Misfiring City need Falcao’s goal threat
Don’t worry, Manchester City fans. there could be a saviour on the way. After watching their side lose to Stoke for the first time in the Premier League, the City faithful will have been feeling a bit down.
now, they could see one of the world’s best strikers in their line-up when they take on Arsenal after the international break.
the Premier League champions have a long- standing interest in Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, whose move is more likely with Alvaro negredo keen to sign for Valencia on loan.
the defeat by Stoke could not have come at a worse time for Manuel Pellegrini as he prepares to lose his players to international duty once again before a week of critical fixtures. City face title rivals Arsenal and Chelsea on consecutive weekends either side of a visit to Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League tie.
City were undone by a wonderful solo goal from Mame Biram Diouf. the former Manchester United striker raced 70 yards after Stoke cleared a City corner in the 58th minute and scored through the legs of England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
‘ It was a goal we cannot concede,’ added Pellegrini. ‘It came from our corner.’
Yaya toure had City’s best chances, hitting the bar, testing Asmir Begovic and controversially being denied a penalty.
the result checked what had been a solid start to the campaign for City with back-to-back wins over newcastle and Liverpool.
Summer signing Bacary Sagna, who was making his City debut, insists the club will bounce back from the loss. He said: ‘We knew it was going to be a very hard game. We had to be patient and make no mistakes but on the counter-attack we got caught.
‘We have to learn from this and look forward because this is only the beginning of the season and we have to keep working. I wish I had won my first game. I am very sad, but tomorrow is another day.
‘I am going to work hard to bring something different to the team, to bring this team up and be champions at the end of the season.’
the Arsenal clash could throw particular focus on Sagna following the controversy over his move from the Emirates Stadium but he claims that will not bother him. ‘to me it is going to be a normal game,’ the 31-year- old Frenchman told City TV. ‘of course I played a long time with Arsenal but I am a City player now. I just want City to win the game and perform.’
City may also sell players today with Matija nastasic, Micah Richards, Scott Sinclair and John Guidetti available. But while they head into the international break on a low note, Stoke lifted their spirits after claiming their first win of the season.
Mark Hughes’ men were beaten by Aston Villa in their opener and then held to a draw by 10-man Hull, but the prize of such a major scalp should fuel their confidence.
Goalkeeper Begovic said: ‘It is very pleasing. It could not have gone any better. We came with a good gameplan and executed it to perfection.’
SUPER STAT: Stoke ended a run of 12 Premier League defeats in Manchester, having lost away to City and United on every occasion since winning promotion in 2008.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Hart 5.5; Sagna 6.5, Kompany 6, Demichelis 5.5, Kolarov 5; Fernando 6 (Fernandinho 38, 5), Toure 6.5; Nasri 6 (Navas 63, 6), Silva 6.5, Jovetic 5 (Dzeko 63, 5.5); Aguero 6. Subs not used: Zabaleta, Milner, Caballero, Clichy. Booked: Fernandinho, Toure.
STOKE CITY (4-4-2): Begovic 7; Bardsley 7, Shawcross 7.5, Wilson 7, Pieters 7; Walters 6 (Odemwingie 45, 6.5; Adam 65, 6), Whelan 7, Nzonzi 6.5, Moses 7 (Muniesa 80); Crouch 7, Diouf 8. Subs not used: Huth, Arnautovic, Bojan, Sorensen. Scorer: Diouf 58. Booked: Bardsley.
Man of the match: Biram Diouf. Referee: Lee Mason 6.