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Thank you everyone for your loyalty throughout the last few years as I kept plugging away with articles on our beloved Manchester City. I am now the Editor of another site (www.bluemoonovermanchester.com) and these duties will keep me busy. If anyone wishes to submit articles to the site then friend me on facebook, www.facebook.com/pacityboy. 

Hodgson Pack Baggies, get the point.

Roberto Mancini and Manchester City travelled to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom on Boxing Day knowing that a win against a difficult side would ensure top spot through to the New Year. 

Baggies preview

Roberto Mancini and Manchester City travel to the Hawthorns on Boxing Day to take on a tricky West Bromwich Albion side. On Boxing day matches West Brom have lost all of the previous five in the Premier League, that along with their overall performance in the League this season so far, two wins from the past seven and you really can, again, only see one outcome. The visitors came out of the blocks like greased lightning and haven’t slowed down in the League yet! Scoring 50 goals in the first 16 top flight matches was only bested almost half a century ago and have only failed to score in one of their Premier League games so far. 

City hold impromptu training session during game

Like Cliff Richard, Shakin Stevens and Mr Blobby, Bobby Manc now joins the list of Christmas number ones with an awesome display of dominance at the Etihad yesterday. Undefeated for all of the calender year of 2011 Manchester City knew that a draw or win against a plucky Stoke side would ensure that record stay intact and also secure the top spot for Christmas. That said, it is only Christmas and the teams in Premiership history that have led at Christmas and gone on to win the whole thing stands at only eight from nineteen season. United have managed it four times, Chelsea three and Blackburn back in the 1994/95 season also did it. The Blackburn season is interesting as United were exactly two points behind the leaders on 41 points going into the Christmas and although they had played two more games back then (as the Premiership consisted of 22 teams) it is similar to the current points tally between first and second this time around.

Do Manchester City need Stoke City in order to win something?

After gunning down the Gunners on Sunday City will now look to smash up the potters as Stoke are welcomed to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. A win or draw for City will see the Manchester Club go the whole of 2011 without losing at home, something that is certainly different from the start of the Sven era when City hadn’t scored at home for a long period of time! How times have changed.

United keep seat warm as City return to the top

All eyes were on the Etihad Stadium Sunday to see not only how City would react to their first League defeat on Monday against Chelsea, but with United winning a few hours earlier, how they would react to playing catchup.

City look to disarm Gunners

If you'd have asked a City fan at the beginning of the season that they wouldn't get their first league defeat until December I think that few wouldn't have ripped your arm off at that point for that kind of deal. Now the important thing for City when Arsenal come to Manchester on Sunday is that it is important to get back to winning ways. 

Buzzers Birthday - 'we'll come here and we'll take them apart one day'

On this day in 1942 a City legend was born in Preston. Mike Summerbee was the son of George and nephew of Gordon who all played professionally, albeit at lower league clubs. Mikes father George played at Preston but really in truth only completed a handful of first team games. Sadly George died at the young age of 40 in 1955 and would never see Mike reach the heights with City that he did. 

Chelsea Pensioner scores from the spot, City still top.....and better!

So Manchester City returned from London empty handed this time and all around the Footballing world cheers for Chelsea rang out. It wasn't that long ago that it would have been Chelsea that title challengers would be wishing fail but such is magnitude of the ascendancy of the noisy neighbours that has seen this dramatic turnaround in such a short space of time. 

Mancini Is Boas Constrictor?

Monday Roberto Mancini and Manchester City travel back to London to play the other multi millionaires Chelsea FC. Formed in 1905, a good twenty five years after the blues, the first League meeting between these two was almost exactly one hundred and four years ago to the day. 

December 7th 1907 was held at Stamford Bridge, just like Mondays game, and ended in a 2-2 draw. With Chelsea on the high of Champions League qualification and Manchester City looking to retake the reigns of the Premiership title race it may very well be that kind of scoreline once again. That day our goals were scored by Buchanan and Jones and we finished that season third in the top flight and Chelsea secured 13th place. 

Bell says Mancini could pass Mercer as City top boss

Former Manchester City player and always legend Colin Bell believes that current City boss, Roberto Mancini has the potential to emulate his boss while at City, Joe Mercer.

Colin Bell, now 65, was talking a day before Manchester City's elimination from the Champions League but even with that happening the progress made under Mancini has been phenomenal.

Adieu Champions League, bonjour Europa!

Manchester City went into their last Group game in the Champions League knowing that if they didn't win against Bayern they would exit the competition with a whimper. In the run up to the game all the media were focused on were the exit of the Manchester millionaires before even a ball was kicked. Now, progression was not guaranteed with a win at the Etihad stadium and with Mancunian eyes half on Manchester and half on Spain the game kicked off.

I'd be lyin' if Bayern were pushovers. But City will sit pretty if Villarreal happily down Napoli.

'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight on the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender'. Winston Churchill gave this most famous of speeches before England had a previous almighty battle with the Germans. That was on the fouth June 1940 and on the 7th December 2011 Roberto Mancini will have to deliver a similarly rousing call to arms as Manchester City face Bayern Munich in a game which will partly determine which European competition they will partake in next year.

Farewell Socrates (1954 - 2011)

February 1954, in the Capital and largest City of the state of Para, Brazil, the world welcomed a footballing legend. On December 4th 2011, in Brazil’s largest City, Sao Paulo we said goodbye.

Socrates was a great midfielder, great with through passes. His ability to read the game as well as his physical strength all led him to being one of the best players to grace the field. His career ranged for 30 years and through that time he played mostly in Brasil for Botafogo, Flamengo, Santos and Corinthians but also came to Europe with a brief spell at Fiorentina and he even made it to West Yorkshire, where he appeared one time for Garforth Town back in 2004.

Norfolk And Good!

Manchester City continued their march in the Premier League with a 5-1 decimation of the lads from Norfolk.

Going in we knew it was going to be a tough game as Norwich would look to keep bodies behind the ball and break when they could. Early on it was clear that one City would attack all day and the other City was content to stay in their own penalty area all day.

Can Mancini Stop Canaries Pooping On Our Blue Moon??

Well lads, today Manchester City welcome those boys from Norfolk to our ground as we resume Premiership football after the midweek Carling Cup victory. City boss, Roberto Mancini rested several key players for that game and those along with Balotelli and Barry should be back after serving their suspensions midweek.

...And the blues go marching on!

