Why City have all the credentials to be champions

By Steve Stammers

Published 10:59 09/11/11

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Joe Hart was insistent. In the wake of the FA Cup Final win over Stoke in May, he was asked if the victory sent a message to Manchester United. "Today," he said," is nothing to do with Manchester United. It is about us."

It was a statement of intent - and there can be no doubt that this City outfit are ready to emerge from the shadow of their hugely-successful neighbours at Old Trafford. And proof of that came at Loftus Road on Saturday evening. It is a venue that will test the highest and the mightiest. Chelsea - all controversy apart - lost there... and they won't be the last.

But Manchester City will not be among the casualties after their 3-2 win which did more than register three points. As much as a triumph for the skill with which their team is laced, it was a victory for guts and durability.

For the first time in the Premier League, they trailed. The Queens Park Rangers crowd and team smelled blood. They came back, went ahead and were pegged back to equality. Settle for a point ? No chance - not with the likes of the talented David Silva and immense Yaya Toure in their ranks.

It was Toure who headed the winner as a fitting reward for his contribution. "We really had to battle," said City's assistant manager David Platt. And he won't be the last one to say that after a match at Loftus Road.

Champions need to have durability. City appear to have that. They need strength in depth. With Samir Nasri an unused substitute, they certainly have that.

But most of all they need character - and they showed on Saturday that they have that in abundance.

As Platt pointed out: "It is easy when you are winning 4-1 and 5-1. That match was the test." And City passed.

There will be hiccups along the way - think Bayern Munich in the Champions League - and Roberto Mancini's problems will not the 11 who start but the ones that don't.

But if he manages to keep City in contention, there will be matches aplenty to satisfy most of the egos at City.

Saturday was a test. City passed. They have to be taken seriously.

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