A "Kinky" Comeback

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Saturday 19 March 2016 – Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (FA Cup Quarter-final)

MCFC Starting XI – Forster, Richards, Varane, Nastasic, Zabaleta; Milner, Gaimaro; Nasri, Silva, El Shaarawy; Cavani SUBS – Hart, Kompany, Barry, Toure, Nem, Blanco, Destro

Wolves Starting XI – Hennessey, Jovic, Berra, Dunk, Rodriguez; Chipclu, Henry, Reo-Coker, Sako; Chamakh, Boakye SUBS – Frei, Johnson, Simunovic, Odoi, Russell, Eardley, Hovland

“Merlin” has done it again, 6 days after his hat-trick against Wigan in the league, he went one better today and scored four as City booked their place at Wembley for an FA Cup Semi Final. Silva was in stunning form today, working his magic all over the pitch and creating chances as well as taking them. Despite Silva scoring 4, the best goal of the day came from El Shaarawy who took the ball past one and let loose from 20 yards and left the keeper with no chance at all.

In the Semi Final City will face either Championship side Cardiff City or League 1 team Sheffield United. The other Semi will see Tottenham play West Brom for a place in the final.

Final Score – Manchester City 5 (Silva 4, 13, 73, 77, El Shaarawy 36) Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

MOTM – David Silva

Attendance – 60,686

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Saturday 26th March 2016 – Southampton v Manchester City (Premier League)

MCFC Starting XI – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Nastasic, Ramon; De Rossi, Toure; El Shaarawy, Silva, Nem; Aguero SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Varane, Milner, Blanco, Nasri, Cavani

Soton Starting XI – Steele, Inkoom, Wilson, Baird, Ziegler; Davis, Svensson, Schneiderlin, Marin; de Jong, Rodriguez SUBS – Watkiss, Taylor, Ibe, Eduardo, Davies, Powell, Cork

A wet Saturday afternoon on the south coast saw Southampton turn up ready to battle against the league leaders, and despite City having most of the possession it took a towering header of a corner from Nastasic to give City all three points. Again City stopped their opponents having a shot on target but their crossbar was rattled with the last kick of the game. Today’s win has guaranteed we finish in the top 3 and will be playing in next years Champions League.

Final Score – Southampton 0 Manchester City 1 (Nastasic 41)

MOTM – Matija Nastasic

Attendance – 29,636

That was the 600th reply, and a great win over Wolves to celebrate the land-mark

2013-05-28 18:59#106028 Louis O. : That was the 600th reply, and a great win over Wolves to celebrate the land-mark

Wow didn't even notice thanks for showing me that! Quite pleased to make that mark!

It was a great win, Silva was on fire!!

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Manager’s March Review

In Premier League terms March has been the perfect month, 4 games and 4 wins. Starting the month off with a 3-1 win at home to Burnley, and then 3 wins without conceding a goal. With another home win against Wigan followed by away wins at Bristol City and Southampton.

The FA Cup was just a successful for us as we cruised into the Semi Final with a stunning 5-0 victory over Wolves, we set our sights on a return to Wembley early on and we will now face Cardiff in the Semi’s. The Champions League however was a different story, as we we’re knocked out for a second year running by Italian giants Juventus. We took a 2-1 lead to Turin but lost in extra time, for which I take a little blame because I made substitutions at bad times and took the wrong players off.

My player of the month is David Silva. Not exactly the hardest decision I’ve had to make with Silva scoring two hat-tricks this month and setting up the winner against Southampton. His first hat trick came in a vintage display in the league against Wigan and he went one better in the FA Cup by scoring 4 against Wolves to send us on our way to Wembley.

I am happy to announce that after our unbeaten month I was awarded with the Premier League Manager of the Month award. As always this is thanks to the amazing team I have supporting me and of course the players that go out onto the pitch and do the business.

