Salzburg 0 Manchester C 2:IT FELT like the night David Silva announced his arrival at Manchester City and perhaps also a defining moment in the re-emergence of Jo, the maligned Brazilian, as a player who deserves better than to be regarded as an impostor at a club with such rich ambitions.
Both can reflect on an evening of personal satisfaction for contrasting reasons, Silva opening the scoring with his first City goal and Jo demonstrating that, in the city of Mozart, his presence in the team did not necessarily equate to the sound of someone running their nails down a blackboard. The Brazilian’s 63rd-minute effort was only his fourth for the club since signing from CSKA Moscow for €22 million in July 2008, and his first since a 6-0 defeat of Portsmouth almost two years ago.
Jo was playing almost by default because of injuries to Mario Balotelli and Emmanuel Adebayor. He was industrious and, apart from a few moments when he looked lacking confidence, Roberto Mancini’s apparent belief in the player was vindicated.
Silva also has reason to feel more comfortable in his own skin, even if Mancini later suggested it might be a month or so before he fully adapts to his new club. Mancini said afterwards: “It’s been a difficult start for him because he’s playing different football in England.” Operating at the front tip of a midfield diamond, Silva played as though he wanted to shed himself of any frustrations, always wanting the ball, elusive to mark and, when he had possession, running with his head up, looking for the killer pass. He will reflect on a golden chance just before half-time, when Carlos Tevez rolled the ball into his path inside the penalty area but that can be attributed to a fine save from the Salzburg goalkeeper, Gerhard Tremmel.
Five points from four games in the Premier League represents a modest total for a club of their ambitions but Silva’s early goal had therapeutic qualities and it was a confident display from that point onwards. Tevez worked tirelessly, the midfield trio of Nigel de Jong, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry provided a calm assurance. Wayne Bridge, making his first appearance of the season, eased his way back in.
With the score at 1-0, Ibrahim Sekagya drove a volley into the turf, bouncing up and landing on top of the crossbar, but one of the more striking aspects of this victory was the composure City demonstrated once they had taken the lead. The game was effectively sealed once Tevez’s shot was beaten out by Tremmel for Jo to convert the rebound.
The home side’s defending had been questionable for much of the game, not least in the build-up to the first goal when Pablo Zabaleta delivered the ball from the right and Sekagya could not get a full contact on his attempt to head clear. The ball ran to Bridge, and Jo turned his low centre into Silva’s path. Silva may be predominantly left-footed but his right is capable of accomplished acts, too, and he rolled the ball past Tremmel with a composed finish.
SV SALZBURG: Tremmel, Schwegler, Afolabi, Sekagya, Svento, Schiemer, Mendes Da Silva (Augustinussen 74), Zarate, Leitgeb, Pokrivac (Jantscher 54), Boghossian (Wallner 54). Subs not used: Walke, Dudic, Hierlander, Alan. Booked: Wallner.
MANCHESTER CITY: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Bridge (Boyata 68), Silva (Wright-Phillips 83), Toure Yaya, De Jong, Barry, Tevez (Vieira 79), Jo. Subs not used: Given, Richards, Milner, Adam Johnson. Booked: Toure.
Referee: Georgios Daloukas (Greece).
