April.

Manchester City V Manchester United

Premier League.

Location: Etihad Stadium.

Match preview.

The biggest game of the season. The title race decider. The local derby. The grudge match. Take your pick. Whatever you want to label it Monday night's Manchester clash is not to be missed - the title will be decided here and one team is going home with knocked pride and a whole host of regrets. 

Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season. It's fare to say that United's squad is not as strong as previous years, especially compared to some of the players City have in their ranks. However, SAF has restored them from a rocky 2nd place back to the top, after an uncertain mid-season dip. While United's team is not as magnificent as older generations, they still boast a whole host of talent, youth and determination - but will this be enough to beat the mighty millions of City? 

It seems that City have the slight edge ahead of Monday's game, having thrashed United at home and come close to humiliating them with 10 men in an FA cup come-back. However, the unstoppable City machine, that was so dominant at the start of the season, has slowed down somewhat. Furthermore, Mancini's questionable grasp on discipline over controversial personalities may prove costly  by the end of the season.  United, who have trailed City for months managed to take advantage of their rivals knock in form to secure the top spot. 

Prior to the shock 4-4 score line against Everton last weekend, a draw at the Etihad would not have been disastrous for United. However, with the points gap closed to a mere 3 and City dominating on goal difference a win is crucial for both sides.  

City's home record this season is impressive and United haven't seemed as confident in the big (and sometimes small) games. With both sides desperate for a win and title glory, the pressure really is on. Will the multi-million pound squad triumph as a result of pure talent and skill, or will the well managed closer-knit team prevail?

Dare I mention the 6-1 defeat and dare I hope of sweet revenge?

March.

Chelsea V Napoli 



Champions League.
Location: Stamford Bridge.
Match report.

Chelsea's recent fortunes have not been promising, both in and away from the Premier League.  Struggling to keep a firm grasp on 4th place coupled with  the sacking of Villas-Boas and a 3-1 defeat in the first leg at Napoli, provided little hope going into this crucial game. With AVB gone, old Chelsea legend Roberto di Matteo was assigned as manager till the end of the season - would he provide Chelsea with what they so desperately needed?

The Blues started well, with real energy and a clear determination to win. The majority of possession was in favour of Chelsea, with shots from Sturridge, Terry and Ramires failing to find the goal. However, in a matter of minutes Petr Cech had to make 3 decent saves - reminding Chelsea that Napoli could be a dangerous opposition.  Finally in the 29th minute, Dider Drogba's goal placed Chelsea that little bit closer to where they needed to be. However, Napoli were soon on the counter attack, not wanting their lead to slip away from them. They seemed dangerous on the break, and Chelsea conceded 3 free kicks within 5 minutes - one of which resulted in Frank Lampard being shown a yellow card. Solid defending from David Luiz and Ashley Cole secured their 1-0 lead as the game entered half time.

Only 2 minutes into the 2nd half and John Terry grabs a header from Ramires' corner to put his team 2-0 in the lead and 3-3 on aggregate. If it stays like this, then the Blues are through on away goals! Again, the Chelsea goal spurs Napoli to attack and only 6 minutes after their 2nd goal, Gokhan Inler fires a powerful shot and finds the bottom left corner of the Chelsea net. The tables have now turned, Napoli are ahead 3-4 on aggregate and Chelsea need another goal to take the game to penalties. Napoli again launch another attack on goal, however in the 62nd minute, Sturridge is replaced by Fernando Torres, in the hope of finding that winning goal. Instead, it was Frank Lampard who kept Chelsea's dream alive via his 74th minute penalty, due to a handball by Andrea Dossena. With a score line of 3-1 and 4-4 on aggregate the game progressed into extra time, with the option of penalties looming.

The first half of extra time was equal on both parts, yet Napoli seemed to slightly crack under the pressure. Juan Mata and John Terry were soon replaced by Florent Malouda and Jose Bosingwa. However, in the final minute of the half it was Ivanovic who grabed the winning goal for Chelsea. The final half of extra time is marred by 2 yellow cards for a desperate Napoli who could never quite find the back of the Chelsea goal, however not through a lack of effort. 

Chelsea were now through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the only English team to do so this season. Di Matteo, who seemed emotionless throughout, showed real relief and joy at the final whistle, embracing Drogba before congratulating the rest of his team. A cracking start for the temporary manager, but will it last?

February.

Liverpool v Cardiff City


League Cup final.

Location: Wembley Stadium.
Match report.

Many argue that the League Cup is a Mickey Mouse trophy that no one takes seriously, something that I don't agree with. A competition is a competition, it should always be taken seriously and winning it takes a great deal of effort and hard work. And boy did Liverpool do it the hard way! As a neutral (well, as neutral as a Man Utd fan living in Cardiff can be) this game was amazing to watch and to be honest, neither team deserved to lose.

The first 15 minutes saw Liverpool dominating, with numerous shots and the majority of posession; however, when Cardiff had the ball they seemed threatening on the counter attack. In the 19th minute, Cardiff took a shock lead through Joe Mason's goal. Liverpool responded well and mounted the pressure against their rivals but could not seem to achieve that vital goal. Cardiff defended brilliantly throughout the first half and their keeper Tom Heaton made several saves to keep his team in the lead. At half time the score remained 1-0 to the Blue birds, an unexpected result for the underdogs.

