In their last ever visit to Upton Park a slack and woeful start from City saw Enner Valencia strike just 53 seconds into the game.
City did soon gather themselves to respond 8 minutes later thanks to Sergio Aguero slotting home from the spot.
Enner Valencia struck again as he took advantage of some kamikaze defending from Demichelis and Otamendi. City managed to rescue a point nine minutes from time thanks to Sergio Aguero.
Tactical Imbalance
In David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City arguably have the best playmakers in the league, however, the pair simply haven’t been able to function away from home.
In the first five games of the Premier League season that saw city pick up maximum points, the side had natural width from the likes of Sterling and Navas.
City’s game had a different dimension to it that enabled them to stretch opposition from both flanks.
In City’s best European performance at Sevilla, David Silva did not feature at all and Kevin De Bruyne came on with the game already won.
That night the raw pace and natural width of Navas and Sterling gave the Sevilla full backs a torrid time. Playing De Bruyne or Silva in the same team clearly imbalances the team as neither are willing to track back. With Yaya Toure added to the equation City at times, this season have found themselves carrying three passengers. A clear lack of energy and intensity has seen City continually overrun in the middle of the park.
Despite some assured performances alongside Fernandinho, Fabian Delph has found himself in and out of the side.
On Saturday evening with Yaya Toure unable to influence the game and proving to be a defensive liability, it was Delph who came off in place of Kelechi Iheanacho.
Away from home in the Premier League, you simply can’t afford to carry players.
Navas, Sterling and Delph are not in the same league as Yaya, Silva and De Bruyne in terms of quality, they do however bring a certain balance to the side.
With their raw pace (Sterling), tenacity (provided by Delph) and ability to stretch teams (through Navas) the aforementioned players are able to bring substance to go with the quality City have in other areas of the park.
The return of 4-4-2
A much-maligned system which has seen city lose some vital games after being overrun in the middle of the park may prove to be the answer to city’s away day problems. A convincing win at Norwich in the cup and a 4-0 battering of Crystal Palace at home have been recently achieved playing 4-4-2 so why should we change back to a 4-4-2 formation all of a sudden?
In previous seasons, City haven’t had the players to make 4-4-2 work away from home. This was evident in city’s early struggles on the road in 2013-2014, now however city have two natural wingers in Sterling and Navas who can stretch the game.
Then there’s Kelechi Iheanacho a young striker who’s not only formed a great partnership with Sergio Aguero he’s got the energy to regularly press high up the field. In midfield, Fernandinho alongside, Delph would not only provide defensive solidity but have the legs to get in and around opposition midfielders and provide an attacking threat.
Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City, who sit top of the league this season, have shown with the right personnel 4-4-2 isn’t an outdated formation and it can still work.
Played against the right opposition City can still profit from 4-4-2 as they did against many of the weaker teams the last time they won the title.
