Match Reflection: Stoke 0 - 1 Manchester City

Fan favourite Zabaleta puts City through

By Aaron Leggott

After grabbing his third goal of the season at the Britannia Stadium yesterday, Pablo Zabaleta once again staked his claim as one of the greatest model professionals in the world at the moment. And this just isn't the opinion of Manchester City fans. 

Zabaleta celebrates after grabbing the winner against Stoke
Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe

Ian Ladyman, Northern Football Correspondent at the Daily Mail, was quick to praise the Argentinian full back with the following tweet:

"I'm supposed to be neutral but Pablo Zabaleta is a wonderful man and a very valuable footballer."

And Ladyman wasn't the only one. On the ITV FA Cup highlights show last night, both Clarke Carlisle and Gordon Strachan agreed with the sentiments of presenter Matt Smith, who said that every manager would love a team of Zabaleta's.

Match Preview: Stoke vs Manchester City

Can City end a run of draws at the Britannia?

By Aaron Leggott

Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe

Speculation regarding the future of Mario Balotelli has been the most newsworthy information coming out of the Etihad Stadium this week, with reports heavily linking him to his boyhood club, AC Milan.

However, with his agent quick to deny any move for the Italian, it seems that Balotelli is set to stay put at City at least until the end of the season.

Along with the rumours that Txiki Begiristain wants Roberto Mancini to move towards the infamous 4-3-3 formation used consistently by Txiki's former club Barcelona, there has been less of a focus on this weekends FA Cup tie at the Britannia Stadium.

The two sides meet in the competition for the first time since Yaya Toure won Manchester City the trophy at Wembley in May 2011, and the Potters will be looking for some revenge to that disappointing day in the capital.

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Watford

Our FA Cup journey starts with a tricky tie...

By Archie Barnett

The FA Cup campaign starts for Manchester City against an opposition that are being classed as somewhat underdogs in this encounter, but they should not be underestimated. The Citizens come into this clash on the back of a 3-0 victory over Stoke City, whereas Watford were unable to repeat the same scoreline, after losing 4-3 against Charlton Athletic.

Mancini insists Balotelli clash was 'nothing special'

By Aaron Leggott

Following yesterday's training ground bust up between manager Roberto Mancini & Mario Balotelli, there was many claims throughout the media suggesting that Balotelli's career at Manchester City was coming to a halt.

Opinionated Article: Mario vs Roberto

Blown out of proportion but raises questions...

By Archie Barnett

Just before we start, this article will be opinionated and will look at different sides of the argument, some of you may not agree with what is written and may want to complain about it, but hey-ho that's journalism. Any complaints you may have, just pass them on to me via twitter.

There are many issues that can be raised after the news that striker Mario Balotelli and manager Roberto Mancini have been involved in the training ground bust up, but what exactly are they?