There are far more disheartening ways to lose three-nil than Hull City’s defeat to Arsenal on Saturday night. The tigers were well beaten in the end, with a slick Arsenal team ripping City apart towards the end of the game, but much of the encounter was a tight, if slightly dull affair, as City defended in numbers and frustrated the Gunners.

Phil Brown fielded a 4-5-1 formation again, and in many ways it worked, as City packed the midfield, denying their hosts space in the final third of the pitch. Arsenal’s talented, but moody team grew more frustrated as the half wore on, Samir Nasri highlighting the home side’s rancour with a petulant trod on Richard Garcia’s foot. The Aussie’s reaction didn’t do him any favours either. I don’t like to see people trying to get others a red card, and the ref handled that situation well.

He didn’t cut the mustard moments later, when Steve Bennet gave Arsenal a soft free kick, which was converted right on half time, undoing all the Tigers’ good work in the first 45. To their credit, City came out fighting, getting a very soft penalty, on which the game changed. I’ve always thought one of the biggest swings in momentum in a game of football usually comes when a team misses a penalty, and that duly occurred with Geo’s miss at the Emirates.

I wasn’t so bothered about the penalty miss (even though it was poorly struck). What annoyed me more was the witless attempt at converting the rebound, as Stephen Hunt ploughed into Geo as the Brazilian was about to have a free header at goal. Arsenal went up the other end, scored a good goal, and killed of the game.

So what to make of it? Lots of positives, for a start. The best performance since Man City away, really good individual performances from Zayatte particularly, Garcia, McShane and Hunt. Some City fans have been critical in the wake of Saturday’s defeat. I wouldn’t have picked that starting XI myself, but it worked quite well and my selection would have involved Olofinjana, who was shocking when he came on.

Craig Fagan had a curious game, working really hard in a difficult lone striker role, but without enough quality when he did get the ball. You could see Brown’s thinking, getting the pacy Fagan to work the channel s, providing a release ball when City found themselves under pressure. Unfortunately several good breakaway chances we spoiled by a bad touch or lack of vision from the Brummie, and maybe Ghilas could have done a better job in the role. Altidore has never looked comfortable up front on his own, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t start on Sunday alongside a speedy partner.

So, what now? A tough game on the horizon at the weekend, against a Manchester United team who will no doubt be hurting after a thumping at Fulham. Then again, without a recognised fit defence, they could be there for the taking. Whatever, I hope to see City playing at full tilt, on the front foot in a 4-4-2 formation in an attempt to ignite the crowd, and put the champions, and more pertinently, their under-fire defence under pressure. It should be a great occasion at a sold out KC, and hopefully City can nick something, before a monstrously huge game at Bolton on the Tuesday night.

Do City have any chance on Sunday? I’d love to hear your questions/thoughts.

Merry Christmas
TC.