In an amazing chain of events all coming together during the closing hours of the European transfer window, Real Madrid's Robinho has agreed to be transferred to Manchester City. According to the folks over at the BBC a deal was struck between the two clubs for an amount over $50 million.
Everything in the last week is almost too much for this City supporter. First, Shawn Wright-Phillips returns from Chelsea. Then he scores a brace in his first game back, leading City to a 3-0 over Sunderland. That, in and of itself, could keep me happy for weeks. Then the last 24 hours happened.
It started with Thaksin Shinawatra removing his distracting presences from the club as owner and selling the Blues to Abu Dabai United.
Next was the news that City were in hot pursuit of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov. The dust hadn't even had time to clear from the news that the Bulgarian had signed with Manchester United when news came across the wire that City put in a bid for Robinho. It's one of those deals you never thought would happen, but enough sources are coming forth with the news (including Manchester City's own site) that it must be true.
The added bonus of this whole deal is that it leaves Chelsea with sore fingers as it seems that the transfer window has coming slamming down before they could make a move.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
City Pounds Hammers
Welcome back to a new season of Manchester City football!
Yes, I understand that two league matches, and a round and a half of UEFA Cup matches, have already been played. But, there hasn't been anything worth remembering until the Citizens 3-0 dismantling of West Ham this past Sunday. A friend of mine, who is a Hammers supporter, informed me that City was lucky that they were able to play most of the match a man up as West Ham midfielder Mark Noble was sent off in the 39th minute with his second yellow card of the day. Neither of Noble's bookings were questionable, and thus it was no surprise that he was shown to the dressing room after his late tackle on Michael Johnson.
By the time Noble was walking off the pitch City were already in complete control of the match and would have won had the sides remained even. Up to that point the Blues had been denied by the goal frame twice, they controlled nearly all the midfield play, and City goalkeeper Joe Hart had yet to touch the ball.
The scary point in the match came when City's pivotal central defender Micah Richards dropped unconsciously to the turf after knocking heads with teammate Tal Ben-Haim. Play was stopped for nearly ten minutes as Richards was eventually carried off on a stretcher and later taken to the hospital. The collective exhale of relief that you heard coming from Manchester on Monday was from Blues supporters as news broke that Richards was not seriously injured.
This match has excited me to watch City again. Key players to watch at this point are Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov on the flanks, they're looking very dangerous, most particularly Ireland. He created both of Elano's goals late in the match, but was also a workhorse through out. It should be fun to see how Jo connects with the service those two will provide. Also, the newest signing, Dutch defender Vincent Kompany was also impressive. His presence on the back line gives me hope for City this Thursday as they try to climb out of a massive hole in UEFA Cup qualifying without the services of Richards.
Yes, I understand that two league matches, and a round and a half of UEFA Cup matches, have already been played. But, there hasn't been anything worth remembering until the Citizens 3-0 dismantling of West Ham this past Sunday. A friend of mine, who is a Hammers supporter, informed me that City was lucky that they were able to play most of the match a man up as West Ham midfielder Mark Noble was sent off in the 39th minute with his second yellow card of the day. Neither of Noble's bookings were questionable, and thus it was no surprise that he was shown to the dressing room after his late tackle on Michael Johnson.
By the time Noble was walking off the pitch City were already in complete control of the match and would have won had the sides remained even. Up to that point the Blues had been denied by the goal frame twice, they controlled nearly all the midfield play, and City goalkeeper Joe Hart had yet to touch the ball.
The scary point in the match came when City's pivotal central defender Micah Richards dropped unconsciously to the turf after knocking heads with teammate Tal Ben-Haim. Play was stopped for nearly ten minutes as Richards was eventually carried off on a stretcher and later taken to the hospital. The collective exhale of relief that you heard coming from Manchester on Monday was from Blues supporters as news broke that Richards was not seriously injured.
This match has excited me to watch City again. Key players to watch at this point are Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov on the flanks, they're looking very dangerous, most particularly Ireland. He created both of Elano's goals late in the match, but was also a workhorse through out. It should be fun to see how Jo connects with the service those two will provide. Also, the newest signing, Dutch defender Vincent Kompany was also impressive. His presence on the back line gives me hope for City this Thursday as they try to climb out of a massive hole in UEFA Cup qualifying without the services of Richards.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Is it worth beating Man Utd?
The results of this season continue to be on par for a typical Manchester City side. The year started out well, with three straight victories, including one at home of over their crimson clad neighbors - Manchester United. However, beating United may come at a greater price than it is worth.
Switching focus to the red rivals for only a moment, United has only suffered defeat at the hands of three Premiership teams this season loosing both contests with Manchester City and then dropping results against West Ham and Bolton.
