Predicted Lineup For Newcastle

The late game on Saturday will see Manchester City with an opportunity to put their Premier League trophy defense back on track. Last weekend was a slight disappointment for the Blues fans, although Wolves really played their part.

I had stated earlier that you could point to a couple of incidents which didn't go our way, but essentially Wolves played very well, and should be a test for other sides this season.

Manchester City Host Magpies As Blues Look To Bounce Back

It wasn't the result Manchester City fans were expecting considering the roaring start. For me, although I never thought we'd drop points, I thought it would be tough. The Terriers are just that, biting at your ankles, and not giving you a second on the ball.

Yes there were a couple of debatable decisions during the game, but they really were close. With the naked eye, and without VAR, both the handball and penalty shout had to be looked at several times before I even made a decision.

Manchester City Molineux Player Rating

It was always going to be a tough game for the Blues. Wolverhampton Wanderers, at their own ground, had nothing to lose. But there was more to their game than that, and it would be disingenuous to say that Manchester City were poor. 

Although City were far from their free flowing best, it was down to the way Wolves played which thwarted a lot of Pep Guardiola’s plans. Yes you could point to the handball goal which was allowed to stand and the penalty which wasn’t given, but these were all decisions which were, in real-time and without VAR, not easily spotted. So how did the players rate?

Training Ground Injuries Mounting Up

It has been less than a week since we heard of Kevin DeBruyne's training ground injury. Hosting Huddersfield Town at the Etihad went off without a hitch, despite being short one of our most influential players. It was a great illustration of the depth of the squad with Pep Guardiola opting to leave Walker, Sterling, Sane and Mahrez on the bench.

The issue now becomes, with the transfer window already closed for English sides, how will we deal with the season ending injury to Claudio Bravo. The second choice goalkeeper for the Blues didn't have the best of first seasons with City. Last season though, with him out of the spotlight, he was massive in our journey towards the Carabao Cup progress and eventual trophy lift.

Blues Top Table After SIX-sational Performance

Manchester City moved to their rightful place, atop the Premier League table, with a 6-1 victory over Huddersfield. I think the Terriers will find it much more difficult this season from last and were my pre-season tip to be relegated. 

That said, you can only beat whats put out in front of you. Focusing on Manchester City's performance only, you cannot be anything other than excited. So, having focused on player ratings last time (link found toward the bottom of the page) now its time for what was learnt.

Classy City Sweep Aside Terriers - Players Rated

Manchester City made it two for two at the weekend with a sublime performance against Huddersfield Town on Sunday. On a day which saw players from the 1987, 10-1 demolition invited back to City, Peps boys put on a celebratory display.

In a later article I will look at the different talking points from the game. For now though, lets get down to the player ratings. There were a number of fine performances, and even an appearance from young Phil Foden, something I had suggested might happen in my preview a few days ago.

City v Huddersfield: Predicted Starting XI

The Blues open up their title defense with the first game at the Etihad. A fantastic start to the title defense down in London last weekend, Pep will look to Sunday's game as a chance to collect points dropped last season.

When these two sides met last season, Manchester City were already Champions. The goalless draw was forgotten soon after the final whistle as Vincent Kompany would, once again, lift the Premier League trophy.

City v Huddersfield: History Of The Fixture

Manchester City will step onto the field at the Etihad on Sunday for the first home game of their title defense. After such a good start last weekend against Arsenal, the blues were dealt some devastating news, with the injury to Kevin De Bruyne.

Last seasons running of this fixture saw, already champions Manchester City, held to a goal-less draw. Whether that was down to a good Huddersfield defensive shape, or whether it was more of the party atmosphere already floating around the Etihad, can be argued. Sundays game, though, will be much different.

Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne Injured

He came on for 30 minutes last weekend, just in time to see Bernardo Silva double the Blues lead. It was meant to be a slow introduction back into the pace of the Premier League for KDB, who had just returned to the side.