When I am wrong I will say that I am wrong and hold my hands up. Now I cannot get my hands up as high as Costel Pantilimon but I will try. In my preview comments I said that I thought Mancini may stick with Hart in goal, with this taking us into the semi finals if we could secure a win. I went on to say that Pantilimon hadn't impressed me in the previous League Cup games, and to be fair that is still true. But oh my word what a game the young man had last night! It will certainly make Mancini and us City supporters smile to know that we really do have such talent in reserve should anything happen to Hart.

Sheikh Mansour's men travel to the Emirates. We may bring Silva

After little over 48 hours from securing a great point at Anfield on Sunday, Mancinis men travel down saff! The Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup against Arsenal represent City's first real chance of a cup this season. 

We'll hold you with less players and we'll score your goal too! We're City, we score when we want!

Manchester City have travelled to Anfield on many occasions and as I mentioned in my preview of the game City have very rarely left without anything other than a loss. In fact I believe pre war is where you have to go back to before you see we were totally dominant. That said, you also have to go back a long way in order to find the depth of class in all areas of the pitch that we now currently boast. 

Gods' Speed

I think all football fans agree that when it comes to their particular club they will support them and no other. No matter what adversity they face, you will stay with them no matter what. Very rarely would you find a Manchester City fan agree with one that supports Manchester United. The same with Liverpool and Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland or whichever rivalry you care to choose.

Happy Birthday Mancini, you sexy beast of a man!

Mancini! Whooah!

Mancini! Whooah!

He came from Italy 

To manage Man City!

Mancini! Whooah!

Mancini! Whooah!

Some people have likened the Country of Italy to a lady's leg in high heels. If this is the case then on the 27th November 1964 our savior was born right, slap bang on her sexy calf muscle, in Lesi. 

Mancini played for four clubs over a twenty year period but spent the majority of his career at Sampdoria, where David Platt also played for two years during Mancinis time. During his playing career he picked up the Serie A title with two different teams, Lazio and Sampdoria. He also won the Coppa Italia six times with the same two, Supercoppa Italiana twice and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup twice, again once with each two. He also picked up the UEFA Super Cup once with Lazio while picking up a World Cup bronze medal in a game won by Italy while playing England. The English goalscorer that game? David Platt!

As a manager, pre Manchester City, he has been just as successful. Serie A winner three consecutive times while boss of Inter. Four time Coppa Italia winner, once each with Lazio and Fiorentina and twice at Inter with the Supercoppa Italia also picked up twice while at Inter.

Sunday the Italian celebrates his birthday while in charge of his 72nd league game at the helm at City.

Over that period he has masterminded 43 wins (that is a 60% win ratio) with a goal difference of plus 80! He has already pushed City up to a top three finish for the first time in City's Premiership history and first time in the top flight since Tony Book was in charge, the season after we won our last trophy. Speaking of which he delivered us success in the FA Cup which was the first cup success of any sort since 1976 and the first in that particular competition since 1969. 

The Italian has been breaking records all through his tenure so far and you feel that he has only just begun. He has experience in Europe and that has lifted City from qualifying for the Europa via fair play to qualifying for the Champions League via league position and no play offs! It has been a sharp learning curve for City and this Champions League campaign reflects that. Despite this he still has an overall 53% win record in Europe with City. Last seasons Europa League was the furthest we had got in European competition for decades.

I spoke about Roberto masterminding the FA Cup victory last season but what is not mentioned is the fact we are now in the Quarter Final of the Carling Cup for the second time in his time here. Just for record, currently Mancinis win percentage stands at almost 65% in domestic cups. 

All told, Mancini has been in charge for 105 competitive Manchester City games and has won exactly 60% of them, while losing and drawing 20% a piece. Despite being criticised as a defensive minded coach City have currently scored over 200 goals in all competitions and only conceded 93. That is a difference of 110 goals, average almost two goals a game and conceding just under a goal a game. With these stats combined with the progression we see at City (top of the League expected rather than eighth hoped for, FA Cup wins and Champions League games) the future may be bright, and it is certain to be Blue!

Happy Birthday Roberto Mancini !!!

Written By PA Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy) 

Calm down, calm down. Mancini in scouse douse

The midweek game will have to be put to the back of minds on Sunday as Manchester City try to continue their record breaking start to the Premier League season with a trip to one of their least successful grounds.

HISTORY

City have played Liverpool in the League 150 times in their history and have lost 50% of the ties. In fact we have only won 38 times although the most recent fixture between the two teams in which City won was last season, under Mancini. However that was at our own place and the return fixture resulted in a 3-0 Liverpool win. The last time City won at Anfield in a League game was all the way back on May 3rd 2003. Ex Liverpool player, Nicolas Anelka scored twice for City that day, once from the penalty spot which made our last two winning games against Liverpool seeing us score from the spot. Be excited if we get a penalty on Sunday!

There have been many losses to Liverpool over the years and they always seem to score multiple of goals against us while conceding few if any. We lost 3-0 last season and in Sept 2002 and also in March 1991. City fans will also remember the 6-0 hammering in our relegation season of 1995/96. That particular game came in October of that season but in the last game we played Liverpool again and despite going down to them we clawed back to get a 2-2 draw. Despite that great result we were still relegated, but only on goal difference. 

Other than that there really isn't much statistically that we can get positives from as winning at Liverpool has not been our normal result over the past few decades. However there has been nothing normal about this season from City in the League so far either. Beating Everton, hammering Villa, Spurs and United have not been normal.   

Other big losses against Liverpool have been 4-0 in 1974, twice in 1978 and again in 1983 and a 5-0 in 1983. But it hasn't always been negative results for City. In start of the 1974 season we beat them 2-0 at Maine Road but in both 1981 and in 1952 we travelled to Anfield and secured the win, 3-1 and 2-1 respectively. 

For City fans to see when their team totally dominated Liverpool you would have to look back before the Second World War. In the year 1937 we beat Liverpool 5-0 at their place before a 5-1 win at Maine Road. Two years before that we enjoyed a 2-0 win there before a 6-0 win at our house.  

The good news for City is that win, lose or draw we will still be top of the league and with Manchester United playing Newcastle some points will be dropped from teams close behind us. The other current top four side Tottenham face a difficult trip to West Brom. 

