Unsurprisingly – and happily – there’s plenty of praise for returning hero Samir Nasri, who produced a stunning Man of the Match display and of course, netted the winner.
His performance earned rave reviews, with many journalists of the opinion he has made a strong statement to incoming manager Pep Guardiola.
An article on Sky Sports‘ website reads: “Samir Nasri has been something of a forgotten man during his injury absence at City, but his performance against West Brom was as eye-catching as his bleached blond hairstyle.
“His accomplished all-round performance was a timely reminder of what he is capable of.
“The big-money arrivals of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling had thrown his future at the club into doubt even before his injury, but he played like a man with a point prove against West Brom - and Pep Guardiola will have liked what he saw.
“Nasri lined up on the left-hand side of an attacking City XI as Pellegrini rotated his side for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Paris St Germain, and in the absence of De Bruyne and David Silva, he took on the role of creator-in-chief right from the start.
“Opta tracking data showed 42.5 per cent of City’s attacks came down their left flank compared to 24.6 per cent through the centre and 32.9 per cent down the right.
Sky Sports
“And it was Nasri’s excellent combination play with the overlapping Aleksandar Kolarov.
“Kolarov wasn’t the only City player to enjoy linking up with their No 8. Nasri completed 64 of his 67 passes over the course of the 90 minutes - more than anyone else on the pitch. The former Arsenal man constantly made himself available for his team-mates, and he also laid on three scoring chances as City sought to extend their lead.
“His composed passing in deep positions allowed City to launch counter-attacks, and he impressed without the ball as well as with it.
“Nasri’s energy and creativity made a considerable difference for City.”
The Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan echoed: “He looks a man energised, back in the fold six months and one hundred stitches after a freak training ground injury in October threatened to curtail his entire campaign.
“He’s dealt with the surgery, the rehab and the frustration of sitting watching as City have struggled.
“And, judging by the eight pages of yesterday’s matchday programme dedicated to him, he has thought deeply about how his time here will be remembered.
“This was not an audition ahead of Guardiola’s arrival, but a gentle reminder he is still here and ready to make an impact come August.”
Elsewhere, the Manchester Evening News dubbed Nasri City’s ‘key man’, while James Ducker of the Telegraph wrote “he played like he had never been away.”
Welcome back, Samir!
In other news, Gael Clichy has hailed the ‘amazing’ Kevin De Bruyne’, but has warned the Belgian is ‘not even playing at 70%.’
Quoted in an article by the Daily Mail, the defender enthused: “I can assure you when you come back from two or three months out injured you need time to get yourself back up to that level but he’s been back there from the first game at Bournemouth.
“The chairman and manager bought him for him to be decisive and score goals, give goals. So far that is what he is doing. He’s an incredible asset for us and hopefully he can stay fit.
“It’s not like he’s even playing 70 per cent, I’m pretty sure, and he’s been amazing so far.
“We’ve seen how good he is during the first six months. He has been the main player for us. When you play a game and it’s nil-nil or 1-1 you expect those players to make a difference and he’s done it.
“Even when he didn’t play well he’s created something. He’s one of those players who can create something out of nothing. To have a player like this is a bonus and we’re glad to have him.”
Finally, as always, there’s a morsel of transfer gossip to bring your way, as the Mirror claim Guardiola is eyeing a £25m move for Ilkay Gundogan.
According to Mike McGrath: “Guardiola sees Gundogan as a key part of his midfield next season, with many of the current squad fearing Toure, 32, will leave after six years at the club.
“Guardiola sold Toure to City when they were together at Barcelona and is set to base his first Premier League season on speed.”