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Saturday 2nd April 2016 – Manchester City v Norwich City (Premier League)

MCFC Starting XI – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Nastasic, Ramon; De Rossi, Toure; El Shaarawy, Silva, Nem; Cavani SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Varane, Milner, Nasri, Aguero, Destro

Norwich Starting XI – Ruddy, Jones, Yoshida, Bassong, Aogo; Bennett, Tettey, Mellis, Bulot; Crouch, Pobgrebnyak SUBS – Hamer, Morrison, Donk, Butterfield, Seleznyov, Hult, Chalmers

Norwich are a team that City just don’t like playing, having struggled over the past few years to grab all three points, but today things were very different and City have run away with it and scored 6 in the process. Cavani was City’s star man and scored the teams 3rd hat trick in the last 5 games, and he ran the show up front and linked up play very well through out. The win opens the gab at the top to 4 points as United drew 1-1 away at Chelsea.

Final Score – Manchester City 6 (Cavani 2, 46, 84, Toure 12, Nastasic 66, Nasri 72) Norwich City 1 (Crouch 19)

MOTM – Edinson Cavani

Attendance – 56,664

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Saturday 9th April 2016 – Manchester City v Aston Villa (Premier League)

MCFC Starting XI - Hart, Richards, Kompany, Nastasic, Ramon; De Rossi, Toure; El Shaarawy, Silva, Nem; Cavani SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Varane, Milner, Nasri, Aguero, Destro

Villa Starting XI – Guzan, Piris, Hangeland, Lescott, Gibbs; Schimpelsberger, Gardner, Williams, Ince; Agbonlahor, Toivonen SUBS – Woodvine, Hamad, N’Zogbia, Whelan, Bent, Cuadrado, Vlaar

32 shots, 66% of the ball and City couldn’t take the three points at a vital stage of the season. City dominated the game completely and Villa never threatened with just one long range effort all game but Guzan and the Villa defence, including ex-City man Lescott, stood firm and held on for a point.

Final Score – Manchester City 0 Aston Villa 0

MOTM – Gary Gardner

Attendance – 56,953

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Wednesday 13th April 2016 – Liverpool v Manchester City (Premier League)

MCFC Starting XI – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Nastasic, Ramon; Milner, Toure; Nasri, Aguero, Nem; Cavani SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Varane, De Rossi, Silva, El Shaarawy, Destro

Liverpool Starting XI – Reina, Corluka, Skrtel, Kelly, Agger; Shelvey, Polanski; Narsingh, Djuricic, Assaidi; Podolski SUBS – Berisha, Johnson, Bruma, Ignjovski, Walcott, Essou-Ekotto, Dawson

Manchester City threw away a two goal lead and their advantage at the top of the Premier League, as they lost 3-2 at Anfield to a very competitive Liverpool side. City took the lead through Nasri and an Aguero penalty but saw Liverpool score one before half time and then another two in the second half to grab the three points, and City know going into their FA Cup Semi that the next time they play a league game they could be second in the league.

Final Score – Liverpool 3 (Assaidi 44, 85, Shelvey 76) Manchester City 2 (Nasri 35, Aguero 41(p))

MOTM – Oussama Assaidi

Attendance – 42,152

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Sunday 17th April 2016 – Manchester City v Cardiff City (FA Cup Semi Final)

MCFC Starting XI – Forster, Zabaleta, Varane, Nastasic, Ramon; Barry, Gaimaro; El Shaarawy, Blanco, Silva; Cavani SUBS – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Toure, Nasri, Zurak, Destro

Cardiff Starting XI – Marshall, Richardson, Elokobi, Turner, Gustafsson; Doran, Wootton, Cochlin, Noone; Sidwell; Watt SUBS – Kalinic, Connolly, Morgan, Harris, Maynard, Mullan, Yorwerth

An unbelievable 90 minutes at Wembley, as Championship side Cardiff were at one point 2-0 up against FA Cup holders Manchester City but two goals from Edinson Cavani sent the game into extra time. Cardiff held their own against a strong City side and were making City boss Georgi Kinkladze sweat on the sidelines that he hadn’t picked a strong enough team but his side came good in the end of pulled the scores level to force extra time.

