Manchester City demolished West Ham 6-0 but how did oft-criticised Javi Garcia get on?
Manchester City's continue to look irrepressible, demolishing West Ham by six goals - and that was without Sergio Aguero playing.
Manuel Pellegrini even hinted he will be looking to add a couple of players if the right options present themselves, with central defence a glaring area in need of further depth.
Elsewhere it's difficult to pinpoint where City could improve, but considering Champions League opponents Barcelona's midfield dominance, an upgrade on Javi Garcia is an option.
Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic was linked yesterday, with the club supposedly considering cashing in on the Serbian, but Garcia was handed a chance to stake his own claim again last night.
While the Spaniard has been granted some game time of late due to festive rotation and cup games, since the mid-November loss to Sunderland in which he was substituted at half-time, between then and Boxing Day he had begun all six Premier League games on the bench.
So how did he get on last night?
In a match where City dominated, Garcia along with the rest of his midfielders racked up impressive passing statistics. Making 75 successful passes, he recorded a 97 per cent pass completion ratio.
He also won five aerial battles, more than any City player. Garcia attempted too to get on the scoresheet, but neither of his two efforts on goal were on target.
Garcia made two successful tackles and one interception, figures which were higher than his other midfielders, and likely only pretty low because City dominated with 69 per cent possession.
It was a steady display from Garcia, but his 7/10 player rating in our post-match assessment was the joint lowest of any City performer - which says a lot about how well his teammates played rather.
We took a look at what fans were saying about him on Twitter to gauge further reaction...
I know Negredo was MOTM, but I thought Javi Garcia was excellent tonight. #MCFC
— Adam Perkins (@mcfcf1perky) January 8, 2014
Have to say it lads and lassies #mcfc Credit where credits due, here goes....................GARCIA PLAYED WELL!!!!!!
— Jay (@apolloj19) January 8, 2014
West Ham are that bad Garcia is looking adaquate. They are one of if not the worst team to come to the Etihad. #MCFC
— Alex Lanigan (@AlexLanigan) January 8, 2014
Just realised #mcfc have bossed this game whilst playing Garcia. First time for everything.
— Clare (@RealClareB) January 8, 2014
Think @javigarcia06 was one of the best players on the pitch! Had a great game today.
— Josh P (@Joshpritchard94) January 8, 2014
I may well be in a minority...but I like Javi Garcia as a player and he does a job when he is called upon.
— Louis Stallman (@I_am_LS1) January 9, 2014
image: © Gene Hunt
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