Manchester City have it all to do in the second leg of their Europa league tie at Eastlands next week as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat away in the Ukraine. City started with Tevez on the bench and it showed as City were pretty much always second to the ball. Chelsea flop, Shevchenko scored the opening goal after 24 minutes as City failed to clear their lines properly. That was something that was the problem with City all game long as wave after wave of Kiev attacks developed. Second half and City started with only ten men as David Platt was sent back down the tunnel to retrieve Mario Balotelli and our whole substitution bench. In fairness it didn’t make a whole bit of difference and it wasn’t long before Balotelli was replaced by Tevez.
From that point City seemed a little more livelier but still looked very vulnerable when Kiev would counter. The second goal of the game came from almost comical defending from City, allowing Gusev to control then rifle the ball past Hart, all from just outside the six yard box.
In truth it was only a fine stop for Hart later on that stopped it becoming three and although City did have a few chances they will have to perform much better in seven days time if they want to continue in this competition.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
CITY v Villa (Preview)
Manchester City will be hoping to put the disappointment of Sundays draw with the FA Cup fifth round tie with Aston Villa at Eastlands tomorrow. City beat Villa in the league fixture earlier on in the season but the Villans have improved somewhat since that game after the appointment of Gerard Houllier as manager and
City fans will not need reminding of their new striker, Darren Bent scoring on his debut, against City. Again City will be without DeJong, Johnson, Given and Vincent Kompany although David Silva and Micah Richards may return to the squad as City pursue their first silverware since 1976. This will probably be the best route for City to progress to the final as some really big teams have already fallen by the way side and with Reading knocking out Everton yesterday that means we will face the Championship side on Sunday March 13th if we brush aside Villa.
Manchester City have the edge with our encounters with Aston Villa in the FA Cup with Villa last knocking us out in the Quarter Final stage in the 1938 season. The most recent meeting saw us win 2-1 in the replay at Eastlands. However as we all know, stats mean nothing and this could be a make or break game for Mancini with the Premiership title already out of our reach a defeat in the FA Cup will leave a very tough group of teams left in the Europa League for us to get past, if we beat Kiev.
City fans will not need reminding of their new striker, Darren Bent scoring on his debut, against City. Again City will be without DeJong, Johnson, Given and Vincent Kompany although David Silva and Micah Richards may return to the squad as City pursue their first silverware since 1976. This will probably be the best route for City to progress to the final as some really big teams have already fallen by the way side and with Reading knocking out Everton yesterday that means we will face the Championship side on Sunday March 13th if we brush aside Villa.
Manchester City have the edge with our encounters with Aston Villa in the FA Cup with Villa last knocking us out in the Quarter Final stage in the 1938 season. The most recent meeting saw us win 2-1 in the replay at Eastlands. However as we all know, stats mean nothing and this could be a make or break game for Mancini with the Premiership title already out of our reach a defeat in the FA Cup will leave a very tough group of teams left in the Europa League for us to get past, if we beat Kiev.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
CITY 1, Fulham 1
Manchester City produced a lackluster performance at home today as the hosted Fulham and of course, the return of ex manager Leslie Hughes. Mancini put out a very attacking lineup but still were missing defensive players Vincent Kompany and Nigel DeJong as well as the creative talent of David Silva. Despite this it was the home side that struck first with a superb right foot shot from Moody Mario outside the area. That however would be all she wrote for City. After the break Fulham came out and for a moment I thought I was watching a Six Nations game with the kind of tackling that was going on! Fulham though did equalize through Damien Duff, after a first time cross from Andrew Johnson.
Tevez and Kolorov went close afterwards but in truth City by that time had employed a kind of hit and hope mentality to their attacking play. When City did pass it around however we did seem to break them down somewhat but then right back into the golf swing clearance.
It was certainly frustrating to watch as a City fan because we are better than that and towards the end when we needed to keep clam and ensure our passes and shots met their targets we would fail. Yaya back heeling a ball on the edge of the area only to find the feet of an opposing player is not good when you are about to enter stoppage time. That, however is not nearly as frustrating as mis controlling a ball and having it run out of play (Kolorov) or even hoofing a shot very high and very wide from some distance out when it would be wiser to select any one of three passes and progress closer (Balotelli). That said we need to let this game go, the title is gone and possibly so has second place. For now we must turn our attention to the FA Cup date with Aston Villa on Wednesday and then hope we have enough to ensure we keep our Champions League credentials alive for next season.
Tevez and Kolorov went close afterwards but in truth City by that time had employed a kind of hit and hope mentality to their attacking play. When City did pass it around however we did seem to break them down somewhat but then right back into the golf swing clearance.