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool will again be without Steven Gerrard for the visit of City, who also come off a difficult visit to Stamford Bridge last weekend. The Merseysiders themselves have been stuttering this season with wins against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton contrasting with draws against newly promoted Swansea and Norwich and a 4-0 defeat against Spurs! With no game midweek they will have had the chance to be rested but will also have one eye possibly on Tuesdays Cup game against Chelsea which could see them have their best chance for silverware this season. 

Manchester City by contrast have been secure in their Premiership performances, winning all but one, which was a draw away to Fulham. Expect Clichy and Richards to return to the backline for City as Mancini will be eager to continue their attacking League play. Like Liverpool though they may have one eye on the Quarter Final cup tie only 48 hours later but Mancini has a squad he can rotate and so that should play into City's favour. 

Written By: PA Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy)

Happy Thanksgiving, City may have offloaded turkey!

It has been a while since we have spoken about the Rebel without a cause, Carlos 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' Tevez. I know you were all wondering what happened to the Argentinian after he was evicted from the big brother house. Well after missing training and deciding to take an impromptu holiday in Argentina I though the guys career was over. I mean who would want to pay this guys wages and have him disrupt the team as he does? The answer, the same team that took Robinho!

Reports broke on the American Thanksgiving holiday that the Italian side were in talks with Tevez advisors, Kia Joorabchian. If that isn't something to be thankful for then I don't know what is. I could make a comment about turkeys but that may be taking it to far, the guy was a hero at Manchester last season. 

The Rossoneri will probably be willing to pay a fee of around 25 million for the Argentine, which is significantly less than the 40 million tag he had in the summer. Although with Robinho, Pato, Ibramovic, Inzaghi and Cassano already fighting for first team football I am unsure as to whether he will not just be warming their bench. What's that? Take Pato in exchange? We could do that, unless you see anyone else you like in their squad? 

Whatever the outcome it seems that I was wrong and Tevez still may be able to collect interest from other big teams and with Italy being so much closer to Argentina I am sure his life will suddenly be filled with rainbows and unicorns! 

The majority of City fans will just be glad to see the back of him at this point with his off field antics and disruption to the team (in regards press conference questions revolve around the guy rather than how well the team is doing). It now seems that his building of cult status with the City faithful has been somewhat diluted if not totally contaminated by the last two months. City need to offload this dead weight and January can not come quick enough providing this is to happen.

Written By: PA Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy)  

Stabbings? Yes But We Won't Tolerate Big Money!

When you use a search engine on the world wide web and type in 'soccer hooligans' unsurprisingly the sites that instantly pop up are the ones dealing with the British aspect, referring to hooliganism as 'The English Disease'. But is it solely an English problem? Events in Napoli last night and on other European nights would beg to differ. 

Whata Mistake To Maka!

For the fifth time Manchester City stepped out onto a pitch to the now unmistakable Champions League theme tune. This was to be their last foray onto away soil during the group stage and a win for the away team would secure progression into the knockout stages. However, Napoli haven't lost a home European game since 1994 and for City to come away from Italy with anything would be good.

In the early stages of the game City looked composed and were playing well. DeJong as expected was playing deep and collecting the ball from his back four in order to initiate forward play and with just seven minutes Mario Balotelli bobbled an effort just wide as their keeper stayed rooted to the spot. That was to be the best chance for City in the early exchanges and then in the seventeenth minute the hosts went ahead through a slight Cavani touch. As a corner drifted in Cavani and Yaya Toure both seemed to get slight touches to deflect the ball past first Kolarov and the Hart. City defended the corner with no men on the post and certainly had Kolarov been then certainly this goal could most certainly have been avoided.

City, to their credit, were soon back up and running though and if the positioning of Kolarov for the first goal was in question then it was the shocking defending from Aronica at the other end that levelled the tie. Dzeko crosses the ball into the area and with no City attacker near it should be simple but rushing to clear the ball he places it right at the feet of Silva who fires a shot. De Sanctis could only parry the shot straight into the path of Balotelli and he is not going to miss those sorts of chances.

Half time arrived with the teams level through two defensive mistakes and at this point City would certainly have been the happier of the two sides. Edson Cavani, scorer of the first half goal and the first games goal would prove to have one last say though. Only four minutes into the second half he opened his body well to hit a Dossena cutback first time. It truly was a classy finish but for City it was to be the final nail in the coffin for this game at least.

With less than ten minute left Aguero came on for Dzeko before Cavani left for Pandev. A minute later Adam Johnson came on for Zabaletta as City chased the tie. With time running low on the clock they almost got it, a through ball from Yaya Toure saw Balotelli muscle out Cannavaro and hit it first time. Unfortunately for Balotelli and City, it was straight at De Sanctis.

The referee called time on the game and the result saw Napoli leapfrog their opposition and left Manchester Citys progression in the competition out of their hands with a must win game at home to Bayern in to weeks while hoping Villarreal get their first points in the other game.

Written By: Pa Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy)

The Might Look-like Soccer (MLS) Season Finale!

The Major League Soccer season came to a close on Sunday night in the showpiece of the season, the MLS Final between the LA Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo. With talk before the kickoff of this potentially being David Beckhams last game in the MLS and the high profile stars in the Galaxy side of Donovan and Keane it was easy to forget that there was another team playing.

When blue moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's amore.

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool, That's Man City!. When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet, Champions League! When you walk in a dream but you know you're not Dreaming Mancini! Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli That's Man City!

City Marches On

Manchester City returned to Premiership action Saturday after having the last couple of weeks off thanks to the International breaks. Although for City the word 'break' really isn't correct as City stars jet off across the World for games with their individual countries.

Roberto Mancini left Dzeko, Johnson and Barry on the bench along with David Silva, electing instead to start Nasri and DeJong in the midfield. Aguero and Balotelli were selected to start upfront as Mancini continues to really ask questions of the opposition defense whether home or away.

Barcode Battlers

Manchester City return to Premiership action on Saturday with the visit of the Premierships other undefeated team, Newcastle United. A win for City will put them eight points clear of second place Manchester United who play newly promoted Swansea in the later game.

Statistically Newcastle have the edge with Saturdays game being our 151st League encounter with the Geordie nation. Of those games we have only won 51, with Newcastle winning 64 and of course the remaining endeding in draws. That said, recent history is all on our side. Our last defeat, at home to Newcastle came on September 30th 2000, when Joe Royle was still at the helm.

