Reflection: Controversial referee costs City

By Aaron Leggott

City's chances of Champions League qualification from Group D were all but over after last night's disappointing draw at home to Dutch champions Ajax.

After the 3-1 defeat in Amsterdam a fortnight ago, City knew that defeat last night was unthinkable, as was a draw. Whilst it is still not mathematically impossible, we are relying heavily on our rivals dropping points in the final two group games, which is unlikely.

Two goals from Siem de Jong in the first 17 minutes gave City a mountain as the Blues were once again unable to deal with the Ajax threat from set pieces. After Niklas Moisander exploited the weakness in zonal marking a fortnight ago, it was de Jong's turn last night, as he scored two of the easiest goals in his career.

City vs Ajax: Match Preview

City need to 'pep' up for Mancini

By Dave Walker

Manchester City are no different from the overwhelming majority of teams in the world in that they would love to play like Barcelona and emulate the success of the Spanish giants.

Unlike most teams though, City have appointed the top executive team of Ferran Soriano and Txiki Bergiristain. The duo that, along with President Joan Laporta, led Barca to their glorious recent history.

The Catalan connection is destined to take City to the ‘next level’ in their meteoric rise under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour. The big question is whether ex-Barca boss Pep Guardiola – presently on a self imposed sabbatical in New York – is destined to join to make it a Manchester-Barcelona 1-2-3?

Manchester City: The season so far

Edin's form is sending chills through defenders across the country.

By Aaron Leggott

After Saturday's win at the Hawthorns, City are sitting pretty in third place after eight games played, but it hasn't been as simple as it looks on paper.

Despite an unbeaten start to the season, there have been many occasions where that record has looked under threat. Performances at Anfield and Craven Cottage pop into mind, where late goals from Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko helped prevent any blushes on Roberto Mancini's part.

G'Edin there! Dzeko's late goals have won City vital points already this season
Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images Europe

And some out of sort Champions League performances has meant that, barring a miracle, City are facing an early exit from the elite competition.

If I was to describe the start to this season, it would be a mixed bag of performances. At times, we have looked unstoppable (Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium comes to mind, in particular), whilst at points we have looked to have been suffering from a title winning hangover.

City vs Ajax: Match Preview

"Dambusters": City on a European mission 

By Dave Walker 

As reigning champions of England and the Netherlands, Manchester City and Ajax are waging almost carbon copy defences of their domestic crowns.

Both remain undefeated and yet both are perceived to be under-performing in their respective leagues.  Ajax have won four and drawn five of their nine games so far, whereas City have won five and drawn three of their opening eight fixtures.

Whether that is a harsh judgment - based on games in the Eredivisie and the Premier League - is debatable.  City are, on a game-by-game comparison,  six points ahead of last season’s haul of 89 - so much for perception and reality.

But the criticism carries weight in Europe,  when it comes to results – if not performances - in their Group D Champions League campaign.

City vs Borussia Dortmund: Match Preview

Mancini needs win on home front

By Dave Walker

Defeatists might suggest that Manchester City’s encounter with Borussia Dortmund will, at best, help decide who finishes as runners-up in the Champion’s League ‘Group of Death’.

The clever money is on Real Madrid to emerge as Group winners and Dutch champions Ajax finishing bottom, leaving City in a straight dogfight with the Bundesliga & German Cup double winners.

News: Eriksen turns down City

Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen has turned down a move to Manchester City, according to the star’s agent.

The 19-year-old has made 14 appearences for the Denmark first team, scoring just once. He has also made 43 appearances for current Eredivisie champions Ajax, where he has scored 6 goals. The creative attacker has been linked with several clubs from Europe, but has supposedly rejected a possible move to England in order to carry on his development at Ajax.

Here is what Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoot had to say about the situation.

"It is true that we have a concrete proposal from Manchester City, about which Eriksen is proud and honoured, "We talk about the world's richest club, so that they are interested is something Christian regards as an honour.

"But Christian said a polite, 'no thanks', because he did not feel it would be the best move for his career at this time.

"It also says a little about Christian as a person. It is clear that money does not mean the most to him.”

In other transfer news, reports in Italy claim that Manchester City have had a bid accepted by Inter Milan for Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder, however both clubs have been quick to deny this.