There are not many better sights in football than watching Manchester City’s David Silva weave his magic, and Palace were unwoven by his delicate deft artistry.
Pellegrini chose to drop Yaya Toure to the bench, his languid style and lack of energy had been harming them in midfield and his replacement Fabian Delph broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. A shot from distance embarrassingly squirmed under Wayne Hennessey, a second howler from the Welsh no1 in a week. The 35 yard drive had no real venom and Hennessey somehow dived over it, as it passed under his midriff while in full dive mode. It was unlucky for Palace who had been plucky up to that point.
The City defence had given Damien Delaney two half chances, the headed one he should have definitely done better with. With the keepers mistake the Palace game plan went out the window and City grew in stature. The two City kingpins Silva and Aguero are approaching full match fitness and it showed in this match. Somewhat ominously for Arsenal, City are rediscovering some fluency. They were no doubt helped by Palace being very fitful and somewhat abject in parts.
Delph certainly adds industry and in today’s game it is bemusing to think no other teams matched his £8m release clause from Villa. As highlighted by Jermaine Jenas on Match of the Day, Delph is a complete midfielder, energy, drive, a good tackle and great positional sense. The closing down and helping his back four solidified City in a manner Yaya (depending on your opinion), doesn’t or can’t do.
Another portion of luck gave City their second goal on 41 minutes, Aguero fed by the Iheanacho shot from distance and it deflected in. It was the fortuitous luck City had been lacking of late especially with their cast iron penalty against Everton in the previous game. The game was effectively put to bed before half-time.
Crystal Palace haven’t scored a goal in five games, the injuries to Bolasie and Sakho have blunted them immeasurably. Their four Strikers Wickham, Chamakh, Gayle and Campbell have scored one solitary goal in the Premier League, and that was a penalty.
Yaya was introduced on 57 minutes and he fed De Bruyne who again was fairly anonymous, De Bruyne then fed Aguero for a tap in. That was Aguero’s 13th goal of an injury disrupted season. The final goal was again a tap in with Aguero being unselfish feeding Silva to tap in from five yards.
The fantasy league players will be scurrilously putting Aguero in their teams with two goals and an assist. As has been the case with City since his 2011 arrival and his 82 City goals, once again when Aguero clicks into full throttle, there are not many teams that can keep pace with City. For their sheer goal threat and the sublime talents of Aguero and Silva, I still see them as champions come May.
