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April & May 2006
Manchester City 1 Fulham 2 -
City so predictable
Saturday 29th April 2006 : Simon Stone for Get Your kits Out at the COMSTAD Much to nobody's amazement, at the 18th time of asking, Fulham finally registered an away win in the Premiership. Steed Malbranque - a man Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce tried to buy in the summer -  proved to be the
Cottagers injury-time hero, finishing off a lightning
counter-attack as the visitors turned the game on its head in
the last five minutes.After picking up only four points on their travels all season, the contest seemed to be following a familiarly depressing pattern for Fulham when Richard Dunne swept City in front midway through the second period. But, after substitute Georgios Samaras had wasted an excellent opportunity to double the hosts' lead, Collins John flashed home a close-range leveller for Fulham. And then, once Liam Rosenior had denied Samaras with a brilliant goalline clearance, Fulham poured forward in stoppage time and Malbranque lashed home from 20 yards. It was tough luck on the hosts, who edged a lively contest but ultimately, their failure to apply the killer touch cost them dear. This was a game for which the phrase 'meaningless end-of-season fixture' might have been invented and the enterprising approach of both sides suggested the pressures of the past eight months were no longer being applied and they effect was an open, enterprising first half which lacked only a goal. Fulham made their attacking intentions clear inside the opening minute when full-back Liam Rosenior strode onto a Heidar Helguson cut-back and drove narrowly wide. From that moment on, chances came and went at regular intervals without bringing a breakthrough for either side. The best opportunity fell to City, which was just about in keeping with the balance of play. Antoine Sibierski, recalled in place of £6million striker Georgios Samaras, showed excellent anticipation to read where Joey Barton's free-kick was going to drop but, after controlling inside the six-yard area, fired against Antti Niemi's legs. Niemi twice denied Trevor Sinclair, and also Claudio Reyna, although David James was hardly idle in the City goal. The impressive Simon Elliott brought an excellent fingertip save from the England keeper, although Cottagers skipper Luis Boa Morte should have done far better than glance a close-range header wide seven minutes before the break. By then, Fulham had lost central defender Zat Knight to what appeared to be a back injury, so they were thankful when Steed Malbranque recovered from a ferocious tackle from Joey Barton, which brought the game's first booking. It was a harsh call on the combative midfielder as the challenge was reminiscent of one of his manager's and clearly took the ball before Malbranque was pole-axed. At least it proved Barton remains committed to the City cause although, with his contract dispute still unresolved, the odds remain that his Blues career will end against Blackburn next Sunday. Riera's City future also remains open to debate as his loan move from Espanyol is due to expire in the summer. The Spaniard showed his capabilities in an outstanding second half display at Aston Villa in midweek and he maintained that form against Fulham, darting down the left flank at regular intervals and getting himself involved in most of City's attacking moves. Sibierski's influence also continued to grow throughout the contest, although, when the opener arrived midway through the second period, neither of the continental duo was involved. Dunne's effort came straight out of the route-one manual as Barton planted a free-kick onto the head of Micah Richards. The youngster's last appearance on the ground had been in City's failed Youth Cup final bid. But the academy ranks will soon be a distant memory for the highly-rated 17-year-old, whose firm header fell perfectly for Dunne to sweep home. Samaras should have doubled City's lead not long afterwards but his failure to convert from an acute angle set up a thrilling finale, which began when Fulham substitute John beat Dunne to Boa Morte's near-post cut-back and bundled home. City must have thought they had got the win when Samaras exchanged passes with Sinclair and beat Niemi with a deft flick, only for Rosenior to race back and head away from virtually underneath the bar. How important that clearance proved to be as, with virtually the final attack, Malbranque handed Fulham the away win they have been craving since last August.
Man City: James, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Sommeil,
Sinclair, Barton, Reyna, Riera, Sibierski (Flood 80), Vassell
(Samaras 66).
