CITY STUMBLE
Pellegrini baffled by ref’s late penalty call as his side flop again
AS the season enters its decisive weeks, Manchester City still seem reluctant to take control of their destiny. In a Barclays Premier League that nobody appears capable of dominating, opportunity beckons for Manuel Pellegrini in what is likely to be his final campaign in charge.
But despite the talent in his ranks, City look reluctant to hit the front. When the chance comes to make a move, as it did last night, it passes them by.
they should have been given a penalty with 20 seconds left. everton’s John Stones tried to pull out of a challenge on Raheem Sterling but his momentum brought the City forward down. Somehow it was not given by referee Roger east and a chance to make up ground on leaders Arsenal was lost.
Pellegrini was right to be frustrated but equally to point out that his team should have won the game before the late controversy.
the Chilean failed to register a smile in his post-match press conference even when informed that the Gunners had shipped two late points at Liverpool.
‘It doesn’t matter what the other teams do,’ said Pellegrini with strange logic. ‘We need to win our games and we haven’t done that tonight. It’s unbelievable the way we created chances and didn’t score. We are disappointed.
‘I don’t think that I will give my thoughts on the penalty but it was clear and so near the referee. We have dropped points and we had chances to win the game.’ In terms of City’s prospects, it is pertinent that they have not won back-toback games in the Premier League since October.
that must change if they are to beat Arsenal — and Leicester — to the finish line in May.
City were the better team. A week ago in the Capital One Cup they had deservedly lost but here, after an even first half, they took control of the game. It was they who created the chances and played the more incisive football.
they had some fine moments, too. everton goalkeeper tim howard was one of the visiting team’s better players and made good saves from Yaya toure and Sergio Aguero, denying each player twice.
Over the night, however, City lacked that extra conviction a title-winning team need.
Pellegrini’s side, for all that they can entertain, do not play with the swagger of a team who believe another championship is theirs for the taking. For all the failings of those teams around them, it is something Pellegrini must do something about.
In the first half, City never found their stride. traffic problems in Manchester caused the everton team bus to arrive behind schedule, and many fans did not make it into the etihad until almost half-time. the football often reflected the lack of atmosphere.
City threatened through a shot into the side netting from Kevin De Bruyne while toure brought a terrific save from howard with a far-post header.
During the opening period, though, everton were progressive, too, with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku particularly dangerous. two clever passes across the penalty area from Lukaku created opportunities for team-mates.
the first, left to right, saw Gerard Deulofeu work Joe hart at his far post in the 18th minute; the second, played right to left over the head of Bacary Sagna, saw Leon Osman apply a spectacular volley that came within inches of finding the far top corner. Some goal that would have been.
In the second half, City took control. Almost from the start, Pellegrini’s team found a forward thrust and rhythm that had eluded them previously.
Aguero was particularly to the fore and looked increasingly sharp as he was denied twice by howard, once in a one- on- one situation and once when thumping a volley into the ground from a corner.
howard was also busy in kicking away an angled toure shot and then forced Aguero to lift a shot over late on. everton manager Roberto Martinez was understandably pleased with his side’s point and suggested the late challenge by Stones was legal.
‘John was going to ground and Raheem Sterling is quite happy not to play the ball and wants to invite some kind of contact,’ he said.
It was a peculiar comment to end a forgettable night.