City vs Fulham: Match Preview

City must stem goal flow beside Thames...

By Dave Walker

For the first time in nearly six months, Manchester City go into a match off the back of a domestic defeat and four games without a win - an unpalatable scenario for perfectionist Roberto Mancini.

Equally unfamiliar is the prospect of kicking off against higher placed Premier League opposition with Fulham one notch above City in sixth position.

Match Report: City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Koscielny's strike gives Arsenal deserved point against the champions

By Aaron Leggott

Laurent Koscielny's first start of the season saw the Frenchman steal two points from the Blues as he struck late on to secure a point for Arsenal.

Despite taking the lead, City looked to be suffering from a Champions League hangover after the defeat in Madrid on Tuesday night, and their efforts showed as Arsenal really should have took all three points.

Koscielny nets on his first start of the season
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

Arsenal hoped to have been the first team in almost two years to win at the Etihad Stadium in the league, since David Moyes' men left with a 2-1 victory to give their fans a happy Christmas in 2010.

However, despite numerous chances falling to the Gunners, they weren't able to make their domination pay, and had to travel back to North London with only a share of the spoils.

City vs Arsenal: Match Preview

City go gunning for glory...

By Dave Walker

Who will ever forget the incredulous scenes as Sergio Aguero wheeled away triumphantly, stripped to the 
waist, shirt whirring in the air proclaiming Manchester City as Premier League champions after the winner
against QPR?

Amid wild celebrations - seen the world over - City clinched the title accompanied by the now legendary ‘Agueeeerrroooooo’ commentary and iconic footage. 

Match Report: City 2 - 3 Real Madrid

Late comeback denies famous City victory

By Aaron Leggott

In 1998, Manchester City were the laughing stock of English football. A combination of poor management, terrible ownership and a less than average playing staff meant this historic club were rotting in the depths of the third tier. 

From Bootham Crescent to the Bernabeau: It's been a big transformation
Photo: PacificCoastNews.com

There seemed to be no way out, and the club were going backwards. And to think that 14 years later, City fans were planning a trip to the Santiago Bernabeau to play the world's most historically decorated football team is a fairy tale story.

And despite a 3-2 loss last night in our opening Champions League game against the Spanish champions, we can hold our heads up high and be proud to have played so well on such a big stage.

Goals from Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov saw the Blues take the lead twice against Madrid, only to be pegged back each time, and lose all three points with minutes to play.

City vs Real Madrid: Match Preview

From Macclesfield to Madrid...

By Dave Walker

When Manchester City step out to face Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium tomorrow night it will arguably be the high point of the club’s 118 year history.

The clash of the champions of Europe’s two most prestigious leagues – La Liga and the Premier League - comes almost 14 years to the day since City were at their lowest ebb, languishing in the third tier of English football.

City vs Stoke: Match Preview

Premier event before Real deal

By Dave Walker

As a summer of outstanding UK sporting success draws to a close Manchester City will be hoping that it won’t be a case of Rule Britannia when they travel to face Tony Pulis’ ‘pugilists’ from the Potteries.

The exciting escapades of Andy Murray, Bradley Wiggins and Team GB will be the last thing in the minds of Roberto Mancini’s men as they take on the hostile surroundings of the Britannia Stadium, and opponents renowned for their ‘fighting characteristics’.

One can but admire the tenacity of the home support and, with just four junctions of the M6 separating the two cities, it will be an especially intense affair.

The Sky Blue View Podcast: No. 1

Welcome to our first ever podcast with site owners Archie Barnett and Aaron Leggott. It is something we hope to integrate into the site to make it an enjoyable experience for our viewers. 

This week, Archie and Aaron discussed our previous match against QPR, our Champions League group, as well as some discussion regarding Carlos Tevez and the new signings brought in by Roberto Mancini this summer. 

As usual, any feedback is greatly appreciated, enjoy the podcast!

Remember to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

You can also follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaron_leggott

You can also follow Archie on Twitter: @ArchieMCFC

(c) The Sky Blue View 2012

Match Report: City 3 - 1 QPR

Tevez with another majestic display helps City to three points

By Aaron Leggott

An injury time goal from Carlos Tevez ensured City beat QPR in a result which didn't reflect the domination that the Blues had throughout the 90 minutes. 

A revitalised Carlos Tevez once again delivered another brilliant performance
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

A goal from Yaya Toure in the first half helped City on their way to a seemingly comfortable victory, but a period of sloppiness from the Blues meant Bobby Zamora equalised for Rangers before an immediate reply from Edin Dzeko ensured City weren't going to drop points for the second game in a row.

Despite a late flurry by Roberto Mancini on transfer deadline day, only Scott Sinclair was named in the squad, but had to accept a place on the bench whilst Mancini named 4 changes from the team that grabbed a fortunate point at Anfield last weekend.

Nigel de Jong, sold to AC Milan on Friday, was replaced by Jack Rodwell, whilst James Milner, Kolo Toure and Mario Balotelli made way for David Silva, Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko respectively.