A New City Revolution**Man City vs Man Utd**

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated Wednesday, January 7th 2009​

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Barclays Premiership​

Man City sack Hughes

Sparky sacked​

Mark Hughes has been sacked as manager of Manchester City after six months in the job. Reports swept around the City of Manchester Stadium as Hughes presided over City's 2-1 Premier League defeat by Everton, but the club only confirmed the news after the match.

"I shall never forget the City fans," Hughes said in a statement. Assistant Mark Bowen was also dismissed. Manchester City are currently placed at 14th in the premier league table 3 points away from the relegation zone.

Manchester City board are eager to appoint a quick replacement and are also ambitious to appoint one before the Saturday's match against Blackburn. While former FC Barcelona and Netherlands manager Frank Rijkaard is favourite to take over.

"For me, Mark's departure is regrettable," said chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak."Our greatest wish was to see results turn in our favour after providing a lot of funds for buying players and for there to be no need for change."

It was claimed Man City met Rijkaard in December with a "huge" offer to replace the former Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes at City of Manchester Stadium.

Rijkaard is regarded as one of the best coaches in European football after guiding Barcelona to back to back La Liga titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06 and also winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005/06. However Rijkaard's agent was pictured in the stands as Man City lost to Everton and it is thought he was at Eastlands to negotiate Rijkaard's switch to Man City.

Frank Rijkaard's former Netherlands team-mate Dennis Bergkamp has been linked with the assistant manager position under Rijkaard, but the former Arsenal and Ajax striker has told BBC Sport he has had no contact with Manchester City.

During the defeat to Everton, City fans gave vocal support to the Welshman, chanting "Sparky Sparky" throughout the match. Hughes took charge of Man City in July 2008, replacing the former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson.

Having recruited the likes of Robinho, who cost ?33.5m a British record fee, Shaun Wright Phillips and Belgium defender Vincent Kompany during the summer, City had high hopes of challenging for a Champions League place. But City suffered a disastrous start, recording just five wins in 20 league games and since the start of the new season in August.

Hughes's agent is currently in Netherlands and was unavailable for comment late on Wednesday as regards the terms of the Welshman's severance package.

"Given what he did with Blackburn Rovers and Wales, I don't think he will find it very hard to find a new job very soon and even in the Premier League," said Everton boss David Moyes after his side's win.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated Thursday, January 8th 2008​

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Barclays Premiership​

Rijkaard appointed City manager

Rijkaard appointed​

Frank Rijkaard has signed a four-year deal to become the new manager of Manchester City, replacing Mark Hughes who was sacked yesterday. Rijkaard, 46, resigned as Barcelona coach at the end of last season and City have asked Dennis Bergkamp to become Rijkaard's assistant.

Rijkaard said: "It is a squad any manager would be excited to work with. There is the potential to achieve great things and also a lot of funds provided to strengthen the squad in this January transfer window."

Rijkaard will be at City of Manchester Stadium for Saturday's Premiership clash with Blackburn and will take charge of City for the first time on Sunday. Manchester City must now negotiate a pay-off to Hughes.

Rijkaard led Barcelona to two consecutive La Liga titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06. He also led Barcelona to win UEFA Champions League in 2005/06 by defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the finals. He also won the Spanish Super Cup twice but end Barcelona ended in the third position after Real Madrid and Villarreal.

"City made me a massive offer and it was too good to reject," he said after being named the City boss. "My time at Barcelona has been the most important period of my life personally and professionally. I will be eternally grateful."

And in a statement released through the Man City website, he added: "I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work as manager at Manchester City, a club with a great tradition and history. Ever since I started my coaching career I have wanted to work in England. It is my sincere hope that I can repay the faith the City board has shown in me.

"I am looking forward to meeting the players. I was hugely impressed with the City fans both home and away and it will be a privilege to be the manager of this club with the huge support it enjoys both at City of Manchester Stadium and throughout the world."

City chief executive Gary Cook said: "Frank's arrival is great news for Manchester City. He brings with him a wealth of experience, a proven track record and a winning pedigree. Now is the time for us to regroup and look to deliver the results and performances that everyone associated with the club wants to see."

Frank Rijkaard steps into the vacancy left by Mark Hughes, who was sacked following a disappointing season which has left City in the 14th position and just two points from the relegation zone.​

 

[saladguy]

Nice start. Stick with it Shan

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated Friday, January 10th 2009​

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Barclays Premiership​

Manchester City vs Blackburn Rovers​

FA Barclays Premiership
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium, Date: Saturday, 10th January 2008 Kick-Off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, live on Sky Sports

__________________________________________________

Man City go into this match with their new manager Frank Rijkaard in the stands watching them. Craig Bellmay and Shay Given who signed for the Citizens in the January are set to make their debut. Manchester City will be without strikers Jo who has been loaned to Everton and Valeri Bojinov as he is not 100% fit yet to make the squad. Elano could make his 50th league appearance for Manchester City if he brought on.

