Manchester City started off 2018 with a bang after securing a 3-1 win over visitors Watford at the Etihad Stadium.
Our first victory of the year means that we extended our lead to 15 points at the top of the Premier League table above second-placed Manchester United.
Understandably, the praise has piled in for the Blues, particularly after a goalless draw away at Selhurst Park on New Years Eve.
Firstly, the Manchester Evening News had spoken about the significance of returning players John Stones, Fabian Delph, and David Silva by saying that City have “their swagger back”.
Stuart Brennan wrote: “Cruelty does not even begin to describe what Manchester City are doing to their title rivals.
“After giving those hopeful souls a glimpse of their mortality by only drawing – and nearly losing - at Crystal Palace, suddenly we had Manchester United and Chelsea fans edging forwards on their seats.
“And the sight of Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus both being stretchered off, and news that David Silva was still in Spain had them whispering hopeful phrases about the cracks showing, or a wobble beginning.
“So the sight of De Bruyne striding purposefully off the team bus, followed not only by Silva but also by returning defenders John Stones and Fabian Delph , must have been crushing to any rival optimists.
“When Silva’s first act was to slide a pass out to Leroy Sane, and his cross found Raheem Sterling for his 18th goal of the season, and the fastest on the Premier League this season, the agony piled on.
“The return of Silva did not just add a dimension of extra creativity and control to midfield, it also saw Sane – who had gone into winter hibernation in recent weeks – blossom once again into the jet-heeled torment who destroyed defences earlier in the season.
“But Silva was sublime, popping up in little areas and delivering passes from another galaxy.
“The Blues made sure of the points when De Bruyne, who turned in a second half masterclass, hammered a cross that forced a spillage from keeper Heurelho Gomes, with Aguero pouncing to knock in the rebound.
“The gap is back at 15 points, ahead of Chelsea’s game at Arsenal on Wednesday night.
“But more importantly, the Blues had their swagger back, as well as four of their best players.”
It was great to had El Mago back on the pitch last night, and the Daily Mail continued to sing David Silva’s praises after a superb performance against Watford.
“Captain on Tuesday, he is not a natural leader, being by nature a quiet man,” Ian Ladyman wrote after the match. “But there is little that the 31–year-old does on the field that is not worth others trying to imitate.
“In terms of talent, application, decision-making and indeed industry, there are few like him.
“Silva returned to the City team after his latest absence and immediately played his part in two early goals.
“Silva’s role will not count on the assist charts. The two final passes were provided by Leroy Sane and De Bruyne. But Silva provided the ‘assist for the assist’ on each occasion, playing one pass inside the Watford right-back and another inside the left-back.
“These are the important passes in many ways, the ones that require the vision and timing and perfect weight.
“These are the passes that really excite a coach like Guardiola and there is nobody better in English football at playing them.
“De Bruyne can do it too. Two passes he played during the 7-2 deconstruction of Stoke City here in autumn will be remembered for a very long time.
“But if you want anybody in the Premier League with the ball at his feet with runners left and right 25 yards from goal that it would be Silva.”
In addition to Silva, Kevin De Bruyne was hailed as the “architect” of the match. Fans were initially left worried when the Belgian was taken off injured during the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, but his return showed his determination and spirit.
The Herald wrote: “The Belgian did not score but was the main architect as the Premier League leaders overcame Sunday’s rare blip at Crystal Palace with strikes from Raheem Sterling - after less than a minute - Sergio Aguero and a Christian Kabasele own goal.
“De Bruyne had been highly doubtful for the clash at the Etihad Stadium after being carried off in the goalless draw at Selhurst Park - which ended City’s record-breaking run of 18 successive wins - but he played as if he had not been hurt at all.”
The newspaper titled their article: “Slick City stay on title track.”
That’s all for your Wednesday media round-up, we will be back tomorrow with the latest City news from the back pages…