It was certainly frustrating to watch as a City fan because we are better than that and towards the end when we needed to keep clam and ensure our passes and shots met their targets we would fail. Yaya back heeling a ball on the edge of the area only to find the feet of an opposing player is not good when you are about to enter stoppage time. That, however is not nearly as frustrating as mis controlling a ball and having it run out of play (Kolorov) or even hoofing a shot very high and very wide from some distance out when it would be wiser to select any one of three passes and progress closer (Balotelli). That said we need to let this game go, the title is gone and possibly so has second place. For now we must turn our attention to the FA Cup date with Aston Villa on Wednesday and then hope we have enough to ensure we keep our Champions League credentials alive for next season.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
City V Fulham
City welcome Mark Hughes back to the City of Manchester stadium for the first time since his departure just over a year ago. Well I say welcome, I am sure it will not be all that cosy. Either way I am just hoping for another three points at Eastlands for our beloved City as we try to solidify our pre season objective of a Champions League position.
This will not be easy though as Fulham have never been pushovers for us in the past, having last won in 2006 and this one will have the added ingredient of an ex manager coming back to prove a point. Fulhams league form has not been too shabby either going into this game with one defeat in seven which saw them clamber up to mid table, meanwhile Citys league form has dipped a little since being top in January.
That being said City will be lifted by their two previous cup games, both big wins and both with clean sheets.
I would dearly love for Mancini to go with the starting lineup he put out midweek against Aris. This obviously will have to be changed if Kompany doesn’t make the fitness race after damaging his hip. If we see a slick City we may be in store to see us dish out our first Premiership ass whooping. However if we start slow and play cautiously then we may be in for a long day with possibly a negative result.
This will not be easy though as Fulham have never been pushovers for us in the past, having last won in 2006 and this one will have the added ingredient of an ex manager coming back to prove a point. Fulhams league form has not been too shabby either going into this game with one defeat in seven which saw them clamber up to mid table, meanwhile Citys league form has dipped a little since being top in January.
That being said City will be lifted by their two previous cup games, both big wins and both with clean sheets.
I would dearly love for Mancini to go with the starting lineup he put out midweek against Aris. This obviously will have to be changed if Kompany doesn’t make the fitness race after damaging his hip. If we see a slick City we may be in store to see us dish out our first Premiership ass whooping. However if we start slow and play cautiously then we may be in for a long day with possibly a negative result.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
City v Aris (2nd Leg) Preview.
Manchester City host Greek side Aris Salonika Thursday in the return leg of the last 32 game of the Europa league. As you will recall City played the first leg in Greece last Tuesday and failed to score a single goal despite having numerous chances and possession. That being said no opposition side has ever won at the Greek ground in their history of European competition. In fact the last two English sides to fail to win there went on to win that particular competition.
City, too will be buzzing from the display that saw City brush aside Notts County in the FA Cup at the weekend 5-0. Proving that when City turn it on they can really turn it on.
Mario Balotelli has recovered from that game in which he clashed heads but on the downside it appears that Micah Richards is going to miss the game with a calf injury. Shaun Wright Phillips is back in the squad following his time out with back trouble but Shay Given has a shoulder problem that will see him not partake in any games for at least three months. Other players that will not make the squad include, Milner (hamstring), as well as DeJong and Adam Johnson, both with ankle injuries.
Certainly City are still well equipped to see off the Greek side at Eastlands but remember goals against will count as double in this game if the scores are tied. City must attack and keep Aris in their own half but also make sure the defenders and defensive players keep their focus, especially with set pieces, something City have struggled with over recent weeks.
City, too will be buzzing from the display that saw City brush aside Notts County in the FA Cup at the weekend 5-0. Proving that when City turn it on they can really turn it on.
Mario Balotelli has recovered from that game in which he clashed heads but on the downside it appears that Micah Richards is going to miss the game with a calf injury. Shaun Wright Phillips is back in the squad following his time out with back trouble but Shay Given has a shoulder problem that will see him not partake in any games for at least three months. Other players that will not make the squad include, Milner (hamstring), as well as DeJong and Adam Johnson, both with ankle injuries.
Certainly City are still well equipped to see off the Greek side at Eastlands but remember goals against will count as double in this game if the scores are tied. City must attack and keep Aris in their own half but also make sure the defenders and defensive players keep their focus, especially with set pieces, something City have struggled with over recent weeks.
Monday, February 21, 2011
CITY 5, Notts Co 0
So Manchester City eased past Notts County and into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, albeit at the second attempt. As in the original game Notts County started off the sharper with Karl Hawley’s shot beating Hart but striking the post and out. Balotelli and Dzeko started the game upfront for City but despite this it was 80 year old French defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira who netted Citys first eight minutes before the half.
