Manchester City Discover Patience in Win over Everton

Judging by their performance at the weekend, Manchester City's transformation from mid-table mediocrity into a Top Four club is complete. Roberto Mancini's side have apparently added an all-important new string to their bow.

Patience.

Faced by an Everton side that was intent on stifling City's creative juices by flooding the midfield, the home side at the Etihad Stadium were held goalless for over an hour.

Instead of panicking, as many teams do, City kept their cool, continued to play their normal game and simply waited for their superiority to show.

It did, as first Mario Balotelli and then James Milner scored to send City, albeit briefly, back to the top of the Premier League table.

Teams that are so loftily positioned are there to be shot down. City will have to get used to more and more teams coming to Manchester and thinking their best chance of emerging with something is to employ spoiling tactics.

Arsenal, Chelsea and, of course, Manchester United have all had to contend with this for a number of years. The trio's ability to find ways around it has undoubtedly been a major factor in their success.

Now it seems City are capable of doing the same.

Everton arrived at the Etihad without a single recognised striker in their line-up. Their plan was clear: sit back, soak up pressure, frustrate their hosts and hope to hit them on the break.

Against lesser sides, that would work. However, City are no longer a mediocre side. They have a squad brimming with talent and, perhaps more importantly, one filled with players who are confident in their own ability. They know that chances will arrive and that chances will be taken.

That's what it boils down to: self belief. Sometimes it borders on arrogance. Call it what you want, it is nevertheless a vital component of the makeup of any side with designs on success.

City have clear designs on success this season. The way they kept their composure against Everton at the weekend suggests success is not far away.