The 5-0 demolition of Newcastle last Saturday finally showed the world what Man City are able to produce after well over a month of poor form.

The return of Yaya Toure was well publicised but highlighted how much they rely on him in the side. This was reinforced from the lesson taught by Barcelona on Tuesday night where a 2-1 defeat seemed like a good result. Barcelona dominated possession and chances throughout the match where City were out run in midfield and once again missed the world-class ability of the Ivorian Toure. Aside from poor team selection and formation implemented in their Champions League game, City have proven on the weekend how good they can be when at full strength.

The truth is they haven’t been able to put out their strongest starting XI for much of the season. Samir Nasri and David Silva have had their injury problems, along with Captain Vincent Kompany who hasn’t looked the same since his return to the side. Edin Dzeko has missed key moments of the season, which has limited the amount of goals he has scored so far. Sergio Aguero missed a large chunk of the season in which City struggled for goals and obviously Yaya Toure was absent on international duty, where the club could only manage one win in six.

No team in the Premier League have been without key players for as long as City have. The fact squad members haven’t been able to step up to the mark further questions Manuel Pellegrini’s transfer activity, but that is a debate for another day.

[ad_pod id='football-friends' align='center']

The Newcastle victory was one of the rare moments of the season where Pellegrini had a full complement of midfield and forward players at his disposal. It was only the third time this season that the first choice midfield four were all fit and ready for selection, once again highlighting the lack of consistency in the starting XI this campaign.

Samir Nasri, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and David Silva are arguably one of the better midfields in the league and it showed with slick, fast movement and stunning interplay which led to the majority of the goals. Three of the four have been together for a number of years and it was evident from the way they all were able to understand each other’s game.

Along with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko upfront, City were unstoppable and dominated the game from the first whistle right until the last. It was the first time for a couple of months where City have been this dominant, especially at home replicating the many excellent home performances of their title winning campaign last season.

With the gap down to five points and Manchester City finally back to full strength, the team have the personnel and knowhow to go on a similar run to season’s past and defend their title for the first time. The only thing that stands in their way is a strong Chelsea side that are starting to show signs of vulnerability that has once again blown wide open this never ending Premier League title race.

[ad_pod id='ffc-video' align='center']

[ad_pod id='ricco' align='center']