Vs Sunderland

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

CITY XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Boyata, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Nasri, Navas, Jovetic, Aguero

SUBS: Cabellero, Angelino, Sagna, Fernando, Lampard, Milner, Pozo

[goat]

rodwell or johnson to get winner then

[Ludo]

Can't understand Boyata starting. I know Sagna's not really a cb but he's played there in the past for Arsenal and must be a better option.

[goat]

toure too

ideal that, city get to play someone not called boyata and yaya wouldnt have to run much

[clevblue]

Quote from Stuart Brennan "Boyata last started a PL game on December 28 last year, 1-0 win at home to Palace - Joe Hart was MotM that day, if I remember correctly" I wonder why

[gavin]

I was always expecting Boyata to start tonight. If he didn't then you would have to question why he was given a new contract in the summer. I mean even as a home grown player he is pretty useless if he's not fourth or fifth choice ahead of a full back. The lad was initially very promising when he had his first few games under Mancini. Lets hope he can live up to that tonight.

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Demichelis reminds me of....

[gavin]

Bit harsh that and why??

Could be a goal apiece already.

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

The pointer of fingers.

That's about it really cos Demi's actually useful.

[citoeast]

Playing with real pace, passion and purpose. Pressing high and getting men in the opposition box. When we do this we are mighty impressive.

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Its be nice aswepp if spurs stop being fuckin useless and get something from the chavs

[gavin]

Not a lot left to say about Sergio but I bloody hope he doesn't get injured again. He's looking beyond special at the moment.

[gavin]

Great goal by Zabba following good work from Nasri. Beginning to look very good indeed, 3-1.

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

If Pele was gonna sub a striker after we had just got a two goal cushion I would have preferred it to have been kun!

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

And now were 3 up where the kids at?

[citoeast]

Is it safe yet for me to chill and enjoy the game. 4 1

Aguero is incredible, as has the whole team been tonight. Never stopped working and pressing even at 4 1.

Special mention Navas and Boyata.

[Swiss]

Can't understand Boyata starting. I know Sagna's not really a cb but he's played there in the past for Arsenal and must be a better option.

Played alright today, not perfect, but solid enough.

Finally won at the SoL!

Was a bit like watching City Vs City's reserves!

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Did pantaloons make a save?

[citoeast]

I bet Sunderland fans are really looking forward to the return game at the Eitihad on New Years day.

[gavin]

We're now really looking like we're gonna go on a run. We could be unstoppable if we continue improving and get the injured players back.

[Rowley Birkin QC]

Not seen this game yet (I'm away and with an internet connection that is positively clockwork!) and won't get to see it until I return home on Friday, but the match reports make for very good reading. Well done City!

[City Slicker]

Our bandwagon is rolling an no coincidence that Ferna is getting a run too!

Has that extra dimension over Fernando!

Clichy improved a lot too!

Navas worked hard an been more effective!

Notice a theme here? Chopping and changing isnt always the best policy, hard to build your confidence when you are in an out?!

[Rowley Birkin QC]

Just seen the goals - very cool!

[Ludo]

Have to admit I'm pleasantly surprised by Boyata's performance tonight, perhaps he's not a lost cause after all.

Great all round display and if we can get past Everton at the weekend we've a run of very winnable games coming up.

[Stephen Paul]

we are looking good now , excellent last night .  pleased for Pelli

[Rowley Birkin QC]

Finally got to watch this match...

The general view bouncing around the media and the forums seems to be that our performance against Southampton at the weekend was one of our best. I beg to differ - it was a great win in the end, but I thought we were decidedly patchy. This game, however, was easily our best Premiership showing of the season so far.

Can't fault anything. We worked hard - even Yaya  ; helped each other out; good movement off the ball; excellent pressure on the opposition when they had possession. Much, much better! And every goal a gem! A first class TEAM performance.

Boyata hardly put a foot wrong - just one fluffed pass to Zaba in the first half that could have got us into trouble if the Sunderland player's first touch had been better, but otherwise he looked assured and comfortable. I like that he won most of his headers - and - he always tried to direct them towards a blue shirt (usually successfully). None of the aimless head tennis back up the throat of midfield straight back to an opponent that we so often see.

Very pleased with that. Well done City!

[gavin]

Would you play Boyata again today then? It will probably be DeMichelis and Mangala but I was impressed by Boyata too.

[Rowley Birkin QC]

Based on that performance (and Mangala's inconsistent ones) - yes, I'd give Boyata another start.

[gavin]

Not sure I would prefer him over Mangala and I doubt he will be but I was pleased that he started ahead of putting a full back there. That would have been the ultmate insult. Well OK not quite as bad as putting your keeper up front when you have a striker on the bench - eh Jon Macken.

[Zabba]

No Mangala is the future and needs to play. Great to see Boyata finding his feet mind, we need that depth.

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Its nice to see our back up CB's are looking good with the busy Christmas period as well as the fa cup starting next month