It's a euphoric feeling to beat a team like United, except for every one of those teams suffered the consequences in their next league match. Not a single team followed up their victory over United with as much as a draw this season.
City were the first to topple the Devils back in August. Their 1-0 victory at home over their crosstown rivals was followed by a pair of 1-0 losses on the road to Arsenal and Blackburn.
While those of us in America were getting filled with turkey and relaxing over the Thanksgiving Holiday, Nicolas Anelka gave Bolton all they needed for their 1-0 win over United. Bolton's pride only lasted long enough to get smoked by four unanswered goals from Liverpool the following week.
Just before the New Year holiday the Hammers earned a full three points from ManU, only to hand the points over to Arsenal on New Years Day.
The biggest fallout came to City after their surprising win at Old Trafford last month. The win sank the blues into a funk of a fearful sort. The usual one-match lull that has infected everyone following a win over United came in the form of a 2-0 loss at the ends of Everton. City then tied Wigan at home and then fell to Reading by a pair to nil.
Loosing to Everton can be accepted, but teams in the bottom half of the table should be sure points. The Blues were able to take one step closer at righting the ship this past weekend by storming back from one goal down to overtake Tottenham for a valuable three points.
The timing couldn't have been better as Blackburn fell to West Ham, providing City with an advancement in the standings. The Blues are so close to qualifying for Europe that it will be disappointing when they don't make it, especially with the way the season started.
Switching focus to the red rivals for only a moment, United has only suffered defeat at the hands of three Premiership teams this season loosing both contests with Manchester City and then dropping results against West Ham and Bolton.
It's a euphoric feeling to beat a team like United, except for every one of those teams suffered the consequences in their next league match. Not a single team followed up their victory over United with as much as a draw this season.
City were the first to topple the Devils back in August. Their 1-0 victory at home over their crosstown rivals was followed by a pair of 1-0 losses on the road to Arsenal and Blackburn.
While those of us in America were getting filled with turkey and relaxing over the Thanksgiving Holiday, Nicolas Anelka gave Bolton all they needed for their 1-0 win over United. Bolton's pride only lasted long enough to get smoked by four unanswered goals from Liverpool the following week.
Just before the New Year holiday the Hammers earned a full three points from ManU, only to hand the points over to Arsenal on New Years Day.
The biggest fallout came to City after their surprising win at Old Trafford last month. The win sank the blues into a funk of a fearful sort. The usual one-match lull that has infected everyone following a win over United came in the form of a 2-0 loss at the ends of Everton. City then tied Wigan at home and then fell to Reading by a pair to nil.
Loosing to Everton can be accepted, but teams in the bottom half of the table should be sure points. The Blues were able to take one step closer at righting the ship this past weekend by storming back from one goal down to overtake Tottenham for a valuable three points.
The timing couldn't have been better as Blackburn fell to West Ham, providing City with an advancement in the standings. The Blues are so close to qualifying for Europe that it will be disappointing when they don't make it, especially with the way the season started.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
City come from behind against Bolton
Watching the City-Bolton goal-fest exhausted me during the early hours of this morning. City are certainly proving to pull out some exhilarating results this season, while playing at home.
It's quite late, so my thoughts may not be coherent. Please let me know if I confuse you.
It was good to see Bianchi score in the first five minutes or so, but disheartening to see him out of position because of his lack of willingness to recover from the previous play. My favorite part of that play was Johnson's centering pass to Bianchi. As he received the centering ball from Vassell, Johnson gave the sweetest square touch to the onrushing Bianchi who slid the ball past the Bolton keeper, Jaaskelainen.
Neither the City or the Bolton defense looked incredibly strong. Attackers from both sides looked to have large green pastures of uncontested space to blaze through on their way to goal.
The two goals that Bolton scored illustrated the acres of space that were given to Diouf and Nolan. Leading up to Diouf's first goal this season Bolton sliced through a stagnant City defense, traveling two-thirds the length of the field without any serious challenge.
Nolan had a great strike, but anyone should at that level, given that amount of time.
When Hamann forced the Bolton defender, Michalik, to knock the ball in to bring City level just after half-time, I was hopefully optimistic. That optimism spilled over in the 76th minute with Vassell sweeping in Petrov's perfect cross. On this play, I initially thought Petrov shut down by his defender, but his cutting cross was enough to let Vassell pull a Del Piero-esq backheel through the legs for a nifty goal.
Having the 19 year-old Etuhu put the game on ice in the 90th with his first game in a Manchester City shirt was a perfect ending to an intensely paced contest. In the end it looked as though the pace got to the visitors as Bolton simply ran out of gas.
Above all I was happy to see the boys come together and fight for the come back and actually pull it off for the win. Let's keep it up City!
It's quite late, so my thoughts may not be coherent. Please let me know if I confuse you.
