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.
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