Manchester City #2: Met Oliesjeiks en samba Brazilianen

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Op zaterdag 13 september 2008 18:33 schreef Manu82 het volgende:
Welke mongool heeft bedacht om een vliegtuigje met reclame voor BT op een rood shirt over het stadion te laten vliegen

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Op zaterdag 13 september 2008 18:34 schreef sjimz het volgende:

[..]

Volgens mij was het meer een sneer naar Manchester United toe maar ik kan het ook mis hebben.

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Op zaterdag 13 september 2008 18:38 schreef Manu82 het volgende:

[..]

Ik weet het niet, zag hem maar heel even in beeld, en denk dat BT ook geen schenen wil trappen bij UTD...

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Manchester City v Chelsea
Saturday September 13, 2008, 5.30pm
City of Manchester Stadium- Att: 47, 331

Teams

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne (c), Richards, Ball (Sturridge 84), Kompany, Hamann (Fernandes 62), Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Jo.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole, Malouda (Drogba 70), Mikel Obi, J Cole (Belletti 70), Deco, Anelka (Alex 79).

Goals: 1-0 (Robinho 13), 1-1 (Carvalho 16), 1-2 (Lampard 53), 1-3 (Anelka 69)

Bookings:
City:

Chelsea: Mikel Obi (44)
Red card: J Terry (76)

Referee: M Halsey

The Match

Five minutes were on the clock when the record signing showed off his skills for the first time, jinking onto his left to supply Wright-Phillips, whose weak shot rolled a long way wide of Cech’s left post. Frank Lampard had the first shot on target five minutes later, but it flew straight at Joe Hart.

And we only had to wait another three minutes to see some true Brazilian magic as City took the lead. Carvalho hauled Jo down on the edge of the box, dead centre, Robinho lined it up and curled a beautiful goal into the left corner of the net! Cech was motionless, the ball having deflected off Mikel , and the stadium exploded with noise.

But the lead lasted just three minutes – a corner fell nicely to Joe Cole, who touched it back to Ricardo Carvalho, and the defender made up for giving the earlier free kick away by slamming the ball high into the net with Joe Hart unsighted behind Cole.

There was no let up to the frantic pace, with John Terry’s blatant body-check on SWP going unpunished, The Chelsea skipper appeared to handle the ball seconds later, but to Mark Hughes’ disgust this also was ignored by Mark Halsey.

Stephen Ireland went close at the half’s midway point, his shot from the edge of the area following a nice lay-off from Jo just inches over the bar with Cech well beaten. Four minutes later the visitors nearly took the lead, Malouda just staying onside and heading Joe Cole’s cross onto the bar with Hart grateful that the ball rebounded right to him.

Jo’s curled shot off his left foot was deflected over on 34 minutes, and four minutes later Malouda looked to have gone close with a flying header from inside the box, but thankfully the ball ended up going well wide. Zabaleta’s misplaced pass out of defence went straight to Anelka on 40 minutes, but the former City man’s poor shot did not test Hart. Ashley Cole’s effort in stoppage time skimmed the bar to bring the curtain down on an entertaining first half.

No changes came at the break, and Frank Lampard had the first chance of the second half. Joe Cole’s pass took a huge deflection off Ball and landed perfectly for the England man – but he snatched at the chance and the ball went over the bar.

But unfortunately he made amends on 53 minutes. Kompany looked to be fouled in Chelsea’s half, and the visitors broke at pace downfield, and after an exchange of passes Frank Lampard was in City’s box to bury the ball past Hart with his left foot.

The London side were in the ascendency now, with Anelka looking for a penalty on the hour just before John Terry’s header from a corner went just past the post.

SWP broke free on 64 to set up Ireland, but after taking a touch to line his shot up, the Irishman was blocked by Carvalho’s last-ditch dive. Lampard tried to make it a double at the other end with a well-hit shot going straight into Hart’s bread-basket.

Nicolas Anelka made up for his earlier miss when he scored once more against his former side. Joe Cole’s slide-rule pass home from inside the box,split the City defence and the French striker ruthlessly drilled the ball, giving Hart no chance.

Nicolas Anelka made up for his earlier miss when he scored once more against his former side. Joe Cole’s slide-rule pass home from inside the box split the City defence and the French striker ruthlessly drilled the ball, giving Hart no chance.

Just as we thought the visitors would coast for the rest of the game, a moment of madness from John Terry reduced his side to 10 men with 14 minutes left. Jo broke clear past the England skipper, who after trying to get him with his foot decided to pull the Brazilian back anyway. Mark Halsey loked to have no option but to show the red card, although the current move to show respect for the referee appeared to go out of the window when five Chelsea players argued the toss.

City tried desperately to make the man advantage count, Stephen Ireland looking to get into a good position with seven minutes left but then choosing to find Ball – who shot straight at Cech.

Danny Sturridge replaced Ball and had City’s last chance, having his shot from inside the area blocked by Alex inside stoppage time.

That was the last action of the game, which had begun perfectly for City with Robinho's superb free kick, before Chelsea asserted themselves to take a comfortable win.

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Cook plays down City fears
Takeover set to be completed this week

Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook has reassured supporters that the club's history will not be 'wiped away'.

The Abu Dhabi United Group are set to complete their takeover of City this week after a deal was agreed on 1st September. Reports suggest that a new board will be formed including members of the Abu Dhabi team such as director of strategic communications Simon Pearce. Cook is also expected to be a part of City's new hierarchy and he has told fans not to worry in any way about the future of the club. While expectations have been raised by the promises of world-class players, there have been some concerns that City could lose their identity, while the club's youngsters could also find it difficult to break through.

Academy
"Sheikh Mansour and his team have made it clear from the start that they do not want to wipe away history - far from it," Cook told the Manchester Evening News. "They are extremely keen on our hugely successful Academy and Jim Cassell was one of the first people their representative wanted to meet when he visited Manchester. "They have made it clear that they intend to provide the funds to secure the services of some of the brightest talent on the planet but they also want to build a team to include the staff, the players and our supporters."

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Ronaldo eager for City move
Three-time World Footballer of the Year eyes Eastlands
Last updated: 16th September 2008

Man City want to make the club one of the best in the world and I feel that I can help.
Brazilian star Ronaldo claims he is set to join Manchester City as the Eastlands outfit bid to become one of the best clubs in the world.
The 31-year-old is a free agent after leaving AC Milan in the summer and could join Mark Hughes' men outside of the transfer window.
Ronaldo is still recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered in February, but says he has been approached by City and is confident of securing a move to the Premier League.
The three-time World Footballer of the Year is eager to join forces with compatriot Robinho, who joined City in a British record deal on summer transfer deadline day.

Offer
"I like the project that Manchester City have presented me," said Ronaldo.
"They want to make the club one of the best in the world and I feel that I can help.
"It is the best offer I've received and it will be very interesting to play with Robinho.
"Me and him, together, we can score more than 50 goals."
Ronaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 and is the all-time leading scorer in the competition with 15 goals in 19 appearances

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Op dinsdag 16 september 2008 10:29 schreef Blight het volgende:
Ronaldo is over the hill. Die hoef ik er echt niet bij te hebben.

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Blues set for Cypriot challenge 18/09/2008 10:04

Mark Hughes and his City side are steeling themselves for tough European away game from the old school in Cyprus tonight.

The Blues will have to contend with heat, passionate home support and a pitch already used for another UEFA Cup tie and a concert this week when they take on AC Omonia at the GSP Stadium.

The hosts won through to this stage by beating AEK Athens in the last round, so Hughes is well aware of the challenge tonight.

He says, “It's not a game that we're going to take lightly in any way, shape or form. They're a very good side and we won't underestimate them. We won't make assumptions that this game is going to be an easy game for us, we know it's far from that, it's a difficult tie for us. We had a similar situation in the last round as well, so we're primed to understand that there's no easy games.

“There'll be a really vociferous crowd as well that we'll have to deal with. They've had a great start to the season and got a great result in the last round. They have good, talented individuals and they work extremely hard as a team. It's a challenge to us and we have everything to lose while Omonia have everything to gain.

“Omonia are top of their league in the early stages and will be no pushover that’s for sure. They had a great result in the last round against a fancied team in AEK Athens so we know we are in for a real contest. The stadium is compact and irrespective of how many they get in there it is always incredibly noisy. They are passionate fans over here, they love their football and I am sure the stadium will be packed with 20,000.”

With a busy schedule that takes in the UEFA Cup, Carling Cup and the Barclays Premier League over the next couple of weeks, Hughes faces the challenge of juggling his playing resources – but keeping players happy is not necessarily top of his agenda.

