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!

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.

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.

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.

Not the best decision for Ireland

You know, I can relate with Stephen Ireland. I'm guessing his rationale for lying to the Irish national team and the press about his grandmothers passing to get out of national team duty was similar to mine this morning.

I got to the gym a few minutes late this morning, which made my workout carry over past the time I was supposed to leave to give my wife sufficient time to get herself to a class at the same gym. In between our house and said gym there is a stretch of straight two-lane road that is about a half mile long with open fields on either side, except for a single patch of trees bunched on the side of the road about half way across.

Every morning while traveling to and from the gym I could usually spy the cop car crouched on one side of the trees. On this particular morning, I was running so late - and I didn't see the cop on my side of the trees - that I figured that I would chance it. I gunned the accelerator in the name of making up lost time and was traveling well above the 25 mph speed limit.

Just as I passed the trees I took a quick glance in the rear view, and my stomach jumped when I saw the white car promptly pull onto the road and quickly approach my tailgate.

There is only one word to describe decisions like the ones made by myself and Stevie Ireland: moronic.

City still on the upper end of the table

I was totally embarrassed last night. Not for being a supporter of Manchester City, but for not being up to snuff as a supporter.

It's rare to find people to talk about Premiership football with in the area where I live, so when you do find them you be sure to get as much football conversation out as possible.

On this particular occasion last night I was chatting with a pair of friends, one a West Ham supporter and the other a Man United supporter. As we progressed through the conversation we got to the point where we talked about our teams upcoming matches, and when it came to me a froze like a goalkeeper who just got megged.

City's next fixtures were locked in my brain and I couldn't find the key. So, for those two gentleman, I'll have them know that City is taking on Fulham on Saturday, and then Norwich City in the Carling Cup the following Tuesday.

Yes, I know. It's a little late to be pointing out that information, as if they would read this anyway. But, I feel better...don't you?

As for the win against Aston Villa last Sunday, I had the wonderful fortune of acquiring a recording of the match. The win was never certain for me, until the final whistle. But, the goal from Michael Johnson made me tingle with excitement. Such great composure from only a lad.

Johnson is a classic example that teams in England still can grow their own talent. The fact that City still use their youth system to produce homegrown players is one of the reasons I support the club.

And while my ManUre supporting friend continued to comment that his Red Devils were the best club in the world I had to bring him back to earth by reminding him that City are currently sitting two spaces above of his "best team in the world" in the Premiership table. So, then what would that make City?

Schmeichel: Truly Inspiring

Living under someone elses shadow is never easy. Just ask Kasper Schmeichel, the 20-year old Danish goalkeeper for Manchester City. Even while in the midst of an amazing start of conceding a single goal in his first four games with City, the first point mentioned out of everyone's mouth is his father.

Kasper happened to be born to one of the - if not the - best goalkeepers in soccer history, Peter Schmeichel. Even I had to fall into the trap by starting my post mentioning the same fact.

Peter was amazing. He accomplished incredible things. Whether Kasper lives up to those kinds of heights is irrelevant at this point. What matters is that Kasper plays well for City now. And in my opinion, he is. With Micah Richards and Richard Dunne in front of him, City has a very solid defense. And, as I metioned in my last post, I really like Vedran Corluka at left back.

An honest look at the Arsenal match on Saturday would reveal that City were lucky to only give up one goal. And I'm not referring to Robin van Persie's penalty attempt in the second half.

The Blues just looked unsettled from the opening whistle. There were periods of nice ball movement from City, but those moments were wedged between large sections of of attacking football from the Gunners.

For the record, van Persie is a classless hack. Anybody who drags their foot to catch a goalkeeper in the face - after the 'keeper clearly has the ball - should be ejected. It was sweet karma that it was van Persie who's penalty Schmeichel saved.

The loss should only be a minor set back. City is still second in the league table, and it's a very long season. I'm also happy that the next match, against Aston Villa, will be available to watch live on American television, as will - I think - Blackburn Match on September 2.

It's nice when there on tv here, otherwise I'm pretty much in the dark on City.

Promising Start for City

Blue Moon! You saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, with out a love of my own!

I heard it! I had always been told that the City faithful belted these lyrics in support of the Blues, but in the few years that I have followed the team I had never heard it. Until today. It was a treat for the ears to hear the words loud and clear, even away from the City of Manchester Stadium. Although, the day didn't start as planned.

Rolling over, my sleepy eyes opened to see the digits glowing 7:05. Crap!

I was late.

City would be kicking off against West Ham at Upton Park in less than an hour, and I still needed to lay a line of sprinklers. Well, finish a line.

\By the time I completed my self-imposed task and got to a television, it was already in the 22nd minute and City were already up 1-0. From the highlights I saw that Bianchi did well to get on the end of Petrov's shot that was heading wide, and the Italian tapped in his first in English football.

The first five minutes that I saw looked really good from the Blues. Petrov's strike from distance that required a diving stop from the Hammers goalkeeper Green was exciting, it would have been more so had Bianchi gotten to the rebound before Green. The shot was nice none the less.

Although, Corluca handled Ballamy very well when defending him one-on-one, the repeated charges by West Ham into the City penalty area - heading into half-time - made me nervous. In the end Richards and Dunne were usually there to save the day. Or, West Ham would choke in front of the net. Either way, City kept the lead into the break.

City were lucky that Ashton couldn't put away an open volley for West Ham less than 10 yards out deep in the second half. But the second City goal for Geovanni was a beauty. The real talent coming from Onuoha who barrelled down the sideline and then went back through a pair of West Ham defenders to get Geovanni the ball toward the top of the penalty area.

Such a promising start for a City. I hope to track their success through out the season.

Why City?

Everyone has their own reasons for the clubs that they support. And each one of us relates to our team in our individual way. As an American, I can't fault those from over here who's first thought of a English football club is linked to the other Manchester side. Growing up, I was able to find one game on the television a week, and it almost always involved that other Manchester side.

I was just thrilled to have any soccer (I'm going to be interchanging those terms through out) to watch at all, so I couldn't care less who it was that I was watching.

These days that's the case with pretty of any of the big club brands that are pushing themselves into the market over here. People follow the teams that they can see and identify with, and that is who they see.

As for me, I'll admit, I first started watching City when Claudio Reyna joined the side from Sunderland. With him on the squad our local outlet for the Premiership - Fox Soccer Channel - began picking more Blues matches. As for when they became my club of choice, I'm not exactly sure. But, I'm guessing it was around the time that I plunked down the cash to have a long-sleaved home shirt - with Reyna's name and number 6, of course - shipped over from the MCFC shop.

When Beasley was brought over from PSV on loan I was already a supporter, but it was fun seeing him fly up and down the wing in City Blue...when he was healthy.

With no more American players on the squad this season I wondered whether I would start shifting my allegiances to a side like Fulham or Reading. But, there was no point. I had chosen my club, and that club is Manchester City.

This blog will be my outlet for sharing my view of the Blues from Across the Pond. Thank you to the outlets who keep my up to date on the latest City happenings. Especially thanks to Bitter and Blue as I frequent their blog the most for City info and opinion.