City crashed horribly on Humberside, paying the price for a weak first half performance and allowing a competitive Hull to go two goals ahead before Adebayor gave City a lifeline. It wasn’t enough as the third defeat of Mancini’s reign was undoubtedly the worst.
Archive for February, 2010
Player ratings: Hull City v Manchester City
7th February 2010
Given – No chance with the goals and the Irishman looked rightly furious with what was going on in front of him. 6
Bridge – Not the return we were hoping for. Wayne wasn’t up to speed aside from a shot at the end of the first half. 5
Preview: Hull City v Manchester City
5th February 2010
Roberto Mancini’s side take on a Hull City team buoyed from their midweek draw against Chelsea. The Tigers have been named as one of the ‘easy’ teams that Mancini is facing on his introduction to English football, but it’s worth bearing in mind that United are the only visiting team to have won at the KC Stadium since September.
Media watch: Guardian’s Daniel Taylor targets Garry Cook again
3rd February 2010
Following City’s failure to sign Fernando Gago, Madrid’s Jorge Valdano and the player’s agent have sought to point the finger of blame in City’s direction. At no point do they mention Garry Cook directly, yet it’s interesting to note how Daniel Taylor has ran another piece targetting the City chief executive.
Farce of McDonald Mariga’s work permit laid bare
2nd February 2010
It has come to light that McDonald Mariga has been granted a UK work permit afterall. In an effort to get the permit granted, the Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga claims to have held talks with “Gordon Brown’s office, the Africa Office, office of Culture and Sports, the Home office, the FA president Lord Treisman and to Mariga himself.”
Transfer assessment: Johnson signs but Mariga and Gago miss out
1st February 2010
The good news was the signing of Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough, who takes the number 11 shirt previously worn by Elano. The bad news was the failure to sign a central midfielder, which Roberto Mancini clearly felt we needed.
Verdict: Manchester City 2 Portsmouth 0
1st February 2010
A jaded performance wasn’t helped by an unlikely midfield formation, but City came through thanks to a quality of finishing that Portsmouth were unable to match. Emanual Adebayor struck a spectacular opener and Vincent Kompany followed shortly afterwards with a powerful header from a Martin Petrov corner.
Player ratings: Manchester City v Portsmouth
1st February 2010
Given – An uncharacteristic flap at a cross was his most notable contribution in a game where he was mostly dealing with back-passes. 6
Zabaleta – One of the few who didn’t look tired from Wednesday. Shame he wasn’t able to make it back on after a nasty knock on the nose. 6