Alan Oakes

It was the 14th of November 1959 and Manchester City played Chelsea in a Division One both struggled in back then. No surprise that it was a draw, 1-1 but the match is also saw the introduction of Mr Dependable, Alan Oakes.
Cousin of another City legend he may well be but Alan became a City legend in his own right and was unfortunate not to have made the England side on a regular basis. However there was a certain Mr Moore at West Ham and, well I don't have to tell you how the history went.
Oakes started that game in 1959 barely past his seventeenth birthday and would stay at City that length again. He left City in 1976 with his final appearence coming as substitute in a derby game at Old Trafford, which we would lose 2-0. However during the years from his debut to that game Alan would break records with City, becoming top in appearances and netting himself six winners medals which also put him at the top of that particular league with regards City.
Oakes was the engine of pretty much every side he played in and had a wonderful left peg. By the time the lad was 23 he had already appeared almost 250 times for City and had a Second Division Champions medal to boot.
In the Championship side of 1967/68 he only missed the solitary game, a 5-1 win against Fulham. This was actually at the point at which City first topped the table that season. City ended up beating Newcastle on the last day of the season to claim the title that year and set City and Oakes on to more silverware. The next season they followed the League win up with an FA Cup win and a year on from that was the European and League Cup double.
With close to seven hundred appearances for City and 34 goals Alan Oakes bowed out for the final time at the end of the 1975/76 season. He scored his last league goal for City in a 3-0 win against West Ham before a week later scoring a goal in the 4-0 League Cup Semi Final win against Middlesbrough and eventually picking up one final medal with City before departing and eventually becoming Player-Manager at Chester. Class endures and while at Chester he went on to turn out for the Seals over 200 times and took them to the FA Cup fifth round twice in a four year period. He would only be there for a short time, six years in fact, before firing him due to poor League form. oakes went on to Port vale and even played at age 41 due to their team being depleted.
Everyone who met and knew Alan loved him. Don Revie and Bill Shankly were admirers of him as were people outside the sport. A true athlete who kept himself to himself and didn't get into shouting matches with the officials like todays lads probably helped.
Written By: PA Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy)

Homophobia, the accepted prejudice!

We are about to enter the 20th season of the Premiership next season and it has been 120 years since City, then as Ardwick, first played in the Alliance League and yet we still today deal with racism in football. Thankfully attitudes have changed somewhat over the years and the recent incidents under investigation from the FA were met with condemnation or at least a frank and honest discussion. Minorities have been part of the English game pretty much since the beginning and yet are still not fully accepted.

From Red Star To Blue Moon

In July 2010 Manchester City signed Aleks Kolarov from Lazio for a deal around the 16million pound mark. Advertised as the 'Serbian Roberto Carlos' he is very handy at scoring spectacular goals and a very powerful shot as City fans have been witness too over the last fifteen months. All this and yet he may never have ever became a blue having been linked with a move to Carlos' old team, Real Madrid.

Going Loco Down In Buenos Aires!

Like a child who is not getting equal attention Carlos Tevez has once again thrown his toys out of the pram. After City had amended their punishment of Tevez for the failure to warm up for the Champions League game in Munich, and Tevez hadn't contested it people were thinking that the Tevez may silently play out. Oh how we were wrong.

FIFA, The FA and the Poppy Debate.

So with the Premiership on International break for this week I was wondering exactly what I could write about this week. Then, as I was listening to the radio I was struck with a subject, the controversy between FIFA and England's FA and whether a poppy should be worn for this Saturdays friendly, against Spain.
First we should start with the history of the poppy and it was chosen as a symbol and inspired the World War 1 poem 'In Flanders Field' and refers to the numerous poppies that grew on the soldiers graves in Flanders. At a conference in 1920 at the National American Legion made it their official symbol and an attendee, Anna Guerin, was inspired to introduce it in her homeland, France. The next year they were being sold in London and that's where it began for us.

24 years ago, City were doing this high scoring malarky!

So you think that Manchester City have had some high scoring games in the start to this Premiership season. Managed by Italian, Roberto Mancini it certainly is breathing fresh life into what was essentially a two or three horse race each season. However under Geordie Mel Machin we also struck fear into the opposition with high scoring games, well a couple at least. None will be more familiar to most City fans than the Division 2 encounter, at Maine Road, with Huddersfield Town, who would eventually be relegated at seasons end.

Happy Birthday Garry Flitcroft!

Before we had Jimmy Grimble we had Garry Flitcroft. At the age of 12 years old Garry re-enacted the scene from the movie before that scene had ever been written! The scene where the United scout come up to Jimmy and tells him he wants to offer him a trial at United and Jimmy says thanks but he's had a better offer. The scout looks at Grimble and says 'What could be better than United?' to which Jimmy replies 'City!'. I like to think that in 1984 that was EXACTLY how it happened when Flitcroft turned down United for City.

City Smash In Grab In London

From Villarreal to QPR and any ideas that City had that this would be easy would quickly be shot down. Mancini elected to make changes from the midweek contest and taking the suspended Kompanys captain armband for the game was Micah Richards. 

City Aiming Slam Dunk By Shooting Hoops!

So it is straight from sunny Spain to London as City resume their Premier League campaign at Loftus Road, home of Queens Park Rangers. It has been 15 years since QPR have played at the top level of English football and in that last season, when obviously they were relegated, City themselves also joined 'The Hoops' that year in the drop along with Bolton.

City up to second in Champions League

Manchester City travelled to Spain with a lot resting on their shoulders. City had not performed as well as we know they can while on European duty and their performances from League to Champions League have been like night and day. First came the draw in the opening game to Napoli followed by the defeat in Munich. Two weeks ago saw City get away with a win at the death of the game to keep their qualification aspirations alive. Sure Villarreal had a number of key players having to withdraw due to injury but still no English side had won against Villarreal in their own stadium and so it certainly wasn't going to be an easy game.

Good Enough, Old Enough But Not Kept Long Enough!!

The 1980's were not the best years to be a City fan. After the FA Cup Final loss in 1981 we struggled in the top flight and the seasons we didn't struggle was because we were in the second tier!

Would The (Villar)Real Man City Please Stand Up!

What a difference a fortnight makes! Since Manchester City last played Villarreal at the Etihad Stadium we have played three games, won them all and scored fourteen goals! (That's an average of just under five goals a game). We beat a tough Wolves side in the League and progressed against the same team in the League Cup. I forget who the other game was against, some small club with an aging Manager based outside Manchester I think.

Gillinghams Forgotten Hero!