Sam Allardyce has all his players fit for this game except new signing El Hadji Diouf who is set to miss next 3 months of action with a torn hamstring. Danny Simpson who is on loan from Manchester United is set to make his 75th league appearance. Skipper Nelsen will make his 100th appearance for the club and Brett Emerton will make his 375th appearance.

__________________________________________________

Man City(from): Given, Hart, Bridge, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Garrido, Wright Phillips, Robinho. Zabaleta, De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Galuber, Petrov, Benjani, Bellamy, Vassell.

Blackburn Rovers(from): Robinson, Bunn, Simpson, Warnock, Samba, Nelsen, Khizanishvii, Grella, Tugay, Dunn, Reid, Emerton, Gamst-Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts, Villanueva, Vogel, Traecy.

__________________________________________________

Ref: Alan Wiley

Match Odds: Man City: 6-4(fav), Draw: 2-1, Blackburn 13-8.

Lawro's Prediction: Man City 2-1 Blackburn​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Roque Santa Cruz scored in injury-time as Rovers hit back from 2-0 down to earn a draw in a match which was seen by the new City manager from the stands. Brett Emerton, Chris Samba and Tugay all struck the woodwork before Bellmay slotted in Man City's opener.

Steven Ried's header was cleared off the line before Pablo Zabaleta scored a superb breakaway goal for the second. Robinho hit the post before Morten Gamst Pedersen pulled a goal back for Rovers from the penalty spot and Santa Cruz rescued a point with a 12-yard drive.

It was an astonishing end to a remarkable match that swung wildly one way and then the other. And while the visitors will be delighted to have secured a draw with a late, late equaliser they might also wonder how they did not virtually secure victory in the first half.

Rovers' first chance came from a corner, when Emerton thumped a header against the near post and shortly after an unmarked Samba headed off target when he should have done better. The one-way traffic continued when Danny Simpson shot from the edge of the box and the ball deflected off Vicent Kompany before being tipped over by Shay Given.

Next Santa Cruz's shot was well saved by Given and the follow-up effort from Emerton was superbly blocked by Richard Dunne. It seemed a matter of time before Rovers' onslaught would bring the breakthrough but when Tugay slid in to poke goalwards at the near post, the ball came back off the post and into Given's arms.

And Samba became the third Rovers player to be denied by the frame of the goal when his hooked shot crashed against the bar. Then as Man City made a rare foray into Rovers territory, David Dunn hesitated in possession, which allowed Bellmay to nip in, steal the ball and slide his shot home for the opener and his first Man City goal.

It was a stunning blow to Rovers, and more frustration was to follow when Santa Cruz's header looked destined to bring the equaliser but Wayne Bridge produced a breathtaking overhead kick to clear the ball off his goalline. And, after the break, Manchester City delivered a hammer blow when Zabaleta broke from inside his own half, laid the ball off to Shaun Wright-Phillips, continued his run and smashed the ball in after collecting the return pass.

For the first time in the match, Manchester City looked fluent and they could have wrapped up the points when the ball fell to Robinho in the box but the Brazilian cracked his shot against the post. Wright-Phillips also had a chance to score City's third but Samba made a terrific block to deny him.

Then at the other end, Richards somehow nicked the ball off Steven Reid's toes as he looked set to convert Emerton's cross. Just when it seemed Rovers would get nothing at all from the game, they won a penalty when Dunne upended Santa Cruz and Gamst-Pedersen smashed in the resultant spot-kick.

Tugay was then denied by Kompany, who got in another vital block, as Rovers pressed for a leveler. And with time running out, the hosts earned their draw when Carlos Villanueva's cross fell to striker Santa Cruz and he rifled the ball in.

______________________

Man City: Given, Richards, Dunne(C), Kompany, Bridge, de Jong(Elano 45), Zabaleta(Petrov 77), Ireland, Robinho, Wright-Phillips, Bellmay.
Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Vassell, Onuoha, Benjani.

Goals: Bellmay 40, Zabaleta 49.

Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson, Samba, Nelsen(C), Warnock(Vogel 72), Tugay(Roberts 79), Dunn, Reid(Villanueva 72), Emerton, Pedersen, Santa Cruz.
Subs Not Used: Bunn, Khizanishvii, Grella, Treacy.

Booked: Warnock, Samba.

Goals: Pedersen 65 pen, Santa Cruz 90.

