Archive for the ‘Manchester City’ category

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Robinho believes that City can win the Champions League

March 14th, 2009

Robinho, Samba King of Manchester City, believes that the Eastlands side can one day become as big as Chelsea, who they will face on Sunday at Stanford Bridge.

Brazilian Star, who joined Mark Hughes’ team as a summer signing from Real Madrid, was involved in a 33 million pounds deal, which is a current British-record.

Robinho and all his teammates in the City lineup are slowly but surely overcoming their poor start to the league season. Not only are they climbing up the table in the Premier League, they are even progressing well in the UEFA Cup.

Ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge in the coming weekend and with all things looking better for Manchester City, Robinho has gone on and predicted even better things for Hughes’ men in the future.

Speaking to Setanta Sports, Robinho said, ‘With the players and officials in our club being very ambitious, people have been underestimating us.’

‘We might not be counted amongst the biggest club in the world yet, but you should not forget what was Chelsea 4 years back.’

‘We have the composition to do as good as they have been doing in the recent years.’

‘Manchester City is after big things. We are looking forward to be at the top of the Premier League and win the Champions League once.’

‘I have been very pleased with the way things have gone on at the club thus far.’

‘I know achieving the path to glory is not going to be easy, but guess what: I am a Brazilian and used to such pressure.’

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Manchester City

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Benitez has threatened to quit Anfield

February 23rd, 2009

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool manager, threatened to walk out of Anfield after he rejected a new contract that was offered to him.

Sources revealed that the Spaniard rejected a 4-year contract offered to him last week, an event, which left Tom Hicks, club co-owner, stunned.

Benitez insists that he does not have any intentions of committing to the Reds, unless radical changes have been made in the club.

Benitez has been sending angry emails to Liverpool owners accusing them for their lack of support.

Apart from being shocked at the turn of events, co-owner Hicks was fuming for his refusal in signing a contract, which was reportedly worth 16-million pounds.

Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

Dirk Kuyt, who scored his 9th goal of the season, saved the day for Liverpool, after City took the lead through an own goal from Craig Bellamy.

Liverpool’s dream of attaining their 19th title appears all but over with this draw. If the Red Devils falter in the coming games, which they are unlikely to, then only they can get back in frame.

Meanwhile, a 10-man Newcastle held Everton to a goalless draw and moved to a considerable distance from the relegation zone.

After midfielder Kevin Nolan got sent off for a dreadful challenge on Victor Anichebe in the 43rd minute, Magpies showed immense courage to fend off the challenges thrown at them.

Elsewhere at Cravens Cottage, Fulham continued their excellent home form and got on top of West Brom 2-0 thanks to goals from Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson.

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Posted in Liverpool, Manchester City

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Portsmouth Vs Manchester City: Pompey registers first win in three months

February 15th, 2009

Portsmouth thrashed Manchester City 2-0 in the Barclays Premier League at Fratton Park on Saturday, in spite of the club playing without a manager. This was Pompey’s first match since Tony Adams got sacked.

Goals from Glen Johnson & Hermann Hreidarsson eased the pressure on demotion doubts of the south coast club. They registered first three points since November.

A disappointed City boss Hughes confessed that, ‘Premier League is the hardest league in the world. To be in motion for a certain level, one has to hit a ground or you will be beaten.’

With Paul Hart in short-term charge of the club, Portsmouth moved four points adrift of the demotion zone.

Portsmouth keeper David James, who celebrated a record 536th appearance in the Premier League, was able to finish the game with a clean sheet. He even made an excellent save in the closing minutes.

Portsmouth did start well with Jermaine Pennant, on-loan winger, looking exceptional in terms of possession.

Johnson broke the deadlock through a brilliant finish in the 70th minute. Thumping header from Hreidarsson condemned added to the woes of the Eastlands club. City has only won once in 12 away matches in the Premier League this season.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will be looking forward to consolidate their position at the top, when they will next face Fulham at Old Trafford.

With their confidence soaring sky high and a 13-game clean sheet record in the Premier League, Red Devils will pose a tough challenge for Cottagers on Wednesday.

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Posted in Manchester City, Portsmouth

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West Ham accepts bid for Bellamy

January 19th, 2009

Manchester City’s offer for unsettled forward, Craig Bellamy has been accepted by West Ham United.

Wales Striker, now, has the permission of speaking to Mark Hughes, City Boss, after the latter’s bid was acknowledged.

29-year old star demanded a move to Hammers’ London rivals, Spurs, on Friday. However, his club showed unwillingness for selling him to their adversaries.