“It is a challenge for everyone at the Club at the moment and those out of the side have to show the right reaction, knuckle down and give me food for thought,” he continues.

“From my point of view I have a lot of quality players from whom I can choose which is great, though it can cause problems because quality players are never happy when they don’t play. That has always been the case but it doesn’t particularly worry me.

“My job is to select the correct combination of players. The best 11 may not always be the best team.

“The most technically gifted players are not necessarily the ones that will play week in and week out. It is always about getting the balance in the side and making sure we are strong in the areas we need to be when it comes to any given opposition that we are up against.”

Don’t forget that tonight’s game kicks off at 6.00pm UK time, with live commentary available via MCFCTV.com.

Tim Oscroft

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AC Omonia v Manchester City

Thursday September 18, 2008, 8.00pm (local time)
GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus - Att:

Teams
AC Omonia:
Georgallides, Ndikumana, Wenzel, Aguirre, Kaseke, Duro, Okkas, Charalambous, Aloneftis, Christofi.
unused subs: Asprogenis, Alabi, Maris, Niculescu, Bangura, Clayton, Cafu.

City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Elano, Robinho, Jo
unused subs: Schmeichel, Ball, Ben-Haim, Hamann, Fernandes, Evans, Sturridge.

Mark Hughes makes two changes to the starting line-up from Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea. Elano and Javi Garrido come in with Didi Hamann and Michael Ball the players to miss out. Both take their place on the bench as Hughes means business in Cyprus with a strong XI against the Cypriot league leaders

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The match

A noisy Nicosia greeted the two teams as they entered the GSP Stadium and the home fans attempted to unnerve the Blues by booing any early touch of the ball by the City players.

It didn’t stop City almost breaking the deadlocktwice in the opening moments though. First Wright-Phillips got away into the area, but his pull back was cleared to safety, then Robinho had a right footed effort that brought a stretching save from Georgallides in the AC goal.

On 14 minutes Wright-Phillips hit a fine shot from distance after some neat feet which brought another save from the Omonia keeper who tickled the ball around the post.

Twenty minutes into the game, the home crowd were still beating drums and singing their songs, but City had prevented the partisan faithful from having anything of note to cheer in the contest.

Two minutes after they were whistling and howling their disapproval as Kaseke was booked for pulling down Robinho. The Italian referee soon levelled things up as Garrido received a yellow card for a rash challenge.

Sloppy play from the Omonia captain almost handed City the lead on 26 minutes as Ireland robbed Charalambous just inside the box and squared it for Jo but the ball looked to have caught a bobble on the dry pitch and the Brazilian striker could only waft the ball wide from close range.

Jo took a nasty kick on the knee as he tried to bring the ball down on 36 minutes, but despite being stretchered the necessary two yards off the pitch, he was okay to continue.

City then fashioned four chances in quick succession on 40 minutes in two swift raids . Jo hit the post, SWP fluffed a shot, Elano had a goalbound effort blocked before Robinho blasted over the crossbar as City just couldn’t find the goal they deserved.

A minute before half time Stephen Ireland then managed to hit the post as he did well to keep the ball in but the frustration was beginning to show as City’s dominance was yet to be rewarded.

HALF TIME: AC Omonia 0-0 City

There was just the one change at the break with Omonia replacing Aguirre with Bangura.

Two minutes into the second half Vincent Kompany had to make a tackle on the edge of the box which gave away a foul as Omonia threatened to break into the area but from the free-kick City paid the ultimate price for the missed chances in the first half as Duro whipped the ball beyond Hart.

Needless to say the stadium erupted as the scorer wheeled away in delight to celebrate with the home fans.

City responded well and the keeper needed to block an Ireland shot after Kompany’s long throughball on 53 minutes as Hughes’s side looked to pull level and score a vital away goal. On 56 minutes Jo rattled the bar with a shot from just inside the box which had Georgallides well beaten.

A minute later a pile driver from the right back Ndikumana flew narrowly wide as the Cypriots looked set to celebrate again – City had needed a goal from somewhere to quell the hosts and it duly came on 59 minutes.

Wright-Phillips got the better of the sleeping Charalambous and rolled it across to Jo, who made no mistake this time, as opened his City account from two-yards out. It was only what the Blues had deserved and Jo ensured there would be no repeat of his first half bobbler.

The game had opened up and Omonia should have gone back in front just after the hour mark. Great wing play down the right saw Dunne beaten by Christofi but Aloneftis’s touch saw the ball slide wide of Hart’s left hand post to safety following a dangerous cross.

The motto ‘try, try and try again’ is clearly familiar to this bunch of City players because on 72 minutes the Blues’ pressure paid off as they took the lead for the first time in the tie.

Pablo Zabaleta broke away down the right channel and put in a deep cross, which missed out the bulk of those converged in the penalty area, but Jo had pulled out and controlled the cross with his thigh and drove the ball into the far corner with his left foot. A good finish for his and City’s second goal of the night.

With 14 minutes left Duro showed his long range shooting talents again as his well hit drive flicked Hart’s crossbar on its way over.

Hughes made his first change on 76 minutes as Sturridge replaced Jo who was given a good send off by the travelling Blues.

City did well to restrict the Omonia attack in the latter stages and brought on Fernandes and Hamann to shore up the midfield as they ran down the clock and secured an impressive victory.

FULL TIME: AC Omonia 1-2 City

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Boss happy to win in Europe



Mark Hughes has reflected on tonight’s 2-1 away win in Cyprus over AC Omonia.
City had a host of chances during the game and it took them to go a goal down on 49 minutes to spring into goalscoring form and Brazilian striker Jo went on to grab a fine brace.

Speaking after the Jo-inspired UEFA Cup First Round first leg win, Hughes told us: “It was a little bit of a concern with the amount of chances that we created and hadn’t converted.

“In the end we got there and I thought it was a good, professional European performance and once we got our noses in front we were never in danger of losing the game I felt. On another night we would have won the game a lot more comfortably.

“I think the pitch wasn’t great and it wasn’t conducive to slick passing but we kept going and we got our reward. It was important that we didn’t offer them too much encouragement, obviously going behind was a concern, but I felt we picked our game up from that point onwards and kept playing the right way.

“Sometimes you feel that it’s not going to be your night but with the way we were playing I thought we’d be likely to score and go on and win the game. Winning 2-1 is a good result in Europe and it was a good performance away from home.”

Leon Collins

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The joy of six at the City of Manchester Stadium
Manchester City v Portsmouth

Sunday September 21, 2008, 3.00pm
City of Manchester Stadium - Att: ...

City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne (c), Garrido, Kompany, Ireland (Fernandes 77), Elano, Wright-Phillips, Robinho (Sturridge 85), Jo (Evans 72).

unused subs: Schmeichel (GK), Ball, Ben-Haim, Hamann.

Portsmouth:
James, Johnson (Pamarot 82), Distin, Campbell (c), Traore, Kaboul (Utaka 46), Belhadj, Diarra, Davis (Bouba Diop 34), Crouch, Defoe.

unused subs: Ashdown (GK), Kanu, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba.

Goals: 1-0 Jo 13, 2-0 Dunne 20, 3-0 Robinho 57, 4-0 Wright-Phillips 68, 5-0 Evans 78, 6-0 Fernandes 83

Bookings

City:

Portsmouth: Diarra 90

Referee: A. Wiley

Pre match news

Mark Hughes names a first unchanged team for the important Barclays Premier League visit of Portsmouth. It gives the City faithful the second chance to see Robinho and Jo in action for the Blues.

For Pompey, David James and Sylvain Distin make their returns to the City of Manchester Stadium.

The match

City kicked off with the press box still abuzz following the news that the takeover of the Club had been agreed between Thaksin Shinawatra and Sheikh Mansour with the deal to be completed on Tuesday. Indeed both wealthy investors were watching on in the stands.

On the pitch City almost took the lead after three minutes with a move made in Brazil. Elano's pass found Garrido who slid the ball infield to Jo and a cheeky back flick found Robinho on the edge of the box.

The former Real Madrid man found himself with space and time to shoot, and with James scrambling, the former City man turned the ball behind for the game's first corner.

In the 11th minute Elano played it to Robinho who fed Wright-Phillips and despite being under pressure the diminutive winger got a shot off which James turned over thanks to his quick reactions for another set-piece.

But City didn’t have to wait too much longer for the opener...two minutes precisely. As Robinho played a lovely throughball to Jo and in trademark fashion (as City fans know all too well) James came racing out of his goal which gave the Brazilian striker no option but to shimmy past the keeper and finish well from a difficult angle.

And after 20 minutes it got even better for City as they made it 2-0.

