Red Cards Are The Least Of City's Problems

Manchester City are probably still wondering how they lost to Chelsea at the weekend. Gary Cahill’s own goal on the cusp of half-time sent them into a deserved half-time lead. Sergio Aguero had one cleared off the line and when Kevin De Bruyne inexplicably rattled the bar, it seemed a case of when Manchester City would score their second, not if. But just as he had done against Tottenham a week before, Antonio Costa tweaked his line-up but more importantly got into the heads of his players to imbue them with confidence. And Chelsea destroyed City’s hopes for three points with a blistering display of counter-attacking football. There were of course, moments of controversy. Arguably David Luiz was the luckiest player on the pitch. Fortunate not to be sent off in the first half for baulking Aguero, he was even luckier not to be stretchered off after the Argentine striker launched what can only be described as an assault on him as City lost their heads. No-one at the Etihad can produce a sane argument which concludes the red card was anything other than the right decision. And for all the complaints from City about Fernandinho’s dismissal, it was a red card the minute he laid a hand on the throat of Cesc Fabregas. Refusing to leave the pitch and berating the officials may yet see his three-match ban extended. Those are the immediate problems for Pep Guardiola to address. The mask of calmness slipped when he refused to shake Fabregas’ hand. The City boss was incensed by his compatriot’s reaction to the incident but that merely provides him with a convenient excuse to not have to deal with the player’s actions in public. Behind closed doors, its doubtful Guardiola was so forgiving about it all. That his players lost their cool so easily leaves an uneasy feeling for the Catalan to confront. Fernandinho’s reaction can be easily tucked away in a box marked, ‘Standing up for a team-mate’. Except if you peel that label off, you can see that it was called, ‘Hot-headed midfielders, easily provoked’. Aguero’s actions were frustration, pure and simple. All players suffer them; Zlatan Ibrahimovic was more subtle on Sunday and only seen by the TV cameras and a global audience of millions. The Swede, like Marcos Rojo, is hoping that the FA chaps were still enjoying a pleasant Sunday afternoon tea rather than watching the game. It’s been interesting to watch Aguero this season. According to WhoScored.com, the reliable football statistics site, the Argentinean has never been sent off before for club or country; he has now and this on top of the retrospective three-match ban the FA handed out for his forearm smash across Winston Reid’s throat during the league match against West Ham in August. Is the mercurial striker unhappy or did he like everyone else, buy into the ‘Pep Guardiola only has to turn up to make us champions’ narrative which exploded upon the Catalan’s appointment? It’s proven not to be true and City find themselves on the back foot with his suspension. Crucially both Aguero and Fernandinho miss the visit of Arsenal to the Etihad on 18^th December. What was a vital game for both sides has now taken on an extra edge for the former title favourites. Missing their star striker may prove costly. City have won just one of the last six meetings between the two sides, 6 – 3 in 2013. Since then, Arsenal have beaten them twice with three draws. Guardiola has made no secret that he covets not just Alexis Sanchez but also Hector Bellerin from the Gunners ranks. City were told in no uncertain terms by Arsenal that Bellerin was not for sale in the summer and the north London club, currently second and a point ahead of City, are hopeful of tying Alexis down to a longer contract in the coming months. Curiously, City are lightweight up front. They have plenty of attacking players and can use any one of De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling or Leroy Sane as a false nine; Nolito as well but Kelechi Iheanacho is the only other out-and-out striker they have in the squad. A strange state of affairs given the wealth which backs the club. But the biggest issue is that now, it is very apparent that Sergio Aguero has a weak point. Defenders will target the former Atletico Madrid striker and try to wind him up. Fernandinho as well. You get the feeling that the pair haven’t seen the stands for the last time this season. Whether that will cost City the title remains to be seen.