Why you should consider Manchester City champions in waiting

The Citizens score for fun but need to defend well. Champions defend well and beat fellow contenders. Maybe not as crisp as Barcelona, City can excite you. Their biggest weakness is consistency. One moment they send chills down the small teams by beating bigger clubs, the next, they faulter in their travels.

They have shown some acceptable maturity of their unit over time this season. They suffered the loss of Samir Nasri and never shown their lack. Sergio Aguerro was also missing for a while and they never lost shape. The same goes for the absence of David Silva. It is a manager’s dream to have such a complete side.

Edin Dzeko always acted an impact player’s role, but he has stepped up to the plate to be as key as the main man, Negredo. So far, they are satisfying flowing forward and Vincent Kompany is a defender we saw in the championship winning side a few seasons back. As solid as they are, their leakage against set pieces may be a concern but my opinion is the absence of Lescott, whom I think either Arsenal or Liverpool should sign before a shine comes off his paint.

Otherwise, City have this championship wrapped up already and it is theirs to throw away.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.