Cardiff City 3 - 2 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Archie Barnett

My thoughts

I think it's fair to say that despite losing to newly promoted Cardiff on Sunday, Manuel Pellegrini's team didn't necessarily play that badly. 

Of course, it is never encouraging when you get beaten by a much weaker side, but on the day we were just beaten by a more determined side and it was clear that they wanted the victory more than City did - sometimes these kind of results happen in football.

A bad day at the office defensively.
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Reflection: Cardiff City 3-2 Manchester City

Newly promoted side take headlines

By Archie Barnett

Manchester City went into the game at the Cardiff City Stadium in high spirits, travelling to Wales on the back of a 4-0 victory against Newcastle. However, it wasn't to be the day that many City fans imagined, with a poor general team display and a lack of anything special - other than the goals.

In general, I think I may have fallen asleep during the first half due to a severe lack of entertainment. One shot on target from David Silva (even that didn't challenge), and a few attempts off target is all I can really remember - other than a Joe Hart save. The only other thing I remember is seeing Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan on several occasions - who wins my award for the worst dressed owner in football - a replica football shirt over a normal shirt whilst tucked into trousers, really? I'm really not going to bore you with the minute details that the first half consisted of, so straight onto the second.

The second half saw five goals, two from Manchester City and unfortunately three for Cardiff. It was City who took the lead after 52 minutes, as a forward pass from Yaya Toure was touched back by Sergio Aguero, to find Edin Dzeko. A vicious strike from the Bosnian striker was too much for David Marshall, who's sprawling dive couldn't stop the ball from nestling into the corner of the goal.

Edin Dzeko shapes up for first goal of the game
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Preview: Cardiff City vs Manchester City

Pellegrini's boys go hunting for the Bluebirds

By Adam Bailey

Pellegrini's men are on the hunt and with the Magpies already slayed, it's time to butcher the Bluebirds.

The opening day of the Premier League allowed the Chilean godfather to assess his main title rivals. Liverpool almost paid for missed opportunities; Mourinho's Chelsea tika-taka'd their way past Hull and United ruthlessly disposed of Swansea. But the weekend launch was just a support group for Monday's main act. 

Yaya Toure was in great form against Newcastle.
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

City disposed of Pardew's French legion in a task as straight-forward as putting the bins out. New signing Jesús Navas had Newcastle chasing him like an owner of an escaped dog and the blues looked irresistible in a 4-0 thrashing. Consistency will be key this season, so can we do it again?

In the Spotlight: Cardiff City

No.2: Cardiff’s survival chances, the home fortress and top four predictions.

By Adam Bailey

Ahead of Sunday's game against newly promoted Cardiff City, we spoke to Bluebirds fan Barry Murphy as his team are set to play their first Premier League game at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Photo: Flickr

Cardiff have been promising promotion from the Championship for a number of years now and you're finally here! How excited are you about seeing The Bluebirds in the Premiership after all this time?

Barry:  I’ve been watching Cardiff for twenty-six years so after spending many of those years in the bottom two divisions, the Championship was a breath of fresh air. Now we are in the Premiership, it’s a whole new world. I’m looking forward to seeing world class players every week and hopefully it won’t be a one season wonder for us.