MAN CITY 3 – 2 Spurs – MY THOUGHTS
23 Jan
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A quite remarkable end to a game that began slowly, erupted in the middle and flew off the scale in a dramatic conclusion. It had been billed as a hugely entertaining affair between two sides who have played some exquisite football this season and the ending, complete with a stamp to the head, an embarrassing miss and a 95th minute penalty, provided enough talking points to last the rest of the year.
Mario Balotelli has been charged by the FA, retrospectively, for violent conduct towards Scott Parker, but his composure and immense bottle to casually slot home the penalty should not be overlooked. It was a goal that secured three valuable points for the Blues and, in the process, reduced Spurs’ chances of winning the Premier League drastically. With Manchester United defeating Arsenal later in the day, our lead remains just three, but hopefully this victory should give us plenty of confidence as we head towards some easier looking fixtures.
There are so many elements that can be picked up on from the match, but there is no other place to start than focusing on Balotelli and his action-packed substitute appearance. Replacing the below-par Edin Dzeko, he came on looking to add that extra edge to our attack, someone capable of producing the unexpected. One of his defining moments was the stamp on Parker, something that Howard Webb, the referee, didn’t see, but was picked up on, and shown time and time again, by television.
Although nothing can be proven with 100% accuracy, it certainly looked to me as if Balotelli meant it and my view is that he has been rightly charged. A four match ban is inevitable (meaning he will miss matches against Liverpool, Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa) and he really needs to cut out this petulant and impulsive streak from his game. Many Blues have defended him, stating he was off balance, but as far as I’m concerned, it ought to have been a red.
However, fortunately for us, he stayed on the pitch and he was the man whose touch and strength won the vital penalty. Fouled by Ledley King, he demanded the ball to take the spotkick and showed an incredible amount of self-belief and bottle to score. It was his usual nonchalant stroll before sidefooting it past Brad Friedel. For someone so young, he displayed great composure at such a significant moment and he secured the victory.
Of course, there was much more to this game than just Mario, and one other player on the receiving end of some criticism has been Stefan Savic. Since replacing the suspended Vincent Kompany he’s made a few mistakes, but for the first hour yesterday, I thought he was assured, composed in possession and very impressive. Unfortunately, his poor positioning and misjudged header than allowed Jermain Defoe in to score and his confidence was then shot. He became nervy, unsure of himself and he was often five yards deeper than the rest of the defence.
Many fans have got on his back and are stating he will never be good enough, but it’s remembering he’s our fourth choice centre-back, signed very much for the future and I believe he’s shown enough promise and potential to persevere with. He’s by no means the finished article, but given a couple of seasons, he may well turn out to be a fantastic addition.
On a more positive note, I thought both James Milner and Gareth Barry in the centre of midfield were superb and really raised their game. Faced by Scott Parker and Luka Modric, our duo were outstanding in their tackling, disciplined positionally and very assured in their passing. Milner’s phenomenal workrate is now recognised as the norm but he produced one magnificent covering run and tackle to deny Gareth Bale that really stood out. Both Milner and Barry have been hugely impressive this season and yesterday they were the perfect foil for Silva, Nasri and Aguero.
Opposition View: Spurs will justifiably feel they deserved a point, but with Bale and Defoe combining to waste a glorious chance in injury time, they then showed a lack of character, perhaps, by conceding so late. They did well to come from two down but only showed a glimpse of what they are capable of for a period of around twenty minutes in the second half. They had plenty of possession but didn’t often do a great deal with it. Joe Hart picked the ball out of his net twice, yet didn’t have a save to make. I would have thought their title dreams are over, but they ought to comfortably secure Champions League football for next season.
As for City, we now travel to Anfield on Wednesday in the Carling Cup, before another trip to Merseyside at the weekend to face Everton. Hopefully, this last-gasp win should give us a psychological boost in our bid for the title.
I am at least entertaining the thought that he was off balance and did not mean to do it……As for Savic i don’t know if it is true or not but i read that he was complaining about not getting game time and looking at the option of a way out. On this evidence he would want to keep such thoughts to himself and keep his head down and work harder…….Hard luck Spurs, thought did very well in the second half coming back from 2 down, but we dserved a bit of luck finally.
You can not hand in 4 match ban based on what may look to some as intentional and to some as not intentional. He got charged by FA due to excessive media focus and the drama made by that grand-thief, pig-faced son of … Harry Redknapp who has taken every opportunity to take a jab at City.
It was unbelievable that how many times TV replayed the scene over and over again.
With all said, super-Mario should know better that he has become so much the center of attention that he find himself at the wrong end of judgment by referees and alike. Hence, he needs to play a bit smarter.
I ,for one, am behind him 100% and the egg he put on Harry , the thief, ‘s face is worth the 4 match ban to me.
“He got charged by FA due to excessive media focus”
Wrong. He was charged because Webb stated he didn’t see the incident, reviewed the tape, and said he would have sent off the whack-job if he had seen it.