It was good to see Bianchi score in the first five minutes or so, but disheartening to see him out of position because of his lack of willingness to recover from the previous play. My favorite part of that play was Johnson's centering pass to Bianchi. As he received the centering ball from Vassell, Johnson gave the sweetest square touch to the onrushing Bianchi who slid the ball past the Bolton keeper, Jaaskelainen.
Neither the City or the Bolton defense looked incredibly strong. Attackers from both sides looked to have large green pastures of uncontested space to blaze through on their way to goal.
The two goals that Bolton scored illustrated the acres of space that were given to Diouf and Nolan. Leading up to Diouf's first goal this season Bolton sliced through a stagnant City defense, traveling two-thirds the length of the field without any serious challenge.
Nolan had a great strike, but anyone should at that level, given that amount of time.
When Hamann forced the Bolton defender, Michalik, to knock the ball in to bring City level just after half-time, I was hopefully optimistic. That optimism spilled over in the 76th minute with Vassell sweeping in Petrov's perfect cross. On this play, I initially thought Petrov shut down by his defender, but his cutting cross was enough to let Vassell pull a Del Piero-esq backheel through the legs for a nifty goal.
Having the 19 year-old Etuhu put the game on ice in the 90th with his first game in a Manchester City shirt was a perfect ending to an intensely paced contest. In the end it looked as though the pace got to the visitors as Bolton simply ran out of gas.
Above all I was happy to see the boys come together and fight for the come back and actually pull it off for the win. Let's keep it up City!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Collapses Make Memories of Good Times Even Better
Last week, Stephen Ireland make my two year-old daughter cry. Err, more accurately, my reaction to his last minute rocket-volley from the top of the penalty area to get the win against Reading was more likely what scared her. But, how could any City supporter contain themselves in such a moment?
Winning in that fashion reminded me of why I first fell in with the Blues. As I eluded in an earlier post, City first caught my attention with the signing of Claudio Reyna. But, as I introduced myself at the forums on mcfcamerica.org I was reminded of what cemented my loyalties. There were two results in the spring of 2004 that did it for me.
On March 4, City trounced the Red Devils of Manchester United 4-1. I was so excited about that game that I remember displaying a desktop wallpaper for each goal scored, provided by the team mcfc.co.uk .
The other amazing moment that spring was the FA Cup replay against Spurs at White Heart Lane. In a 7 goal thriller where the home side took a 3-0 lead into half-time, and Joey Barton was sent off for City just before the break, the Blues went on an improbable scoring streak in the second half. Four unanswered goals propelled the Citizens into the fifth round of that years FA Cup.
The excitement of Ireland's winner against Reading ushered in similar feelings that created those memories from years past. It's emotions such as those that reassure me that I have chosen the right team to support.
Sadly, while I've been compiling these thoughts, City have completely fallen apart against a Wigan side that sits in the relegation zone at the bottom of the table. The game wasn't lost, thank heavens, but that was largely due to a fantastic near-post save from Adreas Isaksson to keep out a close range volley from Ryan Taylor.
Collapses like this only makes those sweet memories even sweeter.
Winning in that fashion reminded me of why I first fell in with the Blues. As I eluded in an earlier post, City first caught my attention with the signing of Claudio Reyna. But, as I introduced myself at the forums on mcfcamerica.org I was reminded of what cemented my loyalties. There were two results in the spring of 2004 that did it for me.
On March 4, City trounced the Red Devils of Manchester United 4-1. I was so excited about that game that I remember displaying a desktop wallpaper for each goal scored, provided by the team mcfc.co.uk .
The other amazing moment that spring was the FA Cup replay against Spurs at White Heart Lane. In a 7 goal thriller where the home side took a 3-0 lead into half-time, and Joey Barton was sent off for City just before the break, the Blues went on an improbable scoring streak in the second half. Four unanswered goals propelled the Citizens into the fifth round of that years FA Cup.
The excitement of Ireland's winner against Reading ushered in similar feelings that created those memories from years past. It's emotions such as those that reassure me that I have chosen the right team to support.
Sadly, while I've been compiling these thoughts, City have completely fallen apart against a Wigan side that sits in the relegation zone at the bottom of the table. The game wasn't lost, thank heavens, but that was largely due to a fantastic near-post save from Adreas Isaksson to keep out a close range volley from Ryan Taylor.
Collapses like this only makes those sweet memories even sweeter.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
City back on track against Sunderland
It wasn't pretty, and I never got the warm fuzzy feeling that the Blues were dominating, but it was still a win. And after the embarrassment; of last week, it was nice getting back into the win column.