West Ham received a bid of about £14 million from Spurs, but they agreed only to City’s offer. Now, Bellamy is expected to go through a medical.

Hammers left out Bellamy from their squad that defeated Fulham 3-1 at Upton Park. According to Gianfranco Zola, West ham Boss, the player wasn’t in the best frame of mind to play in the game.

West Ham was able to shrug off Bellamy’s imminent departure and ended Fulham’s 9-match unbeaten streak in the Barclays Premier League with an emphatic win.

David di Michele, who replaced Bellamy in the starting eleven, capitalized on John Patsil’s error for giving Hammers an early lead.

Cottagers leveled through Paul Konchesky, who delivered a stunning shot against his former club. However, they lost the momentum, as the left back then hacked Carlton Cole down, which allowed Mark Noble to pounce from the spot.

Cole finished the rout after combining with Di Michele and making it 3-1 to help his side register their fourth consecutive win over their opponents in the League.

Meanwhile, Jermaine Defoe helped Spurs record a 1-1 draw against his former club, Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.

Defoe scored his first goal after making a return to the Spurs side and cancelled out David Nugent’s efforts.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Manchester City

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Wenger: £100 million deal will stir the transfer market

January 15th, 2009

According to Arsenal Boss, Arsene Wenger, £100 million fees offered by Manchester City for Brazilian Star Kaka can upset the current transfer market.

With the club bankrolled by funds from Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group, who bought it during the summer, Wenger believes that they operate outside the normal parameter.

While he continues to pursue for Andrei Arshavin, Wenger said ‘It doesn’t at all look real to me.’

‘With the recession going on in the global financial market, the deal has no connection with the current scenario across the world.’

‘I am a part of a club, who is living in the real world, as we are spending what we have earned.’

Wenger maintained that the traditionally prudent Gunners were not looking forward to break their budget for competing against Manchester City’s spending power.

‘We are not going to compete the way they are handling the transfer market and would be going with the budget that is available to us.’

Meanwhile, Manchester United went one step closer of moving Liverpool from the top position of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney scored the goal in the first minute of the game. However, he was not a part of the game much, after scoring his ninth goal of the season, due to a hamstring injury.

Now, Red Devils will be looking forward to make full use of the available option against Bolton at Reebok Stadium to move to the top spot in the League.

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Posted in Arsenal, Manchester City

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Ferguson: Robinho has the talent and composure for big games

November 28th, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed by Robinho’s performance thus far in the season. He was convinced that the player was worth the US$50 million paid by Manchester City on the deadline day of transfer season.

Initially, Ferguson, like most other experts, was staggered by Robinho’s decision of moving to City from a high profile club like Real Madrid. After Robinho was linked with Chelsea for most of the season, City came up with a surprising 11th hour deal.

Some experts felt 24-year-old decision to move to City was only a stepping stone for getting to Stamford Bridge. However, his outstanding performances in some of the games this season that have earned him a tally of 9 goals cleared everyone’s doubts.

And, the way he scored against Arsenal with a sublime chip over keeper Manuel Almunia, even Ferguson got overwhelmed.

Ferguson said, ‘If you ever thought that he was not worth US$50 million (£32million), then you would have seen him score on that day.’

‘The player has the talent and composure, which is required for big games. You might not find him everywhere in the game. However, moments, which do involve him, are simply something that should not be missed out on.’

Now, it’s up to City Boss Mark Hughes to make full use of this wonderful talent. With this being his first year in the Premier League, Ferguson felt that Robinho will require time and guidance for performing against all the big English clubs as the challenge here is completely different from the ones that he has previously been a part of.

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Posted in Manchester City, Premier League

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Hull City Vs Manchester City: Geovanni wins the battle of Brazilians

November 17th, 2008

Geovanni was able to edge out the battle of Brazilians and helped Hull to salvage a 2-2 draw against Manchester City, his former club, at the Kingston Communication Stadium.

Robinho, who was drafted into the Eastlands side for 32.5 million pounds, played lively on the field, but failed to score a goal. However, City teammate Stephen Ireland continued his good season by scoring both the goals for the visitors.

In the 14th minute, Hull scored the opener, when forward, Cousin, made full use of a horrendous mistake in the defense from Tam Ben Heim.

However, another defensive gaffe from Kamil Zayatte allowed Stephen Ireland to score the equalizer for City in the 37th minute.

Ireland followed it up a sublime effort and was able to score his second goal in the final minutes of the first half to make it 2-1 for the visitors.

Geovanni then in the 60th minute scored the equalizer and allowed the host to take a much-needed point from the game.