Elano’s low corner from the left bamboozled the player standing on the post, the ball then hit the post and rebounded about five-yards out, where Richard Dunne threw himself in for the ball and looked to have got the final touch as it crossed the line.

It was a great present for the defender who was celebrating his 29th birthday.

On 28 minutes Portsmouth should have reduced the arrears. Glen Johnson did well down the Pompey right and has great low cross was met well by Peter Crouch but his snap-shot flew wide of Hart left-hand post.

The game quietened down a little after the early goal activity, but on 39 minutes Robinho tested James again from distance, this time the former City stopper held the shot.

Three minutes before half-time City made a wonderful move involving Elano, Wright-Phillips and Robinho, who produced some amazing skills to leave James on the floor before his fine chip was cleared.

City had Zabaleta to thank a minute later as he volleyed away a goalbound header from Sol Campbell following a left sided corner. After which the Argentine had the song 'There's only one Zabaleta' ringing in his ears.

HALF TIME: City 2-0 Portsmouth

Pompey made one change at the break, Utaka for Kaboul and there was almost a change to the scoreline within the first 30 seconds after the restart.

Micah Richards’ headed clearance hit Defoe on the head and he controlled the ball and broke clear to cut into the left edge of the box. He flicked at the ball with the outside of his foot and whether it was a shot or cross for Crouch, only he will know, but the ball thankfully went wide of the goal.

On 53 minutes Stephen Ireland put in the tackle of the game on Armand Traore. Pompey broke clear with pace and as Utaka fed Traore, Ireland kept pace with him and timed his challenge to perfection, earning a standing ovation in the process.

It was Stephen Ireland again, having a fantastic game, who set City on the way to a third goal on 57 minutes. His well flighted ball over the top was taken with ease by Jo and as the challenge came in on the edge of the box, he shifted the ball to Robinho who made no mistake, firing beyond James.

The City fans were in full voice now, giving the players and Manager the type of atmosphere he'd asked for in his programme notes.

And the fans were up again on 68 minutes as the rampant Blues made it 4-0 and rightfully so because it was a fantastic goal.

It all started in the right-back position as Pablo Zabaleta, not to be shown up by his Brazilian team mates, showed a touch of Argentinean flair in beating two men before finding Ireland.

The young midfielder then delivered a great ball for Wright-Phillips to race on to and after breaking the offside he drilled it home much to the delight of the South Stand as the Academy Graduate slide on his knees in front of his adoring fans.

Referee Wiley was clearly feeling sorry for Redknapp’s men because substitute Ched Evans was denied a certain penalty when Belhadj pulled him down on 77 minutes but it didn’t matter because the fifth goal was just around the corner.

Vincent Kompany sprayed a fine ball out to the left and after a couple of step-overs Robinho whipped a great cross in for Wright-Phillips, he backheeled to Ched Evans who tapped home his first Premier League goal for the Club from close range.

It was 6-0 on 83 minutes as Gelson Fernandes got in on the act with his first goal of the season.

Kompany again was the supplier, he found Garrido and his wicked left wing cross saw Wright-Phillips and James clash as they both tried to meet the cross, the ball fell to the Swiss midfielder who gleefully slid in to fire into the unguarded net.

And it was almost seven as Wright-Phillips found Fernandes who's cross was met on the full volley by Evans and it fizzed just over the bar drawing 'ooh's' from the crowd.

City then just played out time to round off a fantastic exhibition of football by Mark Hughes's men and send a message to the rest of the Premier League.

FULL TIME: City 6-0 Portsmouth

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Exciting future for City eyed by new owners 23/09/2008 06:45


Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the Chairman (designate) of Manchester City, has outlined an exciting vision for the future of the Club with Manager Mark Hughes and the Youth Academy at the heart of his plans.
Mr Mubarak will become Chairman of the Club later on today (Tuesday 23rd September) when the takeover of Manchester City Football Club Ltd by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and his group, announced on Sunday, will be completed.

Speaking of the takeover of the Club, Mr Mubarak says:

“We’re extremely happy, we’re delighted that we are now part of Manchester City. We think that this is a wonderful club with a tremendous history and heritage. Our investment is one for the future.

“I spent a couple of days visiting Carrington and going to the Academy, I was there all of Sunday morning and I watched the under 14, under 12 and under 9 sides. One thing that I think is important and that I want to emphasise straight away, is that the Academy is a priority. We need to invest in the Academy and we will continue to develop it. It makes business sense and from a community perspective there is no question about the impact it has on the community. From the business perspective, the future of this Club is to continue to produce talents like Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Shaun Wright-Phillips. This is very important to us, and we are really going to commit to the Academy.”

The new owners have pledged their full support for Executive Chairman Garry Cook and Mark Hughes, as Mr Mubarak continues:

“I can’t say enough about Garry Cook, he’s a wonderful chap, we are committed to him and we are going to support him fully. Mark Hughes is as good as they get and we are backing him all the way. He makes the football decisions and we are here to learn, and we want to hear from the fans and the community. We want to bring this Club back to the community and to the fans.

“A lot has happened over the last couple of weeks, we are genuine people, and we want to develop this Club in a sustainable manner. Nothing rash is going to happen, we are not going to do crazy stuff! We will work with Garry and Mark, they call the shots and we are here to support to help build a sustainable Club. We are here as long-term investors, and it makes sense for us to build a dynasty. Between Mark and Garry, I think we have a dynasty in the making. With our backing, with the commitment we are going to make to the Academy in the next 10 years there is going to be a tremendous period for Manchester City and for us. And I think we are going to have a blast doing it!”

Mr Mubarak will head a new board of directors at the Club, which he explains will be formally announced soon.

“I will be Chairman, and over the next days and weeks we will come out with an announcement about how the board will be structured. We will bring top-notch individuals to the board. To run a good company you need a strong board.



“Sheikh Mansour is absolutely delighted, he is a huge fan of football and of Manchester City and he asked me to take on this role on his behalf. I’m a big football fan myself and when he asked it took me about a second to decide! He will come to games and I will as often as I can. This Club will be run professionally and we want to sit & support from the side.”
Reiterating that Mark Hughes will call the shots on the football side of things, Mr Mubarak continues:

“One thing I have made very clear to Mark is that any player he wants comes from him. It comes from his requirements, his plan for the Club. I’m a fan, but I am not an expert. It is Mark who runs the Club and Mark who makes the football decisions. We are here to support and make financial decisions, but we are not here to teach Mark or Garry what to do! They are the professionals, we trust them, we have confidence in them and we are going to support them.

“Mark is an honest man, he’s a leader , he’s tough and he is everything you would want in a head coach. We trust him, he’s one of the gems we saw in this Club once we came here.

“We are reasonable and pragmatic, we are looking 10 years ahead starting today and I think all our decisions will be with a long term perspective. We trust Mark, we trust his judgement, we are patient and we understand this Club needs to develop. We obviously want City to be a top club and to win trophies, that’s our objective. If it takes ‘x’ amount of years, I don’t know. Mark will put a plan together to win trophies, but we will be patient. As long as it is being managed properly and the players are doing what they need to do, then it will take whatever it takes.

“We are sensible people, and when it comes to a lot of the talk that has been around recently, forget everything that has been said in the past. We are sensible people and we are investors who have invested in this Club and will continue to do so, as long as it has the right pay-off for us and as long as it delivers results. For us to be happy, this Club has to be successful, and within a period of time competing at the highest level and hopefully winning trophies. At the same time, we will bring in the talent from the Academy and that talent has a value. We’re convinced of the business case here that in the long-term will pay off. That’s the bottom line.

As well as meeting Mark Hughes and his staff at Carrington, Mr Mubarak has also spent time at Platt Lane with Academy Manager Jim Cassell as he explains:

“That was one of my most enjoyable experiences. Sitting with Jim, seeing his passion, seeing how proud he is of every player that has come out of the Academy. I have the highest confidence in him, we’ll be working a lot with him.

“We want to learn from the model that has been so successful here. My mandate from Sheikh Mansour was to spend as much time as I could with the Academy, and I have promised him that’s what I am going to do. I have promised him that I’ll do what I can to ensure that this Academy is the best not just in England, but in Europe.”

And Mr Mubarak concluded by saying:

“The watchwords are patient, committed, and long term. If you look at Sheikh Mansour’s track record and Abu Dhabi’s track record in general, they are always sensible investors, well regarded by everyone.”

Tim Oscroft

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letter from Sheikh Mansour 23/09/2008 15:40

Dear fellow Manchester City fans,
There has been much written about the purchase of Manchester City over the last few weeks and so now I am delighted to tell you that negotiations are complete and the transfer of ownership will take place on Tuesday (September 23rd, 2008). With the agreement finalised I would like to tell you directly a little about who we are and what we have planned.

