Monday, 25 February 2013

Match Reflection: Manchester City 2 - 0 Chelsea

City put in top performance to take the spoils

By Aaron Leggott


It was dubbed the biggest match of our season so far, and the players certainly delivered. In a must win game, two incredible goals from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez secured the three points for Roberto Mancini's men to keep our extremely slim title hopes alive.

In all honesty, City deserved the victory and showed that they wanted victory more than Chelsea, with the visitors only real chance coming from a Frank Lampard penalty.

Saved! Joe Hart keeps out Frank Lampard with a fine stop
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe

The penalty was subsequently saved by Joe Hart as City were very nearly made to pay for their wastefulness in the first half, as Jack Rodwell put in a magnificent performance in his first start since returning from injury.

Saturday, 23 February 2013

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Kompany still injured ahead of biggest game this season

By Aaron Leggott

Despite a 4-0 win at home to Leeds last weekend, City go into this game on the back of some poor recent league form. 

Picking up just two points from a possible nine has put United in a great position to take the title away from the Blues, and if Mancini's men can't grab a win tomorrow, it will result in the worst run of league form since November 2009, when the club went on a run of seven consecutive draws in the Premier League.

Monday, 18 February 2013

Match Reflection: Manchester City 4 - 0 Leeds

Competent performance sees City qualify

By Aaron Leggott


Goals from Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero secured a comfortable route into the FA Cup quarter finals for City yesterday as the Blues swooped past Leeds with consummate ease.

The tie was arguably over within just 15 minutes when Aguero calmly finished from 12 yards after being fouled just moments before by Tom Lees, doubling City's advantage following Yaya Toure's opener 10 minutes previously.

Goal! Aguero was my man of the match today after scoring twice
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

The Leeds showing was a performance which the travelling fans did not deserve, as the 6,000 strong support stuck behind their team, even if their manager didn't get similar recognition.

Chants of "Warnock Warnock time to go" could clearly be heard throughout the second half as the United faithful become increasingly disillusioned at life under Warnock at the helm.

But as poorly as Leeds played, you cannot take away the praise that City's play deserved. It is a rare occasion to see Roberto Mancini's side come out of the blocks so quickly, but this is perhaps a determined side looking to push on after the humiliating performance at Southampton.

Saturday, 16 February 2013

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Leeds United

Under pressure?
Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe

Mancini is up for the cup!

By Aaron Leggott

City boss Roberto Mancini is expected to make a number of changes ahead of the critical FA Cup clash at home to Leeds tomorrow.

Mancini, who was less than impressed after last weekend's abysmal performance at St Mary's, knows that this competition must be taken seriously with United extending the gap at the top of the league to 12 points.

The Italian has also rubbished rumours that he could be set to be sacked if City fail to beat the Championship side on Sunday afternoon.

With Vincent Kompany still suffering from a calf strain picked up during City's fourth round win at the Britannia, it is expected that Matija Nastasic will come into the squad to partner Joleon Lescott at the heart of City's defence.