Both teams came out for the second half fired up and ready to win. Liverpool desperately wanted to secure their first piece of silverware since 2006 and Cardiff needed to hang onto their lead against a more superior club. The second half was relatively similar to the first, Liverpool dominated possession and had countless attempts, but couldn't seem to find the back of the net. Cardiff again defended well and seemed threatening on the break. In the 60th minute Martin Skrtel managed to finally break Cardiff and levelled the score to 1-1. However, the difference between the two clubs began to show towards the end of the half, as Cardiff seemed to be tiring under the constant attacks from the Liverpool forwards. While it looked increasingly likely that Liverpool would score, they couldn't quite manage it, and full time came to a 1-1 conclusion.

Extra time commenced with both teams looking weary, but Cardiff more so. The pace of the game slowed down considerably with no real threats at either end of the pitch. However when Andy Carol was replaced by Dirk Kuyt, his fresh legs and energy bought a whole new life to the Liverpool side. 2 minutes into the second half of ET Kuyt out-ran the tired Cardiff defence and hit the target, virtually crushing Cardiff's hope's of the cup. The pace of the game slowed again, with Liverpool looking the more likely to score; however from only their 3rd corner of the game Cardiff managed to draw level mere minutes from full time! With only a couple of moments left in the game Liverpool gave a final push to find the winner, to no avail. The trophy would now be won via penalties. 

After such a hard fought, intense game, in which both sides played to their best - Liverpool showing their Premiership qualities and Cardiff boldly holing them to a draw, penalties seemed like a harsh decision maker. However, the shoot-out was somewhat of an anti-climax. Steven Gerrard stepped up to take Liverpool's first penalty, which was saved, and his cousin, Anthony Gerrard, took the last penalty for Cardiff which missed and consequently lost them the game. Out of 10 penalties, only half were scored - 3 to Liverpool 2 to Cardiff. A thrilling game finally led to Liverpool getting their much sought after silverware and Cardiff being extremely deserving runners up.

January.

Manchester City vs Manchester United

FA Cup 3rd Round.
Location: Etihad Stadium.
Match report.

As a United fan I was absolutely dreading this game. Thoughts of the humiliating 6-1 still lingered in my mind and I didn't fancy our chances away from home, against a side who constantly dominate even without a full strength side. The build up to the game was surrounded with speculation: would City thrash us again, or could United pull it out of the bag? I personally didn't fancy our chances. 

Not long before kick off, it was announced that United legend, Paul Scholes, would come out of retirement and return to the squad. Finally, we had some sort of solution to our questionable midfield - however was Scholes the answer? Yes he's a good player, but we need fresh legs and the stamina of youth. I'm still to pass judgement on his return. 

The match really was a tale of two halves. United managed to snatch an early lead through Wayne Rooney's 9th minute goal. However, Kompany's departure signalled the beginning of the end for Mancini's side. Cities captain was shown a red card in the 11th minute for a two-footed tackle on Luis Nani. The decision seemed quite harsh, and a yellow would have been more deserved, as this huge decision left the game somewhat tarnished. After constant pressure from United, Danny Welbeck scored the 2nd for the away side, leaving a 10 man City side disheartened, yet still determined. Sloppy play from United leads to two yellow cards in a matter of minutes for Welbeck and Nani. However the tide soon turns when City's Aleksandar Kolarov brings down Welbeck in the box and United are awarded a penalty. Rooney steps up to the spot and delivers a decent shot, which is saved by Costel Pantilimon, however he manages to get the rebound with a head to the ball.  The half comes to a close with United clearly on top and City appearing to unravel. I actually dared to dream of revenge for the dreaded 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford. 


The second half proves to be polar opposite to that of the first. United come out with a complacent attitude and City are clearly fired up - unwilling to lose at home against their greatest rivals. Within two minutes of being on the pitch Patrice Evra is booked for a foul on Micha Richards and City are awarded a free kick. Kolarov hits the target and City are now riled for a come back. The next 10 minutes prove to be pretty even between  the two sides, with United seeing slightly more action and attempts on goal. In the 58th minute Nani is replaced by Scholes and United fans wait in anticipation to see what the old legend can bring to the game. After only 6 minutes of Sholes being on the pitch, Sergio Aguero manages to find the bottom left hand corner; seconds after Anders Lindegaard makes a fantastic save from another of Aguero's oncoming shots. The pace of the game is now clearly with City, whose fans are urging them to bag an equalizer. After a nail-biting 25 minutes, United manage to cling to their lead and knock City out of the FA cup.


A game that promised to be full of drama did not disappoint. While United won the game, City managed to retain their pride, as they came back from 3-0 down with 10 men to hold their rivals to a nail biting finish. As a United fan, I was happy with the result, but not with the game. We somehow lost our momentum and didn't seize opportunities when they arose. Never turn your back on Manchester City, they have strength and determination that may not have won them this game, but will lead them to within touching distance of the Premier League title.