Kompany: Let's keep the magic alive
Published 23:00 22/11/10 By David Anderson
Vincent Kompany has challenged his Manchester City team-mates to keep producing the dazzling football they played at Fulham.
City delivered their best display of the season under Roberto Mancini to crush former boss Mark Hughes.
Kompany was thrilled by the Blues' performance and says they must maintain this high standard for the rest of the season.
"Everybody was delighted," said the giant Belgian. "The manager told us that we did our jobs well and the whole team put in a good performance.
"At half-time we said that this was the standard we want all season. It's easy to say it now, but we really did play well.
"We set a standard and the question is can we sustain it? My opinion is that we can, but it will take nothing less than the same commitment from all of us for the next game."
City's scintillating showing at Craven Cottage was the perfect response after a poor run, which had seen them win just one of their previous six games.
Mancini had come under fire from some fans for being negative following the goalless home draw against Birmingham and the team had gone 244 minutes without a goal.
The first half against Fulham put all that right and now City are just three points behind leaders Chelsea.
Kompany claims the players knew it was time to stand up and be counted after a couple of difficult weeks.
"People can talk and write, but it doesn't really bother us," said the defensive colossus. "We understand it when there are signals from the fans. They were not happy after Birmingham, but we do our best every day.
If we keep doing that, I'm sure we will be all right this season.
"It's not really about anyone else and we are just happy because we know we did our jobs.
"When you play in a team with strong individuals and characters, if you don't win a couple of games then the team will not be happy about it and expect a result.
"Our reaction on the pitch was one of a team that wants to do better and is ready to give 100 per cent to achieve our targets. We are happy that it happened for us against Fulham.
"We have had some other good performances - Chelsea, Liverpool, even West Brom away. For us, it's a question of keeping the standards that high for as long as we can."