Disaster struck just 10 minutes into extra time for City, when having used all three subs, Samir Nasri was forced off injured and City had to compete with 10 men, but that they did. A bit of Premier League class from Zabaleta saw his cross volleyed home by El Shaarawy to give City the lead and one foot in the FA Cup final. The last 5 minutes were always going to be tough for City’s 10 men, and they were made harder when Zabaleta went off injured and they were down to 9 but City managed to hold on and are through to their second FA Cup final in two years.

City will play Tottenham in a repeat of the famous 1981 FA Cup final on 8th May. The Cup final also means the likely title deciding game between City and United will now take place on the Wednesday before the Cup final.

Final Score – Manchester City 3 (Cavani 56, 70, El Shaarawy 105) Cardiff City 2 (Ramon O.G 35, Noone 52) AET

MOTM – Edinson Cavani

Attendance – 90,000

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Saturday 23rd April 2016 – Newcastle United v Manchester City (Premier League)

MCFC Starting XI – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Nastasic, Ramon; De Rossi, Toure; El Shaarawy, Aguero, Nem; Cavani SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Varane, Milner, Zurak, Silva, Destro

Newcastle Starting XI – Krul Montoya, Dawson, Taylor, Santon; Lennon, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez; Ba, Perisic SUBS – Sifakis, Coloccini, Olsson, Mavuba, Ayew, Caulker, Fucile

Man City manager Georgi Kinkladze must be wondering what he has done to deserve the bad luck he has been getting with injuries. City were today forced to make all 3 subs due to injury and then lost one of them subs to injury and were forced to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men, and to make things worse they lost for the second league game in a row and their title hopes are fading away. Despite having over 60% of the ball and Newcastle only having one shot on target, that shot found the back of the net and Newcastle get the three points.

The injury picked up see Kompany miss just 2-3 days, El Shaarawy will be fit after being taken off, Varane is likely to miss the rest of the season after being ruled out for 3-4 weeks with broken ribs and City’s spark up front Sergio Aguero will be out for around 5 weeks with shin splints so he is likely to miss the rest of the season as well. To add to our bad luck, Destro played a day later for our reserve team and suffered a groin strain that will keep him out for 3 weeks.

Final Score – Newcastle United 1 (Lennon 38) Manchester City 0

MOTM – Michael Dawson

Attendance – 52,405

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Manager’s April Review

A complete disaster of a month in all ways, that despite a positive start to the month with a 6-1 win over Norwich. Since that win we have struggled with everything, we drew disappointingly 0-0 with Villa and then two defeats in different manors have cost us dearly in the title race and we will now be depending on others to do us favours, and just before the end of the month Arsenal grabbed a point off United to mean we were back in the race and 3 wins from 3 would win us the league.

In the FA Cup we struggled again but came out on top against Championship side Cardiff. We went 2-0 down early in the second half but two goals got us back into it and then a stunning move gave us the win and we will meet Spurs in the final.

I can’t help but bemoan our injuries this month that have cost us in the league games and nearly cost us in the FA Cup, but despite that my player of the month goes to Edinson Cavani. His hat trick in the big victory over Norwich was stunning and then he grabbed the two vital goals in the FA Cup Semi so he fully deserves this award.

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Sunday 1st May 2016 – Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has today guided Dortmund to the Bundesliga title in his first full season in charge.

MCFC Starting XI – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Charles, Ramon; Milner, Toure; Nasri, Blanco, Nem; Cavani SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Nastasic, De Rossi, De Rossi, Silva, El Shaarawy, Biesmans

Spurs Starting XI – Lloris, Lichtsteiner, Kaboul, Ifa, Schennikov; N’Diaye, Sandro, Vertonghen; Valencia, Young; Adebayor SUBS – Gomes, Smith, Kjaer, Sosa, Sigurosson, Shaw, Townsend

City’s run of finishing games with less than 11 men continues as Micah Richards was sent off after 68 minutes for his second yellow, but this time the 10 men of Man City looked better as time went on and when Cavani looped his header over Lloris to make it 1-0 with 10 minutes to go the ground erupted but nervous times were ahead, could City hold on. The answer, yes they could and they even doubled their lead when substitute El Shaarawy danced his way into the box and around the keeper to make it 2 in the 90th minute. Following his sending off Micah Richards will miss Wednesday’s Manchester derby and the possible title decider.