Having been part of the Belgium side to secure third spot in the recent World Cup, his subsequent vacation had seen him miss taking part in the Community Shield victory seven days prior. He would surely have got his first start this weekend against Huddersfield before injuring himself during training.

Silva Says 'Adios' To National Side

It has been quite a past few months for David Silva. Lifting the Premier League trophy with Manchester City came five months after his son was born extremely prematurely.

In December it was announced he was unavailable for selection and had returned to Spain for 'personal reasons' A little over a week later and it was announced that little Matteo was fighting for his life.

Is Racism The Reason For Raheem Repulsion

The first weekend of the new Premier League season is in the books. Manchester City were dominant in London for the second Sunday in a row to unsettle a lot of our rivals. Some, I don't doubt, were hoping Arsenal could dent our title defense before it began.

Of course they didn't as Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners against Unai Emrey's side. Raheem Sterling, criticized during the summer for 'poor' England performances, got on the score sheet. It is this player I wish to talk about today.

Opening Day: City's Sterling Performance

The defending Champions, Manchester City, came through a tricky game. Opening day fixtures are somewhat unpredictable. Add a new regime at the Emirates to the fact many players have only just returned from the World Cup, any anything can happen.

In the end, Manchester City ran out comfortable winners, with a sublime performance. That said, there were still parts of the game which had Pep visibly frustrated.

Manchester City Shoot Down Gunners: Players Rated

I must admit, I was a little nervous heading into this opening game. With a new manager at the helm of the Gunners you never really know what you'll actually get. Add to that the lack of preparation for Manchester City and many of their 'first' team players and a trip to the Emirates was not ideal.

Turns out though, there was nothing to worry about. Arsenal are a side in transition though, and it showed during parts in the game. Some City players shone in the Nations capital while others displayed a little bit of rust coming in for their first competitive game. So how did the City players rate?

Premier League Predictions

It's a little later than I would have liked but I always try to work out the final Premier League standings. Manchester City have been made favorites to retain the title, but will their focus switch to the Champions League?

Wolves, Fulham and Cardiff all come up to the Premier League but how will they cope with the step up in competition? All three promoted sides stayed in the division last time out, but will that happen again?

Manchester City: Change Of Hart

Fans of every club will have their own favorites. Players who come to your club, give their all and become the fabric of the side. As City fans we went through this emotional wrench as we bid farewell to Pablo Zabaletta. The honorary Manc joined City pre takeover, if only by a day. Rejecting Juventus in order to play for Manchester City, he never expected to stay so long or achieve so much.

This week there was a somewhat weird farewell to another legend, Joe Hart. Born in April 19th 1987 in Shrewsbury, Joe joined City from his home town side in 2006. A fee, at the time reported to be between ￡600k and ￡1.5 million, apparently was closer to ￡100k. Bargain!

City Pounce On PUMA Deal

There has been a lot of Manchester City fans, over the last few seasons, who have felt let down. Not by the club, the players or the Manager but the shirts. More particularly the seeming lack of effort put in by the manufacturer each new season.

Sure, we are no where near the darker blue shirts worn by Shaun Goater, Ali Benarbia and co in the late 1990's and early 2000's. The fact is though fans of all clubs pay a lot of money for these shirts and it would be nice to feel a little effort has been put in to designs.

City Lift Community Shield: Sarri Not Sarri

Manchester City welcomed back some more World Cup stars for the English traditional curtain raiser at Wembley. In a previous article I had written that it would be no big deal, in the grand scheme of things, if City were to lose this game. Certainly it would not be something we would, as fans, reflect on negatively if we would go on to win the League again, or Champions League.

Traditional Curtain Raiser: Community Shield Preview

The World Cup is now a long past memory for football fans around the world. Pre season games have begun and, for some, have even finished. Attention now turns to the start of a brand new Premier League season and all the drama that involves.

Before that kicks off in a little over a weeks time, we have the Community Shield. The traditional curtain raiser it certainly is a game which means less than when I was growing up. It is always nice to see your side lift silverware, don't get me wrong, but in today's football climate it really hasn't kept its sparkle.