March
2004
First
a mention of the sad death of one of footballs greatest players - John Charles.
I only saw him play once way back in 1958 . I was stationed in Norwich at the
time and as visits to Maine Road were few and far between at that time I either
watched Norwich City or took the train to London to watch a game. On this occasion
Highbury was the venue for the Arsenal friendly against Juventus and I was fortunate
enough to see John Charles score Juventus' only goal in the Gunners 3-1 win in
November before a crowd of 51,000. The referee that day was the great Arthur Ellis
who put many of todays referee's to shame.
Manchester
City 0 Chelsea 1
Feb 28th 2004 att. 47,304
After
an excellent win at Bolton to break the bad run of Premiership results Kevin Keegan
made only one change for the visit of Chelsea Van Buyten taking over from Sinclair.
The continued absence of Anelka - suspended meant extra responsibility for Fowler
and Macken the latter now given his chance of a run in the first team.
The
display of the City team today against one of the best teams in the division was
one of the best of the season apart for the finishing. A real mystery as the support
for the blues in the City Stadium was also the best of the season
A
record crowd for the stadium gave the teams a great reception on their appearance
but I could not spot the Russian visitors and with an alleged City link to a Moscow
Club will there be the chinking of roubles I wonder.
After
15 minutes City came near to scoring. Fowler fed Wright-Phillips on the half way
line and the winger dashed down the right wing leaving Bridge in his wake to put
across a great ball which Macken back heeled just past the far post - above.
James
made a great save shortly after. Lampart again from the edge of box thought he
had beaten the City keeper but a great leap by James saved the day.
The City defence were holding Hasselbaink and Crespo. Chelsea manager Ranieri
- above must have wondered what City were doing just hovering above the relegation
zone.
City
continued to play well and up until a couple of efforts from Frank Lampard - James
saving one of them above.- Chelsea rarely troubled the City keeper.
From
the corner Crespo -bottom left - hit the post with a header but James had the
effort covered.
No
doubt this young supporter keeping warm in his Harry Potter jacket at half time
was wondering whether he could conjure up some magic to put City ahead.
Makelele
came on for Cole second half.
City
started the second half in fine style but three misses in three minutes by Fowler
cost City dearly. Above is the third a header from a cross by Tarnat that went
well over the bar from an unmarked position.
Shortly
after a great left foot shot by Sibierski went agonizingly wide with Cudicini
having to make a desperate dive.
City
forced corner after corner but failed to break down the Chelsea defence.
The
only booking of the game came as Gallas clobbered Wright-Phillips who was giving
the Chelsea defence plenty to think about.
Cudicini
in action again though there were half claims for a penalty for a foul by Johnson
on Fowler
Wonder
save by Cudicini from a Distin header at a corner.
Yet
another escape for the Chelsea goal. It was looking like time was running out
for City and no magic potion to stop this unlucky spell.
Sinclair came on
for Macken with 20 minutes to to. Can't think why!
With
just 8 minutes to go Chelsea broke the deadlock and City hearts. Bridge who had
suffered a torrid time against Wright -Phillips slipped the ball to Gudjohnsen
who had come in for the ineffective Hasselbaink. Distin tried to play Gudjohnsen
offside but failed and the Chelsea forward slipped it over the advancing James
to score.
The
final image of this fine game but disappointing result for City is the pathetic
effort of yet another cheat - Hernan Crespo from Argentina. He dived three times
during the game and was lucky not to be booked. At least we can now use the phrase
" a la Crespo " to describe 'diving'.
I am sure Claudio Ranieri will
not tolerate such behavior .
Team
James
7: Dunne 6, van Buyten 8, Distin 7, Tarnat 7: Wright-Philips 9, Reyna 7, Sibierski
7, McManaman 7: Macken 6, Fowler 7
Fowler
worked his socks off so I feel sorry about his misses. Another day he would have
a hat trick in the first three minutes of the second half. Wright-Phillips had
one of his best ever games for City and Van Buyten was masterful in defence. Even
McManaman worked quite hard - he looks better on the left. Distin made one error
that cost the goal -otherwise strong as ever in defence. It would be an absolute
travesty if this team went down. I just cannot see it happening.
Manchester
City 4 Manchester United 1
March 14th 2004 att. 47,284
United's
recent form and exit from the European Cup coupled with their injuries and suspensions
gave City supporters a little hope despite the continued absence of Annelka. The
return of Paulo Wanchope at least to the bench was welcome. One surprise was the
absence of Barton from the squad.
Apart from a few raucous latecomers the
minutes silence for the victims of the Madrid bombing was well observed.
During
the past week the papers have been full of the alleged exploits of the Leicester
City players including Paul Dickov once a City hero. How have the mighty fallen!
City
took a surprise lead after just two minutes. A quick throw by Dunne was headed
on by Sibierski. Fowler was back to his best as a poacher and he slotted home
from close range - left
One
nil to City - we just could not believe it.
As
you can see the United supporters were not happy with Robbie Fowler as he ran
past them.
The
contrast between the two sets of supporters - one ecstatic - the other in shock.
Immediately
United hit back and City's goal had a couple of narrow escapes and this was to
continue as United had the better of the play. Holes were appearing in the City
defence and some reorganization was urgently needed.
After
14 minutes Butt and Distin got booked. Nicky Butt took exception to a Distin tackle.
I felt Distin was unlucky to be booked. Shortly after Scholes also got a yellow
card.
Van
Nistelrooy is beaten once more by Van Buyten who was having a good game.
This
time it is Distin and Van Buyten to foil the United attack.
Just
past the half hour mark City went further ahead. Reyna was the supplier feeding
Macken who turned quickly and with the United defence in a dream he shot past
Howard to put the City supporters in a state of bliss.