Final Score – Manchester City 2 (Cavani 76, El Shaarawy 90) Tottenham Hotspur 0

MOTM – Juan Ramon

Attendance – 59,536

Just to let you all know, i'm going to be leaving my story on a bit of a cliffhanger for over a week! I'm going on holiday on Sunday morning so this is my last update until I return on the 10th June!

The next game is the biggest Derby of my story, basically the winner wins the league....which way will it go.....you'll have to wait and see

I'm going to enjoy my holiday and hope you all wait patiently to find out the end to the story

Take it easy lads! MCFC.OK!

Will be a great game. Whatever happens, hope the score is big.

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Wednesday 4th May 2016 – Manchester United v Manchester City (Premier League)

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Quite possibly the biggest derby ever. Manchester City travel to Old Trafford knowing they need to win to keep the title race alive but Manchester United know another home win will see them lift the title infront of their bitter rivals. The two sides have traded titles for the past 5 years so history says this year it should be City’s but having slipped up recently, City come into this game knowing anything but a win will result in a probable title victory for United.

Manchester City come into the game with injuries and suspensions through out the team, firstly Micah Richards will be missing following his red card 3 days before against Spurs and also at the back, Raphael Varane will be missing. City will be without long term absentee Gareth Bale, and can as well add two of their strikers in Sergio Aguero and Mattia Destro, leaving the Club with only Edinson Cavani as a recognised first team striker.

Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United side come into the game with a couple of injuries in defender Phil Jones and pacey winger Gaston Ramirez. United also have doubts over Wayne Rooney who is currently struggling for fitness after a long season for both Club and Country.

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MCFC Subs – Forster, Charles, Fanchone, Milner, Nasri, Zurak, Biesmans

MUFC Subs –Lindegaard, Eriksen, Fellaini, Guimaraes, Vidic, Ibarbo, Song

First Half

The first half was a battle, tackles flying in and battling qualities were a must. City’s Wellington Nem was taken off after 16 minutes after suffering an injury and his replacement Samir Nasri picked up a knock a little bit later on in the half. In terms of chances they’re weren’t many, but the only goal came from a long throw that was directed goalwards by Wayne Rooney and United were on course for another title.

Half Time – Manchester United 1 (Rooney 41) Manchester City 0

Second Half

The second half was a massive non-event really, both teams cancelled each other out and City never threatened to create a clear cut chances and with time running out City threw young striker Daniel Biesmans on but he failed to have an impact. And when the final whistle was blown it was confirmed that Manchester United were Champions of England again and City will be left disappointed after losing control of the league so late in the season.

Final Score – Manchester United 1 (Rooney 41) Manchester City 0

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MOTM – Darren Fletcher

Attendance – 94,844

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Mourinho Continues Fergie’s Tradition

With a vital win over their rivals, Manchester United secured consecutive league titles and completed a domestic double after already winning the Capital One Cup, and also are in the Champions League final. When Alex Ferguson left last summer it was believed United might struggle whoever came in to replace him but Jose Mourinho has proven it wasn’t an impossible job and has continued Ferguson’s work over the past 30 years.

After a season where neither United or City could take complete control of the league, it is thanks to the goals of Wayne Rooney that United have come out on top. City will look back at injuries at a vital part of the season but they still have a shot at silverware in the FA Cup final.

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Sunday 8th May 2016 – Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup Final)

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One of the most famous days of the English footballing calendar is here and for the second season in a row Manchester City are here. Having won the FA Cup last year they have played really well all season in trying to extend their reign as FA Cup holders, and standing in there way today is Spurs.

Coming into the game after a derby loss that has seen rivals United win the League, City’s pride will be hurting and they may find it hard to get up for this game and with the list of injuries they have today could be a struggle. Having already secured 2nd place in the Premier League City will be hoping to add a trophy to the runners up spot.

Spurs come into the game on the back of the 1-0 win at home to Burnley that secured 3rd place in the League and Champions League football next year. Spurs did lose to 10 man City the game before that and will be hoping to add extra disappointment to City’s week, although they will be missing Nelson Oliveira and Jan Vertonghen for the final.