Today doesn't just see the birthday of Paul Dickov but also that of Kevin Horlock. The statistics they share are amazing. Both were born on the same day in 1972, both made their debuts for City in the same season and both scored goals in the Playoff Final against Gillingham!

Scorer of 'THAT' goal celebrates 39th Birthday

Yesterday I spoke about the silent hero of Manchester Citys revival in the late 1990's and early 2000's, Andy Morrison. Today we look back on a City legend (well, the first time he played in sky blue) who celebrates his 39th birthday today.

It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn!

Think back just over a decade when City were at their lowest position in their history. When you ask City fans about the 1998-99 season and the majority of minds instantly jump to the last minute Dickov goal in the playoff final or the Weaver marathon run around the Wembley pitch. All those were great memories, I myself was on holiday in Tenerife at the time and remember the many bars that were filled with City fans. They, like me, had felt the season was at a loss when they booked their excursions probably seven months or more prior. At that point City  (24th October 1998) were struggling. After 15 games they were mid table with just 21 points and only five wins. Things looked bleak and looking back now, had City not pulled it together through the second half of the season then we may very well have slipped into football oblivion!

City Don't Pity Mickey!

Another game down and City find themselves doing a very good Tony Hawk impression as we move past the quarter mark for the season, got nothing but air! Earlier on in the day United had just scraped a win against Everton to draw within two points of Manchester City at the top of the table.

He Wasn't Really Here - Lake, The Greatest Player We Never Saw

Nobody will argue that at Manchester City we currently can boast some of the most gifted football players that the Premiership, or even the World has to offer. Aguero, Silva, Nasri, Johnson, Balotelli and Milner can all do things that leave us in awe at least once a game when they are on.

Go back a few years and we had Benarbia and Berkovic and go back even further than that and you can cite Georgi Kinkladze as having been cast in that mould. Israel, Georgia, Spain, Argentina, France and Algeria boast these products but at City we had one that was actually born with in Manchesters own borders. That man was Paul Lake and he was born on this day in 1968.

Tevez, Taylor and the PFA!

After such a great week it was inevitable that something would come along to try to ruin the high that City fans are on right now. With the Carlos Tevez affair seemingly coming to a conclusion the PFA rekindled the debate by saying that based on the evidence supplied to them by the City board didn't show that Carlos Tevez had refused to play against Bayern Munich but more that he refused to warm up again.

City's Big Dogs To Savage Wolves...Again

So part one of Mancini v McCarthy is over with Mancini the victor however, this weekends tie at the Etihad Stadium will be a completely different proposition. Several changes were made for the midweek venture by both sides but for sure Mancini will have one eye on the upcoming fixture against Villerreal when thinking about Saturdays selection. McCarthy on the other hand has no such distractions with his teams sole participation currently being in the Premier League until the FA Cup starts for them in January.

Football Superstars, High Wages and Huge Transfer Fees. I Blame The Welsh.

While City are progressing very nicely in the League with 'that' certain result against the guys from Salford at the weekend it is important that we also remember our history also. On this day in 1894, the first season after Ardwick had changed their name to Manchester City, a young Welshman by the name of Billy Meredith took the field for the blues.

Wolves Put Down (And No Silva Bullet in sight!)

Roberto Mancini and Manchester City traveled to Molineux to face Wolves in the Carling Cup only three days after that emphatic and historical win at Old Trafford at the weekend. How would City handle the hangover from such a game? On the other side of the spectrum Wolves boss, Mick McCarthy, was feeling the pressure from the weekend as his side failed to get a win against newly promoted side Swansea. The crowd had jeered him at the end of the game and Mick had reacted how only Mick can and it wouldn't have been unexpected to see a Wolves victory in other 'Typical City' seasons.

He's Not The Messiah, He's A Very Naughty Boy!

Manchester City have today confirmed that they have concluded their hearing relating to Carlos Tevez and his alleged misconduct. The now infamous incident that took place in Munich as City were playing their Champions League fixture against Bayern on September 27th when it was alleged that Carlos Tevez refused to come onto the field of play.

Les McDowall - A Forgotten Manager, Remembered

When talking about the influx of foreigners into the Premier League it may surprise you that City actually had an Indian in their team in 1937! Ok so he was only 'technically' an Indian as he was born in Gunga Pur, India he was raised in Scotland as a Scot. I am, of course, talking about Les McDowall.

League Cup, Episode 2: The Bobby and Micky Show!

Manchester City have to quickly but Sundays absolute demolition of Manchester United behind them when they take the field away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening. With City on such a high and some Wolves fans howling for McCarthy blood at the weekend this has all the hallmarks of an upset on the cards.

Asa Hartford

Born 61 years ago today, in 1950 was a City legend that may never have kicked a ball at City if not for the Leeds medical staff. Young Scottish player, Asa Hartford looked set to join Leeds United who were all set to dominate the 1970's when it was discovered, much to both his and Leeds boss, Don Revies disappointment,  that Asa had a hole in the heart. The deal collapsed and Hartford returned to West Brom.

6-1 Hammering in Verse!

We're a team with no history
That's what they say
As we enter Old Trafford
For Derby Day

Both teams unbeaten
Both with eyes on the prize
So who would have thought
We'd have a 6-1 surprise

Six In The City!

At approximately 1:30 this afternoon eleven men entered an address in the Salford area of Manchester dressed all in Blue. Just before 3:30 these same men left after a rampage, leaving the occupants battered, beaten and confused. One of the victims managed to sneak out half way through before the major disturbance happened but was still clearly shaken.

In fact it wasn't an bunch of hoodlums but the Manchester City Football Club giving their neighbours Manchester United the biggest spanking on their own turf since 1955. That was a 5-0 defeat and was....against us!

Mancini Excited, Can City Beat United?

Villarreal were handled, eventually by City during the week to keep Manchester City's Champions League assault on track. Sunday, however, sees a much different challenge. Manchester City travel to Old Trafford for the first League derby of the season and with both Manchester teams in relentless form this really will not be a game for the nervous!

Ernie! The Greatest Winger in the North West!

Today sees a whole 24 years since City lost possibly one of the most underrated superstars to pull on a City shirt. On this day in 1987 Ernie Toseland passed away quietly in Stockport.

Ernie joined City in March 1929 from Coventry where he had already made a name for himself, scoring eleven goals in twenty two games for them. As an outside right player this was not his main job for the club which made it even more impressive.

First I'd Like To Thank, Bobby Manc!

