Pep dazzled by good Kompany
THERE was a biblical cloudburst with hailstones the size of marbles. There was some sublime intervention from Jesus. There was even the resurrection of a Manchester City stalwart. And, at the end of it all, it was a comfortable progression to the fifth round for Pep Guardiola.
City did more than just weather the storm. They provided a tantalising glimpse of something better, something more akin to a Guardiola team and something which may yet propel them to some silverware.
There was plenty to encourage in south London. Principally, Vincent Kompany playing 90 minutes, his first start since attempting and failing to make a comeback at this ground in November. He shirked nothing and exuded assurance. It was only Crystal Palace but rarely have City looked stable this season. Maybe, just maybe, Kompany can resolve his injury issues and finally provide the foundation which his team so desperately requires.
‘Vincent being back is one of the better news about today,’ said Guardiola. ‘Before now he couldn’t finish 90 minutes; he has been fighting for two years with injuries and the doctors and physios have done an exceptional job. He needs to keep going now and try to do it again.’
In addition, City had a front three which not only performed well but provided a necessary counterbalance to an ageing squad. Gabriel Jesus, 19, made his first start and, undimmed by a British mid-winter, shone. Alongside him Raheem Sterling, 22, and Leroy Sane, 21, added goals, their pace both exhilarating and decisive. ‘This is the future for Manchester City,’ said Guardiola. ‘All three played really good. Jesus helped us a lot. He is so aggressive. He isn’t a tall guy, he doesn’t speak English, but he is tough.’ Indeed, he took all that an inclement January afternoon could throw at him and battled on.
And at the end, there was a delightful contribution from Yaya Toure, his glorious return from exile continuing with a stunning free-kick in stoppage time. Toure just chuckled, as though it were nothing special.
As for Palace, they did not quite chuck in the towel, though six changes was an indication that Bournemouth on Tuesday night in the Premier League is where the real action is. Indeed, with Sunderland, Stoke, Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion to follow, it is not too much to suggest that Palace have a month in which to save their season. They might even have had goals yesterday: Christian Benteke headed over, Willy Caballero saved well from James Tomkins’ half-volley and, most glaringly, Loic Remy made a meal of a volleyed chance. Palace could point to some erratic refereeing which might have spared City from a more troublesome afternoon. Fabian Delph’s horrible challenge on Joel Ward on 21 minutes received nothing more than a telling off, while Toure’s innocuous challenge on Joe Ledley apparently warranted a yellow card on 29 minutes. That left referee Mike Jones something of a dilemma when Toure pulled back Jordon Mutch two minutes later. Selhurst Park howled for further punishment but Jones correctly resisted, though Palace boss Sam Allardyce disagreed.
‘They should have been down to 10 men,’ he said. ‘The referee has not done his job.’ Whatever, Jones was right to indicate his displeasure when a posse of Palace players surrounded him demanding the red card, in contravention of FA directives and in direct imitation of Manchester United in midweek.
It was Jesus who unlocked the game, with an exquisite pass splitting the Palace defence open from the halfway line on 43 minutes. Sterling was alive to the opportunity, sprinting on to the ball as Palace struggled to get back. He took a touch and then finished decisively past Wayne Hennesey to ensure City went in ahead at half-time. The visitors went further ahead on 71 minutes, David Silva leading the counter-attack and charging up the pitch to release Sane. Much as Sterling had earlier, the young German took a touch, kept his head and finished cleanly.
From thereon in, exhibition football ensued, the result no longer in doubt. Toure, imperious in midfield, would have the final word with his lovely free-kick. It was a glorious moment. But both teams know they have much bigger battles ahead.