Subs Not Used: Weaver, Musampa, Jihai. Booked: Barton. Goals: Dunne 69. Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Knight (Christanval 26), Pearce, Bridge, Malbranque, Diop, Elliott, Boa Morte, Helguson (John 66), McBride. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Volz, Radzinski. Booked: Diop, Christanval, Malbranque. Goals: John 84, Malbranque 90. Att: 41,128 Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Aston Villa 0-1 Man City - A win
at last for City
Tuesday 25th April 2006: John Weston at Villa park for Get Your Kits Out Darius Vassell grabbed a second-half winner against his former club to end Manchester City's run of six straight Premiership defeats. Vassell did not get much power on his shot after turning on the edge of the six-yard box but saw it  trundle
home. Villa thought they had snatched an injury-time equaliser when Kevin Phillips followed up Gareth Barry's shot - but he was flagged offside. The defeat leaves Villa still needing a point to be safe from relegation. Villa's recent form is almost as bad as City's, with David O'Leary's men picking up only one win in the seven games before this fixture. That victory came in last week's derby against Birmingham - and Villa's bright start here suggested it was a start of a upturn in their fortunes. It was City who carved out the first real chance when Sylvain Distin headed wide from Albert Riera's corner. But Villa soon began to look the stronger side and Milan Baros was unlucky not to latch on to James Milner's through-ball with the City defence nowhere to be seen. More chances for Villa followed with Gareth Barry scuffing his shot wide after creating space for himself in the box and Aaron Hughes going close with a driven cross that almost flew in the top corner. Mellberg, making his return after five matches out with a hamstring injury, also tested James with a back-post header from Barry's cross. Some dubious dribbling from James with the ball at his feet almost presented Baros and Juan-Pablo Angel with more chances - and City could consider themselves fortunate to go in level at the break. But the visitors were a different proposition after the restart with Riera's powerful drive bringing a good stop from Thomas Sorensen and Joey Barton shooting over when well placed. James saved well from Gabriel Agbonlahor at the other end but it was City who were on top and they broke the deadlock on 71 minutes. Vassell was allowed to turn on Claudio Reyna's ball into the box and he got enough on his shot to beat Sorensen for his fourth goal against Villa since leaving for City in the summer of 2005. Villa struggled to find a response but belatedly came forward in the closing stages. Barry's shot from the edge of the area was well saved by James but Phillips followed up to slot home - only for the linesman to cut short his celebrations. TV replays showed the decision was harsh on Villa but the result puts the pressure back on O'Leary, who has been heavily criticised by his side's fans in recent weeks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa: Sorensen, Mellberg, Cahill, Ridgewell (Phillips 76), Hughes, McCann, Barry, Samuel, Milner, Angel, Baros (Agbonlahor 58). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Bouma, Gardner. Booked: Ridgewell. Man City: James, Sommeil, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Sinclair, Reyna, Barton, Riera (Musampa 90), Samaras (Sibierski 45), Vassell (Jihai 87). Subs Not Used: Weaver, Flood. Booked: Sommeil. Goals: Vassell 71. Att: 26,422 Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).
West Ham 1 Manchester City 0
It's yet another defeat
Saturday 15th April 2006 : Richard Henderson for Get Your Kits Out at the Boleyn Ground Shaun Newton's first goal since signing for West Ham more than a year ago eventually proved 
enough to condemn Manchester City to a sixth straight defeat.But West Ham, having dominated most of the first half of this Barclays Premiership fixture, were forced to ride their luck on more than one occasion as City battled hard and twice had potential equalisers ruled out for offside. Trevor Sinclair's goal-bound chip was judged to have been touched by the offside Micah Richards before crossing the line - and in the second half Darius Vassell was denied after excellent work from Albert Riera. Manchester City have now not won a Premiership game in five attempts - a run that stretches back to before they were beaten at home by West Ham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Hammers, meanwhile, continue to press for a top-seven finish despite the obvious distraction of next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough. Newton enjoyed a rare start for West Ham, while Bobby Zamora was given a chance alongside Dean Ashton up front and was clearly determined to press his claims for a place in West Ham's semi-final side. It was Zamora's excellent turn and break that created the