In the end it was comfortable, and wrapped up by half time. Pep Guardiola's side now moves to second, ahead of Chelsea, who couldn't break down a Zabaleta led Hammers defence. So what of that performance from Manchester City yesterday? What positives and negatives arose from the 90 minutes in Wales?
Pace On The Wings:
The return of Leroy Sane was something I welcomed from the start. Instantly we saw the benefit of this, as we did after his introduction midweek. The pace of Leroy and Raheem was much needed but that wasn't all. There was a distinct effort to move the ball quickly, and with purpose.
It was something I was critical of after the Lyon game, when Manchester City seemed hesitant to get the ball forward. In yesterdays game, the movement from City was much quicker. Both closing down when, on the rare occasion, Cardiff had the ball and in attack was much improved.
Bernardo Is Better Centrally:
Again, it was something I was critical of midweek. Bernardo is better centrally than he is out wide. That is not to say that he cannot do a job out wide, but he certainly doesn't offer the pace of a Leroy or Raheem.
The guy has great ball control and a great first touch. Scoring the second goal with his head was something I don't think we expected to see. Whether it was intentional or whether Bernardo was just flicking it into the danger area for a team mate, we can discuss.
He scored midweek, and again yesterday along with an assist. He was more than adequate cover for David Silva, who was on the bench and, at only 24 years old, he is only going to get better.
Foden Not Out Of Place:
Pep Guardiola has been criticized for not using youngster Phil Foden as much as they thought he should last season. The Premier League appearances he made last term was enough to earn him a Premier League winners medal...just.
This season he was going to make an appearance in the previous League game. An injury to Sergio Aguero halted that plan, but he did get a good 20 minutes in this game. The England youth World Cup winner could have even got on the score sheet himself, but didn't have balance when unleashing the shot.
I have no doubt he will feature on Tuesday when City travel to Oxford, and I think he will appear in more Premier League games this season than last. A young man on an intense learning curve could finish the season on double figures when it comes to the young man.
There is no doubt that he is a rare talent, but is also important not to rush that talent. Just over a decade ago we saw another young star, Michael Johnson, pull on a blue shirt. The new Colin Bell! Four years on and he had been released by City and the guy touted to be England's next big star would leave football aged only 22 and with no England senior side caps. This is not a route we want to go down again with any future England stars, never mind one who plays their club football for us.
Pep knows what he's doing, so lets just enjoy the progression and greater number of appearances the young man makes for us going forward. Lets not force something too much until he's ready.
Mahrez Off The Mark:
I had said, in my earlier piece, about the predicted lineup, that I thought Mahrez might start in place of Aguero. With Sane, Raheem and Riyad the front line and one in that false number 9 position. That was reversed though, with Aguero starting, and scoring, before coming off for Riyad.
What I did predict, and what did happen, was Mahrez getting on the score sheet. I felt that Mahrez was trying to force something to happen in previous games, to get that goal. In the end the Algerian opened his Manchester City account with a tap in.
From there you could see him relaxing and a fantastic strike from just inside the area gave him his second goal of the game. I wouldn't bet against him starting midweek against Oxford. Some players will need that game for game time and opportunity. Others will need it to keep their consistency, and I think Riyad starts because of the latter option.
Back To Back League Clean Sheets:
A lot is made, particularly yesterday, of Manchester City going forward. However a solid defense is also important, as it means a single goal in tough games can win it for us. With our attack, a goal is never impossible, so a clean sheet is important.
Yesterday we saw City keep back to back League clean sheets. Eight goals without replay in fact, after the Fulham game last weekend. In the six games played in this seasons Premier League, City have kept clean sheets in half. Arsenal were shut out in the opening fixture remember.
In the other three games we have conceded only the single goal, so our defensive confidence must be high. Two points behind Liverpool, we have conceded only one goal more. Although, when we meet in two weeks, that could all have changed.
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