Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Everton has pulled them within three points of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League has made things interesting. Things could have gone very differently this weekend had Chelsea not been upset and had Manchester City not suffered a massive setback due to injury.
While City’s win should have been cause for celebration, it wasn’t because of the potentially devastating injury suffered by their star striker, Sergio Aguero. Aguero left the pitch in tears after he overextended his leg reaching for a ball and word is he could be sidelined for longer than was first feared. Aguero suffered ligament damage on the play. While he could return later in the year, it will be a tall task for City to surpass Chelsea a top the Premier League table without a man that is arguably their best player.
Aguero was responsible for 14 of the 32 goals that City has scored in the Premier League this season and without him, it will be on Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to step up and help fill the void left by his absence.
City Will Look for Dzeko, Jovetic To Score More Goals
Replacing the league’s leading goal scorer will be a tough task – especially when you consider the recent troubles that Dzeko and Jovetic have had with their form. Dzeko only returned last week after missing four games with a calf injury while Jovetic didn’t even play against Everton, although that was more of a precaution because he is dealing with a hamstring problem.
Jovetic has four goals on the year and it’s important to remember how dangerous Dzeko can be. Both players can be steady contributors if they can stay in the lineup but that will be the key. Dzeko, in particular, could thrive as the team’s top striker with Aguero out. The timing is perfect not only because he is back to form again, but because of City’s upcoming schedule. Manchester City has won five straight games in all competition and their remaining Premier League schedule for December includes Leicester, Crystal Palace, West Brom, and Burnley which are all near the bottom of the table. They have to take care of all of those cupcake matchups – even without Aguero – and make sure that they don’t fall any further back of Chelsea, who sits atop the EPL standings.
James Miller Must Step Up In The Midfield
While Jovetic and Dzeko in particular will be relied on up front, it will be James Milner and company asked to step up in the midfield and provide the type of support they need to get the job done. Milner talked about the loss of Aguero but said he is confident that they can get past the injury. Although Aguero is an important player, one player does not make an entire team.
City has a strong midfield that can push the tempo and it starts with Milner and former Chelsea man Frank Lampard. Lampard already has three goals while Milner and Jesus Navas have each recorded a team-leading four assists. Manchester City is going to bank on all three to pick up the slack with Aguero sidelined. The good news is these are all veterans that should be capable of doing the job.
It’s Toure’s Time
Another name that we will hear a lot about over the next month is Yaya Toure, who scored the lone goal in City’s 1-0 win over Everton. Toure has four goals over his last six games and while he scared the fans when he limped off the field at half he finished the game and there is no reason to doubt his health. Jovetic and Dzeko have been talked about a lot but Toure will also have to continue to provide offense as City looks to stay in the hunt for a Premier League title without having Aguero available this month.
