This match in January at the Eithiad while being billed as a Title Tilt, means far less than the last two at the Eithiad did. On the line is not immediate qualification for the Champions League. That being said if Spurs lose they are 8 points back, and if they win, only two. With 16 games to play anything can happen (literally) between now and the end of the season. Out: The brothers Toure, V Kompany Balotelli fit? Prospective lineup: I don't want to see Kolorav on teamsheet. [LINEUP-4-4-2]Aguero,Dzeko,Silva,Barry,Milner,Nasri,Clichy,Lescott,Savic,Richards,Hart[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
I think City can scrape out a win. But based on recent form I'd probably be content with a draw. And hoping Arsenal do Scum in.
Not confident but praying for a win as I think the rags will beat Arsenal again. A draw wouldn't be the end of the world, after Spurs we have no top six sides for a while although as we all know City can struggle against teams like Stoke and Everton! Redknapp has said Spurs will come and go all-out attack, if true Mancini should have the players ready to exploit gaps in the defence and counterattack.
Really looking forward to this game... who would've thought it - in the past Manchester United vs. Arsenal would be the game all eyes would be on while City vs. Spurs would just be a backdrop fixture, a midtable clash or maybe even a relegation six-pointer but here are City and Spurs 1st and 3rd in the table respectively, each ahead of their corresponding city rival. This will be a real challenge for both teams title credentials...
A pretty decent match from Fergie's Webb. I appreciate him missing the "stamp" allowing Balotelli to still be on the pitch to be fouled.
Balotelli will get a retrospective ban surely, only English golden boys like Rooney and Gerrard would get away with that. A fantastic win that showed character as I thought we'd bottled it when we let them back into it. Kompany will miss Liverpool away but crucially will be back for the next league game so our defence should become a lot more solid again. Next season Savic needs to go out on loan, he is clearly not ready yet. My back is still aching from a random guy grabbing me, lifting me off my feet, and giving me a bearhug after our injury time winner.
The team played hot and cold through the whole match, we're severely missing the Toure brothers and Big Bad Company. Dzeko was pretty bad, apart from that flick assist to Lescott. He needs to put in more consistent performances. Balotelli is sure to be banned.
Mario banned for four games, he can appeal but probably not worth it as he's foreign. Luckily we don't have any crunch league games coming up so surely Aguero and Dzeko can put goals past teams like Villa and Blackburn. The lack of a fourth striker continues to annoy me though, I know we want Guidetti to develop with regular first team football on loan but I'd be highly tempted to recall him.
What about recalling Adebayor, just to put the screw to Spurs? i realize there is no way back for Ade, just playing the Devil's advocate
No way in hell Adebayor will be back. Mancini is very clear about who he wants to stay and who he wants to go. The Aguero-Dzeko partnership has seen better days but I wouldn't say its bad. Dzeko does a lot of things that benefit Aguero, like attract defenders and open up pockets for players like him, Nasri, and Silva. Aguero does a good job of finding Dzeko at the right moment, although he needs to be a little less selfish with the ball. They'll come together, I'm sure of it.
Adebayor isn't an option because of the £2million loan fee. I think Guidetti and Roque Santa Cruz could be recalled though, both would add depth to the front line and Santa Cruz has been very good for Betis lately, including an amazing goal against Barca. But Mancini can be quite stubborn, if a player isn't to his tastes he might not call him back even if the player would help (Santa Cruz being the one in question).
No Lescott wasn't charged which is important as it means the Kompany/Lescott pairing will be reunited for Everton, at least until a referee sends one of them off again.
Aguero's response to the penalty, I love King Kun, the workrate and passion of Tevez but not a complete twat off the pitch.