Match Reflection: Manchester City 2 - 3 Norwich

Norwich win adds to a miserable week for City

By Aaron Leggott

A compelling final day encounter between Manchester City and Norwich left a bitter taste in the mouth of City fans following a 3-2 defeat at home to the Canaries.

City pegged Norwich back twice during the game before Jonny Howson scored what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes with a superb solo effort.

Jack Rodwell scoring his second goal against Norwich
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Interim manager Brian Kidd, who made five changes to the team that beat Reading on Tuesday night, expressed his happiness that a difficult week at the club has finally come to an end.

"It's been an emotional week with the events at the club. Full credit to the lads, they've all got stuck in and you can't ask for anymore than that."

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Norwich

Can the Blues end the season on a good note?

By Aaron Leggott

At this point last year, both Manchester City and Norwich were in jubilant moods following a Premier League title for the Blues, whilst the Canaries recorded their highest top flight finish for 18 years. 

Both managers who led the two teams to success have now departed, albeit Paul Lambert a lot earlier than Roberto Mancini, who lost his job on Monday night following a breakdown between himself and the dressing room.

Aguero and Bassong clash in the reverse fixture, with City winning 4-3
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Perhaps both sides will be happy to see the back of this season now. City will be hoping for a fresh start under seemingly new manager Manuel Pellegrini, whilst Chris Hughton will be looking to build upon his mixed debut season at Carrow Road.

Match Reflection: Reading 0 - 2 Manchester City

Accomplished performance sees City secure second

By Aaron Leggott

It is often said that teams rally around following shocking news, and this is exactly what happened at Reading as City triumphed 2-0 over the Royals. 

It was Sergio Aguero who opened the scoring for the Blues five minutes before half time, before top scorer Edin Dzeko finished things off with minutes to play.

Aguero celebrates after opening the scoring
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There has been a lot of conspiracies surrounding the players and many have suggested that the playing staff were the driving force behind Roberto Mancini's departure - but they still put in a performance that proved why they are one of the best teams in the league.

Match Preview: Reading vs Manchester City

City hope to bounce back after difficult weekend

By Aaron Leggott

Cup final defeats and managerial departures are just two of the things that wouldn't seem out of place at Manchester City, as the tag of "Typical City" came to rear it's ugly head these past few days in Manchester.

Of course, the misery started at Wembley on Saturday following a shock defeat in the FA Cup final as Wigan fully deserved to lift the trophy. A lot of people pointed to the leaking of Roberto Mancini's impending departure as to the reason for the defeat, and the Italian eventually left his post as manager of Manchester City last night.

Gutted: A tough weekend for all...
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It has left Brian Kidd as the stand in gaffer for the remaining two games, with the first a trip to the Madejski Stadium to play already relegated Reading.

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic

City head to London in hope of second FA Cup in three years

By Aaron Leggott

Any other year, the FA Cup Final would be the main focus through all media organisations as the world's oldest cup competition reaches it's finale at Wembley - but this year is different.

Of course, the news of Alex Ferguson retiring as manager of Manchester United has led headlines, but this game could prove pivotal in the future of Roberto Mancini as his team get ready to face Wigan in the final. 

Can Yaya repeat his Wembley heroics once again?
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On paper, this is a complete mis-match as relegation favourites Wigan face an uphill task if they want to win the FA Cup for the first time in their history. Their rise from non-league football in 1978 has been admirable, and it is a great occasion for fans who have been Latics fans since the beginning. 

Match Reflection: Manchester City 1 - 0 West Brom

Dzeko secures Champions League football for third successive year

By Aaron Leggott

Edin Dzeko's 13th league goal of the season ensured Manchester City were to reach the Champions League for a third successive season following a hard fought win at home to West Brom.

Dzeko, who has been slated for his recent performances, silenced his critics with a fine effort in the 35th minute.

Edin Dzeko fires in City's only goal against West Brom
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The opener was against the run of play after the Baggies started well and should have been ahead early on. Romelu Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, was causing problems to a makeshift Manchester City defence which saw Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott make rare appearances. 

Match Preview: Manchester City vs West Brom

Mancini expected to rest key players ahead of FA Cup Final

By Aaron Leggott

Ahead of the penultimate home league game of the season, Roberto Mancini has once again expressed his frustration at his team's league campaign, but knows that they must finish the season off as strongly as possible.

The Blues face three more league fixtures as they bid to cement second place - whilst also competing in their second FA Cup final in three years this weekend. Mancini said:

"I am not satisfied as I wanted to win the Premier League, but now we cannot do anything about that, we cannot change it.

"But in the end we are in the cup final and we are in second position, so we can be satisfied. But when you start the season you want to win the league."

Late but great: Dzeko celebrates injury time winner against West Brom in October
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Despite Mancini's hopes to secure second in the Premier League, he is expected to make a number of changes ahead of Saturday's game against Wigan.

Swansea 0 - 0 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Aaron Leggott

My thoughts

This game had a proper end of season feel about it and a draw was a fair result. It was a game of two (very unentertaining) halves - with Swansea shading the first half, and City becoming much stronger after the break.

You can tell that the motivation for some players has totally gone in terms of the Premier League and it is hard to shake them out of that mindset - we just need to ensure that Champions League football is secured which I'm fairly confident we will manage. 

David Silva in action against Swansea
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With games against West Brom, Reading and Norwich we should be expecting a full nine points in return to finish the league season off strongly. And a win at Wembley on Saturday wouldn't be too bad, either. 

Match Reflection: Swansea 0 - 0 Manchester City

Drab draw as City fail to win in Wales again

By Aaron Leggott

Roberto Mancini and Michael Laudrup came face to face once again as their teams produced a fairly uninspiring game in a typical end of season performance.

Manchester City's season ended a fortnight ago after Manchester United secured the title, whilst the Swans have faded off ever since their Capital One Cup success in February. 

Both sides had a number of chances but the lack of incisiveness from both parties ensured that Joe Hart and Michel Vorm were rarely tested.

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