Man Utd Buttner answer to City’s Kolarov power

Sunderland's English midfielder Adam Johnson (L) vies with Manchester City's Serbian defender Aleksandar Kolarov (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Sunderland at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England. (AFP)

Published Monday, October 08, 2012

By Agencies

Manchester City had the Yaya Toure factor last season that led them to the title.

This season they still have Toure, but against Sunderland, unveiled another title-winning weapon - Aleksandar Kolarov.

Bitter rivals and neighbours Manchester United have only to look at their own midfield and back four to see that without a Toure-type enforcer and a Kolaraov-style attacking wing back, City will likely pip United again. If not to the title, then certainly in the points table.

United do have a Kolarov answer. Alex Buttner seems the ideal answer to City’s wing-back firepower and Sir Alex Ferguson will have to unleash him ahead of Patrice Evra to stay on City’s back.

This is because Kolarov powered the defending Premier League champions to a 3-0 win at over Sunderland the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

City, with seven changes from the side outplayed by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, took an early lead with a blistering free-kick from Aleksandar Kolarov after five minutes.

Substitute Sergio Aguero doubled the lead after an hour, smashing home a Kolarov cross and James Milner completed the scoring with an inswinging free-kick after 89 minutes which he curled in with ferocious spin from the left of the penalty area.

David Silva also cracked a shot against the Sunderland bar as City dominated their visitors who had won one and drawn four of their matches prior to this defeat.

The victory took City, who have won four and drawn three of their opening seven games, up to second in the table on 15, a point behind Chelsea.

Everton, who started the day in second place, play at Wigan Athletic later (1400 GMT) and can regain second place with a win.

Four matches are scheduled for Sunday including Newcastle United against Manchester United at St James' Park.

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