“It was unbelievable that how many times TV replayed the scene over and over again.”
It was replayed because it was a major event in the match and Webb missing it arguably cost Spurs points. Don’t mean to single you out because all teams have this element, but it cracks me up when a supporter wants to gloss over an indefensible incident committed by their players as the fault of those reporting the event.
>>it cracks me up when a supporter wants to gloss over an indefensible incident
And who decides it was indefensible! The grand thief Harry Redknapp!. How about Lescott, and can you smart Aleck tell me what is your yard stick that can prove Lescott’s incident was unintentional and Ballotelli’s incident is intentional.
Slowly now. It was indefensible because he kicked a fellow professional in the head. Or do you think that sort of behavior is fine as long as a City player dishes out the kicks?
Idiot !!! After seeing that incident once, you can honestly tell me that Ballotelli was off balance! Take of those blue tinted sunglasses off and show me one neutral football supporter who thought that was an accident. I have never minded Man City because they have been through a lot but I hope with all my heart that you do not win the title this season. May it all blow up in your faces !! then you lot can all turn around and jump up and down facing the back of the stadium as it will be far better than looking at what is happening on the pitch. Moron !!
You still beat around the bush on what makes Lesscot elbowing Kabul on the Jaw a non-violent and non-punishable by FA beyond reasonable doubt and Ballotelli’s kick the opposite?
@ Siamack: OK, I’m not sure I get the distinction you are making, as both actions were pretty cowardly assaults. So my answer would be the incidents were equally bad, but Webb gave the England player a break and rung up Mario. English players getting a pass on such actions can’t be that surprising to you.
As I said I do not judge the intention of the play erso I am not saying he did it on purpose or he did not. I have issue only with 4 match ban not because Balloteli deserves it or not but because a lot of players have gotten away with similar offenses. That is why I believe it was the media attention that led to Ballteli ‘s ban. Lescott falls in the same category much like Liverpool’s Johnson two footed tackle that was the same as Komapany. But he got away with it and Kompany got a 4 match ban and a red card. There needs to be a rule that applies to all the same.
Unlike the author of this piece, who has written a balanced appraisal of the game, you, my friend, are a myopic cretin.
I refer to Siamick, of course, not SSG.
As a loyal Spurs fan I commend your report on this game. The stamp to Parker’s head was blatant and I don’t know how it could be defended. It was there for all to see.
It was a great game despite the drab first half but there were some great players on show. I thought Spurs players Modric and Walker had poor games considering how good they usutally are and even Bale didn’t come alive until the second half. I also felt sorry for Defoe playing as a loan striker but att things considered he played quite well.
As for Man City Aguero and Silva were brilliant and Nasri took his goal very well. As for Lecott’s goal I think we gifted you that one with some poor marking.
Spurs and Man City always seem to come together for the big matches and have had some great games over the years and long may it continue.
Seemed to me that having accidentally trod on Parker’s hand when knocked off balance, Balotelli made the normal human reaction to move his weight off as quickly as possible by hopping off on his left foot. Try it and you will find that you can’t avoid the right foot coming back. Whilst contact was clearly made with Parker if anything is was the back studs that hit Parker’s forehead (plenty of photos showing Parker holding his forehead) – in my opinion hardly a Stamp or kick on the head as widely reported. Note that the match of the day commentator referred to it as an accident when seen in real time. I also wonder if Harry Rednapp was on his feet protesting at this stage, or waited until the incident was drawn to his attention later by the media interested in another Balotelli story.
Why is so impossible for some supporters of a given team to admit it when their player does something wrong? “The Saurez incident was a ManU conspiracy.” “John Terry only repeated Anton’s accusation back to him.” At Spurs, our own legendary Ledley got pissed at a club and kicked up a fuss a couple of years ago and some fans were defending this as a misunderstanding.
News Flash: Mario is an immature ass. He lashes out. It isn’t the 1st time and he will likely do it again. It isn’t disloyal to your colors to admit this, your CSI-like analysis notwithstanding.
A very honest and true picture of the match a match like to cage fighters checking each other out. Then feelingly cocky and start trading Punches with each other Nasri Knock down followed by Defoe open punch and Bale;s Rocket and then slip on the wet canvas and its a last over in seconds defeat.
The result which could have gone either way second half and on this occassion it went to Citeh. i was genuinely shocked by the Balotelli incident, all other permutations are irrelavant. I doubt Dzeko will miss the target so often again. like the FA Cup replay someone had to win and on Sunday it was Citeh. I hope Mancini can iron the boy out he is indoubtedly talented.
I can’t believe how many so called fans are acting as judge and jury and condemning the man before he is even found guilty! My god, whatever happened to democracy and the right to innocence until proven guilty? Both the FA and Referees in general have already been proven incompetent and lacking in any consistency this season, yet almost everyone is content to bay for Mario’s blood!! In China the law is that you are guilty of a crime until you can prove your innocence, but this isn’t China (thank your lucky stars all of you), and here (both the UK and the US) the law states that you must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I don’t think any fair-minded person can say that there is not a reasonable doubt in this case, since the lad was falling, and had a push in the back from a Spurs player at the same time (very few seem to have noticed that!).