Firstly I would like to thank you for the many expressions of good will and joy we have received since our wish to purchase the Club was announced. We are deeply touched and now have some great personal experience of what so many people have told us for a while now.......you are the greatest fans in the world.

Like you, we are excited about the future of the club, and we hope the securing of Robinho as a Manchester City player during the transfer window is seen as a signal of our very real intent. It has been an exciting two weeks for all of us all.

My intention is that Manchester City has the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the field. For that reason I have asked my friend Khaldoon Al Mubarak, to take on the position of Chairman of the Club. My request to him has been to put together a board and executive team that is worthy of the heritage and potential of Manchester City.

Khaldoon and I have agreed that the we will not be making any more announcements for a while as we really now need to sit down with the manager, Executive Chairman and key staff and put together plans that will, over time, get the Club to where we want it to be. That is the stage we are entering now and as anyone who runs a business knows, this involves a lot of listening, and a lot of talking to many stakeholders and research and discussion before plans can be announced.

As part of that, we will absolutely spend time listening to you the fans about what you think about the future of the club. We are very aware that without you there would not be a club to buy, and your voice will be heard by the organisation at the highest level. We also want to make it clear that Mark Hughes is absolutely integral to our plans. We are lucky to have someone who we believe is the best young British manager; someone who has been successful on the global stage, the Premier League and of course as a player.

We are ambitious for the club, like you, but not unreasonably so and we understand it takes time to build a team capable of sustaining a presence in the top four of the Premier League and winning European honours. We know a little of the history at City also and whilst we want to bring in the best players in the world, we also want to see the academy continue to develop talent and give Mark Hughes the chance to bring home-grown players into the team. We consider Mark Hughes to be one of the prime assets of the club. We will back his judgement in what players to bring in and we look forward to working more closely with him in the future. We are building a structure for the future not just a team of all-stars.

In cold business terms, Premiership football is one of the best entertainment products in the world and we see this as a sound business investment. That being said, we understand that we need to put money in to get the club to where we believe it can be -and where we think you the fans want it to be.

We are aware also that the club has a significant role in the community going back years. As newcomers, we don't pretend to understand all of this yet, but we will make sincere efforts to back these initiatives and ensure that Manchester City loses none of its role in Manchester beyond football and we want the club to continue to contribute to the community it represents.

I should perhaps also explain that despite what you may have read, I have bought the club in a private capacity and as part of my personal business strategy to hold a wide portfolio of business investments. I am a football fan, and I hope that you will soon see that I am now also a Manchester City fan. But I am also a long-term investor and that is probably more important to the club and to you because it means we are here for the long haul and that we will act always in the best interests of the club and all of its stakeholders, but especially you the fans.

I will be at Eastlands soon and am really looking forward to sampling the famous City atmosphere.

Thank you again for the good wishes and your support.

Yours,

Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

quote:

Wigan 2-1 City 28/09/2008 15:29

Wigan Athletic v Manchester City

Sunday September 28, 2008, 4.00pm
JJB Stadium - Att: 18,214.

Wigan: Kirkland, Figueroa, Bramble, Melchiot, Boyce, Valencia, Kapo, Palacios, Cattermole (Brown 52), Heskey, Zaki.

unused subs: Pollitt, Scharner, de Ridder, Kilbane, Koumas, Camara.

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne (c), Richards, Garrido, Kompany (Fernandes 90), Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Elano (Sturridge 85), Robinho, Jo (Evans 73).

unused subs: Schmeichel, Ball, Ben-Haim, Hamann.

Goals: 1-0 (Valencia 16), 1-1 (Kompany 22), 2-1 (Zaki pen 33)

Bookings

Wigan: Valencia (26), Brown (57), Melchiot (72)

City: Robinho, Kompany (all 33), Richards (71)

Referee: S Bennett

Pre match news

Good afternoon from a bright and breezy Wigan. City are looking to bounce back after the midweek disappointment at the Withdean Stadium, but it’s set to be a tough one for Mark Hughes’ men as City have yet to win here at the JJB Stadium after three defeats and a draw last December.

Team news: City are unchanged from the side that started the 6-0 rout of Portsmouth last Sunday, so Hart, Garrido, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Elano and Robinho are all back.

The Match

Unusually for this fixture, the first three minutes passed without a goal for either side but the 4,000 or so City fans were in fine voice from the off, easily making more noise than the home support.

Amr Zaki went close with a long range effort on 14 minutes, and this should have served as a warning as the hosts next effort saw them take the lead. A free kick on the left found its way out to Antonio Valencia, who took aim from 25 yards out with Joe Hart nowhere near the ball as it tore across him and into his top right hand corner.

This stung City into action, and a chance for Robinho within a minute saw the Brazilian shoot just wide from inside the area.

And City’s fans did not have too long to with for an equaliser, when on 22 minutes Elano’s free kick from near the right corner flag took a deflection before arriving with Vincent Kompany, totally unmarked in the six yard box and allowed to tap in for his first goal since arriving from Hamburg.

But Wigan went back in front in controversial circumstances on 33 minutes. Garrido challenged Palacios inside the area, the Wigan player went to ground theatrically after going a few feet into the air and referee Steve Bennett pointed to the spot immediately. After a long delay, during which City protested and the yellow card was shown to Kompany & Robinho, Amr Zaki stepped up and sent Joe Hart the wrong way to restore ‘Latics lead.

City tried to get back straight away once again, with Stephen Ireland not far off getting a touch to Zabaleta’s cross just after the restart. With three minutes to the break, Richards fed Wright-Phillips, whose chip looked to be dipping in at the last minute, until it was turned over well by Kirkland. At the resulting corner Richard Dunne was clipped by Heskey – but this time the referee waved the pleas for a penalty away. The last action of the half was at the other end, with Hart making a fine stop with his feet to deny the England striker.

First chance of the second half fell to the hosts, with Bramble heading wide three minutes in. A former Blue showed his face on 53 minutes when Michael Brown replaced Cattermole. Within a minute Wright-Phillips was breaking into the right of the box and finding Jo, but the Brazilian striker was unable to threaten Kirkland.

Brown gave away a free kick (and earning a booking within five minutes of coming on) in a dangerous spot, which Elano chose to roll to Jo – but his shot flew a long way over the bar. There was a better effort on the hour, when Elano curled a right-footed effort from the edge of the box just the wrong side of Kirkland’s left post.

A defence-splitting pass from Elano on 65 found Stephen Ireland bearing down on Kirkland, but the Irishman’s toe-poke rolled agonisingly wide. At the other end, Dunne cleared over his bar after Hart could not take a high ball from the led, and at the corner Bramble nodded wide again.

It had been a lively game anyway, and it heated up again with around 20 minutes left when first Richards and then Melchiot went into the book. The latter had body-checked Wright-Phillips, who showed no ill-effects 60 seconds later when his shot brought a fine save out of Chris Kirkland.

The Wigan keeper looked lucky not to have given away a penalty on 77, appearing to collide with Ched Evans after the substitute had poked the ball around him. Referee Bennett earned himself more of the wrath of the City fans with eight minutes left when he gave Wigan a free kick when Bramble and Richards had clashed as the City player tried to break into the box. The home fans were on his case just afterwards when he waved play on after Kompany had brought down Melchiot.

The final few minutes were predictably frantic, but the closest City could come to getting the equaliser was Kompany fired straight at Kirkland. Wigan broke away and went close to adding a third through Zaki, but the new cult hero’s shot was superbly tipped over by Hart.

But that was the last action of the game, as City once again left the JJB Stadium empty-handed.

Tim Oscroft

quote:

City through to the UEFA Cup group stages 02/10/2008 21:34

Manchester City v AC Omonia

Thursday October 2, 2008, 7.45pm
City of Manchester Stadium - Att: 25,304

Teams

City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Ben-Haim, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany (Hamann 67), Elano, Robinho (Petrov 70), Jo (Evans 67).

unused subs: Schmeichel (GK), Ball, Fernandes, Sturridge.

AC Omonia:
Georgallides, Ndikumana, Wenzel, Pletsch, Zlogar, Kaiafas (Alabi 46), Bangura (Clayton 59), Okkas, Charalambous, Aloneftis, Christofi (Cafu 81).

unused subs: Asprogenis (GK), Maris, Aguirre, Pantic.

