Aguero’s wonder goal late in the second half salvaged a point for City against Liverpool. PHOTO: REUTERS
City were held 2-2 by Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, wasting the opportunity to reduce the deficit at the top of the table to seven points in the wake of United’s 1-0 victory at Fulham 24 hours earlier.
Ultimately, after goals from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, City, who had led through Edin Dzeko, required a spectacular individual effort from Sergio Aguero 12 minutes from time to collect a point. But despite the mounting odds, Mancini remained defiant.
“The championship is not over because of last season and also two years ago,” said Mancini. “I don’t think it is finished. There is room for mistakes. I think we probably need to win all of our games, but that can happen sometimes.
“I’m disappointed because we didn’t play well. Liverpool played better first half. Today we didn’t play well. The last month we played well in all the games. Today we were so nervous, I don’t know why. I think that, like last year, we recovered eight points in six games. I don’t know why this cannot happen this year. The season is long, three months to go, and United have to play FA Cup and Champions League. We are confident.”
Despite the fact that Dzeko and Aguero both scored goals – the latter one of genius – Mancini was critical of his strike force.
“Very few players could have scored that,” said Mancini of the equaliser. “It was a fantastic goal. But Sergio and Edin should play better. Today we didn’t play well.”
City received some inadvertent good news on the day of the game, however, when they learned that they will soon be re-joined by influential midfield player Yaya Toure after his country, the Ivory Coast, were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage by Nigeria.
For Liverpool, the highlight of a fine afternoon was the performance of Sturridge who, despite suffering a first half thigh injury which may rule him out of England’s midweek friendly with Brazil, was in inspired form against his old club.
“I would say so,” said Sturridge when asked if it had been his best performance since joining Liverpool in January.
“I’ve not been here very long, it’s my first few games and I’ve lacked fitness. But I feel sharp in playing and training, more like myself. There is more to come from me, I’m pleased with the performance.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was suitably upbeat about a display that was on a par with anything produced by the side since he took over in the summer.
“That was an outstanding performance, absolutely brilliant,” he said. “It typified our season -- consistency, mistakes. It’s all part of our growth and important to see quality of the players and their desire. Nobody would deny we deserved to win that game.
“We are missing maybe one or two players who can help the group, like City have. But we are building, we scored two terrific goals and unfortunately that wasn’t enough.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2013.
COMMENTS (2)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
RVP might just have been the difference in City and United this season. he scores everywhere against everyone so United should win this season with least 10 points gap. Liverpool have found a decent partnership in Suarez and Sturridge but they will always come short in competitions unless they get few good midfielders. Watching Joe Allen and Henderson passing to front players will not do the trick. They don't belong to a big club.