opening for Newton's goal - and he dropped deep to link play in the same way Teddy Sheringham does so well for the Hammers. Newton blew his first opportunity to make a mark on the game when, having sparked a counter-attack with a 50-yard run, he held on to possession too long and failed to pick out Ashton in space. But Newton soon made amends, firing West Ham into the lead after 17 minutes. The opening was created expertly by Zamora, who turned on a sixpence and left Sylvain Distin in his wake on the left flank before squaring the ball for Newton to fire his shot low across David James and into the bottom corner. Yossi Benayoun, who had switched to the left of midfield to accommodate Newton, almost picked out Zamora with a neat through-ball as West Ham began to take charge. Nigel Reo-Coker, who recovered from an ankle injury to play, and Hayden Mullins were winning the midfield battle - as they did in the FA Cup tie against City - and that helped West Ham dictate the tempo. Zamora's neat touch sent Benayoun running into space, only for the Israeli international to fire his 20-yard shot wide. City's attacks repeatedly fell foul of James Collins, who was a dominant force at the heart of West Ham's defence. The Wales international had the edge on Georgios Samaras in the air and threw himself in the path of a drive from Kiki Musampa, before Richard Dunne drove his effort high over the bar. But City did find more success on the ground and were furious not to be level at half-time, after referee Steve Bennett ruled out Sinclair's goal-bound effort. Referee Bennett was surrounded by furious City players all arguing that Sinclair's chip had already crossed the line. Their vociferous protests were to no avail, leading only to a booking for Claudio Reyna. City continued to press after the interval and were almost gifted an equaliser within minutes of the restart. Sinclair latched on to a loose pass from Newton, and the heart of West Ham's defence parted to allow a clear run on goal. Sinclair's shot was saved brilliantly by James Walker, who touched it round the corner - but the effort signalled a shift in the balance of power. West Ham had their chances to close out the game. But Dunne cleared a cross from Ashton over his own bar, and Harewood then failed to pick out Benayoun in the middle. City were threatening every time they attacked, and Vassell had the ball in the net after 75 minutes - only to be denied by the offside flag. West Ham introduced Carl Fletcher in a bid to shore up their midfield - but Vassell continued to cause havoc and pressed Paul Konchesky into a late clearance with a delicate chip over Walker. Richards then scuffed a golden chance from close range after the ball fell to him unmarked just six yards out. Walker again saved well. Sinclair escaped the offside trap but could not profit as West Ham clung on to secure the victory. Teams: West Ham : Walker, Scaloni, Collins, Gabbidon, Konchesky,Newton (Fletcher 77), Mullins, Reo-Coker, Benayoun,Ashton (Sheringham 82), Zamora (Harewood 65). Subs Not Used: Hislop, Katan. Goals: Newton 15. Man City : James, Richards, Dunne, Distin,Thatcher (Sommeil 45), Sinclair, Reyna (Flood 86), Musampa,Riera, Samaras (Sibierski 66), Vassell. Subs Not Used: Weaver, Wright-Phillips. Booked: Reyna, Dunne. Att: 34,305 Ref: S Bennett (Kent).
Tottenham 2-1 Man City
More away day Blues
Sat 8th April 2006 :Tom Fellows for Get Your Kits Out at White Hart Lane Paul Stalteri and Michael Carrick struck either side of the interval to maintain Spurs' bid to qualify for Champions League football next season. Stalteri opened the scoring in the 44th minute after Manchester City keeper David James saved from Robbie Keane. And Carrick fired high past James four minutes after the break.  Tottenham were anxious after Georgios Samaras struck for City, but they deserved to win, with James producing a series of fine saves. City, on the receiving end of a savage public attack from manager Stuart Pearce after the home defeat against Middlesbrough, created the first clear opening. Trevor Sinclair's clever pass sent in Micah Richards, but the youngster dragged his shot wide. Who cares if it was scrappy. With five games to go it's points that matter City goalkeeper James almost gifted Spurs the lead in the 19th minute, when he sent a clearance straight to Mido, but he failed to find Keane, who was waiting unmarked in the penalty area. And seconds later Keane should have put Spurs ahead after another moment of nightmare defending by Ben Thatcher, but his weak lob was straight at James. Keane was Spurs' inspiration, and it took a magnificent save from James to deny him an opener seven minutes before the break when he turned a rising drive on to the bar. But Keane was not to be denied, and he was instrumental as Spurs deservedly took the lead a minute before half-time. He turned Republic of Ireland colleague Richard Dunne on the edge of the