Match Reflection: Stoke 0 - 1 Manchester City

Fan favourite Zabaleta puts City through

By Aaron Leggott

After grabbing his third goal of the season at the Britannia Stadium yesterday, Pablo Zabaleta once again staked his claim as one of the greatest model professionals in the world at the moment. And this just isn't the opinion of Manchester City fans. 

Zabaleta celebrates after grabbing the winner against Stoke
Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe

Ian Ladyman, Northern Football Correspondent at the Daily Mail, was quick to praise the Argentinian full back with the following tweet:

"I'm supposed to be neutral but Pablo Zabaleta is a wonderful man and a very valuable footballer."

And Ladyman wasn't the only one. On the ITV FA Cup highlights show last night, both Clarke Carlisle and Gordon Strachan agreed with the sentiments of presenter Matt Smith, who said that every manager would love a team of Zabaleta's.

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.