After a disappointing midweek performance against CSKA in the Champions League, it was time for City to head to Loftus Road to play a resurgent Queens Park Rangers. It was a pulsating affair, with two sides who’s strengths arguably lie in attack, rather than defence.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini stiffened up the midfield, opting for Fernando and Fernandinho behind Toure, who was pushed up behind the inform Sergio Aguero. Nasri and Navas were asked to provide the width, where in defence Martin Demichelis was partnered with Eliaquim Mangala.
After a bright start by City, the hosts dominated the game, being the first to every 50/50 ball, pressing well, limiting City’s time and space when in possession. It was no surprise to see them create clear cut chances. The first had Charlie Austin power home a header from close range, only to be ruled out for offside. What followed then was one of the most bizarre moments I have personally ever seen, Hart proceeded in taking the free-kick, only to kick the ball twice almost simultaneously; the mishit kick fell to Austin from distance, who fired a good shot past Hart from range. The goal was ruled out, as according to Fifa’s rules “If when a free-kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own area, the ball is not kicked outside the area, the kick is retaken”. City were lucky, but were soon behind when this time Austin was onside, and he collected a clever ball from Eduardo Vargas, and buried the ball confidently past Hart.
City’s response to the goal was very positive, with Sergio Aguero in particular looking very sharp, and the fabulous Argentine equalized for City with a moment of sheer brilliance. Mangala flaoted over a perfectly weighted pass and the City striker controlled the ball exquisitely before finishing calmly past Robert Green. The two sides went in all square at half time, but the second half was just as frantic and tenacious as the first.
City were arguably the better side in the opening exchanges of the second half, with Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure interchanging the ball excellently, but QPR fought their way back into the game. Charlie Austin in particular, was having an excellent game for the hosts, and the QPR forward delivered an excellent ball into the box, which under pressure from Zamora, was headed into his own net by Martin Demichelis. City responded again, with the wonderful Sergio Aguero adding a second, this time collecting Yaya Toure’s perfectly weighted through ball, before rounding Robert Green and firing the ball coolly home for the equalizer. City did try to win the game, with Toure having a goal bound shot blocked by Joey Barton, but they were unable to do so, slipping eight points behind leaders Chelsea.
