City look like they're following a lackadaisical January with an equally below-par February, leaving it late to rescue a point against Hull
James Milner salvaged a point for Manchester City with a late free-kick to keep alivetheir fading hopes of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea.
City have not won in the Premier League since a 3-2 triumph over Sunderland on New Year's Day and have failed to register a victory in their last five games in all competitions.
Although the England winger's added-time free-kick rescued City from a third straight home defeat and kept them within seven points of Jose Mourinho's side, this was the Blues at their very worst.
They were lamentable, defending ineptly and attacking without purpose or menace, and still left the field to a smattering of boos, despite Milner's late rescue act.
This is their worst run in the Premier League since December 2009, and Pellegrini will come under increasing pressure if the City boss cannot arrest this alarming dip in form.
City have seven points from 18 in their last six Premier League games, which is hardly the form of title contenders looking to put their foot on the gas down the home straight.
Arsenal beat City comprehensively here 2-0, followed by Championship promotion-chasers Middlesbrough, who dumped Pellegrini's side out of the FA Cup by the same scoreline.
City looked to be heading to a hat-trick of home defeats here, with Hull holding on to their slender one-goal lead, until substitute Milner's dead-ball heroics rescued a much-needed point.
The Tigers served notice of their threat in the 15th minute, Robbie Brady beating Pablo Zabaleta down the left then slinging in a dangerous cross which was met by Ahmed Elmohamady, who climbed above Gael Clichy to plant a header on the bar.
Given the header was at point-blank range from inside the six-yard box, Elmohanady should have scored, but City failed to heed the wake-up call and found themselves behind 20 minutes later.
Hull's opener, in the 35th minute, came courtesy of some slapstick defending from City, who conspired to gift their opponents the opener.
A sloppy clearance from Martin Demichelis went straight to Jake Livermore, whose shot was saved by Joe Hart.
Pablo Zabaleta was first to the loose ball, but his weak header went only as far as Gaston Ramirez, whose shot beat Hart but came back off the upright.
With the City defence flat-footed and befuddled, Hull midfielder David Meyler reacted quickest, steering the ball inside Hart's near post.
Pellegrini brought on Jesus Navas for the ineffective Fernando after the break, and City began to play with more purpose and endeavour in the second-half.
Edin Dzeko forced a fine save from Alan McGregor in the 53rd minute and City had a legimate penalty claim two minutes later when David Silva was clattered from behind by Alex Bruce.
But ref Jon Moss was not convinced by City's appeal, although replays of the challenge did suggest Bruce was lucky not to be penalised for his clumsy challenge.
Sergio Aguero hit the underside of the bar inside the final minute with a crashing shot after a wonderful take-down from a Samir Nasri cross.
But Milner saved the day with his late leveller, two minutes into added time, which has kept City in with a chance of retaining their title.
No comments:
Post a Comment