JANUARY CITY GAMES

To quote the pundits this was a game of 'two halves'. City who had made a slight recovery the week previously by getting a point at Coventry made an excellent start to their cup game against Division One opponent's. Edghill and Morrison made a return to the defence at home and Goater partnered Huckerby upfront in the absence of Wanchope on World Cup duty with Costa Rica. Morrison scored the first for City with a powerful header from a corner. .

Birmingham came more in the game in the second half as City relaxed with their three goal lead. A left wing cross was cleared by Dickov only to reach Martin Grainger whose shot from outside the area sailed over the stranded Weaver to give Birmingham some hope.

Four minutes later another left wing cross was badly defended leaving Adelbola an easy header from six yards out ( above ). Now ecstasy had changed to the usual panic stress that inhabits Maine Road and only a great save by Weaver ( left ) from substitute Marcelo prevented Birmingham from drawing level. Weaver had a better game though his kicking is still suspect. Perhaps the imminent signing of County keeper Carlo Nash as competition has provided some much needed motivation for the City keeper. All we need now is Wise from Chelsea - nudge nudge wink wink!

After City's win at Leeds earlier in the season hopes were high for the double but alas it was not to be. Just over thirty minutes had gone when Jason Wilcox ran yards unchallenged before giving Bakke an easy goal from ten yards out.

I was beginning to have doubts of the supposed fitness of many of the City players as they looked so cumbersome in comparison to the Leeds team.

Lee Bowyer scores Leeds second goal with the aid of a slight deflection and they scored two more through substitute Keane late on. Though Leeds were flattered by the scoreline the writing was on the wall for City with relegation almost a certainty with a continuation of this home form. Joe Royle must act now to save the inevitable.

Just before half time a move down the left by Litmanen and Smicer ended with a powerful downward header by Emile Heskey to give Liverpool a half time lead. Danny Tiatto equalised with a fine goal just after half time. No picture I'm afraid. I got nudged in the excitement just at the crucial moment !

A better performance by City with Danny Tiatto the man of the match. Andrei Kanchelskis on loan from Rangers came on in the second half and performed quite well but City still remain in the bottom three.

It wasn't too long before City went into a two goal lead- Ecstasy! Darren Huckerby paid back some of his fee by scoring after a great solo run. His fast running at opposing defences is proving more than useful .Long may it continue.However it didn't continue for too long in this game as a heavy tackle on the striker left him limping badly. We then had a flash back to the old days before substitutes were allowed. For about a minute or so play continued with Huckerby hopping around apparently in some discomfort with neither side willing to put the ball out of play

Just after Huckerby's departure (substituted by Dickov) Haaland was brought down in the area by their keeper - no sending off though and no yellow card and just look where their keeper was standing BEFORE the ball was kicked ! Good job Goater scored to make it 3-0. I bet the referee would not have ordered it to be retaken had he missed.