Goals: 1-0 Elano 48, 2-0 Wright-Phillips 55, 2-1 Alabi 78

Bookings:

City: Ben-Haim 89

Omonia:

Pre-match

Mark Hughes makes just the one forced changed from the defeat at Wigan as Richard Dunne's slight knock means Tal Ben-Haim comes in to replace him with Micah Richards taking the captain's armband. Otherwise the Blues boss has indeed stayed true to his word of going with a strong line-up tonight despite the 2-1 first leg lead.

The match

The first meaningful action was the awful (from the first leg) Charalambous’ bad foul on Wright-Phillips just three minutes in. Somehow the French referee, although he reached for the top pocket, kept his cards away.

On six minutes an Omonia corner from their right was allowed to drift into the Blues’ box and bounce away to relative safety.

Robinho sprang into life on 14 minutes after some quick feet he smashed a cross-cum-shot across the face of the Cypriot goal, with Georgallides nowhere.

Omonia huffed and puffed as they meekly attempted to pull back the 2-1 aggregate score, but City held them at a safe distance, as they themselves struggled up the gears barely making it to second as the clocked ticked past the half hour point.

Nine minutes before the break, Robinho, Wright-Phillips and Ireland put together a decent move that ended with the latters slide rule pass being gobbled up by the keeper before the Brazilian could latch on to it.

A fairly drab first half drew to a conclusion with no addition to the first leg scores and little to trouble either keeper during the first 45 minutes.

HALF TIME: City 0(2)-0(1) AC Omonia

Just the one change for the visitors at the break with Mark Hughes sending his side out early after a slow first half.

Almost immediately Robinho opened the scores on the night with powerfully hit rising right footer that just flew wide. But City didn't have long to wait for the tie winning opener.

It was Robinho who raced clear down the left before cleverly weighing up his options from just outside the corner edge of the box to find the late arriving Elano who connected with a fine shot with the outside of his trusty right boot.

The 25-yarder stayed low and beat Georgallides with ease and with three minutes on the second half clock City had one foot in the draw for the group stages.

A second could have followed soon after, but Wright-Phillips' toe poke found the keeper's grateful grasp, as the creaking Omonia defence feared the worst.

Indeed on 55 minutes it was 2-0, as following Zabaleta's neat touch, Shaun Wright-Phillips smashed in his fourth goal since returning home with a well hit half-volley from 10-yards.

With City in cruise control, Hughes made his first changes after 67 minutes, with Hamann and Evans replacing Kompany and Jo.

Robinho received his customary standing ovation as Martin Petrov made his return from shin then hamstring injuries as the Blues' final sub as the Manager maybe started to think about Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

City toyed with the Cypriots as they displayed some neat keep-ball before Zabaleta and Ireland combined well on 72 minutes only for the Irishman's wayward chip to drop wide.

But with 12 minutes left a well flighted Omonia corner from the right was headed home by Alabi to give the vocal travelling support something to cheer from the night.

Martin Petrov almost announced his return to first team action with a goal after a trademark rocket shot from distance stung the keeper's palms as the clock ticked down.

Petrov again was left cursing three minutes from time as he picked up a clever back heel from Wright-Phillips before only hitting the keeper from close range and earning a corner.

The final act saw a swift City break involving SWP, Elano, Evans and then Petrov who hammered goalwards only to be denied by Georgallides again.

But it didn't matter as a 2-1 victory on the night meant a 4-2 aggregate win overall and a place in the UEFA Cup group stages.

FULL TIME: City 2(4)-1(2) AC Omonia

Leon Collins

quote:

Stephen looking to keep his consistency 03/10/2008 15:30



Current Thomas Cook Player of the Month, Stephen Ireland has spoken to mcfc.co.uk ahead of Liverpool's visit to the City of Manchester Stadium this Sunday.
The midfielder, recently described by Mark Hughes as arguably City's best player of the season, is relishing the challenge from Rafa Benitez's side and said: "I think the Liverpool game is a big test for us, if we can get ahead of them and beat them, that will show where we are.

"They have a big squad, great players and some world-class ones too, but on the day we are hopeful that we can beat them."

And just like Liverpool's crowd have often helped them through games in the past, Ireland is confident that the Blues' faithful inside CoMS will provide the type of backing seen against Chelsea and Portsmouth in recent weeks.

He added: "The expectancy from the crowd will be huge after the way we played against Portsmouth and the fans are giving us a really big lift at the moment.

"You feel like you can’t be beaten at home when the fans are with you like they were on that day and in the previous home game."

Turning to himself, the 22-year-old has impressed many with his stamina and tireless running this season, and he puts that down to the work he did over the summer.

"I have done a lot of martial arts training, working on speed, agility and power," he told us. "I wanted a few days off before I got back into the training ahead of pre-season, but because the Middlesbrough defeat was such a heavy one I started straight away. I knew from the hard work I’d put in I’d feel the benefits.

"I spent six weeks in the summer working on this and thankfully it has paid off. I feel very fit, much stronger and I feel like I can run all day.

"I did a bit of powerlifting as well, but it was really enjoyable and I’m still doing it twice a week now. I can see the benefits and the changes during the game, whatever you put in, you get out.

"I’m really happy I got the award and I worked really hard to get into the team and now I’m working hard to try and stay in the team. I’ve got to keep that going now for the next month and the month after so it’s really important that I stay consistent."

Leon Collins

quote:

Op dinsdag 7 oktober 2008 16:53 schreef Blight het volgende:
Hi Lamzak_. Is Wielaert klaar voor Robinho?

quote:

Op dinsdag 7 oktober 2008 17:13 schreef -Vaduz- het volgende:
Robinho zal wel een blessure faken in het weekend voor de wedstrijd, Robbie tegenkomen is niet niks.

quote:

Op dinsdag 7 oktober 2008 17:12 schreef KingOfPop het volgende:

[..]

Nee, en dat gaat hij ook niet zijn. Robinho vond ik al een van de betere spelers bij Madrid, Robinho is een klasse apart op dit niveau.

quote:

Op dinsdag 7 oktober 2008 20:01 schreef Blight het volgende:
Klopt wel een beetje. SWP gaat bijvoorbeeld wellicht nog meer last bezorgen (denk aan hoe Walcott de defensie open reeg).

quote:

Op dinsdag 7 oktober 2008 17:17 schreef KingOfPop het volgende:

[..]

Heubach zal hem wel aanpakken.

quote:

City leave it late to take a point against 10-man Toon 20/10/2008 21:50

Newcastle United v Manchester City

Monday October 20, 2008, 8.00pm
St James' Park - Att: 45,908

Newcastle United:
Given, Coloccini, Taylor, Beye, Bassong, Guthrie, Duff, Geremi, Butt (c), Ameobi (Carroll 79), Martins (N'Zogbia 72).

unused subs: Enrique, Cacapa, Harper (GK), Xisco, Edgar.

City:
Hart, Richards (Onuoha 58), Dunne (c), Ben-Haim, Garrido (Sturridge 83), Kompany, Hamann (Evans 64), Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Jo.

unused subs: Elano, Schmeichel (GK), Fernandes, Berti.

Goals: 0-1 Robinho (pen) 14, 1-1 Ameobi 44, 2-1 Dunne (og) 64, 2-2 Ireland 86

Bookings

Newcastle:

City: Garrido 36, Kompany 45

Red cards

Newcastle: Beye 12

Referee: Mr. R. Styles

Pre match

The good news is that Robinho is fit to take his place in the starting line-up. Micah Richards is also fit enough to start, and he will do at right back, in place of the suspended Pablo Zabaleta. Tal Ben-Haim comes into the team to partner Richard Dunne at centre back.

Elano is rested and on the bench, so Didi Hamann (an unpopular man around St James' Park for leaving them after just one season) comes into a holding midfield role.

Don't forget full commentary is available now on MCFCTV.com.

The match

Despite the unrest surrounding Newcastle, their fans still packed St James’ and were giving the side great backing, as United’s players huddled up prior to City getting the game underway.

A burst from Micah Richards at right back helped City win the game’s first corner on three minutes as Wright-Phillips threatened an early cross after latching on to his throughball.

The resulting corner had an element of pinball about it with the ball bouncing everywhere in and around the Toon box, but ultimately it was cleared away to safety for the home side.

And the native crowd were upset after 10 minutes as Ben-Haim felled Martins just outside the penalty following a promising run and it almost proved costly as set-piece expert Geremi’s free-kick only just cleared Joe Hart's crossbar.

But two minutes later the howls were back around St James’ Park in a big way as referee Rob Styles put himself in the spotlight once again with a pair of controversial decisions...in Newcastle eyes.

Firstly, as Robinho broke away into the penalty area, Beye tackled the Brazilian from behind, appeared to get some of the ball, but not according to Mr Styles...penalty.

