Blue Review: The brilliance of Sergio Agüero

Why one Argentinian could play a massive role in the Blues' title bid

By Jack Mumford

If there was one way to describe City’s season so far I would use the phrase ‘hot and cold’. Some brilliant performances - most notably the derby in September and the mauling of Norwich - have been cancelled out largely by individual errors at several Premier League grounds around the country.

The one constant shining beacon of hope though, the reason I and many others still believe we could be in for a very successful season is the escalation in form of Sergio "Kun" Agüero.

Chelsea 1 - 2 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Adam Bailey

My thoughts

All eyes will be on the Hart - Nastasić bust up, but on days like this, it's far more rewarding to take the positives out of the game. My opinion has been scrutinised  by the majority of my Twitter followers, but I do feel Nastasić played a bigger role in Chelsea's winner. Hart, wrongly of course, darted out of his goal too early. However, the Serbian saw him coming and still proceeded to head over the top of him into Torres' path. Any other direction and the goal is averted, but too much discussion has been centered around the issue and I want to leave it there.

As for Fernando Torres, he was magnificent. He'll never return to the form he hit in his days at Liverpool and every experienced pundit knows that he won't, but it makes a decent headline at the end of the day. He terrorised Gaël Clichy all evening and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly concerned with the Frenchman's form of late. He seems to have lost his pace and concentration and dare I say it, Aleksandar Kolarov seems to be a better option at the moment.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Reflection: Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester City

Defensive catastrophe ruins hard working away performance

By Jack Mumford

An injury time mix up between Joe Hart and Matija Nastasić sent City to their third defeat  in four away games against title rivals Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea had taken the lead but City replied strongly and as the match entered injury time it appeared both teams may have to settle for a point. This all changed a minute after the board went up as a simple ball over the defence created havoc and left Fernando Torres with a tap in to win the match 2-1.

This disappointment came after a busy 8 days in which City won away at West Ham and spent the majority of the week thousands of miles away in Moscow recording a 2-1 victory over CSKA in the process.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester City

City looking to grab yet another away win

By Rebecca Halliwell

Sunday afternoon sees two of the best teams in the Premier League set to pit their wits - with Manchester City heading south to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This is looking to be an exciting match with Chelsea on a good run of form while City will be looking for three points to keep them near the top of the table.

The Blues played well in midweek with Manuel Pellegrini again deciding to opt with Sergio Agüero and Álvaro Negredo as his striking duo. Sergio scored his second brace in as many matches and with the two players on good form, will Pellegrini select them to play against Chelsea?

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

In the Spotlight: Chelsea

No. 10: The return of Mourinho, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard

By Aaron Leggott

Two wins in the last two away games has put the Blues in a brilliant position going into November. Edging towards a third of the season, we are set to face arguably our biggest title rivals on Sunday as we make the trip to the capital to play Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. I caught up with Chelsea fan Jamie Collett (@jamieberry11) to get a lowdown on Sunday's opponents.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

West Ham United 1 - 3 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Adam Bailey 

My thoughts

Let’s be honest; our hearts were in our mouths just moments prior to kick off. West Ham’s spectacular 3-0 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago married with our repugnant away form so far this season promised only more despair for Manuel Pellegrini’s title chasers.

Those were the typical thoughts of a pessimistic City fan who knew that his beloved blues could beat, and also lose to any team in the Premier League. However, class (not money) shone through and we stylishly placed the Hammers back in the toolbox.

For me, there were three stand out performers, two of which have undergone some unfair criticism this season. Firstly, Sergio Agüero looks to be back to his brilliant best and seems to have put his parasitical injury trouble behind him. Six league goals already this campaign pays testament to his natural finishing ability and his second of the game shows he has no trouble heading the ball either!

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Pellegrini speaks to the media

Gaffer 'not concerned' about title pressure

By Aaron Leggott

After speaking to the English media for the first time, new boss Manuel Pellegrini has insisted he feels no pressure to win the Premier League with the Blues.

But whilst he is confident in his ability, the Chilean knows that immediate success is the aim, whilst also producing an academy capable of rivaling that of FC Barcelona.

Official MCFC Facebook

He said: "I'm not only here to win trophies, I'm here to work with young players.

"As a coach, we want immediate success. I'm trying to have a strong squad that can bring us trophies."

Navas excited by City move

By Aaron Leggott

Jesús Navas has expressed his eagerness to finalise his move to Manchester City as he looks set to be the first player to sign this summer:

Navas, who previously turned down a move to Chelsea in 2006 thanks to chronic homesickness, is set to get his chance to prove himself on one Europe's biggest stages. He said:

"It's a good project and it was the moment to make the step. 

It was my choice. I'm very happy with the decision."

Navas in action for Sevilla against Real Sociedad
Official Sevilla Facebook

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Wembley awaits as City and Chelsea clash in FA Cup semi final

By Aaron Leggott

Two managers come up against one another with a heap of media pressure on their shoulders. Perhaps this game could either make or break Roberto Mancini's and Rafa Benitez's season. 

Of course, the circumstances surrounding the two managers couldn't be any different. Mancini, for example, has a future to fight for at City - with some commenting that tomorrow could be his final chance. 

Under pressure? Mancini doesn't look like he's feeling the heat
Official MCFC Facebook

Benitez on the other hand knows of his future at Chelsea and it isn't one that will last long. The Spaniard has even admitted that he will be out of the door come May but you can imagine that he would love to silence his critics and deliver a trophy back to Stamford Bridge.

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.

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.

Match Report: City 3 - 2 Chelsea

Our third trophy in three years... it's good to be a City fan! 

By Aaron Leggott

People (including myself), have always described the Community Shield as a "glorified" pre-season friendly, but the spectacle viewed by 36,000 at Villa Park yesterday challenged the popular opinion, as City got the better of Chelsea in an entertaining match.

And despite the dismissal of Chelsea's Branislav Ivanović on the stroke of half time, City proved to the viewing public that they remain the team to beat, thanks to a man of the match performance from Yaya Touré.

City vs Chelsea: Match Preview

Carry on drinking...

By Dave Walker

It’s fair to say that all Manchester City fans are extraordinarily well hydrated as the Community Shield showdown with Chelsea beckons… well, we have been ‘drinking it in’ for the past three months, haven’t we?

City vs Chelsea: Match Report

Tevez gives a helping hand to boost City's hopes of a first Premier League title

By Aaron Leggott

Samir Nasri completes the comeback to keep alive our title hopes
(Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

It seems that Carlos Tevez loves to make the headlines. After his infamous spat with Roberto Mancini last September, the Argentinian hitman came off the bench to provide a touch of inspiration to keep the title race well and truly on for the Blues.

After Manchester United's victory last weekend, defeat was not an option for the hosts who entertained an in-form Chelsea side, revitalised under the guidance of Roberto di Matteo.

City vs Chelsea: Match Preview

By Aaron Leggott

With ten games to go until the end of the season, things are starting to hot up at the top of the table. Manchester City are fighting for their first ever Premier League title against bitter rivals Manchester United, whilst Chelsea are in a race to grab a top four finish alongside Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea celebrate Frank Lampard's penalty in the reverse fixture
(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

TSBV Feature: Premier League preview (Part 1)

As we mentioned yesterday, one feature we are introducing for our readers is our very own preview of the upcoming Premier League preview. We will analyse the chances of each team this season through telling you our opinion on the strengths, weaknesses and predicted positions of these teams. Part 1 includes Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea.