City’s mid-season blues accompanied by flashes of red

City might be suffering from a case of mid-season blues but they saw red, in more than one way, against Chelsea.

Under Manuel Pellegrini last season, City lacked the self-belief and passion necessary to mount a serious title challenge. Ultimately, they barely limped across the finish line and into the top four in the league.

Yet this season, City appear to be the antithesis of said lethargy; there has been an abundance of enthused energy which looks likely to leak out at any moment.

New manager Pep Guardiola has certainly instilled a sense of desire, drive and determination within his squad, although it may well be too embellished. Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs have similar levels of passion, but they do not seem to get as heated or frustrated when they fall behind in games.

There had already been several precursors throughout the current campaign that tension was simmering; the various head butts produced by winger Nolito and an elbow by Sergio Aguero so far this term spring to mind immediately.

Then against Chelsea this weekend, Guardiola’s outfit rose to boiling point. A match which began with a peaceful one-minute silence to show respect to the victims of the Chapecoense plane crash ended in a mass brawl.

A despicable two-footed tackle by Sergio Aguero on David Luiz in the final moments of the game saw him see red, before a touchline altercation involving both sets of players saw Fernandinho also dismissed after he had grabbed Cesc Fabregas by the neck and shoved him around.

City could soon self-implode if they are not careful. Heading into the congested festive fixture list, the Blues will now be without two key contributors for three vital matches – Leicester, Watford, Arsenal.

Aguero will also miss City’s away game with Hull due to having previously been suspended, whilst the three match ban, of course, is the minimum possible – and obviously favourable, from a City perspective – sanction available to City’s other South American star Fernandinho. Any longer and the fear would be missing another big clash when the Blues travel to Anfield on New Year’s Eve.

At a key time in the season, City could have let their instincts get the better of them. It would not be surprising if pundits and fans alike look back at this game as the major turning point come the end of the season.

Chelsea certainly played to the angst of both the City supporters and players. But as contentious as the match officials may have been, a team aspiring to be amongst the biggest and best in world football should not allow petulance to dictate their actions.

Guardiola demonstrated such sentiment during the game, mockingly clapping the referee and adopting a sarcastic smile when a decision was given in favour of his side. At the time, the City faithful may have taken joy in his demonstration; yet upon reflection, it was far from professional and more indicative of an underlying pressure mounting against the Spanish coach.

Whilst many would say it is far too early to suggest Guardiola has taken the club in a backwards direction, there doesn’t appear to have been too many forward steps taken either. Many would also argue that it will take time to implement Guardiola’s philosophy, yet being torn apart by Chelsea was perhaps the worst thing to support that thesis.

He says that it will take time to get his team playing the way he envisions, yet Antonio Conte only joined Chelsea in the summer – a team that finished 10th last term – signed a handful of key players, is playing a 3 at the back formation and is top of the league.

Meanwhile, City’s fall from grace following their impressive 11 game unbeaten run in all competitions at the start of the campaign is beginning to make people raise questions already. It almost feels as if City hold an air of superiority, an arrogant expectancy to win every single game, and therefore the league, which all too often leads to detrimental complacency.

The typical frustrated cries of ‘come on City!’ from the stands throughout the 90 minutes are generally perceived to be a motivational chant. But after the final whistle, perhaps supporters wanted their world class stars to just grow up, man up and step up.

J5��:KN