The referee then added to the home side’s misery by sending off Beye for the professional foul. The top hat was eventually put on it as Robinho calmly sent Given the wrong way to give City a 14th minute lead.

For the record the first ‘Sack the Board’ chant came after about 20 minutes, which divided the home support from those keen to leave that outside, and the rest just frustrated at the bad start to another cold night in Newcastle.

Ironic cheers broke out just after the half hour point as Styles awarded Newcastle a free-kick (even that was debatable).

And from that set-piece a clash between Hart and Dunne saw the skipper receive a few minutes worth of treatment for a facial injury.

With Dunne off the pitch his Irish international colleague Damien Duff should have made it 1-1 but a poor left footed finish from close range was gratefully fielded by Hart.

Duff was involved again just a minute later as Javi Garrido's pull on him earnt the Spanish full-back a yellow card.

The extra man was giving City more possibilities on the break and they had showed that without any real end product during the first half as Wright-Phillips, Robinho and Jo all caused problems to Kinnear’s backline.

But as the half drew to a close Newcastle got back into the game with an awful goal on 44 minutes. The cross from the left was cleared by Dunne only to bring about three deflections before falling kindly for Shola Ameobi six-yards out and despite his poor connection the slice was enough to beat Hart bring a bit of relief to the home fans and the 10-men of United.

HALF TIME: Newcastle 1-1 City

There were no half time substitutions for either side as Newcastle got the action underway in the second half.

The hosts were clearly buoyed by their goal late in the first half and with the fans back concentrating on the team instead of the referee the 10-men were generating a bit of momentum and 10 minutes into the second half had looked the side most likely to get the next goal.

After taking a couple of heavy knocks during the game, enough was enough for Micah Richards on 58 minutes, as with what looked to be an ankle problem he was replaced by Nedum Onuoha.

Vincent Kompany had City's first shot in anger of the second half from way out on 61 minutes as the Blues had been reduced to hanging in there rather than taking the game to the Toon.

But the Newcastle pressure was to pay just minutes later as Geremi's right wing corner brought about their second bizarre goal of the night...courtesy of Richard Dunne.

As the ball dropped it just seemed to hit the Blues skipper and even if he'd have tried it for real he couldn't have put it in Hart's top left hand corner any better. Newcastle's luck had certainly taken a turn for the best.

Ched Evans was instantly introduced by Mark Hughes in place of Hamann to add more striking threat as City had simply not made the most of Beye’s early red card.

And Ameobi almost made it three for Newcastle on 74 minutes after good work by Duff but he just couldn’t turn his cross home.

City themselves fashioned a nice move shortly after, but again it was a shot from distance, by Robinho this time that failed to trouble Given.

Hughes played his last card on 83 minutes, bringing on Danny Sturridge for Garrido, switching to three at the back in the meantime. And it almost paid instant dividends as Ireland's volley from the edge of the box brought an amazing save from Given.

But Stephen Ireland and City wouldn't be denied for much longer as with four minutes left the Blues pulled level. Kompany found Robinho and his measured ball was taken on by Ireland before he toe-poked it beyond the keeper.

City nearly nicked it to as Ireland slid a fine ball across the face of goal but in the circumstances both teams would have to be happy with a point. Although Mark Hughes will not be a happy man.

FULL TIME: Newcastle 2-2 City

Leon Collins

quote:

Manchester City is geblesseerde Petrov tot februari kwijt
22/10/2008 09:49

Martin Petrov zal waarschijnlijk in februari 2009 pas weer kunnen voetballen. De middenvelder van Manchester City kampt met een knieblessure.

Petrov keerde vorige week terug van interlandverplichtingen met Bulgarije en meldde zich in Manchester met een pijnlijke knie. Uit onderzoek blijkt dat een meniscus hem parten speelt. 'Hij heeft een scheurtje in een meniscus', legde coach Mark Hughes uit. 'Het is een slechte blessure en hij zal drie tot vier maanden uitgeschakeld zijn.'

Dit seizoen kwam Petrov pas drie competitieduels in actie. De 29-jarige international kampte eerder met een hamstringblessure, waardoor hij in september moest revalideren en pas begin oktober terugkeerde op het veld.

Petrov zal door zijn knieblessure ook niet in actie kunnen komen tegen FC Twente in het toernooi om de UEFA Cup.

quote:

Op maandag 27 oktober 2008 13:59 schreef Blight het volgende:
Jo valt tot dusver nog tegen trouwens, inderdaad. Had meer van hem verwacht. Maar goed, misschien komt het nog..!

Kan zijn dat ik nu iets doms zeg

quote:

Hughes unhappy with crucial penalty decision 29/10/2008 23:03



Mark Hughes has reacted with disappointment to the crucial penalty decision that helped swing Wednesday night's game at the Riverside Stadium against City.
Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot after Danny Sturridge had tangled with Boro's David Wheater on the very edge of the penalty area. Alves stepped up to score, and the incident came straight after City had seen two great chances saved by home keeper Ross Turnbull.

Gary O'Neil's stoppage time goal sealed the win for the hosts, and speaking afterwards Hughes said:

"Obviously we are disappointed, we did not take the chances we had at good times of the game. We came out of the traps quickly in the second half, created two real openings but did not convert them. Lo and behold, they go up the other end of the pitch, and the referee has made a decision that I am sure he feels is the correct one.

"I have seen it again after the game and I don't feel initially that their guy had full control of the ball anyway. I think it is outside the box, then he wraps his trailing leg behind Daniel and that's what has taken him over. It's more a consequence of his actions, not Daniel's.

"The linesman does not give it, he is in the best position, the referee comes over, has a long hard think and decides to make a decision that changes the shape of the game and the outcome of the result. As soon as they get a lead, they are going to protect it and get people behind the ball. The second goal was a consequence of us throwing people forward. The manner of the defeat is hard to take because we had chances ourselves."

Tim Oscroft

quote:

Blues record tense win over McClaren's men 06/11/2008 21:30

Manchester City v FC Twente

Thursday November 6, 2008, 7.45pm
City of Manchester Stadium - Att: ...

Teams

City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne (c), Richards, Garrido, Fernandes, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Vassell (Elano 65), Robinho, Jo (Benjani 59).

unused subs: Schmeichel (GK), Ben-Haim, Onuoha, Hamann, Evans.

FC Twente:
Boschker, Wielaert (c), Braafheid, Douglas, Hersi, Tiote (Janssen 79), Stam, Brama (Wellenberg 64), Arnautovic (Huysegems 32), Nkufo, Elia.

unused subs: Perez, Heubach, Paauwe (GK), Gerritsen.

Goals: 1-0 Wright-Phillips 2, 1-1 Elia 17, 2-1 Robinho 57, 3-1 Benjani 62, 3-2 Wielaert 65

Bookings:

City: Zabaleta 28

FC Twente: Elia 41

Pre-match

Mark Hughes will be a relieved man to finally be able to call on Darius Vassell and Benjani for tonight's game in addition to the returning Jo from illness.

Vassell starts for the Blues in his first appearance since the UEFA Cup qualifier against EB/Streymur at the end of August. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean striker is fit enough for a place on the City bench.

There are starts too for Javi Garrido and Gelson Fernandes as FC Twente are dealt a blow by having to make do without their Matchday 1 match winner, Romano Denneboom.

The match

All the talk before the match was for City to open their participation in the UEFA Cup group stages with a win and with the game's first meaningful attack the Blues stuck to the script and took the lead.

Gelson Fernandes, back in the starting XI, found Shaun Wright-Phillips inside the Twente half and a quick one-two with Jo later the rapid winger was cutting into the area from the right and firing City in front after just two minutes.

The goal instantly settled Mark Hughes' men and they carried threat without creating any further chances but on 17 minutes the visitors shocked the home crowd with a breakaway goal to level the scores.

Surprisingly, a foot up offence on Zabaleta, normally clamped down on in European competition was let go and much to the horror of the City defence Eljero Elia ran through on goal and calmly beat Joe Hart down to his right.

City persisted but couldn't find that final ball to break through again while Twente looked dangerous on the counter attack. And it was from a break down the right that the referee produced the first yellow card.

Pablo Zabaleta was booked for innocuous pull on Hersi from which he took an age to go down...clearly the City faithful did not agree and let it be known.

The game's first substitution came just minutes later as Arnautovic picked up a knock and was replaced by Huysegems. Back to the bookings and Elia talked his way into the book on 41 minutes after disputing a foul.

Jo then had a good chance after beating two defenders inside the area his right footed shot went through the keeper's legs but he seemed to get enough on it to keep it out.

In first half stoppage time SWP injected a bit of pace and raced around the back of the Twente defence before putting a fine ball in which Jo's clever flick brought a simple save from the veteran Boschker in goal.

