Post Match Reaction: Manchester City (A)

Our toughest game of the season so far ended in a valiant defeat. It was a game we dominated for large periods.

Positives:
After such an abysmal start to the season, not many would have imagined we could compete with the table topping Manchester City jugonaut in the way we did. Yet in all truth, we were more than a match for the champions-elect and should have equalised late on through two wonderful Thomas Vermaelen efforts.

Negatives:
A defeat is a defeat and after tonight, the table toppers have edged 12 points clear of us. That extra bit of quality eventually told as Balotelli left Koscielny tangled and out of position and David Silva poked home.

Conclusion:
Despite losing here at the Etihad, our performance was great and on another night, would have warranted the three points. It's important we bounce back from this and carry on piling up those points and continue moving up the table.