It’s that time of the year when Sir Alex’s mind games take off like a ballistic missile, returning normally to witness his adversaries self exploding at various levels. From the “I will love it!” Kevin Keegan chant in 1996 to the Rafael Benitez “fact” rant in 2009, Sir Alex prowling inside opposing manager’s nervous system is an annual ritual. Hence, it came as no surprise, when the Scott upped the psychological ante on Manchester City – relative toddlers in front of the grand daddy of EPL title races – at the turn of the year, which also coincided with United supplanting their archenemy from the summit of the league table. Nevertheless, just when the noise of City ‘capitulating under pressure’ began to echo from various quarters, their performance against Chelsea on Wednesday has showcased quite the contrary, and divulged their intentions of running their snobbish neighbours the distance.
One nil down against a resilient Chelsea side, with minutes ticking down, the turnaround in the score line, and in turn the fortunes, was an example of the mantle and resolve that is needed to survive the clutch time of title races. Had City not won the match, they would still have had been within mathematical proximity of United, but as far as confidence is concerned that might just have had been the curtain call. City might not have the collective savoir faire of title run-ins, but they have clarified with that performance, and the result, that they do have the desire and the drive to win their first league title since 1968.
Carlos Tevez grabbed all the headlines, owing to one of the passes of the season that led to Samir Nasri scoring that priceless winner. Leaving the past, and footballing ethics aside, Tevez might just prove to be an invaluable player to call upon in this potentially nail-biting run-in, despite having been out of action for the past six months. In fact, the situation is reminiscent of his time at Manchester United, when he had proved to be a pivotal factor in United’s title conquest with massive performances late on in the 2008-09 season against City and away at Stoke and Wigan. And this despite having had been a bit-part player throughout that season. His assist might be getting all the plaudits, but it would have had been futile, had Nasri not put it in the back of the net as clinically as he did. The Frenchman’s first touch is second to none, and the way he took the ball in his stride was absolutely top notch, which set up the scoring chance; which again, he took with effortless ease. Nasri’s performance throughout the 90 minutes was top drawer, and despite having had a middle-of-the-road season, at best, – especially when juxtaposed with his exploits last season with Arsenal – he looks to be back to somewhere around his A game just when his side need it the most.
Another man who had a massive game – and is possibly the biggest factor behind City’s upsurge despite the attacking prowess of Sergio Aguero and David Silva – was Yahya Toure, and Roberto Mancini must be glad to see the sight of his midfield engine functioning at its dynamic best. The defensive show must be heartening for the Italian as well, since City’s relative troubles without Vincent Kompany have been expounded by the pundits. And with Micah Richards covering in at the heart of the defense, it gives Mancini the flexibility that is needed to cover the different bases with nine games to go in the season.
The only potential worry that the City boss might have is keeping his strikers – a contingent wherein some of the most inflated egos in English football lie – happy after the arrival of Tevez. Aguero is clearly his first choice striker, but Mario Balotelli might not be too happy with 45-minute cameos for too long, and Edin Dzeko wouldn’t be best pleased by seeing Tevez preferred over him, despite the Argentinean being out of football for a long time span.
Therefore, while City have elucidated their desire of creating a convulsion in their neighbours’ hegemony over England, they still have their work cut out in winning their first league title for 44 years. It’s still United’s title to lose….
