City recorded another impressive win at Goodison Park on Sunday, maintaining their 100% record in the Premier League and again keeping a clean sheet. Moreover, the team equalled a 103-year record of nine straight wins – which gives you an indication of the sort of level the team are playing at currently.
Here are three things we learnt from the game.
Otamendi faces a fight to break into City side
City splashed out a considerable sum of money to land Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi this past week and as much as you would not see a player of that ilk coming to play second-fiddle, on the basis of what we’ve seen so far, he may have to wait for his break.
Vincent Kompany looks refreshed and rejuvenated as ever and was heroic in today’s win over Everton. He has always been a commanding leader, but he looks comfortable and has quickly moved on from a torrid 2014/15.
The same can be said for his centre-back partner Eliaquim Mangala, who was utterly dominant this afternoon and made a number of vital interceptions. His duel with Lukaku made for a great watch. The Belgian striker gave Mangala the run-around last season in the same fixture, but this time the City defender handled the former Chelsea man with relative ease.
It was suggested that Mangala would make way for Otamendi, yet he has stepped up to the mark and does not look like losing his place anytime soon if he continues his incredible form.
David Silva already looks better than ever
The Spaniard regularly dazzles and he was phenomenal in the win over Everton. Though still effective on the flanks, he is at his mercurial best when in his favoured No.10 role and is granted that all-important freedom.
At Goodison, he was everywhere, controlling, dictating and opening avenues all over the place. Gareth Barry couldn’t get near him. Some of his play was out of this world – including that wonderful turn and shot against the post in the second half.
He looks more settled and in turn our side, on the whole, is nicely balanced. It’s early days, but there is a feeling that Silva could deliver his best season yet – which is quite a frightening prospect.
Sterling and Kolarov combination bearing fruit
You can already see the tweaks in City’s style so far this season and a large part of that has been the left-sided weapon of Raheem Sterling and Aleksandar Kolarov. In the first two games, the two were mightily impressive and brought a new dimension to the City side.
They continued on the same path in a tricky fixture at Everton and again linked up to great effect.
The combination of Sterling and Kolarov was the primary factor in the first goal. A clever understanding between the two, with Sterling finding the marauding overlapping run of Kolarov, who then supplied the finish.
It’s no surprise that Everton’s Coleman came alive once Sterling was substituted. The signs are all there for a totally fruitful partnership down the left.