area, and when James could only push out his powerful drive, Stalteri was on hand to steer home the rebound. Spurs doubled their advantage four minutes after the interval when Carrick ran on to Teemu Tainio's pass to shoot high past James. But a moment of carelessness from the Spurs defence allowed City to grab a lifeline three minutes later. Sylvain Distin's long throw was turned in by Samaras from close range to give City hope. Keane quickly had the ball in the net with a smart finish, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Samaras' goal gave City hope, and Spurs were suddenly living dangerously, with Lee Young-Pyo clearing off the line from Richards and substitute Albert Riera bringing a fine save out of Paul Robinson. But James was having a busy afternoon, saving Anthony Gardner's low shot and then producing a stunning stop to turn Stalteri's deflected shot on to the post. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, King, Gardner, Lee, Lennon (Defoe 82), Jenas, Carrick, Tainio (Davids 89), Keane, Mido. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Murphy, Davenport. Goals: Stalteri 44, Carrick 49. Man City: James, Danny Mills (Riera 59), Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, Sinclair, Richards, Musampa, Reyna (Sibierski 79), Vassell, Samaras. Subs Not Used: Weaver, Sommeil, Wright-Phillips. Booked: Vassell, Richards, Thatcher. Goals: Samaras 52. Att: 36,167 Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
Man City 0-1 Middlesbrough
Home not so sweet Home
Sunday 2nd April 2006 : Alan Davies for Get Your Kits Out at the COMSTAD Lee Cattermole's first Premiership goal was enough to give Middlesbrough victory in a dismal match at Eastlands. The midfielder's neat header from Stewart Downing's cross was the only chance of note in a dire first half. The tempo increased in the second period as Yakubu, Cattermole and James Morrison all went close, with Boro  firmly
in control. Manchester City keeper David James made four fine saves but one goal was enough for Boro to clinch a win. Middlesbrough gained their morale-boosting win on the back of the disappointing defeat in Basle on Thursday, while Manchester City again failed to record their first victory over Boro in the Premiership. The slippery conditions at Eastlands made for a scrappy opening, with both sides cancelling out each other in a tepid first period. Boro's already depleted side was given further problems when Franck Queudrue limped off after only nine minutes after the defender challenged for the ball with City striker Darius Vassell. A confident display but yet again we failed to make things easy for ourselves The home fans were given little to get excited about until Albert Riera's trickery down the left produced a near-post cross that Trevor Sinclair just failed to direct on target. And, with chances at a premium, Vassell would have been disappointed not to have put his shot away after being put clean through by Stephen Ireland, while Riera's low, left-foot drive just fizzed past the post soon afterwards. But it was the visiting side that took the lead three minutes before the break - in the only moment of quality during the first half. Downing's pinpoint cross found the head of the onrushing Cattermole, who headed in his landmark goal. Much to the frustration of the home faithful, the second half started with the same apathy as the first 45 minutes. But Cattermole could have scored his and Boro's second goal 10 minutes after the break - only for James to twice repel the midfielder's efforts after being put clean through by Yakubu. Yakubu himself had two chances to put the game beyond City as Steve McClaren's side took full control of proceedings. With Middlesbrough in charge, the chances began to flow and Morrison should have punished the City defence on two occasions but a combination of a James save and a wayward swipe kept the deficit to one. Every Boro attack threatened the City goal and, with the home side in disarray, Stuart Parnaby and Fabio Rochemback should have increased the lead but Boro cantered home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man City: James, Danny Mills, Dunne, Richards, Thatcher, Sinclair (Croft 66), Sibierski (Flood 72), Ireland (Musampa 60), Riera, Vassell, Samaras. Subs Not Used: Sommeil, Wright-Phillips. Middlesbrough: Jones, Parnaby, Ehiogu, Riggott, Queudrue (Taylor 9), Morrison (Davies 89), Cattermole, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Knight, Mendieta, Viduka. Goals: Cattermole 42. Att: 40,256 Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire). QUICK NAVIGATION
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Manchester
City suffered their ninth defeat in their last 10 Premiership
games as they rounded off their season with a loss at Blackburn.
The
final curtain comes down at Highbury on Sunday with Arsenal
still in contention for fourth place in the Barclays
Premiership.