HALF TIME: City 1-1 FC Twente

There were no changes at the break and City set about the task of retaking the lead by winning an early corner which came to nothing.

Robinho drifted in from the left to release Jo inside the box, but he could only poke it towards goal, as he was always stretching to reach the ball and make a clean contact.

On 53 minutes most of the crowd thought Wright-Phillips had grabbed his second of the night but his 20-yard shot had fizzed behind and the rebound caused the net to ripple.

Four minutes later City did get the second their attacking play deserved and what a strike from Robinho.

Stephen Ireland marched forward with purpose from midfield before laying the ball off to Robinho on the left corner edge of the box. The Brazilian took one touch to steady himself before curling a beautiful right footer into the top corner and give City the advantage.

Two minutes later, Jo made way for Benjani, and the returning striker made his mark straight away as he broke the offside trap to fire a shot in from just outside the box - a helpful deflection from the defender took it away from the keeper to make it 3-1.

But no sooner had the crowd settled down and a Twente substitute been made then the score became 3-2 as captain Robbie Wielaert headed home a left wing corner with 25 minutes to go.

The game became an edgy encounter with both teams breaking at will looking for their next vital goal.

On 75 minutes City hit the post after Robinho had led the Twente defence on a merry dance and the crowd ooh'd as the ball rebounded to safety for McClaren's men.

Benjani then stung the keeper's palms on 79 minutes with a rasping drive from distance as City pressed for a fourth.

After a patient move involving Benjani, Robinho and Zabaleta, Robinho cracked the post again with an effort, and in the final minute Huysegems should have made it 3-3 but could only blaze over the pull back from eight-yards out to the complete despair of an animated Steve McClaren.

But despite that miss and a tense end to the match, the Blues held on to their slender lead and deservedly won the game to register a first group stage win.

In the night's other group game Schalke drew 1-1 with Real Racing Club.

FULL TIME: City 3-2 FC Twente

Leon Collins

quote:

Hughes wary of Harry's Tottenham revival 09/11/2008 08:44


Mark Hughes is expecting a tough test from a Spurs side rejuvenated after the recent arrival of Harry Redknapp.
The recently-installed Spurs boss has guided the previously underperforming squad into a run of four unbeaten games, although such was their poor start to the season that they remain at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Looking at Harry's impact, Mark tells us: "Everybody understood that they’ve got an exceptionally gifted group of players and for whatever reason they weren’t performing for the previous manager.

"Harry’s obviously recognised that certain things were wrong. He’s addressed them and the good players that should have being playing well before Harry’s arrival are just starting to play how everybody expected them to. They’re a very good side and it’s another big test, but at home, I think we can cause anybody problems."

Today's game sees Harry return to the City of Manchester Stadium seven weeks after his Portsmouth side were hammered 6-0, as City's boss is happy to recall.

"He'll be looking for something a bit more positive after the mauling his team had at our stadium a few weeks ago, let's hope we can replicate that! If we play as well as we know we can in our home games this weekend, then why not?"

A face familiar to Harry could be set to feature against him today, with Benjani vying for a place after making a goalscoring return to action against FC Twente on Thursday.

"I thought he looked really strong," Marks says of the big striker. "It’s always difficult when you’ve had a period out like he has to come back and make an impact. But it’s credit to him and how professional he’s been trying to get back to a level that would enable him to make an impact as soon as he was introduced. That was the case and we’re really pleased."

City will be without Vincent Kompany today, the Belgian midfielder having already reached five bookings for the season so far, and he is now suspended for one match.

"I haven't shouted at him, I thought that the booking last weekend was a ridiculous one. Because of his position he's going to liable to picking up more bookings than others, but he's been excellent since he came to the club. I've been really pleased with what he's done and he'll be a loss, as we don't have a great deal of players with that kind of physical presence in midfield. So he'll be missed but we'll find a way to work around it," Hughes concludes.

Tim Oscroft

quote:

Op zondag 9 november 2008 23:11 schreef Manu82 het volgende:
Kon het dus niet zien via schotel
Was het wat?

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My First City Game 11/11/2008 06:30



Manchester City FC is proud to announce it has launched a campaign to fill the City of Manchester Stadium with fans’ memories of their very first City game.

My First City Game will put the supporters at the very centre of the City of Manchester Stadium, and celebrate the history of the club through the eyes of the fans.

Fans of all ages are encouraged to submit their memories, where they will permanently reside in a specially developed interactive forum on this site www.mcfc.co.uk/myfirstcitygame. Whether this was in the 1960s or at last weekend’s game; at Maine Road, the City of Manchester Stadium or anywhere – we want to know about that particular day in your life. Where it was, who you were with, how you got there and maybe even what you ate; we’re looking for whatever it is that made that day unforgettable for you.

The club will review all submissions and select the most compelling memories to develop into a bright and vibrant collage that will fill the concourses throughout the entire stadium. My First City Game has also been developed to encourage new fans to submit their experiences following their first visit to City of Manchester Stadium, or another ground to see Manchester City. It is hoped that submissions from first time supporters will be made for every home game, through which fans continue to write the club’s history in coming years.

Garry Cook, MCFC Executive Chairman, says, “As our fans, you have always been the heartbeat of our club, and your support makes Manchester City the most special club in the world. We want to look to the future without ever forgetting the past, and it’s only right that we do this using the memories of those most important to the club. The City of Manchester Stadium is a fantastic facility; My First City Game will introduce even more personality and life to it, and help make it feel like the spiritual home of our club.”

City's Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak has sent us his first City memory already, and we’re really looking forward to seeing some of yours on this site and in our magnificent stadium. To enter your memory, simply visit www.mcfc.co.uk/myfirstcitygame, and if you have a relevant digital image please upload it too.

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Hull 2-2 City 16/11/2008 18:01

Hull City v Manchester City

Sunday November 16, 2008, 4.00pm
KC Stadium - Att: 24,902

Teams:

Hull: Myhill, Ashbee (c), Turner, Geovanni, McShane, Boateng (Halmosi 80), Ricketts, Marney, King, Zayatte, Cousin (Barmby 75).

unused subs: Duke, Doyle, Garcia, Folan, Stelios.

City: Hart (Schmeichel 18), Zabaleta, Richards, Ben Haim, Garrido, Kompany, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Vassell, Robinho (c), Benjani (Jo 75).

unused subs: Ball, Onuoha, Elano, Hamann, Evans.

Goals: 1-0 (Cousin 14), 1-1 (Ireland 38), 1-2 (Ireland 44), 2-2 (Geovanni 60)

Bookings:

Hull: McShane (25), Marney (88)

City: Ben Haim (11), SWP (81), Ireland (82)

Referee: P Dowd

Pre-match: There were two changes to the City starting line-up from last Sunday, with Ben Haim & Kompany replacing the suspended Dunne & Fernandes. Robinho took the captain’s armband. There was a warm ovation for Geovanni from the City fans.

The Match

Both sets of fans generated a huge amount of noise at kick off, but it was Robinho who had the chance to quieten the home fans after just two minutes with a free kick from around 30 yards out. This time there was to be no blockbusting screamer, his effort going a long way to the right of Myhill’s post. Hull skipper Ian Ashbee wasted a good shooting opportunity on 10 minutes, placing his shot harmlessly past Hart’s right-hand upright.

The last thing City needed was to gift a chance to the hosts, but unfortunately on 14 minutes a mistake by Tal Ben Haim did just that. The defender, who had been booked a couple of minutes earlier, under hit a back-pass towards Hart and rolled the ball straight into the path of Daniel Cousin, who took a couple of strides forward to touch it past the onrushing Joe Hart and into the net.

To make matters worse for City, Hart hurt his left ankle in the collision with the goal scorer, and although he tried to carry on the Blues keeper was substituted a couple of minutes after the restart, receiving a sympathetic hand from the home fans.

The next phase of the game saw the home side dominate as they looked to take advantage of City’s nervousness at the back. Errors were the order of the day on both sides, with the Blues’ only real threatening moments coming to nothing when Benjani was caught offside on a couple of occasions. Ben Haim looked to have conceded a corner on 35 minutes after a good headed interception, but King’s offside position negated it anyway.

The error-strewn-nature of the half led to another goal just two minutes later – but this time it was a howler by the home side, and City were level! Kamil Zayatte looked to have ended a decent City move, but he rolled the ball straight across the face of the goal in the area and into the path of Stephen Ireland, who slotted it home for his fourth league goal of the season.

The goal gave City the lift they badly needed, and three minutes before the break they should have had the chance to level from the spot. Robinho’s shot clearly hit Turner on the arm inside the area but referee Phil Dowd, just yards away, waved play on to Robinho’s astonishment.