City Boss, Mark Hughes, will now be looking for his players to gather their concentration and get back into winning habit, which was clearly visible in the earlier matches of the season.

Meanwhile, Everton managed a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Goodison Park.

Boro scored the opening goal in the game only within 8 minutes into the first half through O’Neil. However, they were unable to hold the lead, as Yakubu scored the equalizer for Toffees in the 65th minute of the game much to the delight of their boss David Moyes.

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Posted in Everton, Manchester City

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Manchester City Vs Tottenham Hotspurs: Redknapp’s magic continues to work for Spurs

November 10th, 2008

Presence of Harry Redknapp worked again for the 10-man Spurs, as they defeated a 9-man Manchester City 2-1 in City of Manchester Stadium and continued their 5 match undefeated streak in the league.

Although City made a breakthrough in only the 16th minute of the game through a Robinho goal (his eighth in the season), Spurs was able to end it on a high with two goals from an inspired Darren Bent.

The game also had 3 red cards shown by the referee including a straight red card in the 83rd minute to City Captain Dunne for hauling back Bent, who was homing in on City goal for his third.

Apart from Dunne, City’s Gelson Fernandes (27th minute) and Spurs Assou-Ekotto (injury time) were shown the door by the referee during the game.

Although one club with a new manager came on top of their opponents, the other one was unable to repeat their show in the recent games.

Joe Kinnear’s Newcastle United made it difficult for Fulham at Craven’s Cottage. However, they were unable to win, as Fulham continued their great homerun by defeating Magpies 2-1, which included a spot kick from Danny Murphy.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa failed to move close to a possible Champions League spot for the next season, as they lost to Middlesbrough 1-2 at Villa Park, with both the Boro goals coming from Turkish star Tuncay Sanli.

Another game saw Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men score a confident 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park with the in-form Nicolas Anelka scoring both the goals for the Blues.

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Posted in Manchester City, Tottenham

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Bolton Wanderers Vs Manchester City: Bolton holds their head high with 2-0 win

November 3rd, 2008

It was an evening to remember for Bolton manager, Gary Megson, as his team clenched its first home victory since the start of the season.

Manchester City, on the other hand, failed again to win an away match and kept on their sloppy run in this season.

The match was evenly poised throughout with City keeping up with their normal game by having their ace weapon Robinho do the firing. However, that was not enough as they missed opportunities and great saves made it difficult for the visitors to score.

At every moment, City seemed to be playing a dominant game with Robinho threatening the Bolton posts several times.

However, this did little to undermine the spirit of the home team, who seemed to lack the skill of the Brazilian, but made it up through their determination.

It was not until thirteen minutes before the final time that the home side scored a breakthrough and gained the edge. Fans at Reebok Stadium saw the first goal from their home team after 5 hours and 50 minutes of play.

Nolan’s pass allowed Steinsson to get the ball in the clear and create a wonderful low scoring chance for Gardner, who played a perfect shot with his left foot in the crossbar.

The final nail on the coffin was hit by City captain Richard Dunne, who sent the ball rolling into his own net, from the low cross of Gardner in the 88th minute.

This ensured Bolton’s 2-0 victory and helped them in rolling up from the bottom of the ranking board.

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Posted in Manchester City, Premier League

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No break in ankle for Richards

October 22nd, 2008

Mark Hughes, Manchester City Boss, who had his share of problems in the recent games, finally received a boost when it was reveled that the ankle injury of Micah Richards was not as serious as it was thought to be.

Manchester City Defender didn’t sustain any break in his ankle during the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St. James Park on Monday, though he did strain his ligaments.

However, Richards is still going to face a considerable spell on the sidelines, which will start with Barclays Premier League game against Stoke that is going to take place on Sunday.

Nedum Onuoha, who has also been one of the players with numerous injury troubles, played as a substitute for Richards in that match. He might retain his place in an important encounter against Stoke.

While speaking in an interview, Hughes said: ‘ When Micah was injured at an important stage in the game, we had no choice but to throw Onuoha in.’

‘I think that he did well, considering the state of the game when he entered it.’

‘Although we have a cover in Onuoha, still we would prefer going into the Stoke’s game with Micah fully fit and raring to go.’

On being asked about the recent woeful defending of the club, Hughes said, ‘We will give our full efforts in Sunday’s crucial encounter and challenge every ball that gets thrown in our box.’

After a good start to the season, City has lost their way considerably mainly due to their poor defending. Now with Richards out of the next game, it will tough for Hughes’ side to come back to winning ways.

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Posted in Manchester City, Premier League

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