Anyone who saw the Belgian international limp out of the previous home match with Portsmouth with an industrial sized bandage around his thigh would have been amazed to see him back and as sprightly as ever in the 2-0 win over Bolton. It was the fifth time he has helped keep a clean sheet since playing at the back.
And after the Blues moved level on points with Liverpool with a game in hand ‘Mr Versatile’ described the success over Wanderers as a vital confidence boost.
“I am as surprised as anyone that I was fit to play but the treatment was good and although I maybe took a bit of a chance I wanted to help the team,” he declared.
“We had to bounce back after the defeat at Hull and we did that in a really professional way I thought.
The last couple of home games we have perhaps not won in style but we have done it with conviction. Two-nil at home is a convincing result and it gives us confidence for the FA Cup
...Vincent Kompany
“People who think we should be knocking big scores past sides fighting for their lives are misled and maybe should remember where the club was a couple of years ago.
“I think the fans should be fairly happy with the way things are going at the moment we are equal fourth with Liverpool and there has been another clean sheet for us and there is nothing much to complain about. Tonight was a very good result for us.”
City should have Micah Richards back for the Cup tie at the weekend after he missed out with a calf strain for the third game in succession but another absentee from last night’s contest Craig Bellamy will be struggling after boss Roberto Mancini said he faced five days out and would most likely return at Stoke in the league game.
Adam Johnson, man of the match on his home debut, is ineligible for the first match against Stoke this weekend having played against City in the third round tie at the Riverside.