Att: 47,966

Ref: A. Wiley

Santa Cruz equalizes​

 

[saladguy]

Not a very good result considering you were 2-0 up.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Results

English Premier League Matchday Twenty-One

Saturday 10th January 2009

Stoke 0-0 Man Utd

Everton 1-0 Sunderland
(Jo 51)

Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa
(Owen 45 + 2 ; Barry 7)

Portsmouth 0-1 Liverpool
(Carragher 45 + 1)

Tottenham 4-0 Middlesbrough
(Pavlyucheno 13, 20, Keane 47, Turnbull(og) 71)

West Brom 1-1 Hull City
(Boateng(og) 47 ; Cousin 63)

West Ham 1-1 Wigan
(Kovac 10 ; Zaki 38)

Sunday 11th January 2009

Fulham 0-0 Arsenal

Bolton 1-2 Chelsea
(Elmander 89 ; Carvalho 9, Drogba 60)​

 

[Griffo]

Petrov should be still injured shouldnt he? I dont like Zab in the Middle either... good start to your story

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Petrov should be still injured shouldnt he? I dont like Zab in the Middle either... good start to your story

Nah..Petrov isnt injured. I started the game from January 7th. So half season is over.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated Tuesday, January 13th 2009​

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Barclays Premiership​

Sunderland vs Manchester City​

FA Barclays Premiership
Venue: Stadium of Light, Date: Saturday, 14th January 2009, Kick-Off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, live on Sky Sports

__________________________________________________

Man City go into this match with some confidence after Frank Rijkaard takes charge of the team. Pablo Zabaleta who is injured will be missing 3-4 weeks of football. Elano is set to come in the side. Bojinov sit unfit to make the bench. While striker Craig Bellamy needs three more goals to reach 100 career league goals.

Sunderland have their problems of their own with some poor form. Ricky Sbargia is set to keep the same starting XI from the last match which saw being defeated 1-0 at Goodison Park. Dean Whitehead need just one more goal to reach 25 career league goals while Darly Murphy could make his 125th career league appearance if brought on.
__________________________________________________

Man City(from): Given, Hart, Bridge, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Garrido, Wright Phillips, Robinho. Fernandes, De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Galuber, Petrov, Benjani, Bellamy, Vassell.

Blackburn Rovers(from): Gordon, Belletti, McCartney, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Edwards, Malbranque, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Jones, Price, Fulop, Collins, Davenport, Kavanagh, Richardson, Murphy, Cisse.

__________________________________________________

Ref: Lee Probert

Match Odds: Sunderland: 6-4(fav), Draw: 2-1, Man City 13-8.

Lawro's Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Man City​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Frank Rijkaard made a great start to his new job at Manchester City with 3-1 win over Sunderland and sending the Black Cats back into the relegation zone.

A blistering break culminated in Elano eluding Craig Gordon and sliding the ball home for City's opener. Elano played in Stephen Ireland for the midfielder to double the lead before Dean Whitehead's long-range strike pulled a goal back. Djibril Cisse then went close to equalising before Robinho scored from 20 yards.

Sunderland played with great enthusiasm and commitment but, especially in the final third, lacked the quality that City possess in abundance. After Elano's 38th-minute goal, City's passing noticeably improved and it was no surprise when Ireland extended the visitors' lead.

City needed the three points to ensure they do not lose more ground and get back to winning ways in the premier league. But for Ricky Sbragia the headaches remain - his team have still to win at home this season, or indeed take anything from a game after falling behind.

The Black Cats boss can take encouragement from the way his team started the match. They created the first real opening, Shay Given pushing Grant Leadbitter's near-post header against the woodwork and away to safety.

Sheer desire to win a series of 50-50 challenges then created an opening for Whitehead, who quickly turned and shot just wide of Given's goal from 20 yards. The home team continued to pressurise and should have scored when a cross fell to Rade Prica in plenty of space at the far post, but he dallied too long on the ball, allowing Given saved at his feet.

City eventually threatened through Robinho, whose shot was deflected for a corner by a superb block from Nyron Nosworthy. But despite a largely uninspiring opening 38 minutes from the visiting team, Elano's goal outlined City's ability to turn defence into attack.

Robinho flicked Micah Richards' pass onto Martin Petrov who came on as subsitute for the injured Bellamy, who in turn squared for Elano to close in on goal. After rounding Gordon, the City midfielder scored from a tight angle with a shot that George McCartney just failed to stop with a desperate goal-line slide.

Sunderland came out for the second half with real intent but, despite all their endeavour, had Gordon to thank for keeping them in the game. Ireland seemed certain to convert De Jong's drilled cross before Gordon deflected the ball out of his path.

The midfielder then came within inches of heading City's second from a Wright-Phillips cross as City started to turn the screw. Sbragia responded by introducing Djibril Cisse and Graham Kavanagh. But Ireland sealed victory, shooting across and beyond Gordon after Elano had played him in.

