MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

The build up to the Blackburn game was dominated by the fallout from Carlos Tevez, allegedly refusing to come off the bench in Germany on Tuesday. Supposedly when asked to come on the little Argentinian Diva had refused. Now i stated a few weeks ago in a previous blog, referring to the Cook mess, that this Blog was started to share my views on the games and not get embroiled in the politics that surround football these days, so that being said, all i will say on the subject is, the day Mr Tevez leaves (or is sacked) can't come quick enough. The man has made it perfectly clear more than once he has no desire to be a part of our fantastic club and yet the fans have stood by him, but you have lost my support Mr Tevez and i will not be sorry to see you gone.

The team shown 6 changes to the one fielded in Europe, Dzeko was rested (or punished) after his poor showing in Munich and his little strop when he was substituted and Balotelli got his first premier league start. Johnson returned from his ankle injury to replace Nasri who was also rested. Lescott returned to the center of the defence and the full backs were all new to with Zabaletta and Kolarov coming back in. The other change saw Milner starting in midfield. The first half was a pretty uneventful showing played at a fairly slow pace on an extraordinarily hot day for the first of October and chances for either team were few and far between. Blackburn set up like most teams that face us now, to absorb us and try and counter. The best chances city did manage to create fell to Balotelli, but he managed to fire over or wide, and Joe Hart was rarely tested and didn't even make a meaningful save. The most notable moment of the first half came on 26 minutes when Sergio Aguero limped out of the game with what looked like a groin strain, he was replaced by Samir Nasri. So after an eventful week then the whistle brought an end to an un-eventful, and in all honestly, un-entertaining first half.

Second half started and it was noticeable that Mancini had addressed the speed that the game was being played at so City began to step it up and on 56 minutes, the deadlock was broken. A cross from Kolarov was partly cleared to the edge of the box, falling to Johnson's feet, he took a touch, composed him self and then curled a brilliant shot into the top corner, brilliant to have AJ back in the team, even better to see him score an absolute blinder to put city 1-0 up. 3 minutes later and the lead was doubled. Good work down the left from Nasri who fired in the cross that most strikers would have gone for with their heads, but Mario isn't most strikers, and he turned the ball in with his foot. 3 goals in 3 games now for Mario and reward for his brilliant attitude and patience in waiting on the bench in previous games to get his chance (unlike someone else I could, but won't mention).  On 73 minutes it was 3-0 and a first goal in City colours for Samir Nasri, that is if it isn't taken away from him. Brilliant patient build up again saw Silva set up Nasri for the shot which took a deflection before nestling in the back of the net. Blackburn fans singing Keane out now and the banners that were apparently prepared for a demonstration after the final whistle were now getting an airing. Remember the days when City fans used to protest at Matches ? Sitting in the middle of the pitch after the final whistle and refusing to leave Maine road all those years ago ? How far we've come ? 79 Minutes gone and Savic comes on to replace Johnson and on 87 minutes it's Savic who scores his first city goal to make it 4-0. Silva's corner met by Savic with a powerful header, so 4 goals and 4 different names on the score sheet. Dzeko did get a late run out replacing the brilliant Balotelli, but the game ended 4-0 and the Blackburn fans protest began.

So after 4 days of the gutter press talking abut "a club in turmoil" and the fact we are "imploding" we still sit unbeaten in the premier league, separated only by 1 goal in goal difference from the league toppers and champions United, some turmoil we are in ? It is pleasing that we have gone to Ewood park today and made a statement, and shown the world that we are all on the same page and going in the right direction under Mancini. One player is not bigger than this club and gone are the days when we rely on Carlos Tevez for goals, maybe there in lies his problem ? Two weeks off now until we play Villa because on an international break, time maybe for Aguero to shake what ever injury he picked up today and time to resolve internal problems, all i will say is.....Carlos ? Carlos who ?