Hart – Showed great judgement and handling in dealing with Blackburn’s aerial bombardment. Distribution was another story. 7
Zabaleta – A busy evening, initially surging forward, then keeping track of the energetic Olsen as Rovers sought to hit the channels. 7
Continue Reading →After the joy of Wembley it’s back to the reality of Ewood Park and the need to pick up league points for Roberto Mancini’s heroes. With Rovers on a poor run this is possibly the best remaining chance to secure our first away win in the league since Boxing Day.
If we’re to secure a Champions League place, that’s a record which needs to be improved on. There can be no repeat of the Anfield debacle and it’s probably a good thing that the squad have had over a week to refocus on the importance of league matches.
Continue Reading →City secured their finest victory in the Sheikh Mansour era thanks to a Yaya Toure strike early in the second half. The prize is a return to Wembley to take on Stoke in our first FA Cup final since 1981.
Truth be told neither side brought their best game to the final. United were stronger in the opening half hour while we had the better of the same period in the second half. The difference was Yaya Toure taking our golden chance while Berbatov fluffed theirs.
Continue Reading →Hart – Made two tremendous saves at crucial times against Berbatov and Nani. The rollocking he was giving his team-mates in the closing minutes for not retaining possession demonstrated a real hunger for victory on his other home ground. 9
Zabaleta – Not surprisingly Pablo looked a little rusty at first and equally unsurprising was the way he grew into the game. Embodied the spirit of the day with a host of telling challenges. 8
Continue Reading →