Key factors from West Ham vs. Manchester City
By Liam Price
Manchester City’s Star Comes in off the Bench
In recent years, the decision to drop Aguero would be absolute madness. He leads the attack with his relentless pursuit, cunning and aggressiveness on (and off) the ball. However, on the backs of a grueling Christmas period and with the upcoming return of the Champions League, it might be rest to give the Argentine a rest.
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Now to talk about Gabriel Jesus, the 19 year-old Brazilian wonder boy. Anyone who watched the last 15 minutes of the Tottenham match knows that this kid has potential. He showed that by sliding his first touch across the goal line before heading over the bar and burying a goal in the back of the net that was marginally offside. Regardless, what a debut!
With the pace of Jesus upfront and Sterling/Sane trailing you on the wings, that should put some fear into the defenders. Take their third goal as the perfect example. These three look even more threatening when combined with De Bruyne and ‘the Magician’ Silvia, both of whom have the wisdom and vision to make my mum look like a great footballer. These five caused a ruckus for the West Ham defenders, curving in and out before playing the lethal ball past Randolph.
Even early in the match, Jesus seemed to move defenders where he wanted them; bringing them bunched together or pulling them away from Sterling. Then, he goes and sets up Kevin De Bruyne (who admittedly, looks a little bit like Kevin McAllister from Home Alone) for the first goal of the match.
Fans, don’t get me wrong… I love seeing Aguero on the team-sheet, but I do believe gone are the days where we worry without him.