Whitehead ensured a dramatic finish with a brilliant strike past Given - and City's keeper had to make a brilliant last-gasp save to prevent Cisse from equalising with a free-kick. City made sure of victory when the Brazilian Robinho found the back of the net.

______________________

Sunderland: Gordon, Belletti, McCartney, Nosworthy(Collins 89), Ferdinand, Edwards, Malbranque, Whitehead(C), Leadbitter, Jones(Kavanagh 62), Price(Cisse 62).
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Richardson, Murphy, Davenport.

Booked: Belletti.

Goals: Whitehead 82.

Man City: Given, Bridge(Onuoha 90), Richards, Dunne(C), Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Elano, de Jong(Fernanders 88), Ireland, Robinho, Bellamy(Petrov 26).
Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Vassell, Benjani.

Booked: Dunne, Kompany.

Goals: Elano 38, Ireland 76, Robinho 87.

Att: 39,690.

Ref: L Probert.

Elano and Ireland celebrating​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Results

English Premier League Matchday Twenty-Two

Wednesday 14th January 2009

Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham

Blackburn 1-0 Stoke
(Nelsen 53)

Hull 1-0 Everton
(Folan 77)

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
(Gerrard 11, Torres 50 pen)

Man Utd 3-0 Portsmouth
(Tevez 13, Berbatov, 39, Hargreaves 78)

Middlesbrough 1-3 Arsenal
(Alves 14 ; Adebayor 20, 21, 79)

Tottenham 1-0 Bolton
(Keane 78)

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated Thursday, January 15th 2008​

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Barclays Premiership​

City Bid for Diego

Manchester City have made a sparkling ?30 million bid for Werder Bremen's Brazil international attack minded midfielder Diego Ribas da Cunha commonly known as Diego. The twenty-three-year-old appears to be unhappy at Werder Bremen and want's to leave Germany to play in the English Premierleague.

BBC Sport understands two City representatives met with Werder Bremen chairman Klaus-Dieter Fischer on Wednesday to discuss the Premiership club's bid for the Brazil international.

The Werder Bremen attacking midfielder got thirteen goals in Bundesliga games last season. The young Brazilian has seventy-four appearances to his name for Werder Bremen and has scored thirty-four times.

Diego is one of the best young talents from Brazil who has matured a lot in last few seasons. Diego at the age of twenty-three has won the Campeonato Brasileiro twice with Santos, Portuguese Supercup, Intercontinental Cup, Portuguese Liga with FC Porto and also the German League Cup with Werder Bremen.

Diego has also won some International honours with Brazil by winning the Salerno Mundialito, South American Under 17 Championship, Toulon Tournament and Copa America twice.He helped win the Olympic Bronze medal at the recent Beijing Olympics.

Werder Bremen have always maintained Diego is not for sale, but the German club may find it difficult to fend off a big offer from a Premierleague team as the Brazilian want's to play in the English top division along with his best mate Robinho.

Diego said "I've always wanted to play in the English Premierleague. It's one of the best leagues in the world and some of the greatest players have played there. I also have my friend Robinho playing there and he says Premierleague the best place to play great football"

He has twenty-eight caps for his country scoring two goals. The Brazil attaking midfielder currently has two more year's left on his contract but Werder Bremen are willing to accept an offer if it's too good to refuse.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated Saturday, January 17th 2009​

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City sign Diego

Diego joins Robinho at City​

Manchester City have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Diego from Werder Bremen. The Brazil international underwent a medical at Eastlands on Friday and has now sealed his switch to the ambitious outfit.

Diego, 23, has put pen-to-paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The attacking midfielder joined Werder Bremen in 2006 from FC Porto and made seventy-four appearances for the club scoring thirty-two goals.

City's new boss Frank Rijkaard told the club's official website: "We have a bit weak midfield. De Jong, Ireland and Elano are good but we need someone like Diego who can go upfront and support the striker and score a lot of goals.

"I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such a young attack minded midfielder, and one is so highly regarded by everyone in Brazil and Germany. We were trying to get an experience and young midfielder and his presence will really help Ireland and De Jong in the side as well as Robinho and Elano will help him settle in England.

"I have had a good talk with him about where we expect to be in the future. From a football point of view, and a club point of view, it's an easy thing to sell because we know we are going in the right direction. Players want to be part of that."

Werder manager Thomas Schaaf said: "I'm really sorry to see Diego go. He's been a fantastic professional and a great lad to work with. We tried very hard to keep him at Werder Bremen and offered him a longer contract to stay at the club.

"He's been with Werder Bremen for almost 3 years now, but he felt the time was right to move on and so realistically, we had no choice but to reluctantly agree to allow him to make this move. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future."​

 

[saladguy]

Diego and Elano will be awesome in midfield, along with Robi occasionally playing on the wing. Good work as usual buddy