The Final Say

A week that started with so much promise ended with all blues fans thinking why?

Why, after such decent result over the Christmas period and a fantastic 4-1 win over Blackburn last Monday, did City self destruct at Goodison? Why can’t we put in some kind of consistent form that is going to take us forward instead of keeping us in one place? And why does Robinho just hate playing away from home?

The Brazilian is supposed to be one of the best in the world yet his displays since signing for City have been inept at best? Yes there have been a few performances where the superstar has really shone but those have been few and far between. Should Robbie start or even feature on Tuesday night, he will severely need to up his game or risk being frozen out of the City side permanently.

Roberto Mancini may have won his first four games in charge but he has a lot of work to do if he is to rid the blues of their inconsistency tag but one defeat does not constitute a disaster. Everton has often been a difficult place to go for City and the game was given an extra spark as Toffees boss David Moyes again accused City of ‘acting with no class’ in relation to the summer transfer of Joleon Lescott.

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Chelsea sent a clear message to their title rivals by thumping Sunderland 7-2 at the Bridge but United responded with a 3-0 win over Burnley, while Arsenal grabbed a 2-0 win at Bolton as Owen Coyle’s reign as Bolton boss got off to a bad start.

Rafa Benitez could find himself unemployed very soon unless his Liverpool team improve. A 1-1 draw at Stoke was not the response Reds supporters wanted after their shock FA Cup defeat at home to Reading in midweek. Steven Gerrard is rumoured to want out of Anfield and Fernando Torres is urging the club to buy during the January transfer window. But new additions look unlikely as the pressure on Benitez increases.

Spurs have replaced City in fourth after a 0-0 draw at home to Hull. Visiting keeper Boaz Myhill was in superb form keeping the home side at bay with a string of excellent saves. Aston Villa missed out on the chance to push City into 6^th after a goalless raw at home to struggling West Ham.

Wigan and Blackburn both pulled away from the relegation zone with 2-0 wins against Wolves and Fulham respectively.

So City entertain United on Tuesday, looking for a good victory that could put them into next month’s League Cup final, with Aston Villa looking the likely opponents. The blues are due a good result against United.

What better time to get one.