Five observations as the champions are beaten at home.
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In one of the early shocks of the season, champions Manchester City were beaten 1-0 at home by Stoke City on Saturday afternoon in a frustrating and slightly worrying result for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Here’s five things we learned from the result:
1) Chelsea are top dogs now
While Manchester City were no doubt deserving champions after seeing off a strong challenge from both Chelsea and Liverpool last season, there looks like a growing gap between the two teams now after this summer’s transfer window.
While City have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, mostly making signings in defence and the somewhat unneeded signing of Fernando in defensive midfield, Chelsea have made some truly superb additions and the difference is already showing. While City struggled to break down Stoke at home, Jose Mourinho’s side romped to a win at Everton, scoring an incredible six goals in the process.
AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, and could be the player to give this team a bit of a lift, as well as a new threat for opposition teams to deal with.
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2) Joe Hart should fear for his place in goal
Having seen his place in goal come under threat for much of last season, Manchester City keeper Joe Hart still looks far from his best after finding himself at fault for the Stoke goal yesterday.
Although the team’s defending could also have been much better, Hart let a weak shot trickle under him from Mame Biram Diouf, and his lack of authority between the sticks cost his side at a crucial moment with what proved to be the winner for the visitors.
Willy Caballero was signed from Manuel Pellegrini’s old club Malaga this summer and he will no doubt have taken some encouragement from this latest Hart blunder, as his chance in goal will surely come before long.
3) Defence still needs work
Manuel Pellegrini will have been concerned by his team’s defending again, with Stoke not only scoring too easily but looking threatening on the break on a number of occasions.
Although City have made a number of big signings in defensive positions this summer, bringing in Bacary Sagna and Eliaquim Mangala at the back, as well as Fernando in defensive midfield, the team’s attacking philosophy perhaps leaves them too exposed to counter-attacks like Stoke scored from yesterday.
It is still early days yet, but after some unconvincing performances at the back last season, City still look heavily reliant on their superb attacking options to see them through some of the tougher games, which won’t always be possible.
4) City could have done with signing Di Maria
There was speculation late on in the deal that saw Angel Di Maria move to Manchester United that City were hoping to hijack the deal, though this never succeeded and the Argentine ended up moving to Old Trafford from Real Madrid.
Still, there’s no doubt that City are still lacking a little something from wide-players such as Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas, who are not the most reliable performers to raise their playing levels in difficult games.
Di Maria has the quality to open up opponents with a great variety in passing, crossing and shooting. His stats in recent times as far superior to both Nasri and Navas even though they play in the same positions, and this will have to go down as an opportunity missed by the champions.5) Jovetic may not be the answer
Despite a much-improved start to this season for Stevan Jovetic, who was plagued by injuries last term, there are still signs that he may not quite be ready to be first choice for City.
The Montenegro international had a quiet game against Stoke, and was replaced by Edin Dzeko just after the hour-mark, with the Bosnian powerhouse still surely the best option to partner Sergio Aguero upfront.
After such a strong performance against Liverpool, Jovetic did not register a single shot in this game, and failed to win any aerial duels. In comparison, Dzeko has four shots when he came on and won 50% of his aerials, showing in just half an hour that he is more of an impact player against defensively tight opposition.
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