Another draw that felt like a defeat, where ‘great game for the neutral’ was a description that Mark Hughes could have done without. After falling two goals behind, then storming back to take the lead, before conceding a late equaliser – all against supposedly weaker opposition – this game deserved another old cliche: ‘Typical City’.
Continue Reading →The return of Burnley to the top flight has seen a wave of nostalgia attach itself to one of the Football League’s founder clubs. It’s therefore fitting to be playing them on an increasingly rare Saturday 3pm kick-off.
Whilst middle aged fans may remember the last top flight matches between the two sides in the mid-seventies, more recent fixtures in the Championship and League Cup have seen City banging in the goals. Twenty three strikes in the last six matches have featured two hat-tricks from Shaun Goater and one from Paulo Wanchope.
Continue Reading →Given – A brilliant double save in the first half was arguably even better than the penalty stop. His performance was a real birthday present to the manager. 9
Zabaleta – A steadier game from Pablo, with some good clearing headers. Going forward their was little attacking threat. We were crying out for a repeat of the cross for Santa Cruz he provided against Scunthorpe, but it never arrived. 6
Continue Reading →Mark Hughes’ side returned from St. Andrews with a draw thanks to the performance of Shay Given who left Birmingham’s James McFadden beating the ground in frustration following a second half penalty save.
Remarkably, City have moved up to fourth place despite a fourth consecutive league draw. This says more for the faltering results of those around them rather than any brilliance by the Blues. Once again, City looked a long way from being the collective sum of their individual parts.
Continue Reading →