It was one of those glorious days where any one of six or seven players could have been picked out for the Spotlight treatment but Samir Nasri’s pivotal role in the 4-0 win over Newcastle just edged it.
It’s been a stop-start season for City’s French playmaker due to a combination of injuries and suspensions but he served up a performance of the highest quality against the Magpies on Saturday afternoon.
Nasri was a constant source of menace to Yohan Cabaye and Vurnon Anita, the two men Newcastle boss Alan Pardew dispatched to stifle City’s midfield architects.
Let’s take a look a closer look at Samir’s midfield masterclass.
City TV: Spotlight
Slips and dinks...
Mixed Zone
How the press saw Nasri’s contribution...
Jamie Jackson of the Guardian spoke of a Samir Nasri, who “stepped forward to take responsibility.”
“City’s second came courtesy of a sublime Nasri moment,” Jackson wrote in his match report. “With a mesmerising drag-back that seemed to pause play for a telling moment he made a mug of Gabriel Obertan before moving into the area and passing to Silva, who belted the ball home.”
Stuart Brennan’s match report in the Manchester Evening News was also littered with references to the Marseilles-born playmaker.
“As the first half entered injury time the Blues notched again, Nasri beavering away and showing great footwork around the box before slipping a pass for Silva, whose instant control and flashing left-foot finish were excellent.”
In the Manager’s Words
Roberto Mancini also paid tribute to Samir’s role in the win in his post-match interview with CityTV.
Stat Attack
While stats don’t tell the whole story, they can shed an interesting light on a player’s contribution - check out these chin-stroking tidbits courtesy of must-follow Twitter account, StatCity.
On a Plate: Nasri directly assisted David Silva’s goal - City’s vital second.
Thorn in the Side: Samir made six key passes in the build-up to chances created - more than any other City player on the day (2nd highest were four players with two).
Toure de Force: The Frenchman’s key passing relationship was with Yaya Toure, who he played 14 passes to, his second highest was with David Silva (5).
A Relationship’s Business: His key passing relationship with regards to players passing to him was 13 from Pablo Zabaleta and 11 from Yaya Toure.
@MCFC
The fans’ verdict on Samir’s showing...
Join us next week where we’ll turn the Spotlight on City’s Man of the Match from the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
