Shaktar v Manchester City Reconsidered

Is this our best performance yet this season?

At times during this game – like in many others – I was left watching David Silva mesmerise around the pitch with a prevailing sense of disbelief. Some of his play is just outrageous in its anticipation and relentless in his commitment and application. His nimble, whippet thin frame just glides and he is so strong and tough, he can ride tackles like a wiry super lightweight boxer.

His gaunt frame belies his immense strength and skill. He probably only eats a handful of nuts a week and he just lives solely on a diet of red peppers and Yak milk. I can’t imagine Silva ever eating a Curly-Wurly or a bag of Doritos. He is carved from different stuff and its that which no doubt gives him those special abilities on the pitch.

Against Donetsk he looked tireless and imperious. Like some General of old, he mauraded around the battlefield. I don’t want to say he rolled back the years because it implies the impossible, that he may have a limited shelflife or be heading towards the inevitable decline, but today against Shaktar – in the cold rain – he did roll back the years.

When we look back on this period in City’s history from a distance of a number of years – how shall we define it? Will it be by the short periods of different managers or will this be the era of David Silva? I am increasingly thinking with each passing game that it will be measured in Silva.

There were passes he played almost nonchalantly in the game, with the outside of his boot – taking out 2 or 3 defenders and releasing Raheem Sterling through on goal. Our attackers should all have done better today and if they had taken the chances served up, this would have been a live dismembering.

Of course there were other players on the field. Although Silva took the first goal with an almost trademark swing of his left leg – unleashing the pile driver of a shot. How he packs so much power into the shot must be a mystery of the Yak milk.

The second goal came from Kevin De Bruyne who crossed with an accuracy it was pleasing to see was back. Its like welcoming a member of the family back after a lengthy absence. One of the ones you actually like. The cross reached the head of Aymeric Laporte who did well to turn the ball into the goal, given the power in the cross.

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Shaktar did buzz about and looked a good side – they would do well if they were allowed to play in the Premier League – probably would even qualify for Europe. Our usual story of not taking our chances seemed to encourage them and they had opportunities. Its good to see when we step back from controlling a game that our defence seem less likely to make a mistake than at any time I can remember. I am feeling more confident about our defence and thats a hard thing to acknowledge as a City fan.

The game wasn’t really over until the 69th minute when Bernardo Silva scored the 3rd goal. He had come on about a minute earlier for Kevin De Bruyne. He picked the ball up in our half, played a one two with Riyad Mahrez on the half way line and ran through a posse of defenders before striking a low shot which went in off the far post. This was game over.

The display by City was one of menace and control. We look like the best team in the competition at the moment, capable of grinding through the gears and have a frightening array of options. Of course winning the competition is dependent upon a wide range of other factors like the draw, form and the referees. Ultimately it will be about who UEFA want to win it – whether or not we are a warm ball in the draw. Has Guardiola and Manchester City sufficiently reached the point of redemption for UEFA or will our exile from the top table continue?

Anyway as all of this is contemplated, I was left to watch the performance. This is quite simply beautiful stuff. City may win nothing this season but its still clear to me we have improved over last season in almost every detail. Back in May I didn’t think that was remotely possible. In fact back in May I had that typical City fan kind of moment where I thought I will never see the like of this again so actually considered, however briefly, whether or not to renew my season card! Of course it was momentary and of course I renewed but how City fan like is that?

In those final moments of the game I was struck by something about David Silva and Pep Guardiola. You know how on the internet you see those dogs who look like their owners? I had always figured this was a result of the owner tailoring their pet in a certain way; in a certain image, but maybe this wasn’t the case – maybe things just transformed or morphed like evolutionary concepts we can’t quite understand yet. With his shaved head Silva is beginning to resemble Pep. If Silva lets his beard grow a little longer and starts to wear some Stone island on the touchline the transformation will be complete.

I think this was our best performance of the season so far.