English Premier League: City back on track, much to the captain’s delight
Kompany hails his team after win over Liverpool, Dalglish rues missed chances.
MANCHESTER:
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany paid tribute to his side for bouncing back from their Sunderland defeat 48 hours earlier to beat Liverpool 3-0 and maintain their push for the Premier League title.
First-half goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and a second-half penalty from James Milner helped City register a comprehensive victory, whose significance was not lost on Kompany.
“This is massive for us, we didn’t deserve to lose against Sunderland but we were incredibly efficient today,” he said. “It was very challenging, playing two games in 48 hours, and it was a great three points.”
Manager Roberto Mancini felt that playing matches in quick succession did take a toll on his side towards the end of the game.
“It was a difficult game and Liverpool are a fantastic team,” he said. “They played four days ago and we played two days ago. We played well in the first half but in the last 20 minutes of the game we were tired.”
Liverpool rue missed chances
Liverpool, who have struggled for goals this season, were without striker Luis Suarez as he was beginning his eight-game suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
The visitors were once again guilty of squandering opportunities with Stewart Downing failing to convert a one-on-one with City keeper Joe Hart and Dirk Kuyt unable to volley past Kompany. Reds boss Kenny Dalglish bemoaned his side’s failure to make the most of the chances that came their way.
“If you want to be successful, then you’ve got to be clinical,” he said. “We’ve got to get that into our make-up and tonight we never had it. We’ve got to be more clinical if we’re going to get to where we want to go. But it’s a lesson learned and we’ve got to take it on the chin.”
Redknapp upbeat
Elsewhere, third-placed Tottenham downed West Bromwich Albion 1-0, while Sunderland’s Martin O’Neill-inspired revolution saw the Black Cats register yet another victory with a 4-1 win at Wigan.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted that his team could be on the verge of mounting the club’s first serious challenge for the title.
“I don’t know about a title-winning team but we’re there and thereabouts,” he said. “We have to keep believing. You never know, nothing is impossible. It’s been a great first half of the season. Considering we lost the first two games, to have the points we have is great. We’re in there and have a lot to look forward to in the second half of the season.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany paid tribute to his side for bouncing back from their Sunderland defeat 48 hours earlier to beat Liverpool 3-0 and maintain their push for the Premier League title.
First-half goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and a second-half penalty from James Milner helped City register a comprehensive victory, whose significance was not lost on Kompany.
“This is massive for us, we didn’t deserve to lose against Sunderland but we were incredibly efficient today,” he said. “It was very challenging, playing two games in 48 hours, and it was a great three points.”
Manager Roberto Mancini felt that playing matches in quick succession did take a toll on his side towards the end of the game.
“It was a difficult game and Liverpool are a fantastic team,” he said. “They played four days ago and we played two days ago. We played well in the first half but in the last 20 minutes of the game we were tired.”
Liverpool rue missed chances
Liverpool, who have struggled for goals this season, were without striker Luis Suarez as he was beginning his eight-game suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
The visitors were once again guilty of squandering opportunities with Stewart Downing failing to convert a one-on-one with City keeper Joe Hart and Dirk Kuyt unable to volley past Kompany. Reds boss Kenny Dalglish bemoaned his side’s failure to make the most of the chances that came their way.
“If you want to be successful, then you’ve got to be clinical,” he said. “We’ve got to get that into our make-up and tonight we never had it. We’ve got to be more clinical if we’re going to get to where we want to go. But it’s a lesson learned and we’ve got to take it on the chin.”
Redknapp upbeat
Elsewhere, third-placed Tottenham downed West Bromwich Albion 1-0, while Sunderland’s Martin O’Neill-inspired revolution saw the Black Cats register yet another victory with a 4-1 win at Wigan.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted that his team could be on the verge of mounting the club’s first serious challenge for the title.
“I don’t know about a title-winning team but we’re there and thereabouts,” he said. “We have to keep believing. You never know, nothing is impossible. It’s been a great first half of the season. Considering we lost the first two games, to have the points we have is great. We’re in there and have a lot to look forward to in the second half of the season.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.