Some people have likened the Country of Italy to remind them of a lady's leg in high heels. If this is the case then on the 27th November 1964 our savior was born right, slap bang on her sexy calf muscle. Roberto Mancini was born in Lesi, a small town on the east coast of Italy to Aldo and Marianna.

Religion and football were big in Young Mancinis life and he has played at the highest levels of football throughout his career. Starting at Bologna before moving to Sampdoria where he spent most of his playing career. He left them for Lazio in 1997 before joining English side Leicester in 2001. He left a month later after being offered a managerial role.

I Need Aguero, I'm Holding Out For Aguero Til The End Of The Night!

This was all set up in favor of Manchester City going into the Champions League game against Villarreal at the Etihad Stadium, Tuesday night. City had come off a dominant win against Aston Villa at the weekend while Villarreal had only managed a scoreless draw away to Getafe. City had at least registered a single point on the board in Champions League play, Villarreal had played, and lost two.

Tell Them About The Dunney, Mummy!

Manchester City were totally dominant against Aston Villa on Saturday but I would like to focus on a very important player for City, currently in the claret and blue of Villa. That player is of course, former Captain and four times winner of Manchester City Player of the Year from 2004 all the way through to the end of the 2008 season.
In 2000 Joe Royle signed Dunne from Everton for 3.2 million. In those years he has, like City, had some highs, some lows and some memorable moments before moving onto Villa in August 2009, a fee believed to be around 5million.

City Beat Villa, Now Time For Real-Villa...I mean Villarreal!

Ok City fans, dust off your Aston Villa celebrations and get ready for the first game in what could possibly define our whole season. Ok so the Manchester derby is coming too early for it to make or break a title challenge but certainly is still a big game. The biggest however takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday as City look to put their Champions League campaign back on track.

City Reach Summit. In related News, Nosebleeds on the Rise in Manchester!

Manchester City returned to Premier League action this Saturday after a couple of weeks away and faced Alex McLeish's Aston Villa side who, like City were undefeated going into the game.

City, as previously thought, had a number of their high profile and 'creative' players out of the starting lineup with Nasri, Silva and Dzeko all starting from the bench and Aguero missing the game altogether. Obviously Mancini had the vitally important Champions League clash on his mind when selecting the side and so the question was could a City side without these key players still perform. The answer was a resounding 'yes!'

Francis Lee - He Fell Over! he Fell Over!

Forty Four years ago today, almost twenty one years before Sergio Aguero was born, Manchester City welcomed a record signing striker onto the pitch. The record fee was a mere 60 grand and the striker, was a 5ft 8 (just like Aguero) Francis 'Franny' Lee.

Big Mal - A Year On

A year ago today the world of football lost as a great as Malcolm Allison, aged 83, passed away. Mention ‘Big Mal ‘ to any City fan and they remember his partnership with Joe Mercer during the clubs glory days when the likes of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee stepping onto the field in a sky blue shirt was enough to frighten most opposition. But to remember him as ’just a partnership’ would be to rob the man of his true worth to the game we all love

When The Lights Come On At Man City!

Floodlights! Allows sports to be played at anytime of the night or day and any time of the year, even when it gets dark early. However it hasn't always been this way and despite having floodlights reportedly as far back as 1878 they were not used until the 1950's.

City Got Deeeecent Hart!

Exactly five years ago today City set out to play a League tie at, what was then, the City of Manchester Stadium. The opposition that day was Sheffield United and the game was goalless however it was also the first time City fans got to catch a quick glimpse of City Goalkeeper, Joe Hart. He was only given his chance because of the injuries to Andreas Isaksson and Nicky Weaver and Weaver would return to stopper duty in the next game.

Should Mello Capello Leave Out Looney Rooney?

So a slight detour from everything Manchester City but I am amazed by the news coming out of the media regarding Wayne Rooneys ban. After what was a stupid lash out in Englands last qualifying game Mr Rooney has been handed a three match ban, which will see him out of the Euro group stage. That is if Mr Capello takes him, which I have no doubt he will.

Italian Citizen To Scalp Scottish Villan

Premiership football returns to England this weekend with City hosting Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. City will be keep to continue their record of home results in recent seasons against the Midlands side which has seen City win nine from the last ten home fixtures. Last season, if you remember, City dominated Villa by a score of 4-0, with Balotelli netting a hattrick, although two came from the penalty spot. Previous to that, the last time City had beaten Villa by such a scoreline was on September 14th 2003 when City beat Villa 4-1, this time Anelka was the hattrick hero and again two of them came from the penalty spot.

City Statement: Tevez Is A Doo-Doo Head!!

Late on today Manchester City released a statement regarding wantaway striker Carlos Tevez. It was thought that there would be a statement regarding the Argentinian when he arrived back in the UK toward the end of his two weeks suspension.

Manchester City - Ruining YouTube since 2011!!

Ok so I know you were all wondering what would be next for Manchester City in their attempt at World domination. Hot off the heels of announcing the breathtaking Etihad campus plans and their mega million dollar deal with Etihad City now look to their online presence.

Englands No 1! Englands, Englands No 1 - Big (not Hart) Joe

When you think of great Manchester City Goalkeepers of the past then the first two names off the tongue may be Frank Swift and Bert Trautmann. Younger fans may look to Nicky Weaver, certainly his iconic run the length of Wembley in the Division 2 Playoff finals leaves somewhat of an impression.

Remembering Helen Turner

Every football team have a number of die hard fans who are there win, lose or draw. They turn up whether the team is in contention for success or battling against relegation. They, over time, become iconic to the ground and known to the regulars and fans watching on TV all across the world. The biggest of these most recently as an example is the crazy shirtless guy in Portsmouths ranks.
Manchester City had their very own iconic fan and although you may not know her name you will certainly have heard her in the stands for over 30 years. Six years ago, Helen 'The Bell' Turner died after a series of illnesses aged 85 and left a void in the City.

Here, There And Everywhere - Tommy Booth

Tommy was certainly a crowd favorite during his career (spanning three decades) at City and certainly no one was happier in a City shirt than Boothy. Tommy had been watching City before signing as an amateur on September 11th 1965 and turning pro two years after that in August 1967.

Happy Birthday Ali Benarbia!

Signed in September 2001 in what was one of Kevin Keegans greatest signings Ali Benarbia's name was entered onto Manchester City's books. Even though he was 33 and an unknown quantity at the time he still had enough to persuade Keegan to offer him a contract, on a free no less.

