may images manchester city

After the last appalling home display against Southampton which I missed thank goodness it was a must win situation again with City tottering on the edge of the bottom three. Thank goodness our goal difference is, quite good compared with the three below us. Newcastle were without several of their top players through injury and as I have been fortunate to see City win against Newcastle on many occasions I was confident of a win and if Bolton beat Leeds tomorrow then City are certain to stay up.

I cannot remember seeing City players doing this before a game before. We had been getting vibes from the training ground that the players had made great efforts to raise team morale. Togetherness yes -but why so late in the day.

The first twenty minutes or so was all Newcastle with James at his best - above saving a deflected free kick by Robert within three minutes of the start.

Alan Shearer's at it again. He is very crafty at making a back to put off the opposing defender and then claiming a free kick. I am amazed so many referees fall for it.

City nearly took a shock lead after 38 minutes but Given made a wonderful save from a blistering header from Dunne at a corner

It was a pretty clean game overall but here Shaun Wright-Phillips who tormented the United defence in the second half was upended by Gary Speed and was booked by referee Halsey who had a fair game. He was not helped by a poor linesman.

Newcastle came back briefly after going one down but the City defence were even able to withstand Robert's free kick.

City should have added to the score sheet but saves from Given - the one on the right from Wanchope being particularly good.

This was a better City display with the 'togetherness' display by the players just before kick-off being justified with every player from James to Anelka giving the impression they cared. Yes, there was the odd mistake here and there but these can be forgiven if the players give their all. Better late than never! However during the summer Kevin Keegan must do a rethink about the staff -both off and on field. We badly need a more forceful captain - James perhaps.Though I would prefer a captain in midfield. The striker force must be sorted too as must the supply line.

0-0 at half time but it was a different story in the second half with City taking the game over in midfield.

After 60 minutes City scored. Jihai Sun passed down the right to Anelka whose great cross beat O'Brien and there was Paulo Wanchope to flick the ball into the net and perhaps this moment saves City several million pounds!

The three minutes of extra time went on forever and as I checked my stop watch I noted Mr Halsey blew up a good ten seconds early!

Phew its all over I hope. Lets see if Bolton can beat Leeds tomorrow and my trip to Middlesbrough next week will be more relaxing.

Even the supporters in the posh seats applauded as the team left the pitch! The atmosphere in the stadium is getting better every match now.

There were many more smiling faces on the walk towards the gasometer as the grim relegation fear receded. A loss would have been disastrous.

Team
James 9: Sun 6, Dunne 8, Distin 7, Tarnat 6:Wright-Phillips 7, Boswelt 7, Barton 7, Sinclair 6 (Reyna 6): Wanchope 8 (Macken) Anelka 7

The compact stadium looks quite nice though its a pity the designers did not sort out car parking in the area - it's a nightmare.

I was relieved to find that the boys from Auf Wiedersehen Pet had brought back the Transporter bridge from Arizona and rebuilt it near the Riverside stadium!

Moonchester does his best to sign the programme despite its glossy surface. Nice to see the team layouts on the back page though - NOTE City programme designers

If you thought COMS had a quiet atmosphere you should come here. Most of the noise came from the visiting 3000 City supporters. I wondered whether they had given out hymn books and not programmes to the Borough fans.

Safe from relegation I was expecting a more relaxed performance from City for my third away game of the season. I am afraid we were far too relaxed - especially in the first twenty minutes or so and let the home side dominate.

For the second successive game the City players went into a togetherness huddle just before the kick-off. Shame it did not have the same effect as the Newcastle game.

Despite a P.A. broadcast and several requests by stewards City supporters refused to sit down and it was no surprise that a few supporters were escorted from the ground by police. I don't think supporters realize that by being bloody minded they are doing their club a disservice as the home club can then apply to the authorities and have the away allocation of tickets REDUCED.

We were in a for an early shock. After just 8 minutes. Zenden sent a long ball down the left and Maccarone beat Dunne before his sliced centre - above left - beat James at the near post to give Middlesbrough a lead. Talk about giving Maccarone a goal on a plate!

The City goal was under constant pressure and with Middlesbrough ruling the midfield City failed to impress and give their attackers much support.

A cross from the right - a nod down and there was Nemeth to prod the ball past James despite the attentions of Tarnat. 32 minutes gone and City were two down. Oh dear.

A minute or so later City reduced the arrears through Wanchope. Sorry I could not get a closer view! One disadvantage of being at one end. At least it kept City in the game when after the second home goal it looked as though we were in for a heavy defeat.

Just before half-time the City goal had a lucky escape. A good save by James from Maccarone was pushed out by a defender for a corner - top picture.The resultant corner had two amazing misses by an unmarked Ehiogu from close range. He mishit his first effort back across the box - above left and when the ball came back to him he shot into the side netting -above right.

Shawn Wright-Phillips had a fairly quiet game by his standards and seldom beat the attention of his marker. I notice the lineman is practicing his ballet leg movements.

City dominated the second half but rarely brought Schwarzer into action. Anelka was not having a good game and the absence of Southgate from the Middlesbrough defence did not weaken the home side. Barton was unlucky not to be on the score sheet. I am afraid the referee Mr Riley once again did not have the best of games.

Not the best of City displays and with little funds available to improve the squad next season a change of ideas and training methods must be looked at to rid the team of the bad habits that have cost many points both home and away. A pruning of the squad is on the cards and frees and loan players are likely to be the new names.

Team
James 6: Sun 5, Dunne 5, Distin 6, Tarnat 6: Wright-Phillips 6, Bosvelt 6 ( Sibierski 6) Reyna 6, Barton 6: Wanchope 7 (Elliott 6), Anelka 5 (Macken 5):

NEW
Please note I will be giving a talk at the City Museum on June 11th (early evening). It will be illustrated by DVD's showing extracts from old City games of the 50's and 60's, a presentation of the last day at Maine Road and images taken over the past 50 years at Maine Road and beyond. Tickets from the Museum