The second half saw both teams struggle for a bit and it was clear that the next goal would decide how the game would pan out. A City goal would give them confidence and the cushion to display the skill the have, however a goal for County would put City in a nervous position for the remainder of the game.
It would be the Citizens who would score the next goal and again, senior Citizen, Vieira put his head to the Kolarov corner to effectively kill the game off as a contest. Balotelli had seemed quiet during the game while Dzeko seemed to at least be making the effort. It would be an accidental clash of heads between the Italian and Pearce that led to City making a substitution. Captain Fantastic replaced Super Mario and soon scored his Fiftieth City goal and City’s third of the game. Dzeko threaded Tevez through and the Argentinean calmly finished off after rounding the keeper and gave the ball just enough legs to cross the line. From then on it was Carnival time at Stadium City and Dzeko added the fourth with a minute to go. This time it was roles reversed as Tevez flicked the ball up and across to the Bosnian who couldn’t miss. Micah Richards though scored the best goal of the game, in my humble opinion. Although the game was won and Notts County at this point had given up the fight Richards flicked the ball up and hooked the shot in from twelve yards out. Who needs Rooney’s ballerina theatrics when you have defenders who can score like that!
The second half saw both teams struggle for a bit and it was clear that the next goal would decide how the game would pan out. A City goal would give them confidence and the cushion to display the skill the have, however a goal for County would put City in a nervous position for the remainder of the game.
It would be the Citizens who would score the next goal and again, senior Citizen, Vieira put his head to the Kolarov corner to effectively kill the game off as a contest. Balotelli had seemed quiet during the game while Dzeko seemed to at least be making the effort. It would be an accidental clash of heads between the Italian and Pearce that led to City making a substitution. Captain Fantastic replaced Super Mario and soon scored his Fiftieth City goal and City’s third of the game. Dzeko threaded Tevez through and the Argentinean calmly finished off after rounding the keeper and gave the ball just enough legs to cross the line. From then on it was Carnival time at Stadium City and Dzeko added the fourth with a minute to go. This time it was roles reversed as Tevez flicked the ball up and across to the Bosnian who couldn’t miss. Micah Richards though scored the best goal of the game, in my humble opinion. Although the game was won and Notts County at this point had given up the fight Richards flicked the ball up and hooked the shot in from twelve yards out. Who needs Rooney’s ballerina theatrics when you have defenders who can score like that!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Aris 0, CITY 0
City travel back to Eastlands with the European tie goalless after a defensive first match display by the hosts, Aris in Greece on Tuesday. City pressed and harried but Aris defended the majority of the game with 10 men behind the ball which the slick passing of a superstar lineup City side couldn’t break. Positives from the game are that Mario Ballotelli made his comeback, off the bench late on for City.
David Silva had the first real shot on goal early on for City but in truth it lacked the pace to be able to beat the goalkeeper, which was a stark contrast to City’s last attempt on goal which had all the fury and pace on it but lacked the accuracy as Micah Richards sliced the ball so bad that even now it is probably still refusing to come back down!
While it is clear that Dzeko still isn’t quite there at the moment it is also clear that he certainly is no Jo from a lack of effort. A cross from Barry saw the Bosnians header saved from under the crossbar while later on a fierce shot from outside the box was only just off target as it whistled past the upright. All in all it was not the best result for City as an away goal (even 1-1 draw) would have been better but it also is not the worst result. With history showing that no team but Aris has won on that ground in European competition before and their previous two English opponents, Chelsea and Ipswich went on to win the Cup Winners Cup in 1971 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 after failing to win in Greece. So that coupled with the fact our year would be recorded as 2011 has to be a good sign as we look to the return leg at Eastlands a week on Thursday.
David Silva had the first real shot on goal early on for City but in truth it lacked the pace to be able to beat the goalkeeper, which was a stark contrast to City’s last attempt on goal which had all the fury and pace on it but lacked the accuracy as Micah Richards sliced the ball so bad that even now it is probably still refusing to come back down!
While it is clear that Dzeko still isn’t quite there at the moment it is also clear that he certainly is no Jo from a lack of effort. A cross from Barry saw the Bosnians header saved from under the crossbar while later on a fierce shot from outside the box was only just off target as it whistled past the upright. All in all it was not the best result for City as an away goal (even 1-1 draw) would have been better but it also is not the worst result. With history showing that no team but Aris has won on that ground in European competition before and their previous two English opponents, Chelsea and Ipswich went on to win the Cup Winners Cup in 1971 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 after failing to win in Greece. So that coupled with the fact our year would be recorded as 2011 has to be a good sign as we look to the return leg at Eastlands a week on Thursday.
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