Abu Dhabi Blues's Supporters Club

Lech Poznan 3-1 City – Att 40,000

City slipped up again to register a 3rd defeat in as many games. Bobby Manc made 8 changes to the team that lost to Wolves and Zab picked up the captains armband for the night. City started really well and had a few chances to take the lead with Lescott showing some quality control and finishing only to be ruled offside. Poznan took the lead against the run of play and City equalized thro Adebayor early in the second half.

I thought City were rather unlucky to not come away with at least a point from the game. Poznan scored 2 late goals to seal the win, their second being rather fortunate and the 3rd a superb strike from outside the box.

With two crucial games coming up this week against 6th place WBA at the Hawthorns and then home to Salford Yernited on Wednesday night lets hope we have gone through our sticky period and we start putting points back on the premier league board.

Cmon City!!

Darren

Well Clatenburg certainly set the tone for what he must have had a flutter on. City surely must have seen previous games of Arsenal and how they look for that foul, it’s a shame the talented Boyata was the one that fell for it. 5 minutes in and City were down to 10 men following a last man challenge by Boyata on the theatrical Chamakh. Not content with a sending off, Fabregas won my vote for referee of the game as he seemed to instruct Clattenburg on every decision he made.  Arsenal took the lead with a very well-played goal that had fingers pointing at Barry and why he never picked up the run of  Nasri.

As the game went on it was obvious that Arsenal still had a penalty in their bank from the “gambler” and sure enough it came when Big Vin made a late lunge in the box. A magnificent save from Joe Hart from a well taken Fabregas penalty (I am sure he asked the referee to take it again). City lost Tevez to injury just after half time and on came ex Gunner Adebayor. City looked tired and Silva was once again very impressive and unlucky not to have been on the score sheet.

Arsenal passed the ball in their usual impressive ways and finally broke through with a 2nd. A 3rd followed late on and it shows how tired we were as Bendtner scored the 3rd.

There will be days like this over the next few years but City did look full of battle throughout and if it was against any other team, 10 men for 85 minutes might still be OK.

The blue moon is still rising.

CTID

Darren

Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United (Attendance 46000)

A rather untidy display saw City ride their luck to clinch a 2-1 victory and move up into 2nd place 4 points behind leaders Chelsea. Maybe City were feeling the effects of the midweek clash against Juventus but some poor refereeing decisions did assist us on this occasion. Newcastle were unlucky to lose Ben Arfa (Broken Leg) after 3 minutes through a strong but fair tackle from De Jong and we wish him luck on his recovery to fitness. Tevez was brought down (maybe) just outside the box but was rewarded with a penalty which he duly converted.  Newcastle then equalized through that spider man guy and maintained a high level of possession throughout with some decent passing. City tried to up the tempo and introduced Adebayor and Adam Johnson to what looked to be a 5 man attack. It paid off not long after when Johnson quick stepped into the box and rifled in a glorious shot to make it 2-1. Newcastle could well have had a late penalty after Lescott tripped Ameobi in the box, but the referee waved it off.

With the international break imminent lets hope we return with the same passion and desire we saw against Chelsea and the same refereeing decisions v Newcastle.

Next game is Blackpool away (Oct 17th)  who caused upset last night in Miseryside.

CTID

Darren

It is now 3 wins in a row v Chelsea with Mancini once again out smarting his Italian rival.  City came out with a strong and physical presence. Keeping the big mouth of Drogba quiet was going to be a big task considering our injury list of defenders. Young Boyata did a splendid job proving once again what a talented youngster he is, out muscling the Chelsea forward line on numerous occasions. The team performed very well as a unit with David Silva getting my vote for man of the match. Chelsea never really gave us much to worry about, they did hit the post with Ivanovic climbing all over the back of Zabaletta. I feared we could be once again on the wrong end of many refereeing decisions but it was not as bad after all.

Tevez was his normal self putting in an energetic performance and took his goal extremely well. I can now see why England failed in South Africa after seeing Terry and Cole undecided on how to control attackers running at you. And with Johnson and Carragher showing their true class v Sunderland it explains it all.

Anyway next up is a Europa League fixture against Juventus and the outspoken Buffon on Thursday at Eastlands. Lets hope we can make him swallow is words! Following that is another home tie v Newcastle on Sunday.

For anyone who did not see the City v Chelsea match, a full report is on the official website.

Comments and views are welcome.

CTID

Darren

Just a reminder that City play NY Red Bulls tonight in the NY challenge. We cannot win the tournement following our 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon. I understand that KO is actually 11pm and not the published 11.30pm according to the MCFC website. Abu Dhabi Sport 2 will be showing a double header from 9pm with some team from North London playing Sporting Lisbon followed by Manchester City v NY RB.