City
3 Aston Villa 1
October 31st 2005 att 42,069
A
Monday evening kickoff at the City of Manchester Stadium and there were quite
a few empty seats around the ground. Well it was live on Sky TV. Another cracking
team display by City took them to 4th in the Premiership equal on points with
Spurs in third.
I will be a bit disappointed if we do not make it to Europe
this season. A few more signings in January are needed to build the squad and
if this form continues a European place is there for the asking.
Well
it is Halloween and the Witches and Demons are about. No- I don't think it is
the Neville brothers!
Champion
boxer and great City supporter Ricky Hatton was introduced to the ground before
kickoff.
City
were glad to see the return of Andy Cole and there was a first start for Lee Croft.
Sommeil continued at the centre of defence in the absence of Dunne.
Christmas
arrived early for City in the fourth minute. A clearance by Distin found the head
of Vassell who nodding it on . Samuel then headed the ball back to the keeper
but alas for Villa, Stuart Taylor had come out of his goal and the ball dropped
over the head of the Villa defenders into the path of Vassell who had the easiest
of chances to place the ball into the net.
What
a gift! As Vassell turned away to take the plaudits of the City faithful the Villa
fans who had booed the ex Villa players first touch minutes earlier were stunned
into silence. One nil to City.
Vassell
continued to worry the Villa defence that looked very frail at times and his shot
- top right- was saved by Taylor - though the referee gave a goal-kick
Sommeil
had to have some lengthy treatment after a tackle but played on
Lee
Croft was just about to take a great crossfield pass by Barton when he was poleaxed
by Samuel who was booked. Some refs might have given him a direct red.
It
looks like our old manager Peter Reid in the Sky TV box
After
26 minutes a great little chip by Andy Cole -above left- found Vassell who volleyed
the ball past Taylor to give City a two goal lead. Stuart Taylor, who was deputizing
for Sorensen ( injured in the warm-up!) was well beaten. I remember he played
brilliantly against City at Maine Road a few years ago when he played for Arsenal.
As
the City players celebrated with the home supporters the Villa fans must have
wondered why they had traveled up the M6
A
few minutes later David James was called into action when he saved well from Davis
who hit the ball first time from a pass.
As
Stu Pearce urged his players on as half time approached Villa manager O'Leary
looked pretty depressed at his teams efforts.
As
Peter Reid analyzed the great City first half display we were entertained at half
time by dancing girls from schools in Tameside
A
free-kick taken by Musampa gave the Vila defence a few problems at the start of
the half.
Lee
Croft had played well first half but was beginning to tire and it didn't help
that Sommeil had to go off injured ( replaced by Sun) so with Mills having to
move to the centre of defence the balance of the side was affected.
Joey
Barton was marginally quieter than usual and he was unlucky to be booked .
Young
Stephen Ireland again showed great maturity and City should have scored when his
brilliant backheel to Cole ended with the City forward shooting across goal but
just wide.
Villa
were playing much better in the second period and their midfield dominance was
rewarded after 65 minutes when Berger ( on for Samuel at half time) put in a dangerous
cross. It eluded the City defence for once and Ridgewell bundled the ball in.2-1
for City and game on.
After
82 minutes City struck the killer punch when a shot form Cole was deflected off
a defender over the head of the oncoming Taylor and into the net. 3-1 and at last
City had killed the game off.
A
splendid show depicting Halloween by 60 or more dancers from schools in the Tamside
LEA Area was enjoyed by the fans.
Cole
celebrated before being substituted by BWP for the final few minutes.
City
had a few nervous minutes but held out comfortably for the three points and they
move to 4th in the Premiership.
Team
James
6.5: Mills 7, Sommeil 7 ( Sun 6), Distin 8.5, Jordan 7: Croft 7( Sibierski 6.5)
, Ireland 7, Barton 7, Musampa 6.5: Cole 8, Vassell 9:
Another
splendid team effort , with a particularly good first half display by City this
evening. Distin was magnificent at the heart of the defence. He continually nagged
his fellow defenders to keep their line and shape and some of his last ditch defending
was of the highest order. I am amazed he has not made the French side. Perhaps
their coach thinks Annelka still plays for us! Villa thought our weakness was
down the left flank so Jordan was kept very busy helped by Musampa. Upfront Cole
and Vassell have become a powerful duo and if Vassell keeps this form up he will
be contending for a World Cup place. He was very tricky times and had plenty of
treats for the home fans.
Ireland and Barton are becoming a good midfield duo
. Mills continued his good form and showed his versatility by moving to the centre
of defence when Sommeil was injured. Lee Croft who showed a turn of speed down
the right tired in the second half but he certainly deserves another start.
City
0 Liverpool 1
November 26th 2005 att 47,105
Although
a better match to watch than the Blackburn game last week with Liverpool playing
a more open game it was another game to forget from the City point of view. The
silence at the start in remembrance of George Best was spoilt by a few morons.
The vast majority of the crowd were silent. I suppose it was too much to hope
for that all supporters of Uniteds greatest rivals would do the decent thing.
I was dreading it and thought it would have been more appropriate to have a minutes
applause to celebrate the genius of George Best. There wasn't a player on the
pitch today to touch his ability.
