Big games on the biggest stage demand the biggest names to step up to the plate.
Vincent Kompany definitely stepped up to the plate... but for Liverpool.
A diabolical display, found wanting for all three goals, will force the blinkered defender to reassess his “world-class” status surely.
The list of excuses can go on – injuries, lack of match fitness and what not – but it was nothing short of a schoolboy error clearance that gifted Liverpool the winning goal.
When a 19-year-old takes the game by the scruff of its neck, you know you are on to something special. And Raheem Sterling is special.
Playing in a position where maturity and intelligence is required, he made all the right decisions including tracking back and helping out in defence.
Liverpool’s opener was proof of Sterling’s calm and composure in front of goal, when he led Kompany in a waltz to coolly slot home.
And then the sleeping Kompany allows Martin Skrtel out of his grasp (literally) to glance home a superb second goal.
Steven Gerrard, somehow, conspired to aim a free header directly at Joe Hart, with the entire goal begging. This, along with the cross for Skrtel’s goal, was the full extent of Steven Gerrard’s contribution in a game when he was completely passed by in the second half.
“Monstrous” performances usually mean a player taking charge and dictating the flow of an entire game, inspiring through action. But David Silva walked past him effortlessly all night long. Not exactly what you would like from your “holding” midfielder.
As much as it pains me to say, and I completely love and adore Luis Suarez for the magnificent footballer that he is, his antics on the night were simply disgraceful.
How many times can a player dive before getting a second yellow? As many times as you want if you are the home team, it seems.
Anyway, it was Manuel Pellegrini’s men who turned it on in the second half.
Silva put in the "monstrous” performance in midfield, instead of his English counterpart, orchestrating everything with his vision and slick passing.
At 2-2 and finely poised, unfortunately Silva was simply a half a stride short of sliding in Manchester CIty’s third, and quite possibly the winning goal of the night.
How different things might have been if it was Silva supplying Sergio Aguero, instead of the other way round.
Going back to the "big game-big players-big match temperament”, Martin Demichelis certainly overshadowed the erratic Kompany.
Much maligned among English football critics as he is, he kept Suarez quiet for large parts of the game – how many defenders can claim to have done that this season?
The second half continued with Manchester City absolutely dominating Liverpool, bullying them physically all over the park.
Skrtel got away with a punch Simon Mignolet would be proud of – no foul, let alone a clear penalty that such an action should have resulted in.
Another corner kick and we see Skrtel holding on to two City players in the box, literally having Kompany by the scruff of his neck – no foul, let alone another clear penalty. Skrtel has gotten away with that action many times this season, it must be noted.
Once again, as we stressed in a previous article, this season could be decided by the referees and not the players, and how true it is shaping up to be indeed.
Manchester City can very well cut Liverpool’s lead to one point if they win out their two games in hand, and Liverpool still have Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea visiting Anfield this season.
Speaking of Mourinho’s Chelsea, Jose’s men came away from the Liberty Stadium with a hard-fought 1-0 win against a defiant Swansea City side.
With Swansea playing with 10 men since the 16th minute, Chelsea failed (as they have many times this season) to find a decisive breakthrough until Demba Ba got the winner. It matters not how they got there, because 3 points is 3 points to Mourinho.
The decision making process to give Chico Flores a second yellow was diabolical and reeks of external influence.
His first challenge on Willian was poor, and deservedly received a yellow for it. His second was clumsy, outside the box with the ball heading away from goal. Phil Dowd, the man in charge, seemed to stand firm in his decision of only awarding a free kick.
Then, Mourinho furiously expressed his thoughts to Robert Madley, the fourth official.
John Terry says to Phil Dowd, “It’s a second yellow for me”.
The referee then makes a beeline for Chico Flores, brandishes the second yellow – and another spectacle is lost thanks to the interference of the man in black.
Our dear bookies must have made a ton on Sunday night alone.
Let’s hope the better teams win the rest of this season, and not the worst referees. – April 15, 2014
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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