Four Score City Leaves Blackburn Not SO Kean

Four second half goals from City saw them keep pace with rivals United at the top of the Premier League Saturday. It wasn't all rainbows and unicorns though as a first half came to a close all City had to show for their efforts was an injured groin for Sergio Aguero! He was replaced, not by Dzeko but by Nasri. Maybe this was a show to Dzeko that although his outburst was forgiven there are still consequences? Maybe it was just that City needed more flair in midfield. Whatever the reasoning was will be up for debate but you cannot argue with results.

With Mario Balotelli missing a host of chances in the first half it was certainly going to be a nervous second half for the onlooking City faithful after going in at the break goaless. Like I said in my preview of this game it would be interesting to see how multi million dollar egos came back from the unrest and disappointing midweek events. This game would be a key indicator as to whether this City team were actually a team or whether they were just a bunch of talented individuals.

Second half started just as the first had ended, with City the aggressors. Milner has his shot blocked and then Silva goes close in the opening three minutes. Balotelli hist the post again before a beautiful curler from last seasons super sub Adam Johnson nestles in the top corner to put the visitors a goal up and at the same time ease their nerves. Three minutes later and Balotelli doubles the lead after turning in a Nasri cross. Who would have thought that the Tevez and Balotelli roles from last season would have reversed. With Balotelli, in this game at least, the go to guy and Tevez out disrupting the squad.

Again though after the second goal City relax and invite Blackburn onto them. Certainly this was Blackburns best few minutes in the whole game and City at times had ten players behind the ball. It was from one of these Blackburn attacks though that Manchester City extend their lead. Blackburn waste their corner and City charged up the pitch, and although they took their time getting a shot in eventually Silva plays it back to Nasri who, via a deflection opens his account for City and send chants around Ewood of 'Kean Out'.

Just to make sure there is no doubt of what City can do, their young defender Stefan Savic also gets his name on the scoresheet. With three minutes left of normal time City whip in a corner and the youngster rises, unmarked to head in the icing for Mancini's cake! 

PA Cityboy