Football With A Smile

"Football is a great game. It is all about goals, goalmouth incidents and end-to-end attacking football. There is nothing wrong with the game; plenty wrong with managers, players, directors, legislators and the media. Football has been very kind to me and I really mustn't complain so I can leave you with this thought - The object of playing any game is for enjoyment. If you have enjoyed it and done your best you have won no matter what the result!"

Dust Off Your Disco Pants! It's Quinnys Birthday!!

He is 6ft 3ins tall, he owns a pair of disco pants and they are the best. Apparently they start from his knees and go all the way up to his chest. He scored 78 goals for City, saved a penalty and was born in Dublin exactly 45 years ago today. It is of course City's beloved Irishman, Niall Quinn.

All White On The Wing??

Exactly 25 years ago yesterday Manchester City played, and lost to Leicester City in the old Division One. That season Manchester City were also relegated and so you may be wondering where exactly this article is going. It was in this game that a certain Mr David White made his full debut. City had signed him as an apprentice in 1984 and he turned pro just over a year later.

'We'll Be Back Next Year!'

47 years ago today City lost a legend. Aged 62, and while refereeing a benefit football match Sam Cowan collapsed and died a few moments later in the dressing rooms.
Forty years earlier City signed Sam from Doncaster and a few days later he made the first of his 104 games for City against Birmingham, where City drew 2-2. Renowned for his man management skills he was able to motivate the players on the field and keep them focused on their game, something which would help give City some of their successes.

Best Premiership City Starts In The EPL!

After the Carlos Tevez one man protest on Tuesday it was certainly nice to see just how City rebounded. Mancini guided Manchester City to their sixth win from seven which keeps them joint top and just the single goal behind rivals Manchester United.
Now the players go off to their respective National teams as club football goes on the back burner. Again this International break has come at the wrong time results wise, with City having started so well but maybe at the right time as far as the backroom decision that have to be made are concerned.

Four Score City Leaves Blackburn Not So Kean!!

Four second half goals from City saw them keep pace with rivals United at the top of the Premier League Saturday. It wasn't all rainbows and unicorns though as a first half came to a close all City had to show for their efforts was an injured groin for Sergio Aguero! He was replaced, not by Dzeko but by Nasri. Maybe this was a show to Dzeko that although his outburst was forgiven there are still consequences? Maybe it was just that City needed more flair in midfield. Whatever the reasoning was will be up for debate but you cannot argue with results.

Mancini Kean For A Rovers Return!

Blackburn will host a Tevez-less Manchester City on Saturday as the Citizens look to return to winning ways after the midweek European debacle. City had the day off Wednesday but returned Thursday to train for the last game before the International break. Certainly a break welcomed by Mancini and City fans alike and allow the Tevez saga to be handled behind closed doors without the quick succession of games that will face City when the teams return to action.

Tevez Given Argen-Time-Out!!

So it has been twenty four hours since Tevez refused to play for Manchester City and the reaction has been uniform and total condemnation and disbelief of what Carlos Tevez has done. Greame Souness, Harry Redknapp and even Golf and Rugby League weighed in on the subject and not one sided with the devisive Argentinian.

It has since been announced that Carlos Tevez has been suspended by Manchester City. This was the statement posted on the clubs official site,

"Mancini Wants To Bring On Tevez. He Said No, No, No"

So what do you make of the fact that Carlos Tevez didn't want to come on for Manchester City in the Champions League? City boss Roberto Mancini has already come out directly after the match and said that as far as he was concerned Tevez was done.

Manchester Citys Euro Deficit!

Manchester City failed to grab any points away to Bayern Munich today in the second matchday of the Champions League, losing 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. Despite the result Manchester City started off pretty lively and were unlucky not to be awarded two penalties, of which one was a clear cut deal if ever there was one. It was the former Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng that was the fouling player on both occasions. David Silva showed that he isn't like other Spanish players and instead of theatrics he tried to play in Nasri and the referee waved away the protests. The second one happened when Micah Richards was knocked off the ball, which is a feat in itself. Yaya Toure made his feelings clear but again the referee wasn't interested.

Munich - A Manchester Tragedy!

Manchester City travelled to Munich in Germany today before their second Champions League game against Bayern on Tuesday. Before the game however, Bernard Halford and a delegation of City Officials will lay a wreath at the Air Crash memorial.
It is a nice touch by Manchester City who realise that this went beyond City and United, it affected Manchester as a whole. On that plane that night was legendary Manchester City keeper, Frank Swift, in a journalistic role. Swift was one of the dead at the end of that night, Below is what I could find about the others on that plane.

Mancini Requests Sour Krauts!

Manchester City have to quickly get the much deserved victory against Everton at the weekend to the back of their minds as important games start to come thick and fast. Today the side travelled to Munich, Germany where tomorrow they face Bayern in gameweek two of the 2011/12 Champions League competition.
At the weekend both sides won on their own grounds. City beat Everton 2-0 while in Germany Bayern beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Bundesliga. That puts the German side top of the league after seven games on 18 points, yes they have lost already at home to Borussia Monchengladbach!

City To Have A Backroom Disco??

A few years ago Manchester City, with Robinho, Elano and Geovanni played Samba football. Before that it in 1999 it was just classic rock as City tried to survive. Nowadays there is a mixture, Spanish Flamenco, Argentine Tango and even a little Italian Opera at times. If reports in the papers and online are true you can add Disco to that also, in the backroom at least.

Mancini Thrown To The Wolves!!

So Manchester City continue their revisiting of teams they have played in the Cup Final throughout their history. After defeating Birmingham City 2-0 midweek, a team they beat 3-1 in the FA Cup Final of 1956 they now face Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was Wolves that City faced in the League Cup final of 1974, the only time they were in the Final and DIDN'T win. In fact since that defeat City haven't met Wolves in any cup since! Which makes this game the first chance to settle the score for almost 38 years!

CITY 2, Everton 0

Manchester City took all three points from their match today placing them, at least for the moment, in the top spot, with United playing later today. Manchester City have not won a game against Everton at home since New Years Day 2007 and had only managed a total of three points, home and away since that day to this. Now it's six!

Manchester City Hope To Not Get Sticky Toffees!

Manchester City host Everton in the Premierships early game on Saturday with City trying to get their league campaign back to winning ways. The recent history between the two clubs will count for little and despite City last winning a home fixture against Everton back on New Years Day 2007 they will be the favorites going in.