If anything I would say this is just a case of a very weak organization (the FA) trying to jump on the bandwagon in an attempt to make themselves look good and redress the balance on some of the major gaffes and double-standards they have shown to date, oh and it really helps that it is a City player too, because anything that helps the cause of the ‘old guard’ is a bonus!
Go home you bitter twat. City dominated the opening 65minutes. Spurs had a 15-20minute run where they dominated which was purely to a defensive blunder. Balotelli should have been sent off yes, the ref didn’t see it(understandably) and so it has gone to the fa and he will be suspended accordingly. We have had our share of bad luck moments too. It was a good game. Accept it as that and stop being bitter.
Nice spin. City dominated their way to a 0-0 at the half. Great pass for Nasri’s goal, but was not Lescott’s goal down “to a defensive blunder”? Or are City goals all brilliant, but opposition goals just luck?
Did you actually watch the game Kiwi blue. You may have been sitting up all night in New Zealand and may just have dozed off for an hour or so !! Stick to watching rugby, a game you understand !! Twat
Excuse me, this is a family blog. Language like that isn’t tolerated here.
And as for your suggestion that New Zealanders do not understand football, take a look at the world cup in South Africa, they came away from that tournament with a hell of a lot more respect than England did (and performed much better than England too).
Well said, you all should tone down the hostility of your comments.
You City fans make me laugh. Haven’t you seen enough evidence of Mental Mario’s psyche to know that he is a loose-cannon capable of petulant and, on certain occasions, violent behaviour? What Balotelli did was deliberate and anyone who says otherwise is either ocularly challenged or biased beyond belief. If you look at the incident properly what really exposes Balotelli’s guilt is the pathetic way he falls, or rather dives, to the ground afterwards as though that is going to admonish him of any guilt.
I present exhibit A: http://i41.tinypic.com/1417a86.jpg
Hugely entertaining banter from the Manc and Mansion Massives but as Freud would have said “we are where we are and that’s that”.
I got it wrong with my advocacy of DJ and concede that Milner and Barry were excellent. I agree with our host that our Montenegran Mucka needs patience. I recall St. Vinny and Gael combining to create a similar cockup vs. our neighbours that gifted a goal and look where they’ve taken us now.
Perhaps a Ballo-ban may not be the end of the world. It will allow the gaffer to use the window to bring in a top class west end choreographer to stop Kun and Edin getting in each others way.
The amount of bias I’ve seen in the media towards Spuds before and after the game has been honestly ridiculous. They apparently dominated the game though the statistics tell a different story, their comeback was not ‘stirring’ but opportunistic and the result of one mistake and one great finish, other than that Spurs had very few chances in the whole game.
What’s even worse is the thought that the jowly cretin Redknapp is indulged by the media and praised for saying anything even remotely resembling words (and often it is very remote). How this moron is taken seriously when passing judgment on any situation is beyond me, let’s not forget, he will soon be convicted as the criminal he is. But don’t worry England, he’s still our saviour! My a*se!
Tomalex …Mmmmmm Lescotts goal was top banana eh..we were away from home with a lone striker.The penalty wasnt from ledley Kings error no…. fakwit .How would you expect us to play.
WTF happened to all the rational Citeh fans (the author of the piece accepted).
If we ever get the sustained success Citeh will i hope it doesnt make me paranoid and blind.
I hate it when managers critcise the officials and I hate it even more when they claim they weren’t looking at the time, like Platt. I wish the reporters would have a go at them too on the interviews. In truth, we should have beaten Wolves and Defoe should have scored – reminded me of Gazza’s miss during the World Cup???
I wish it was like the cricket and each team had a couple of chances to review a decision with the 3rd or 4th ‘umpire.’
When you win in the last minute it’s better than sex but when you lose the same way….. and it hurts even more when the scorer could have been sent off.
We are all hypocrites I guess.
You seem to have missed my point. How city scored their goals is irrelevant since I was explicitly referring to the media reaction to spurs’ comeback, which wasn’t as the result of a concerted period of pressure or impressive team play, but the result of a simple error and a fine long-range effort.
The fact is spurs are seen as the saviours of english football and my point is that this is simply unjustified. I would accept the reaction if spurs had been the better team on Sunday but they simply were not and the acclaim they seem to receive through performances good or bad is far more than the team, and in particular Redknapp, deserve.
And for god’s sake learn to spell, reading accepted instead of excepted time after time becomes quite nauseating.
Tomalex ..we are not the media..and in this I can at least agree the amount of gravy train bone idol tossers that pass as journalists will be greasing the Citeh and THFC pole just in case…in that you are correct.