Mane may have deservedly picked up the match ball but I agree with others who say that my man of the match was Shane Long. Not content with harrying the opposition as we were going forward, he was as prepared as ever to sprint back to help out in defence and to recycle the ball when our attacks were repelled. I'm really glad he got at least one goal. His fault, if he has one, is that he can be wayward in front of goal but I think that he sometimes just exhausts himself getting there in the first place and is unable to focus at the critical moment. Special mention too for Tadic, and for VVD and Fonte who were immense in defence. The beauty of this game however was the satisfaction of watching a really good team performance. Each of the goals we scored involved at least three or four players in the build up and each attach from City beaten off demanded concentration from everyone in defence and midfield.

The pundits on MOTD and elsewhere will no doubt attribute the result to an "enfeebled" City side but just look at the talent they had on the field! International players for the most part whose contracts change hands for what can only be described as telephone number amounts of money, yet they backed off every time Saints advanced and for large periods of the game they had every man behind the ball.

As I posted earlier, this was the game we had to win, given Liverpool's error earlier in the day and I am delighted that the men didn't let me down. Happy Monday tomorrow!

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Apart from a couple of defensive errors a first class performance. Having watched Swansea beat Liverhampton today why did we sale Jack Cork and buy Classie as his replacement.

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4 past Arsenal and 4 past Man City. I agree with those praising Long. I thought Tadic had a good game too. I agree that Clasie too light-weight but Cork is not the answer

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Let's not get carried away. Yes, Saints were by far the better side and I know we were playing against a team of internationals however, many of those guys have not been playing regular first team football for Man City and their staleness showed. Pellegrini also opted to keep his two best players (Kompany and Aguero) away from the risk of injury and that resulted in them having a ponderous defence and a blunted attack. Saints biggest weapon is speed which we have in abundance, with Long and Mane and a number of other fleet-footed individuals but, oh, how I wished for better final passing as the result could well have been a cricket score in our favour. Having said that, Tadic had Zabaleta for toast and put in a season's best and most industrious performance. What a pity he doesn't display his huge talent more often. Clasie, once again, looked lightweight and was brushed off the ball too easily (and ridiculously picked up a booking in midfield committing a professional foul with Saints in no immediate danger) and JWP sadly displayed his extreme lack of pace. What we really need, assuming we don't get rid of anybody, is a nimle, stocky creative midfielder who can take decent corners. If we do that Saints will be a threat to anybody and dominant performances of this magnitude will surely become a regularity.

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Halftimeorange makes a very fair point about the City team not having played together much and that we should not get too carried away (which I very much agree with) but as ever in these situations, I looked to see what the other fellers think about it - have a look at the blog section on the Manchester Evening News match report.

The following is one of the more polite contributions:

"No excuses! This team had 11 international players on display,the fans deserve a full refund for match tickets and travelling expenses!wheñ you do leave Manuel please take Bony and Sterling with you.you had the opportunity to cement our C.L.position today and you blew it! You should have walked as soon as the ' guadiola' story broke! You cannot motivate a team of overpaid underperforming Priima Donna's.sterling and bony are two of the worst players I've ever seen in a city shirt for the last 50 years of following them! An utter disgrace!!!"

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I think leighsaint because this was his first PL goal for Swansea

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Burnley had one shot on target and scored Impressed with the teams and the attitude I hope it bodes well but all teams that win games at the end of the season say that! How many of these players will be here next season? I think we are in the same place as last season but with cheaper players

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Terrible first half reminded me of practice match.city were better team and but for great saves from Matt Ingram they should have been 2 up. Second half better kids did ok like the look of kypekewa who had another good game. Thought Henry and ale did well and lovely finish from Karl for the goal. Should city have had a pen looked like pulled down in the box. At the end looked like Clint saying goodbye and he was a bit emotional I really hope he stays. Great touch to give him outstanding contribution award to the club. Also great from the club to bring back 75-76 players particularly to see Dave Clements wife what a servant to the club Dave was. Also hollins Bullard shanks and Stanley . Great job well done QPR

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Terrible first half reminded me of practice match.city were better team and but for great saves from Matt Ingram they should have been 2 up. Second half better kids did ok like the look of kypekewa who had another good game. Thought Henry and ale did well and lovely finish from Karl for the goal. Should city have had a pen looked like pulled down in the box. At the end looked like Clint saying goodbye and he was a bit emotional I really hope he stays. Great touch to give him outstanding contribution award to the club. Also great from the club to bring back 75-76 players particularly to see Dave Clements wife what a servant to the club Dave was. Also hollins Gillard shanks and Stanley . Great job well done QPR

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Mmmmmmmmm. Sweet as

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