But it did not matter as seconds later City were ahead through a piece of genuine skill. Garrido burst down the left, found Stephen Ireland in acres of space just outside the box and the midfielder took his time to curl a beautiful strike past Myhill and just inside the post! Cue choruses of ‘Ireland is Superman’ from our fans!

No changes at the break, but two minutes into the second half, after two City corners had led to nothing, Geovanni made a chance from nothing when a spectacular scissors kick went over Schmeichel’s bar. Marlon King had another chance shortly after but Kasper was down well to his right to keep us ahead.

A free kick on 56 minutes had Geovanni lining up from long-range, around 35 yards out, but the former City man’s effort lacked venom or direction, and Schmeichel watched it drift a long way wide.

But Geovanni did not have too long to wait to get the goal he must have craved, and once again it was from a free kick. This time he was five yards from the box and dead centre, but his shot took a big deflection off the wall to leave Schmeichel wrong-footed.

Cousin’s diving header brought a good save out of Schmeichel seconds later, and down at the other end Robinho looked to take a touch too many before driving a shot straight at a defender.

Fine work by Robinho and Benjani on 68 minutes set up Darius Vassell for a great chance inside the box, but he missed his first kick, and the Hull defence had time to close him down at the second.

A brace of substitutions on 75 were quickly followed by the sight of Ben Haim striding through the Hull midfield to possibly set something up, but his final ball was found wanting and he was soon sprinting back into position.

More free kick mayhem followed around the 80 minute mark as Geovanni lined up from the edge of the ‘D’ outside the box. He got three bites at the cherry, because Phil Dowd ruled that first SWP and then Ireland had encroached. The final effort deflected wide, and the Blues fans breathed again.

Four minutes were to be added, and as the board was flashing the stoppage allowance, Darius Vassell was denied by a fine save from Myhill. A superb ball across the pitch from Garrido set him up to loop it over the Hull keeper, but at full stretch he fingertipped it to safety.

A breathless last few seconds saw City earn two corners, Micah Richards coming closest with a header that went just wide in the 95th minute. The full time whistle went just afterwards, and the Blues left Humberside with a point that had at one stage looked unlikely, then looked like becoming three before almost inevitably Geovanni came back to haunt them.

Tim Oscroft

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'City biedt megabedrag voor Buffon'

MANCHESTER - Manchester City heeft volgens de Italiaanse sportkrant La Gazzetta dello Sport vrijdag een bod van 75 miljoen euro uitgebracht op doelman Gianluigi Buffon van Juventus. Voor de 30-jarige Italiaan zou in Manchester een vijfjarig contract klaarliggen, met een jaarsalaris van 15 miljoen euro.

De club uit de Engelse Premier League werd in de zomer opgekocht door de Abu Dhabi United Group, een investeerdersgroep uit het Midden-Oosten met een vermogen van miljarden euro's. Manchester City slaagde er al in om de Braziliaanse spits Robinho voor ruim 40 miljoen euro los te weken bij Real Madrid.

telegraaf

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City 3-0 Arsenal 22/11/2008 16:50



Manchester City v Arsenal

Saturday November 22, 2008, 3.00pm
City of Manchester Stadium - Att: 44, 878

Teams:

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne (c), Richards, Garrido, Kompany, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Vassell (Elano 70), Robinho (Hamann 82), Benjani (Sturridge 88).

unused subs: Schmeichel, Onuoha, Ben Haim, Evans.

Arsenal: Almunia (c), Hoyte (Ramsey 60), Silvestre, Djourou, Clichy, Diaby (Vela 69), Song, Denilson, Nasri, Van Persie, Bendtner.

unused subs: Fabianski, Wilshere, Gibbs, Lansbury, Simpson.

Goals:1-0 (Ireland 45 +1), 2-0 (Robinho 56), 3-0 (Sturridge pen 90+1)

Bookings:

City:

Arsenal: Song (87)

Referee: A Wiley

Pre-match: There’s a distinct chill in the air as we head for our first 3.00pm kick off on a Saturday this season. Arsenal’s off-field troubles are dominating the headlines, and the Gunners are without Walcott, Gallas, Toure & Adebayor for a variety of reasons.

There was a major surprise with Joe Hart named in the starting line-up, the keeper having made a quicker than expected recovery from his sprained ankle sustained at Hull. Richard Dunne is back from suspension and wearing the captain’s armband once more. Following Gallas' outburst, Manuel Almunia was named as Gunners' skipper.

The Match

A mistake in front of Arsenal’s area in just the second minute allowed Ireland to nudge the ball to Vassell, but with the crowd urging him to shoot he delayed and laid it off to Zabaleta, but the Argentinean could not open his City account and he put his shot a long way wide of Almunia’s left post.

Neither side created anything of note until 16 minutes, when Hoyte hacked Robinho down on the left flank. City took the free kick quickly and Almunia had to be alert to block the Brazilian’s effort, drilled in low from the edge of the box.

Another quiet phase followed but it was City with the next half-chance when a move involving SWP & Vassell on the right ended with Benjani just short from getting a touch on the edge of the six yard box, the striker being well-marshalled by Mikael Silvestre.

It was hearts-in-mouths time on 33 minutes after van Persie won a free kick around 30 yards out, dead centre. A long delay for treatment to the Dutchman allowed Nasri to line up his effort, which Joe Hart did well to parry away to his left. The ball was quickly back in the danger zone, but Song fluffed a great chance and shot wide.

This seemed to liven everyone up, and three minutes later Benjani was one-on-one with Almunia from an Ireland through-ball – only for the linesman to correctly flag the striker offside – but only just. Stephen Ireland displayed his fine form twice in the last few minutes of the half, breaking down the left but was unable to get a decent cross in. Shortly after another good pass split the defence but was just too far ahead of Benjani, and Almunia collected.

The Zimbabwean should have scored as we entered stoppage time, heading wide from a chipped cross from SWP, but thankfully he did not have too long to regret it as we took the lead seconds later! Silvestre & Clichy got in each other’s way on the edge of the box, and the ball sat up nicely for Stephen Ireland, who delicately popped it over Almunia and into the net. It was Stephen's sixth league goal of 08/09, his seventh in all and perfect proof of his improvement this year. Now the question was, would we be able to hang on to the lead?

The visitors were into their stride straight away in the second half, Diaby breaking into the box and firing a yard wide. Seconds later Bendtner looked to be in position to get onto the end of a cross, but Dunne hustled and prevented any chance to threaten Hart’s goal. The bombardment continued with van Persie winning another free kick on 50 minutes, and the Dutchman stepped up to bend it around the wall – but thankfully just wide of the right hand post.

But City broke the shackles in the best possible way on 56 minutes, and they doubled the lead thanks to a moment of sublime artistry. SWP won the ball in his own half and strode forward, delaying his pass perfectly to find Robinho, who flipped the ball over Almunia for a magical moment that had the crowd and the City bench off their feet – and rightly so.

The Gunners nearly hit back on the hour when Bendtner broke into the box, but the Dane’s low shot brought a good save from Hart with his legs. The ball was quickly back with the striker, but his follow-up effort was wide. Back at the other end, a clever ball from Kompany across the face of the box allowed Robinho to stoop for a header that went just wide.

The Brazilian had the ball in the net seconds later after good work from Vassell and Ireland – but the flag was up for offside. Arsenal broke away and Song fired in a shot that was safely collected by Hart.

There was huge acclaim for Elano when the little Brazilian replaced Vassell with 20 minutes left. Just afterwards his clever corner out to Ireland allowed his team mate to fire in a rasping shot that hit Denilson on the arm in the area. No penalty came, the fact that Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder was turning away must have helped the referee make his decision.

Robinho was inches away from a second with 12 minutes on the clock, going one-on-one with Almunia after breaking through the middle, but his touch took him wider than he wanted and his rolled effort was cleared off the line by Clichy. The star striker went over on his ankle making the shot and he hobbled off, receiving a big round of applause from his adoring fans.

City wound the clock down well, but Arsenal did get the ball in the net on 88 when van Persie robbed Hart as the keeper swung his leg back to kick downfield. Referee Wiley did not allow the goal and looked to be close to booking the Arsenal striker.

The Blues made it three in stoppage time from the penalty spot. Danny Sturridge, on a substitute, was hauled down by Djourou and took the spot kick himself, despite the presence of Elano, who looked to be wanting to take it. It did not matter though, with the young striker sending Almunia the wrong way and slotting home with his left foot.

A fine day’s work ended just afterwards, the perfect start to an important week.

Tim Oscroft