Why FA Cup Exit Will Prove a Blessing for Manchester City

Manchester City’s form over the January period was so poor that it has left their Premier League title defence hanging by a thread and saw them exit the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage.

After a wonderful run of 14 games without defeat had seen them claw back an eight-point deficit from Chelsea, January has undermined everything they achieved during that time.

The home defeat to Arsenal was a serious concern—City were outplayed and outthought by a side they have dealt with comfortably on home soil in recent seasons—but the 2-0 loss to Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup was the low point.

It’s doubtful City have played quite as poorly at home since the days of Mark Hughes, with their tempo and desire both questionable, not to mention some comical defending that gifted Boro their opener. It was disastrous.

It ended Manuel Pellegrini’s chances of becoming only the second foreign manager to complete the full set of domestic English honours. Jose Mourinho, his nemesis, is the only foreign coach to achieve such a feat, secured inside three seasons. Pellegrini could have outdone him and managed it in two.

It was hugely disappointing, but closer inspection suggests it may, in fact, be something of a blessing.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

City now have two targets: removing Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table and progressing further in the Champions League than they’ve ever managed.

A new phase of the season begins now.

Key to achieving those goals—the first of which appears incredibly difficult at this stage, given the west Londoners’ seven-point advantage with just 13 matches left to play—will be the reintroduction of Yaya Toure and successful addition of new signing Wilfried Bony into the mix.

A free week this week because of City’s lack of FA Cup action allows them both a wonderful opportunity to rest after the Africa Cup of Nations exertions and time to prepare for the challenges that lie in wait.

Newcastle United is City’s next league fixture, scheduled for February 21, quickly followed by their home tie against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.

City’s 4-1 win over Stoke City on Wednesday evening put to bed claims that City can’t win without Toure, but it’s clear the Ivorian, so influential in his midfield role, is a key part of Pellegrini’s side.

His technical quality is obvious. He is City’s best passer and can dictate play with his strength and ability to move through the gears, capable of turning defence into attack single-handedly and in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps his leadership and influence is less obvious, though. Toure often appears to raise the game of those around him, his forceful style the catalyst for many of the team’s best moments. He's been sorely missed.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

And the pressure on Bony to succeed is significant, not just because of the sizeable outlay, but because of City’s lack of goals in the striking department in recent weeks.

Edin Dzeko has just four all season, Sergio Aguero has hit two since his return from injury at Everton a month ago, and Stevan Jovetic, who has five goals to his name this season, looks far less like an out-and-out striker and much more like a No. 10.

Bony needs to hit the ground running, with Pellegrini clearly earmarking him to fill the void left by Alvaro Negredo. If Bony can strike up anything like the partnership with Aguero that the Spaniard managed for the first half of last season, overhauling Chelsea may not be quite as fanciful as it seems at this stage.

There will surely be slip-ups from Chelsea as their squad is tested. City need to be ready to pounce and apply some pressure.

A week of both rest and preparation ahead of the final period of the season may benefit City’s two AFCON winners and provide a boost for the club as they enter a crucial period that will make or break their campaign.

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.