90 minutes.

Steve Kean's selection strategy took another twist as Marcus Olsson was handed a debut start, pairing down the left flank with his twin brother, Martin. Petrovic was preferred in midfield to Nzonzi, whilst Formica slotted in for David Dunn

Robinson

Orr, Hanley, Dann, Martin Olsson

Petrovic

Hoillet, Gamst, Olsson

Formica

Yakubu

It was 90 minutes of absolute torture for Rovers fans, whilst City Fans must have thought they turned up to a training run as the blue half of Manchester showed exactly why they are leading the race for the title. Delightful movement on and off the ball was what really hurt Blackburn who could simply not keep up with the pace of the game. Paul Robinson tried his best to keep the game level, Aguero and Balotelli trying to beat the Number 1 early but he was up to the task.

The rest of the Rovers team really had nothing going for them. Hoillet was useless in midfield whilst Yakubu could only stand and watch as the ball rarely ventured his way. And when it did, City countered, finally opening the scoring after 30 minutes. Toure raced out of his half, finding Silva who in turn released Kolarov, hitting the by-line before crossing for Balotelli, a neat flick finding the corner of the net. 1-0 City



City really should of kicked on from here, but heroics from Robinson meant the scorers were not troubled. Kompany flicked on from a corner, forcing a reflex save into Toure's path, whose acrobatic volley flew wide from metres out. Aguero then out muscled Dann, Hanley and Orr, however his strike trickled centimetres wide of the far post.

Half Time

Within minutes of the restart, City doubled their lead, sealing the game. A poor corner was fluffed at by Robinson, falling directly into the path of Aguero who volleyed home into an empty net. 2-0

City then turned on the style. Short 1-2 passes meant the Rovers midfield were running in circles, whilst Zabaleta and Kolarov enjoyed all the time in the world down the flanks. Rovers failed to get on the ball, and on the rare times they did, gave it away almost instantly. Formica was dragged off for Rochina whilst Petrovic made way for Nzonzi.

Rovers did managed their first shot on target late on, with Yakubu failing to trouble Joe Hart. City then made it 3-0 and back in the relegation zone for Rovers, Kolarov with a trademark cross from the left flank, Dzeko leaping highest and heading home....

Full Time 3-0 City

Any Rovers fan who stayed for the full 90 minutes....
Its a tough life as a goal keeper. Despite his remarkable saves, his game will be remembered for the howler. He is entitled to 1 a year, hopefully this was it... Completely outplayed. Kolarov had him in his pocket, out ran him, out positioned out muscled The best of our back 4. Looks like he will have to lead our defensive line. Not afraid to put in a tackle, the young Scot is coming of age Starting to wonder why we spent the 6 million pounds! Completely out of position on several occasions Gave Zabaleta too much time down the flank. Hoofed it away too many times, lost it several times in attack Poor game from the big man. Proving to be very inconsistent. Worst game in the jersey. We would of been better off not having him on the field. That is saying something. Why he was not hooked and replaced, well who knows Wasted the few free kicks and corners we had. Out muscled in midfield..then again it is Yaya Toure Poor debut from the young man. Very tough game to be thrown into the deep end, but you get a chance, you need to take it Poor. Needed to track back and help out the midfield but often went missing The Yak is not getting a rating. Not because he was atrocious, but because he had nothing to do. For 90 Minutes. No ball, no service, nothing

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