You’ve heard what Manuel Pellegrini, Stevan Jovetic and Sergio Aguero have had to say in their post-match interviews but what else has been said on the champions’ second win out of two?
Well, Samir Nasri believes the Etihad outfit have issued a statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League, following last night’s triumph.
Quoted in an article on the SkySports website and echoing the sentiments of his manager, the Frenchman declared: “I think every game that we play at home against a team of the big four for us is like six points.
“We have to make a statement in those kind of games.”
Reflecting on the performance of two-goal hero Jovetic, Nasri was delighted his teammate is finally able to showcase his talents after an injury-hit first season in English football.
“Last year, unfortunately, he was injured a couple of times,” Nasri stated. ”We saw in pre-season that he was on fire and today he scored two important goals and I think it’s just the start of a big season for him.”
Let’s hope so, Samir!
Today’s headlines are full of praise for City’s Montenegrin striker - and rightly so. The Manchester Evening News analyse his performance in their ‘five things we learned’ feature.
Writes Paul Handler: “Jovetic’s first goal was opportunism, his second suggests more about his talents. The intricate give and go shows he has the vision to thrive with the likes of Samir Nasri and David Silva and it is that refinement of play which can unlock top class defences.
“He will now be able to play with the expression that makes him such a quality player.”
The same piece also asserts the champions have a stronger squad than last year. It reads: “City won the title last season but there were times when the Blues didn’t look right. They were light in the holding midfield role and vulnerable defensively.
“It is early days in 2014/15 but boss Manuel Pellegrini just has so many options. The power and depth in the squad was most clearly demonstrated when Edin Dzeko limped off to be replaced by Sergio Aguero, who scored after just 23 seconds on the field.
“The person who provided the assist was fellow sub
Indeed.
There are also tributes to Silva, Yaya Toure and Fernando, with the Spaniard’s play deemed “genius” in the Guardian, while the Ivorian and the Brazilian are hailed in the Telegraph.
And finally, a snippet of transfer speculation as the Daily Mail examine Micah Richards’ current situation.
Sami Mokbel reports: “Tucked away at Manchester City’s Carrington HQ is a little transfer gem. Well, maybe not little; 5ft 11ins and 13st of pure muscle, actually.
“It’s Micah Richards - the man once heralded as the undisputed successor to Gary Neville’s England right-back. From being one of Europe’s hottest teenage properties, Richards’ chances of first-team football under Manuel Pellegrini are virtually non-existent.
“First and foremost, it’s important to stress that Richards isn’t happy simply taking his money and remaining in the Etihad Stadium shadows. He wants a move; a chance to kick-start his once burgeoning career.
“Likewise, City manager Manuel Pellegrini has publicly stated his decision to let the 26-year-old leave for pastures new.
“Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and West Ham have all given serious consideration to signing Richards. But £7m for a player who will be available for nothing next summer makes little financial sense.
“Richards’ camp hope that issue will be resolved this week.”
That’s all for today. Come back to mcfc.co.uk again tomorrow for another round-up of City-centric media stories. In the meantime, have you read our own match report from last night’s game?