A week after bleeding six goals to Chelsea Manchester City were able to keep a clean sheet against newly promoted Sunderland, who have yet to win on the road this season. The City defense remained tight even without English International Micah Richards, who was out with a bruise on his knee-cap. After some shaky moments - most notable coming after defender Sun Jihai tripped over the ball in the open field, allowing Sunderland to mount a lightly contested charge on City goalkeeper Joe Hart. It's a good thing that the Sunderland forwards couldn't hit the frame of the goal.
I really don't see Sun's value in the team. Such blunders and mistakes are not uncommon in his play. If Richard Dunne is seen as City's calm, consistent, and steady center back, Sun is the Anti-Dunne. Although, to be fair, Dunne's goal-line clearance in the second half looked to be more of a lucky touch than masterful defensively play.
Stephen Ireland's volley for the game's lone tally was sublime. The service from Darius Vassell was played perfectly across the front of the Sunderland goal, missing Bianchi's head by inches and descending right into the stride of Ireland who drilled his shot between the feet of goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
After a week of my Liverpool-Loving neighbor holding up six fingers every time he saw me it was a relief to see how this City team would respond to the Chelsea setback. Taking a home unbeaten streak to seven straight is the kind of response I like to see.
A week after bleeding six goals to Chelsea Manchester City were able to keep a clean sheet against newly promoted Sunderland, who have yet to win on the road this season. The City defense remained tight even without English International Micah Richards, who was out with a bruise on his knee-cap. After some shaky moments - most notable coming after defender Sun Jihai tripped over the ball in the open field, allowing Sunderland to mount a lightly contested charge on City goalkeeper Joe Hart. It's a good thing that the Sunderland forwards couldn't hit the frame of the goal.
I really don't see Sun's value in the team. Such blunders and mistakes are not uncommon in his play. If Richard Dunne is seen as City's calm, consistent, and steady center back, Sun is the Anti-Dunne. Although, to be fair, Dunne's goal-line clearance in the second half looked to be more of a lucky touch than masterful defensively play.
Stephen Ireland's volley for the game's lone tally was sublime. The service from Darius Vassell was played perfectly across the front of the Sunderland goal, missing Bianchi's head by inches and descending right into the stride of Ireland who drilled his shot between the feet of goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
After a week of my Liverpool-Loving neighbor holding up six fingers every time he saw me it was a relief to see how this City team would respond to the Chelsea setback. Taking a home unbeaten streak to seven straight is the kind of response I like to see.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Dreadful Outting Against Chelsea
Embarrassing.
I've never seen a team react so poorly to falling behind than Manchester City looked today against Chelsea. Not ever have I even seen my local MLS side, Real Salt Lake, look so incredibly shellshocked!
Although, there were a lot of similarities between City and RSL today. The goalkeeping looked pretty good behind a weak defense. Like Salt Lake's Nick Rimando, Joe Heart pulled out some incredible saves even while bleeding 6 goals.
It was about the 52nd minute before I was able to tune in to the match and the Citizens were already 2-0 down. But, it wasn't the score-line that concerned me. Watching only for a few moments you knew something was wrong. City looked dreadful.
Chelsea pushed freely into their penalty area, while the City backline looked extraordinarily timid to go forward. To the point that no defender dared to take the ball forward. They would pass sideways between themselves and back to the goalkeeper. The only way the ball got up field was when Heart would lump it up over the halfway line.
And that was when they had the ball. The idea of playing defense is trying to get the ball from the other team, or at least attempt to get in their way as they push toward your own goal. Well, neither of those seemed to be priority of the Man City defense today. They looked more eager to get off the pitch than actually play.
City had not been available for me to watch in over a month, and I knew Chelsea would be a stiff challenge, but I figured they boys would at least show up for the challenge.
I've never seen a team react so poorly to falling behind than Manchester City looked today against Chelsea. Not ever have I even seen my local MLS side, Real Salt Lake, look so incredibly shellshocked!
Although, there were a lot of similarities between City and RSL today. The goalkeeping looked pretty good behind a weak defense. Like Salt Lake's Nick Rimando, Joe Heart pulled out some incredible saves even while bleeding 6 goals.
It was about the 52nd minute before I was able to tune in to the match and the Citizens were already 2-0 down. But, it wasn't the score-line that concerned me. Watching only for a few moments you knew something was wrong. City looked dreadful.
Chelsea pushed freely into their penalty area, while the City backline looked extraordinarily timid to go forward. To the point that no defender dared to take the ball forward. They would pass sideways between themselves and back to the goalkeeper. The only way the ball got up field was when Heart would lump it up over the halfway line.
And that was when they had the ball. The idea of playing defense is trying to get the ball from the other team, or at least attempt to get in their way as they push toward your own goal. Well, neither of those seemed to be priority of the Man City defense today. They looked more eager to get off the pitch than actually play.
City had not been available for me to watch in over a month, and I knew Chelsea would be a stiff challenge, but I figured they boys would at least show up for the challenge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)