Owen Hargreaves Debut

You knew that one of the most interesting deals to come out of this flurry of transfer activity would involve the oil rich club Megabucks City. In the close season City signed Clichy and Savic before moving for Pantilimon and then a little known talent in the form of Sergio Aguero. That we thought was the best signing for City this window, and indeed it is still pretty impressive.
However, in the second week of the Premiership season Mancini landed his man in Nasri. It was a transfer saga that dragged on with Arsenal saying he didn’t want to go. Even Manchester United got involved, saying that they wanted to hijack the deal.

Manchester City 2, Birmingham City 0.

Roberto Mancini sent out a completely changed side for Manchester City's Carling Cup tie with current holders Birmingham City wednesday night. Neither side had a good weekend with Birmingham losing and Manchester City surrendering a two goal lead but it was the City from Manchester that got back to winning ways. Last season Mancini rested some key players for their initial Carling Cup tie, they played and lost to West Brom.

Carling Cup Preview: Manchester v Birmingham, Battle of the Cities!

Manchester City welcome Birmingham City to the Etihad stadium on Wednesday for the League Cup tie which faces the current holders against the current FA Cup holders. City, Manchester that is, will be looking to put the nightmare capitualtion at the weekend to rest with a result against Brum. Birmingham themselves didn't have the best of results at the weekend, suffering a 4-1 defeat to now Championship leaders Southampton and will be looking at their own recovery.

Etihad Campus Plans Submitted

With all the talk in the press of Manchester City 'buying success' and the condemnation of the Billionaire owner inflating transfer fees and generally ruining football it was a surprise to me (tongue firmly in cheek) that not more was made of the announcement today coming out of City.

Fulham 2, CITY 2

'City go top of the League' were what most City fans were hoping to hear at the final whistle today. To be fair City still are unbeaten and did go top of the league but not in the way they would have hoped.

When the lineups were announced I was surprised that more rotation wasn't involved, given the depth and talent of the City squad. I hoped that wouldn't turn around and bite them in the end. It all started so well for Mancinis men as they opened the scoring first with Aguero notching his seventh goal of the season. Barry passed to Silva on the adge of the box and he in turn thread Aguero through to put the away side 1-0 to the good. After that City went on a rampage but has half time arrived they were only ahead by the single goal. Mancini had spoken on previous games about converting chances into goals and City could have easily netted three more before the break, however, just like against Wigan it was just the one.

Fulham (A) Preview

So it is the day we find out exactly how Manchester City will deal with their European hangovers as City travel to Craven Cottage to take on a Fulham side looking for their first win. Last season this fixture resulted in a 4-1 win to the Blues with Tevez getting a brace and Zab and Yaya getting one each, that however was in November after an eight day break. In fact you have to go back to November 5th 2005 before you get a Fulham victory in this fixture. Over the course of the league meetings between the two clubs City have won twenty three times and lost fifteen times. In fact the next goal that City score will be the 100th for them in the head to head, and bets are they will and some.

City v Napoli (City's Twin From Italy?)

After the draw yesterday between City and Napoli it was inevitable that the boo boys would come out of the woodwork to put their preverbal boot in. However it was a surprise that the biggest critic turned out to be the Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis who branded the City team as ‘money wasters’ and questioned Platini’s resolve when implementing the FIFA Fair Play rules.

City 1, Napoli 1 (Kolarov Spares Blue Blushes)

Manchester City endured a frustrating start to their Champions League campaign at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening against Napoli although many positives can be taken despite the result. City started with an attacking lineup, using Kolorov and Zabaletta in the defensive back positions while choosing to play Nasri, Silva Dzeko and Aguero on the pitch from the first whistle. City also welcomed Gareth Barry back who had been out since sustaining injury while away on International duty.

City V Napoli (Preview)

Manchester City host Italian side Napoli Wednesday for both teams' foray into Champions League football.

Some people are already touting Manchester City to be a contender for the Finals before a ball has even been kicked. Personally I would not be so bold as to make such a prediction, however Mancini has assembled a squad capable of a prolonged European campaign this year, something that wasn’t true as recent as a year ago.

High-caliber signings like Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, coupled with previous buys like Edin Dzeko, David Silva, and Yaya Toure, look capable of pushing City over the top.

Bridge Forever Blowing Bubbles??

It was certainly a surprise that, after Roberto Mancini had indicated defender Wayne Bridge no longer had a role to play in the Manchester City squad, the left back hadn't secured a club to move to in the transfer window.

Certainly he had offers, most notably a move north of the border to play with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. It was certainly a surprise to me when he turned down this offer, but now it appears that he could be returning to London on loan.

City 3, Wigan 0

Manchester City continued their good run, both in the Premier League and also their record against Wigan. City started quickly from the blocks as the Premiership continued after the International break. Sergio Aguero scored within the first quarter of an hour with a a nice shot to the corner from a David Silva cutback.

From that point, it looked like City were going to inflict a similar hammering to Wigan as they had in the previous game against Tottenham. However it was not to be the case, not through excellent Wigan defending but more often than not it was poor finishing from the free flowing City side.

First Silva was felled in the penalty area and Tevez stepped up with the chance to double the lead. However, his penalty attempt was soft to say the least and Al Habsi saved.

Despite the occasional threat on the breakaway from Wigan, City were still dominant and defender Micah Richards broke through the back line to get onto a Tevez through ball. The defender did everything right by dinking the keeper but had too much power and it came back off the crossbar and away.

It really was the case of defenders attacking a few moments later when Kompanys header from a corner hit the post, when it was put back into the box by Richards, Lescott managed to miss from only two yards out.

Halftime City were winning and dominant on the field of play but didn't have the scoreline to reflect it. In truth, City should have been four up and the game should have been done by the half. As it was, City only had a fragile lead heading out in the second half.

City had a few nervous moments early on in the second half and Mancini looked to his bench, bringing on Nasri for Tevez after the hour. It wasn't but two minutes later that City had doubled their lead.

The new incarnation of Bell, Lee and Summerbee, Silva, Kun and Nasri combined and Aguero finished the chance. Agueros brace became his hat trick soon after with Silva again setting up Aguero who was one on one with Wigan keeper Al Habsi. On this form, with his quality there was only going to be one outcome, City 3-0. Top of the Premiership for now with the Reticent Residents playing later today against Bolton.