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MCFC Subs – Hart, Zabaleta, Charles, De Rossi, Nasri, Blanco, Biesmans

Spurs Subs – Gomes, Lichtsteiner, Kjaer, Sigurosson, Bennett, Smith, Shaw

First Half

A typical FA Cup Final first half with neither side wanting to make a mistake early in the game and very few chances being created. City had most of the ball and look more likely to create something but the best chance fell to Sandro who forced Forster to make a great save diving to his left.

Half Time – Manchester City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Second Half

After spending 45 minutes trying not to make a mistake, it took just 20 seconds of the second half for Spurs left back Schennikov to make a huge one when his lofted back pass was intercepted by Cavani who rounded the keeper to give City the lead just 22 seconds into the second half. City dominated the rest of the half and Yaya Toure had complete control of the midfield but as it approached the last 10 minutes the nerves began to kick in and Spurs had more chances. When Spurs won a corner with seconds left on the clock City fans couldn’t look, the ball was floated in, Adebayor rose above everybody and powered his header over the bar, City had won the FA Cup for the second year running.

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Final Score – Manchester City 1 (Cavani 46) Tottenham Hotspur 0

MOTM – Yaya Toure

Attendance – 90,000

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This story is just brilliant!

2013-06-11 19:02#111351 Seni : This story is just brilliant!

Cheers mate

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Sunday 15th May 2016 – Manchester City v Middlesbrough (Premier League)

MCFC Starting XI – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Charles, Ramon; Barry, Gaimaro; El Shaarawy, Blanco, Nem; Biesmans SUBS – Forster, Zabaleta, Nastasic, Toure, Milner, Nasri, Cavani

Boro Starting XI – Loach, Hunt, Puncec, Amougou, Friend; Holt, Leadbitter, Arismendi, Drazan; McDonald, Emnes SUBS – Speight, Malone, Cummings, Haroun, Marshall, Hines, Innes

A game with a real end of season feel and it was clearly a City team already on their holidays as the team bottom of the league took the lead within a minute. City equalised through a Barry penalty on what is likely to be his final appearance for City. City carried on pressing for a winner but it never came and surprisingly it means that City failed to take the full three points from the team bottom of the league on both occasions this season.

Final Score – Manchester City 1 (Barry 37(p)) Middlesbrough 1 (Puncec 1)

MOTM – Roberto Puncec

Attendance – 58,366

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Manager’s End of May/Season Review

May was a disappointing month, with only one win, a draw and a loss against United that gave them the title. It is bad enough losing a derby but to lose it and it result in the title going to Old Trafford made it a millions time worse and I can only hope our fans don’t have to go through that again.

Despite the disappointment in the league, the month did include us winning out 2nd FA Cup in as many seasons with a good 1-0 win over Tottenham. The lads played really well with Yaya Toure having a brilliant game at Wembley and inspiring the team to bring the Cup home for the fans.

My player of the month goes to Yaya Toure. He played really well in the league games but his dominant performance in the FA Cup final means he fully deserves this award. His power and strength in the midfield means the rest of the team can rely on him in on so many occasions. A special mention goes to Juan Ramon who won the Premier League Young Player of the Month for May.

Now to my season review, all in all it was a strange but disappointing year in the end. We started off poorly but kept ourselves in the hunt all along and with 5 or 6 games to go we were in prime position to win the league but a few bad results and the big loss to United meant we finished the season in 2nd. The FA Cup was a massive bonus and I’m proud we managed to retain the trophy, unlike the Capital One Cup which we disappointly exited to United in an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to United. The Champions League was the biggest disappointment of the season with us again losing to Juventus but this time a round earlier, we should have won the home leg a bit more convincingly and a few bad subs in the second leg cost us.

My player of the year is a tough one this year, I’ve given it to Matija Nastasic for the past 2 years and he has again been a valuable player for us but the award this year goes to Yaya Toure. The beast in midfield took control of many of the games and drove the team on in so many games. He started 32 games and appeared as a sub in 15 so he was present in most of our games and chipped in with a vital 6 goals.

Nice to see us winning the FA Cup again, but unlucky to lose out to United again chin up mate!