The
local Celtic Society gave us some rousing tunes before the kick-off
Opera
singer and City fan John Cristov entertained the crowd with Puccini's Nessun Dorma
and City's anthem Blue Moon
Joey
Barton returned to midfield following his suspension Jihai Sun dropping to the
bench.
The
minute of silence for George Best was stopped after 20 seconds or so by the chants
of a few idiots in the crowd.
All
eyes were on 6ft 7in Crouch as he practiced his ballet moves with Dunne
Crouch's
first of several encounters with referee Wiley
David
James had little to do throughout the game
Liverpool
clear a City corner with ease.
Distin
certainly had the measure of Cisse who did little to concern the City defence
Reina
attempts to punch clear a City corner
Once
again Distin foils Cisse
Ireland
and Barton keep an eye on Gerrard
Vassell
tries to break through
Richard
Dunne looks on with horror at this miss or has he been watching too many horror
movies
Lee
Croft makes a dash down the right but he always seems to tire after about 70 minutes
I
was glad to see that at one Liverpool corner City left two players upfield to
stretch the game in case of a quick clearance. I had advocated this a while ago.
It
also gives the keeper a better chance of collecting a corner with less players
filling the area,
Kewell
complete with bun came on for Cisse after 50 minutes and immediately caused City
problems
Crouch
again incurs the wrath of referee Wiley
Liverpool
defend a City corner
Referee
Wiley loses his patience with Crouch and books him
One
of the very few City chances is saved but Vassells shot was not the best like
his misdirected header early in the game. Had City scored early on then the game
might have changed but it was not to be,
A
defensive error by Jordan who lost the ball near the half way line let in Gerrard
who passed to the unmarked Reisse who cracked it past James to give Liverpool
the lead
An
over fussy referee has words with Harry Kewell or is he asking him where he has
his hair done
After
Liverpool's goal City huffed and puffed but the visitors had bossed the midfield
and just like the previous week City failed to create chances in the visitors
penalty area. The ball was too often just hoofed down the middle with Cole and
Vassell unable to hold the ball up. The Liverpool defence just headed clear and
our midfield rarely took possession from the clearances. Barton I thought tried
too many fancy tricks which failed and though Ireland gave some nice passes he
too fades from the game late on. He must try to make his presence felt more and
demand the ball. Cole and Vassell rarely had the chance to work their magic together.
On the plus side Dunne and Distin have now got their act together again.
At
the other end Hyypia heads over at a Liverpool corner
Even
Stu Pearce's efforts to egg on his players failed to make much impression
Team
James
6: Mills 6, Dunne 7, Distin 7, Jordan 6 ( Sun 6): Croft 6, Barton 6.5, Ireland
6.5, Musampa 6 (Sinclair 6): Cole 6, Vassell 6
City
0 Blackburn 0
November 19th 2005 att 44,032
Nothing
much to remember about this game at COMS. Blackburn came to get a point and with
City unable to break through a stubborn Rovers defence it ended with neither keeper
conceding a goal and in fact James and Freidel didn't have to even make a proper
save. It was so boring and both defences were in charge. Perhaps a few years ago
this was the kind of game City would lose in the last minute. I am afraid we will
have to be a bit more creative next week against Liverpool if we are to take three
points.
With
Barton under suspension for this game Jihai Sun came into midfield. Sinclair was
back on the bench after a spell out with injury.
One
of the few occasions the ball came any way near the net when it dropped on top
following a Blackburn corner
After
five minutes a neat City move ended with Musampa volleying a shot just past the
far post.
Vassell
is closely marked by Todd!
I
am afraid the resultant free-kick was wasted. Oh for a player that can make the
most of these situations
Jihai
Sun conceded an indirect fee-kick for this high kick.
A
frozen block of the Colin Bell stand given little to cheer about.
Blackburn
were beginning to boss the first half but they rarely gave City trouble in the
last third of the pitch.
David
James had little to do in the City goal as he was well covered by the defence
and these two pictures illustrate the few times he was in action- diving to cover
a deflected shot and a dive to claim a loose ball following a corner.
While
Faz whistles to draw attention Stu Pearce uses an arm. Perhaps they were practicing
calling for a taxi!
Brad
Friedel has to clear a City corner under pressure
City
players appeal for a hand ball
The
resultant free-kick hits the wall
After
his wonder goal a few weeks ago every time Mills ran forward the crowd called
for a shot but this one went high wide and handsome!
For
the most part Lee Croft was well held by Gray. I think Croft needs a plan B.
Lee
Croft chases a long ball and just failed to reach it before Brad Friedel. Croft
then hurt himself in the follow through.
Following
a tussle with Mills , Pedersen went down clutching his nose. Dickov and Savage
explain to the ref what had happened .... as they do.
Robbie
Savage joins in the discussion following the Khizanishvilli hand ball which ends
with the Blackburn defender getting a yellow card
It
was goalless at half time but shortly after the interval Vassell just failed to
meet this cross
Robbie
Savage ends up booked for a tackle with only a minute or so to go
One
of the best moments came in the final seconds when Stu Pearce came on the pitch
to place the ball for a free kick. He was mildly admonished by the ref
Well
at least we had a decent sunset!
Shame such a poor game had the best home attendance
so far this season.
Team
James
6: Mills 6, Dunne 7, Distin 7.5, Jordan 6: Croft 6, Sun 6, Ireland 7.5, Musampa
6: Vassell 6, Cole 6
