After what was a torrid fifteen or twenty minutes, where Wolves were sharper and frankly better than us, we managed to fight our way into it and went on to dominate for the rest of the game.
We had a bit of a scare and it was all quite strange, as Ait-Nouri found himself in front of goal in acres of space. It was almost like he and everybody else thought he was offside, hence everybody practically stopped, leaving him a free shot. Fortunately Emi was up to the task and managed a good stop.
That apart, I don’t really remember Wolves troubling us much and it was all in all a pretty convincing win, with Moussa Diaby hitting a corker to the top right of the goal and leaving the goalie with no chance.
Once we’d got that goal I felt quite comfortable, which is something I wasn’t expecting at all.
Then, Ezri Konsa of all people, crossed the ball, only for it to turn into an excellent shot, which again left the goalie helpless and crossed the line. If it hadn’t actually gone in, Duran would have netted anyway.
Once we got that second, I couldn’t see any way back for Wolves and for the first time in a good while, I was able to just relax and watch the game unfold.
I have to keep reminding myself that Wolves were seventh and in very good form, yet we beat them quite easily. Given that I thought they were a very, let’s say, physical side, I felt we held our own particularly well, especially given my worries about us missing John McGinn. In fact I’m not even sure we missed him at all and that’s a very nice thought.
The major plus point for me is we didn’t look like a team that are ready to fold and we still have plenty of fight left yet.
I also thought we played some really good football, with cross-field balls coming from lots of players. I do really like that kind of pass and they never fail to remind me of Sid Cowans.
Another surprising thing is that I didn’t think we looked tired either, which given our injuries is something else I didn’t expect.
So all in all, a very good day at the office and the lads and Unai should be very pleased with themselves.
I’m not even going to think about our upcoming games, but I think we only have eleven left to play. Who would have thought we’d be in this position so late in the season? Certainly I didn’t.
One last thing. I’m now beginning to hope that we can keep things going and end up above Spurs, if only to ram all the pundit’s words down their throats. I’ve nothing against Spurs at all and actually quite like them as a club, but it makes me sick that they are the darlings of the game at the moment. You’d think they’re the only team that can play nice footy.
I was going to say Onwards and upwards, but I guess we’re already at our pinnacle for now.
Onwards it is then!
UTV!
Great Olsen save!!!
Dougie has to come off at half time. Can’t afford a ban!
Why are all the small niggly fouls being given to Citeh and not us????
Foden. B@stard.
Zaniola – what a lightweight. He jumped out of the way whilst turning his back. He just undid all the hard graft of all the other players. Although Luiz gave away a needless free kick.
Shocking defensive wall. Zaniolo absolute shite.
A Customers Game.
Emery has decided to chuck this one. You can tell by the number of best-available players on the bench, and no doubt Martinez will recover when needed – though that may not be at Arsenal if another Spanish Inquisition is held between the managers’ offices. On the other side – a fit Haarland would surely have started against this Villa defence.
It is a chance for the squad players to impress – and but for Olsen never guessing a free-kick right we would still be in this at HT.
Can’t blame Olsen for that, OLL. Piss poor from Zaniolo. Amateurish.
And a silly foul from Dougie
Said the very same OLL, he’s going for the run in on games, as soon as I seen the team sheet told me as much .Zaniolo the idiot jumped out of the line gave them that goal, Luiz again timed tackle wrong and luckily to be still on pitch .
2 great chances there!!!!
Brilliant counter. We’re still in this!
F#&k.
Game over. F*** it.
Fear not! Chambers is coming on! 🤦
Irodemebum has been totally annoymous.
Congratulations Citeh, you’re beating our reserve team. So much more impressive than when we won at Villa Park because you had Rodri out.
I really hate these Mancs teams.
This is our level. In fact it’s most teams level against City. I won’t lose sleep this year. Our boys are doing ok.
This is NOT our level, Gerry. That’s barely a B team out there for us tonight.
How is that not a pen? He gives that all day long at the other end.
Ok I concede, Foden can play a bit but that fringe is f**ked up!
😆
Oh look Zaniola fails to clear the ball when he had a chance and now conceded 4!
The man is a liability!
I have to be honest, Sid. He’s not impressed me from day 1. There’s no way Unai will keep him in the summer. No way.
I read somewhere today we are not taking up the option on him.
Well, I did predict a hat-trick.
Oscar Bob, any relation to Sideshow? 😁
Oh well perhaps Emery has played a blinder?
Playing what could be considered a ‘B’ team in a game against the reigning European champions on a hiding to nothing and at the same time resting the ‘A’ team for the weekend?
Easy than going full throttle tonight and getting nothing and having them knackered for a potentially much easier on Saturday?
Just a thought.
I think you are right RSS. Assume for a moment neither Ollie nor Emi were really unavailable, the remaining absentees from our last meeting: Cash, Kamara and McGinn would have been enough to scupper the best XI we could have fielded if Pep had put on Haarland and De Bruyne. So why bother? Of course you have to pretend to the EPL that was your best possible squad.
The criticism of Zaniolo for ducking the free kick is justified, but not the rest of his play at an unaccustomed defensive left wing-back. He set up a break away chance which Luiz could have aimed past their keeper for 2-2.
As I said, I didn’t see the game but from watching him Zaniolo is an enigma to me.
Is he trying too hard to impress? He’s clearly got a lot of talent and is skilful but fails to recognise when to release the ball and to realise that sometimes the simple option is the best.
Luiz, for instance, often plays the simple ball then moves to try and create space but can also drive forward when required.
Maybe it just comes down to to those with a ‘football brain’ and those without?
My thoughts exactly. Brentford will battle so they’ll need to be at it…
Interesting RSS that Emery has pretty much said exactly that in his post match thoughts (on the OS site) – whilst covering his rear end against criticism. Guardiola also ‘rested’ De Bruyne and Haaland knowing Villa would be missing a significant number of players
Wonderful expression ‘rotation’ – covers a multitude of sins 🙂