View From A Blue

Eleven days ago, following the home draw with Sunderland, I concluded my review by describing how in a week, we have gone from favourites to no-hopers and that our chances of reclaiming the Premier League title were over. Our ambitions of silverware, knocked in dramatic, stinging fashion by Liverpool just days earlier had seemingly taken one blow [...]

It’s over. A season’s efforts, hopes and ambitions of reclaiming the Premier League title are over and rather than a spirited fightback, epitomising the togetherness shown in adversity two years ago, it all ended in a worryingly flat manner. Instead of battle, bottle and character, we witnessed limp lethargy and a startling absence of desire. [...]

It’s the hope that kills you. Not for a long time have I walked away from a stadium feeling so empty, so drained, so deflated. This wasn’t just a loss, nor merely one in an important game, but it was a loss that felt crushing. The title race is now out of our hands, our destiny [...]

A fair point, a good point and a potentially crucial point but a point tinged with disappointment. Chelsea’s defeat earlier in the day and City’s fluent, incisive first-half performance both contributed to a feeling of slight frustration come the final whistle. This was an opportunity to establish an advantage over our title-chasing rivals and for periods [...]

Nerves are always prevalent in a derby. It’s only natural that a certain notion of anxiety and tension creep into the mindsets of supporters. And so, before yesterday’s game, there was an element of fear. All those feelings of dread and worry, however, were to underestimate just how slick and professional a side City are these [...]