Manchester City Gathering Momentum Is a Warning Sign to Chelsea

After weeks of disjointed football and disappointing results, Manchester City’s season appears to be picking up some momentum. A run of one win in six before the international break has now largely been forgotten after three straight wins.

City's destruction of Southampton was arguably their best display of the season. Manuel Pellegrini's men won 3-0 despite going down to 10 men after Eliaquim Mangala’s red card for a rash challenge on Shane Long.

It was the first game in a long time in which City dominated from start to finish. Their passing was quicker than in recent weeks and their pressing game, which was so important last season as they won two trophies, was back, denying Southampton a route into the match.

Their win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday may have been unconvincing in terms of the performance, but there’s a real sense now that City are putting a run together. Sunday's result saw them leapfrog Southampton and move into second place in the Premier League table, and with Chelsea’s draw at Sunderland yesterday, the Citizens have cut their lead at the top to just six points.

City’s opener came from Yaya Toure, who rifled the ball past Fraser Forster from outside the area after being fed by Sergio Aguero in the 51st minute. It took a deflection on its way in, but it was an excellent strike from a player slowly returning somewhere close to his best.

Mangala’s red card made for a tense finish, and he will learn a harsh lesson after another moment of madness that ruined an otherwise excellent display. His City career so far has veered frantically from the sublime to the ridiculous, but it’s clear, despite his decision-making letting him down too often so far, City have a player capable of becoming a very good defender.

Toure lost the ball in midfield, which put Mangala under pressure, but with Vincent Kompany, who went off towards the end with a hamstring injury, covering the Frenchman, it was an unnecessary and costly challenge to make.

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Pellegrini: “Kompany has a problem in his hamstring”. Will be assessed tomorrow on whether it is cramp or more. #mcfc

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) November 30, 2014"

But, strangely, it played into City’s hands. Holding on to a one-goal lead, Pellegrini brought on Martin Demichelis and took off Jesus Navas. City sat deeper and played on the break, and it brought two wonderful goals to seal an impressive win that will surely give their players belief.

Their second came with just 10 minutes remaining, as James Milner won the ball on the halfway line, drove forward aggressively and squared the ball to Frank Lampard. The former Chelsea man's sweet strike flew into the bottom corner and gave Forster no chance.

Lampard has proven to be one of the shrewdest transfers this season, and it’s becoming increasingly likely that his loan spell from New York City FC will be extended beyond January.

And City scored a brilliant third in the 88th minute through another swift counter-attack that ended with Aguero playing a beautiful outside-of-the-boot pass to Gael Clichy, whose right-foot finish into the top corner was just what he needed after a difficult spell of form.  

But it was Fernandinho who stole the show with a performance full of energy and desire. He will be hoping it’s the catalyst for a return to his best. He was a key player for City last season, but a disappointing World Cup appeared to affect him badly and he came back to City below par. On Sunday, though, he demonstrated all of his quality, and Fernando has a fight on his hands to win his place in the center of midfield back now. 

"

Fernandinho won 6/6 tackles (most of anyone) + 2 interceptions and 2 clearances. Quality performance by the Brazilian today.

— City Watch (@City_Watch) November 30, 2014"

It’s been a stop-start season for City that was threatening to descend into disaster before the international break. All that’s changed now. Three wins in three have altered the picture dramatically, and a win on Wednesday against Sunderland—a side they struggle with away from home—would really signal a shift in the right direction.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.