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.