It was to the delight of City fans that Vincent Kompany was back in the starting eleven on Sunday.
Making his first Premier League start under Pep Guardiola, the MEN’s Rob Pollard was particularly impressed with the Skipper’s performance, which he feels underlines his importance to the Blues’ back line.
He writes: “In terms of pure defending, no one at City can match Kompany, and he showed in this match the ball-playing side of the game, which is so important to Guardiola, comes easy to him.
“He played a number of penetrating passes between the lines that set City off on moves forward.”
“It was a welcome sight to see him back marshalling the defence.”
There’s praise for goal scorer Kelechi Iheanacho, too. The Nigerian came off the bench to earn his side a point and while his penalty box talents are obvious, Pollard points out that there is much more to the youngster’s game.
“Kelechi Iheanacho’s introduction at the break made a difference for City – and his performance was perhaps the biggest positive.
“He scored the equaliser – the latest example of his lethal finishing inside the area – but his all-round quality gave City a new dimension in attack.
“He linked City’s play brilliantly, dropping deep with his back to goal to play neat one-twos with City’s array of midfielders.
Finally, we may be two months away from the January transfer window but it’s never too early for rumours to start circulating.
Today we revisit one from the summer as the Daily Express believe City are lining up a move for Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Neil Fissler reports: “Manchester City have launched another bid to land Borussia Dortmund’s £58million rated hit man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with Aubameyang but Guardiola has stolen a march on them both for a second time.
“City won’t have any problems in meeting Dortmund’s valuation of Aubameyang who is under contract until 2020. The club will also have no problems in matching the player’s personal terms.”
That concludes today’s paper talk. Stick with mancity.com for Tunnel Cam, every angle of Kelechi’s goal and full coverage of the EDS v Southampton at 7pm this evening.
