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Wednesday 19 February 2014

Man City knocked down a peg

An optimistic and hopeful Manchester City were brushed aside last night by Barcelona by two goals to nothing in their own back yard, the defeat makes their task of getting to the quarter finals almost impossible and has diminished any thoughts of City being a European power.

Going into the game big things were expected of City against a poor Barcelona side by their standards, according to Jose Mourinho anyway, last night however Barcelona looked nothing shy of excellent.

They showed that they are still one of, if not the, strongest side in Europe at this moment in time. The quality of their play and their control of the possession was an indicator of the long way Man City are behind the best teams in Europe.

The red card undoubtedly hindered their efforts but even before that they were shaky at the back, mainly because of the man who later received the red card- Demichelis. Xavi and Iniesta ran the midfield nulling Man City’s main creative players Silva and Yaya Toure.

Man City’s prolific attacking force looked average to say the least as Barcelona’s defence dealt with them with relative ease. (If Aguero was fit however it may have been a different story)
Barcelona set the standard that City aspire to reach, and until they do so they will have to be content with just reaching the knock-out stages.

Despite the damaging defeat, Man City’s stats don’t lie, they are the best attacking team in Europe this season and if any team could score at least two at the Nou Camp, City seem the most likely to achieve it.


Barcelona on the other hand will be looking to cruise past City at the Nou Camp and cement their credentials for this season’s Champions League.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Chelsea cause the shock of the season

Despite Manchester City and Chelsea bought being involved in the title race, Chelsea’s victory at the Etihad by one goal to nil may be the shock result of the season so far.

Generally speaking to be considered to be one of the shock results of the season it requires one of the divisions weaker teams travelling to one of the top 4 and coming away with a victory, Chelsea’s win over City meets none of these criteria yet it came as a surprise to almost everyone.

Mourinho would be lying if he said that he envisaged the nights events going as well as they did, not only did they end City’s  perfect home record this season but they also kept them scoreless at home for the first time in 62 matches.

City had been proving irresistible at home this season and seemed almost unbeatable until Chelsea arrived last night, Chelsea were excellent from start to finish not allowing players like Silva get on the ball and create the chances he usually does.

Ivanovic’s goal gave Chelsea a deserved 1-0 win although it could have been an even bigger margin if Chelsea took their chances. No one looked more surprised at this defeat than City manager Manuel Pellegrini who was “out-tacticed” on the night by his rival Mourinho.

Mourinho continues to flatter to deceive as he says his side are a team for next season, and that they would be happy with 2nd place this year. Based on last nights performance they certainly have a chance of winning the title but City still appear to be the strongest squad in the title race.


This loss will have hurt City and now leaves them two points off Arsenal and level on points in second with Chelsea, with Fernandinho and Aguero due to return City still are favourites to lift the title come May but last nights performance by Chelsea has certainly put some doubt in peoples minds.