Manchester City eased past a woeful West Ham side with few concerns but we take a look at what we may have learned from the victory.
Another routine victory for a Manchester City side somewhat used to playing against tightly packed defences at the Etihad. There have been so many games where the opposition have filled midfield and then seldom crossed the halfway line.
Consequently many games have been almost dull for spectators, like a game of chess as we carefully try to create the goal in the face of an opposition whose ambition is to keep the score as low as possible.
West Ham looked devoid of any creativity, fight or drive. The worry must be that they are hitting poor form just at the point they need to do more. Only Declan Rice looked bothered.
So, it may well have been another bout of deja vu for City, but what did we learn?
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- Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland
Two Nil To The Empty Seats
Much of social media was filled with fans who don’t ever go to games pointing out the empty seats. The whole debate is tiresome, but as a match going supporter I wanted to add my views.
The game had been rearranged by the Premier League and many of us were not expecting a match during school half term week, so many fans were away.
The short notice of the rearrangement consequently removed many of the non regular match going fans, who did not have time to sort tickets and travel. The fact is these are the very fans who usually take up the slack.
Finally the Club itself did not help matters with its pricing. Match going fans have had significant expense in recent weeks with Carabao Cup Final tickets, Real Madrid home and away tickets and even Sheffield Wednesday tickets.
Simply put its been one pay day since christmas and the tickets for this game were too expensive for many fans.
Zaba Returns
This was in reality little more than a farewell appearance for our favourite Argentinian right back. A final swansong in a long career.
To have the chance to once more welcome Pablo Zabaleta onto the Etihad pitch was worthy of the ticket price alone.
Let us hope he comes back fo the club either as part of the coaching staff or as a club ambassador.
The Winter Break
Thank goodness thats over but I have to say I needed it. Its been a wearying campaign and the chance to have 10 days off as a fan has been welcome, even if it has presented some challenges to keeping new material coming on this site!