After a succession of
home games where we had dominated and not scored here we had a game in which we
were being outplayed and we were two up. Ah funny game football!
Macken
having scored his first premier goal was eager to celebrate while the United players
looked stunned.
A
minute or so later United pulled one back. Scholes who was always dangerous and
given too much room, hammered one past James.
United
put the City goal under lots of pressure as they were running the midfield and
fortunately their finishing was not the best and for once luck was on City's side.
Half time came with City 2-1 ahead.
City
made two changes at half time- Bosvelt replacing an off form Reyna and Sinclair
was on for McManaman. Much needed changes to strengthen the defence.
The
United manager did not seem very pleased with the situation with his teams Championship
hopes vanishing as every minute went by.
After
72 minutes the United defence slips up again. Silvestre's pass goes astray and
Sinclair takes advantage to score and put City 3-1 up. Unbelievable.
Full
marks to Sinclair for seizing the opportunity though surrounded by defenders.
He come in for some criticism recently so this was a welcome bonus for him. Bosvelt
provded the pass and the United defence failed to clear.
He
flung off his shirt in celebration and the whole stadium (except for the visitors)
rose to cheer the goal. It was easily the best atmosphere so far in the new stadium.
It was looking like a City win in this, the first derby game at City's new home
and the first league win at home since the Boton game back in October.
One
idiot thought he would add to the celebrations by running onto the pitch.
It
was nice to see the bananas back again -though in small numbers. Smiles all round
among City supporters.
As
the game moved into extra time Shawn Wright-Phillips shot a super solo goal -dashing
down the wing and thumping the ball past Howard -above left.
What a
result. To be honest it flattered City but we were due for a bit of luck and I
cannot think of a better side to suffer a 4-1 defeat at
the hands of a City side who have played a lot better and lost this season. The
United defence looked very vulnerable and Macken and Fowler had their best game
together. Anelka is available for the game away at Leeds. Does Keegan change a
winning team? Van Buyten continues to impress at the back. Hope we keep him next
season. Great atmosphere in the COM for once. On the way home down the M6 a wonderful
rainbow hung over the Cheshire plain. I am sure I could read 'a Keegan Wonderland'
in it! Well I understand KK may well be moving into the area. This game will be
remembered for many a year by the City faithful and for PLC supporters it will
have been a living nightmare.
Team
James
6: Dunne 6, Van Buyten 8, Distin 7, Wright-Phillips 7, Reyna 5 ( Boswelt 6) McManaman
5 (Sinclair 6) Sibierski 7, Tarnat 6: Macken 7 Fowler 8:
Manchester
City 0 Fulham 0
March 27th att. 46,522
After
the disappointing result at Leeds where City played well and lost we were expecting
a repeat of the United game form. Ah, but it's City were're talking about and
as supporters know anything can happen and usually does. Alas our worst fears
were justified. This was a poor display by City. Fulham came for a point , defended
in depth and it appeared they were playing for time from the first minute. It
would have needed a good passing display by City and we witnessd probably the
worst home performance for a while. In fact it was near relegation form.
While
Kevan Keegan stayed at home recovering from a back problem Arthur Cox took over.
The omens were not good.
Van
Der Sar was the first keeper in action saving a header from Fowler.
An
effort by Sibierski is blocked by the Fulham defence.
Another
good save by the Fulham keeper
A
battle for the ball ended with a drop ball, though a scrum down I thought was
more appropriate
All
eyes on the ball at this rare corner by Fulham.
The
only booking of the game after 60 minutes when Distin was penalised for a late
tackle.
Four
minutes later and Anelka was substituted by Wanchope and Folwer replaced by Macken.
It was the first time Anelka had been subbed.
Van
Der Sar had to come running outside his penalty area to clear with his head to
save the Fulham goal on this occasion.
Moments
later City should have had a penalty when Macken was floored. Referee Winter said
no and had to withstand loud booing. It looked a certain spot kick.
Later
it looked as though Distin tripped Boa Morte and once again Winter said no - to
even things up perhaps! However two wrongs don't make a right and City survived.
Distin had plenty of time to clear his lines but alas in trying to be too clever
was robbed by Boa Morte.
A
good save by the Fulham keeper at the near post from Wanchope.
Though
City put the Fulham goal under some pressure some of the crosses were poor and
were easily defended.
James
who had little to do was forced into a late save.
Team
James
7: Sun 6, Dunne 6, Distin 5 Tarnat 6: Wright-Phillips 6, Bosvelt 6, Sibierski
6, Reyna 5 : Fowler 5 (Macken 6), Anelka 5 ( Wanchope 6):
A
listless pathetic performance by City I am afraid. The quotation from Richard
the Third - "Now is the Winter of our discontent" - is apt for
the performance of referee Winter who has yet to give a penalty in the Premiership.
Had he given City the deserved spot kick for the foul on Macken the whole strategy
of the game would have changed. They would have had to change their 'playing for
a point' tactic and left more room in their last third for City to get a second
goal - if we had scored from the penalty of course! With Anelka back on the bench
I wonder who would have taken it?
The inconsistant finishing is costing City
dearly. Fowler and Macken played quite well together while Anelka was absent.
I wonder whether in home games City might experiment with leaving F and M upfront
but playing Anelka just behind them. With Anelka's speed he could come from a
deeper position and with less chance of him being caught offside. It would give
some problems for visiting defences . Sibierski would then probably drop to the
bench. It might be worth a try. I must say it was a surprise to see Anelka substituted.
He did not look injured.
Well done to Shawn Wright-Phillips who has been named
in the England squad.
