Are City Back On Top Form?

Photograph courtesy of The Guardian

An impressive win over Sunderland in the lunch-time kick-off has quashed doubts that City are not up to the same standard that they were last season. Alexandar Kolarov was a menace down the left all game and the strike-force of Carlos Tevez and substitute Sergio Aguero always looked dangerous, meanwhile Micah Richards produced a performance reminiscent of his rampaging efforts last campaign. 

However the big difference between the City of the start of last season and the side that are playing at the moment is that they have lost the clinical edge that got them so many goals this time last year. The Sky Blues had 26 shots with 16 on target as an inspired Simon Mignolet made save after save. 

Roberto Mancini acknowledged that his side were sloppy in front of goal: "I think in the first half, we missed two or three chances like other games but we had a good performance. I think also in London against Fulham we did very well and against Stoke. Every game is difficult in this moment. I am happy because we got a clean sheet, scored three but also because of our performance."

Mancini was also understandably delighted with Kolarov after a brilliant performance playing on the left wing. The Serbian international got past Carlos Cuellar time and time again and his final ball was excellent, scoring one from a trade-mark free-kick and setting one up with a magnificent left-footed cross from which Sergio Aguero headed past Mignolet. . 

Sunderland conceded an unlucky third goal from a Milner free kick, taking a deflection off the wall and finding a home at the back of Sunderland's net. The goal was just rewards for a City side that dominated the match throughout and never looked like taking anything other than three points out of the game.

The Citizens will be very hopeful of winning a second Premier League title come May, but until today they hadn't looked like a title winning team; dropping points against Liverpool, Stoke and Arsenal. They also looked out of sorts in a lucky 2-1 win at Fulham last weekend. 

Other teams have improved their squads since last season and City are no longer out on a limb at the top of the table with city rivals United. Chelsea have splashed the cash on players such as Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar and United have brought in Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie.

Mancini has only added Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia to his senior squad and players who performed well last season like Gareth Barry and Balotelli have been off form so far this season. The enigmatic Italian striker was withdrawn after 56 minutes today and Mancini said that 'he can play better'.

Despite a slowish start to the season City were on top form today and looked like a side capable of defending their Premier League title. 

Manchester City on the Brink

"As a team, I think it's going to be without doubt the most important game we've ever played in."

As said above by Pablo Zabaleta, this could be without doubt the most crucial game Manchester City have ever, and will ever, play. Their future lies on the line. Win today at home to Queens Park Rangers and the Premier League title is theirs; fail to win and Manchester United are victorious at Sunderland and it could be the most crushing result of their history. Without a title since 1968, the same year United first won The European Cup, the blue side of the city has never been so hopeful of ending the 44 years of hurt. 

Despite being underwhelming underdogs, United will be hopeful of securing a 20th league title. With so much at stake they are relying on the Blues to buckle under the pressure against relegation battling QPR today. The 'Rs' know that a point will all but confirm safety for them, while Sunderland have almost nothing to play for sitting comfortably in 11th place. 

After being eight points clear in the title race just weeks ago, the Red Devils are sure to be kicking themselves for letting that lead slip. Defeats to Wigan and City, as well as a 4-4 draw with Everton have left United wondering what might have been. The return of Carlos Tevez has been crucial to Mancini's team's return to form with four goals including a hat-trick against Norwich. Manchester City's reaction to losing their lead has been admirable but nothing but a win today will suffice. 

Another twist in the tale is the revisiting of former City boss Mark Hughes to the Etihad Stadium. After being sacked so acrimoniously by owner Sheikh Mansour he will be desperate for revenge to keep QPR up and help old team United win the league. However The Citizens will have other ideas and will be confident of sweeping the relegation candidates aside after dropping just two points at home in the league all season. Last year they ended a 35-year wait for a trophy with a 1-0 win over Stoke City in the FA Cup final and now are fingertips away from winning the biggest domestic trophy if them all. 

Considering they have won 6-1 and 1-0 against United this campaign City will feel a title victory over their old rivals is justified. Manager Roberto Mancini said: "We have played the better football, 100%, even if we don't win, we played the better football." 

Following last weeks impressive success over Champions League chasing Newcastle United people may think that City have the title in the bag. But on the other hand Manchester United have won 12 Premier Leagues under Sir Alex Ferguson and have plenty of experience in Ryan Giggs, 38 and Paul Scholes, 37. United have been there and done that; but despite this it might just be City's year.