Match Reflection: Manchester City 6 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Six of the best sees City climb up the table

By Aaron Leggott

Yes, you read the title of that post right. Tottenham not only beaten, but humiliated. It is very rare (in fact, unbelievable) to see a scoreline between two top sides that reflects such a dominant performance, but in truth City should and could have had even more against an embarrassing Spurs side at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.

Goals from Sergio Agüero, Álvaro Negredo and Jesús Navas secured another historic victory for the Blues on home turf, and leaves critics questioning the reasons why Manuel Pellegrini's men can't replicate these performances away from home.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Reflection: City 1 - 0 South China

Dzeko heads home in Hong Kong

By Adam Bailey

With agony in Africa behind them, Pellegrini’s men cruised to a routine victory in Hong Kong thanks to an Edin Dzeko header on 21 minutes.

The match was cut short by ten minutes due the horrific state of the pitch which had been mauled by the horrendous weather and the boots of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland.

The game was characterised early on by the outstanding tenacity and creativity of James Milner down the right flank. If City were going to score, Milner was almost certainly going to be the producer and his floated cross midway through the first half was headed in by Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

Edin Dzeko in action today in Hong Kong
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

The Englishman was doing a fine job of staking his claim to start in Manuel Pellegrini’s star studded XI next season and although the City faithful will have been disappointed not to see new signings Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas even make the bench, they certainly will have been excited by Milner’s early play.

Match Reflection: AmaZulu 2 - 1 Manchester City

City sunk by late penalty

By Aaron Leggott

City endured their second successive defeat of pre-season after AmaZulu converted a late penalty to beat the 2011-12 Premier League Champions.

The hosts initially took the lead through Bongani Ndulula before City hit back thanks to James Milner just six minutes later.

Micah Richards and James Milner celebrate the equaliser
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

The first meaningful chance of the game fell to French playmaker Samir Nasri on eight minutes, after his free kick forced a great save out of Tapuwa Kapini in the AmaZulu goal.

Match Reflection: SuperSport United 2 - 0 Manchester City

City lose first pre-season game under Pellegrini

By Aaron Leggott

Manuel Pellegrini saw his new City side lose to SuperSport United by two goals in the first pre-season game of the 2013/14 season. 

And despite City showing their dominance in the first half, they were unable to exert their dominance in the second period after Mame Niang and Kermit Erasmus scored in the 56th and 81st minutes respectively.

Scott Sinclair in action
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

City, as expected, made the stronger start to the game and lone striker Edin Dzeko produced two efforts on target within the opening stages.

Tottenham 3 - 1 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Aaron Leggott

My thoughts

It was probably a good idea to leave this post to today because I was extremely frustrated at some individuals yesterday following the defeat.

I shall not name anybody but I was extremely disappointed to see some of the overreactions from Manchester City fans. Of course, everybody is allowed their opinion but when I am seeing people who are supposedly willing to create "hate societies" for certain members of our squad then I am incredibly bemused.

One person who was targetted specifically yesterday was a certain Bosnian named Edin Dzeko. Now, let me get this straight - I am not his biggest fan at all. In fact, I have been one of his biggest critics this season for his inability to win headers consistently.

Carlos Tevez was my City MoTM, click "Read More" underneath to see why
Official MCFC Facebook

Manchester Utd 1 - 2 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

My thoughts

This performance reminded me of the City of last season. It was a committed and determined performance from the team and you could tell that they wanted this more than United. 

I was surprised at Ferguson's selection before the match as he opted with a midfield of Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young. He once again picked the wrong team for a big match and this was where the game was won on Monday. You'd have thought that United would have wanted to extend their gap to 18 points but they were just lethargic.

Their fans will argue that the league is all wrapped up now (which it probably is) but if the tables were turned and City put in a performance like that despite being 15 points ahead - I'd be extremely disappointed.

Match Reflection: Manchester United 1 - 2 Manchester City

"Aguerno?" Sergio silences Old Trafford crowd with superb winner

By Aaron Leggott

Magic - one of the many superlatives appropriate for the goal that closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to 12 points on Monday night.

David Silva, nicknamed Merlin, is more commonly seen by City fans as the magician in the team but Sergio Aguero's winner at Old Trafford created parallels to the goal which carved his name into the record books last May.

Agueeroooooooo: Sergio grabs the winner against United
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In terms of significance, the goals' were polar opposites - but Aguero's sudden turn of pace had Phil Jones and co. scrambling, just like against QPR. 

Perhaps it was fitting that an Argentine scored the winner on the day Margaret Thatcher died - but I'll leave that judgement to you.

Match Report: City 3 - 0 Sunderland

AK's 'foots-a-heaven'

By Dave Walker

Serbian hitman Aleksander Kolarov’s lethal left foot weapon fired champions Manchester City up to second place in the Premier League in a display of precision shooting.

Kolarov celebrates after opening the scoring
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

All action Kolarov dispelled the ubiquitous notion that the reigning English Champions have somehow lost their way, as City annihilated previously unbeaten Sunderland.

The three goal margin in no way reflected City’s total domination. 

City vs Liverpool: Match Report

Article written by Tom Smart

‘A job well done’ is what many City fans will have thought coming away from The Etihad Stadium after seeing a performance that at times seemed lethargic and in need of a burst of energy or fresh legs. Nevertheless the Blues were clinical in finishing opportunities that were created with the 3-0 scoreline slightly flattering the league leaders. The game showed little flashes of brilliance that ultimately engineered enough chances to see off a Liverpool side that in recent weeks has vastly improved in confidence after beating a revolutionised Newcastle side a couple of days before.