Premier League Half-Term Reports: Man City must buck ideas up
Published:Team Name: Manchester City
Current Premier League position: 2nd
Giddy highs: The 3-1 victory over Liverpool just two games into the season had City fans dreaming of back-to-back Premier League titles and also served as a demonstration of what Stevan Jovetic can do when he’s not on the treatment table.
Frank Lampard’s late, potentially crucial, leveller against Chelsea is the only other thing that comes close.
Crushing lows: Losing to Stoke City is one thing, but losing at the Etihad to a single Potters’ goal scored by a Manchester United reject in Mame Biram Diouf made it even worse.
The home draw with AS Roma was another big disappointment and could signal the beginning of the end for the Sky Blues in Europe already.
Shining Star: Sergio Aguero
As consistent as ever for the Citizens, Aguero appears to have suffered little in the way of a World Cup hangover despite disappointing for Argentina in Brazil.
A return of six goals in his first nine appearances for City, many of which have come as a sub, is simply sensational and what fans have come to expect from a striker with 81 goals in just 131 games for the club.
Biggest Disappointment: Yaya Toure
After a return of 24 goals in 49 games from the midfield last season, it was always going to be tough for Toure to continue at that kind of pace for the Citizens but despite netting a vital opener against Aston Villa, the Ivorian has been largely anonymous this term.
Whether it’s ageing, a lack of form or a fallout from his embarrassing birthday antics over the summer, something is up with the 31-year-old and it needs to be fixed pronto.
Best bet for the rest of the season: Sergio Aguero Premier League top scorer @ 4/1
Grade: B-
Final Thoughts: If this had been last season then City would have been faring pretty well in the league, but the relentless consistency of Chelsea thus far has raised the bar for those aspiring for Premier League success.
Unless the Pensioners suffer a dip in form, City may be consigned to a second-place finish – too good for the rest but not good enough to be the best.
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