Leicester 2 – 2 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
10 Jan
Loyalty is something that varies from person to person. It can be a feeling deeply ingrained within for whatever reason or it can be ignored, left to the benevolence of others. But I’m proud to say that I am a Manchester City fan, not just for footballing reasons, but because I’m part of a group of people so loyal to their own that it can only be admired. As I stood in the away end yesterday, applauding Darius Vassell, singing the names of Sven Goran Eriksson and Roberto Mancini, and most poignantly, paying tribute to Neil Young, it struck me just how fortunate I am to be part of this select group.
It was always going to be an emotional day as thousands of fans at the game, and many others watching, paid tribute to former City star Neil Young, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Neil scored the only goal of the game as City defeated Leicester in the 1969 FA Cup final, a game in which we wore the red and black strip. As a result, City fans who made a donation to charity received a red and black scarf and it was fantastic to see just how many supporters, along with Roberto Mancini, proudly displayed them during the game.
The game itself was what could be described as a typical FA Cup third round tie in which the underdogs takes an early lead, only to be pegged back by the pre-match favourites, who take the lead before conceding a late goal to leave the match ending in a draw. And truth be told, a draw was probably the fair result although City especially could have done without the extra match next week.
A goal within the first minute from new Leicester signing Sol Bamba wasn’t amongst Mancini’s script and it gave the home side a huge confidence boost and added belief to their endeavours. It resulted from lacklustre City defending at a set-piece, a theme which unfortunately ran throughout the game and is something we need to address as a matter of urgency. On a side note, I was very disappointed with the Leicester fans who missed the perfect opportunity of a song towards Bamba. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK2HANwsUWg
As the Blues, playing in their third choice white kit with black and red slash in order to pay a further tribute to Young, recovered from that early blow, it was evident that the pitch was prohibitive and that our passing game would not be able to function as normal. A sloppy start could be blamed on the pitch but James Milner made all those worries disappear with a beautifully taken goal, receiving the ball from Carlos Tévez before striding forward and coolly slotting home with his left foot. It was the midfielder’s first goal for City and was indicative of Milner’s display, which was far superior to any of his teammates.
Joe Hart was keeping the Blues in the game with a string of fine saves as the home side exploited superbly our lack of authority in the air. At the end of every set-piece was a Leicester player and on the ground, Vassell was causing problems with his pace. But the crucial third goal – City’s second, came at just the right time, moments before half-time. Milner was again the catalyst and this time Tévez was the beneficiary as he notched yet another goal, this time from close range.
Any thoughts that the home side may crumble were immediately banished after the break as Leicester came out with renewed purpose. They lacked a cutting edge to finish off their attacks but Joe Hart kindly gave them the equaliser on a plate. In a rare error from England’s number one, he spilled a routine cross at the feet of King who openly received the gift and sent the home fans into delirium. It was nothing more than they deserved and everything will have to be repeated back at Eastlands next week. Sven will return to his former stomping ground and is sure to receive a fantastic reception, although City’s loyalty to the Swede may not extend too far if he comes back to haunt us.
Very good summary, thought Leicester played really well. However, I couldn’t help but laugh at the line : ‘Vassell was causing problems with his pace.’ Haha, that cracks me up!!
Boating and Kolarov are very slow. I think Boating should be more suited as Center back. Nedum Onuoha should be able to do a decent job on the right back (he is doing well in Sunderland). With the money paid for Kolarov, he should be performing much better.
On a side note, I wish Mancini would give Micheal Johnson a chance. I am absolutely positive that he will do a much better job than JO as a striker (even though he is a mid-fielder).
Good write up,to the comment by brownie Vassel was to quick for all your defenders.
Brownie,you must be a Happy man if one of the opposition players makes you laugh by being to quick for your defenders.
Russ, Browny is unfortunately a Stockport fan. I bet he wishes he could watch the quality of Vassell every week!
I had a feeling this game was going to bite us on the arse one way or another, like the feeling I get before we play Everton. Look at the ingredients; you’ve got Sven and Vassel for starters, not to mention that the fact that Leicester are good at home under Sven, and play on a really crappy pitch. Then you’ve got that we’d been given the runaround by Arsenal only 4 days earlier and this was also our 5th game in 2 weeks and 7th game in 3 weeks. Full credit to Leicester though, they pushed us all the way and deserve the replay due to us just not coming out for the second half. I am hoping with a full 5 day gap between this game and the one at home to Wolves on Saturday, the players can recharge their batteries and get it together again.
Hate to break it to you but the Man City fans were a disappointment, they only perked up for about 15 minutes at the end of the first half and for the rest were almost silent.
Afraid that’s totally wrong. I was there along with thousands of others and we were fantastic. Brilliant before the game, understandably quiet after your first goal, but after that, were as noisy as ever.
I was the at game too and if you thought we were bad then leicester didnt turn up. The only chant I heard from the home section was …… oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you’re s***, ahhhhhhhhhh when taking a goal kick…..how original!
Clearly jealous of the Poznan dance….stuff Leicester could only dream of.
City fans are some of the ebst about and we stopped singing briefly after the first minute, but after that we really got going, it was a cracking atmosphere. If we were not chanting we were calling for the substitution of Jo….
p.s Browny, Vassell has not lost any of his pace!
Major thanks for the blog.Really thank you! Much obliged.