As reigning champions of England and the Netherlands, Manchester City and Ajax are waging almost carbon copy defences of their domestic crowns. Both remain undefeated and yet both are perceived to be under-performing in their respective leagues.  Ajax have won four and drawn five of their nine games so far, whereas City have won five and drawn three of their opening eight fixtures. Whether that is a harsh judgment – […]

Manchester City’s thoroughly deserved 2-1 win at The Hawthorns was undoubtedly the late late Edin Dzeko show as 10-man City persevered in adversity. But it was a victory built on a resilience, self belief and strength of purpose stemming from that memorable, last minute, title-clinching win over QPR last May. Has there ever been a team more aware of the rewards to be had by keeping going until the final […]

For the second time in the space of five weeks Manchester City face a tough domestic spat quickly followed by a more cultured contest on the continent – but they’ll need to do better this time out. City’s star spangled squad has to cope with the blood and thunder of West Bromwich Albion and the subtle sophistication of Ajax in the next few days. It’s almost a carbon copy of […]

Serbian hitman Aleksander Kolarov’s lethal left foot weapon fired champions Manchester City up to second place in the Premier League in a display of precision shooting. All action Kolarov dispelled the ubiquitous notion that the reigning English Champions have somehow lost their way, as City annihilated previously unbeaten Sunderland. The three goal margin in no way reflected City’s total domination. 8-0 would not have flattered Roberto’s resurgent troops as they […]

An inability to keep clean sheets is the main talking point surrounding Manchester City, as they prepare to face the team that did them the most damage en-route to becoming champions last season. Martin O’Neill’s ‘Black Cats’ come to Fortress Etihad ready to pounce on any opportunity to compound the discomfort of City’s back line and go one better than the point they snared in a spectacular 3-3 draw in […]

A superlative showing from Joe Hart and a sting in the tail from Mario Balotelli kept Manchester City alive in the Group of Death as Borussia Dortmund swarmed all over them in the Champions League. Three elements emerged from a lopsided contest at the Etihad Stadium; Hart is the best goalkeeper in the world, there’s no better penalty taker on the planet than Balotelli and, sadly, City are nowhere near […]

Defeatists might suggest that Manchester City’s encounter with Borussia Dortmund will, at best, help decide who finishes as runners-up in the Champion’s League ‘Group of Death’. The clever money is on Real Madrid to emerge as Group winners and Dutch champions Ajax finishing bottom, leaving City in a straight dogfight with the Bundesliga & German Cup double winners. Any team that can annihilate Bayern Munich and win back-to-back Bundesliga titles […]

The ‘Real’ Manchester City finally arrived in season 2012/13 – 540 minutes into the defence of their Premier League crown. In a master class of fast moving, incisive attacking football, City produced a performance a million miles removed from the abject midweek offering against Aston Villa, as they tore into Fulham from the off. With 71% possession and 23 attempts on goal, maroon clad Manchester clearly overwhelmed their hosts throughout […]

For the first time in nearly six months, Manchester City go into a match off the back of a domestic defeat and four games without a win – an unpalatable scenario for perfectionist Roberto Mancini. Equally unfamiliar is the prospect of kicking off against higher placed Premier League opposition with Fulham one notch above City in sixth position. Mercifully, the domestic reversal in question was limited to the ‘Capital Punishment’ […]

Manchester City fans quite rightly rejoice, get to their feet and blast out a rendition of ‘Stand up for the Champions’ at the Etihad Stadium on match days. Well, the City faithful will remain rooted in their seats next season if they have to suffer many more performances like this.  Mancini’s men seem to have sunk into a malaise – despite remaining unbeaten in the league since Easter Sunday – […]

Who will ever forget the incredulous scenes as Sergio Aguero wheeled away triumphantly, stripped to the waist, shirt whirring in the air proclaiming Manchester City as Premier League champions after the winner against QPR? Amid wild celebrations – seen the world over – City clinched the title accompanied by the now legendary ‘Agueeeerrroooooo’ commentary and iconic footage. Contrast that with the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium just 35 days […]

To lose any game when you’re 2-1 up in the 86th minute is careless, but to capitulate with victory over Real Madrid within touching distance in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium is criminal. With just four minutes of regulation time remaining Aleksander Kolarov’s  30 yard free kick bamboozled the massed Madrid defence and looked destined to give Manchester City a most amazing Champions League victory. S natching defeat from the jaws […]