[Domains4u]

Man City : James, Sommeil, Onuoha, Distin, Thatcher, Sinclair, Barton, Reyna (Fowler 71), Jihai, Sibierski (Ireland 84), Vassell (Wright-Phillips 68).

Subs Not Used: Croft, Jordan.

Cautions: Sinclair, Jihai.

Goals: Sommeil 1, Barton 15 pen, Sibierski 40, Wright-Phillips 70.

Blues: Vaesen, Tebily (Forssell 23), Upson, Cunningham, Painter, Johnson, Butt, Clemence, Clapham, Pandiani (Jarosik 73), Dunn (Pennant 35).

Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Heskey.

Dismissal: Vaesen (90).

Cautions: Vaesen, Clemence.

Goals: Jarosik 76.

Att: 41,343
Ref: S Bennett (Kent).


Steve Bruce will hopefully apologise to the fan that suggested that last week's win was a good result in what was an ordinary performance. The side selected today was only ever going to get a 0-0 draw at best and when you go a goal down in 30 seconds after being lucky not to be already a goal down by then effort and 'getting a foot in' just won't cut it. The following 45 minutes was the worst display witnessed by this supporter since the days of Dave Mackay. The 3-0 lead held by a well under strength Manchester City side flattered Blues who could have been seven or eight adrift by the intermission.

From the kick off City broke through and a great save from Vaesen, as Vassell looked certain to score, was as good as it got for the Belgian. From the corner the ball landed at the feet of Vassell who slipped the ball to Sommeil and the full back side footed home unchallenged.

Butt after his lauding by manager Bruce last week went back to his mysteriously inept ways and chipped the ball over his own back four's heads into the path of Vassell. Fifteen yards from goal the ex Villa man actually clipped the ball further away from the goal when he could have walked the ball home.

By the fifth minute Blues were being cut apart and with no outlet up front were unable to relieve the pressure. Heskey apparently hadn't turned up because his wife had gone into labour. This is the kind of organisation that a Pub team would be ashamed of and it was reflected in the way Blues were performing.

City broke from one of Blues rare attacks and Vassell was put through a bemused Blues back line in the 14th minute. Vaesen came rushing out and felled him. The fact that he got away with a booking shows that there was less danger than the keeper thought and was victim of a rush of blood.

Joey Barton stepped up and scored with ease. Every cross or corner into the Blues box was now causing havoc and after 40 minutes a free kick from the left by Reyna was headed out of the hands of Vaesen into the net by Sibierski. This was a just one of a number of headed chances City had where Vaesen was nowhere to be seen. A combination of good luck and poor direction on the City forwards part kept the score down. Blues compounded their problems by giving the ball away continually.

By now Tebily had been removed and Forssell brought on. Again Bruce's support of his player's in admirable but the fan's and more significantly the opposition know that Olli is a massive weak link and its no accident that the right hand side is pressured at every opportunity.

If the fans welcomed that change then the next was greeted with incredulity. Dunn, who to be fair was not doing much, especially when shoved out to the right wing, was replaced by Pennant. Pennant's crosses are not utilised when the mighty Heskey is up front. Pandiani had made no contribution to that point, so what was going to change? Bruce himself stated that Dunn was in need of games yet takes his prize possession after 25 minute.

The second half was much the same with misplaced passes, long punts up field, and the surrender of possession. The visitors had looked as though they would concede a cricket score but the hosts looked as though they had declared. Their Boss was not going to stand idly by and allow that to happen. Pearce sent on Bradley Wright Phillips. A Sinclair right wing cross was headed down by Sibierski to the young striker who struck the ball past Vaesen from 20 yards. This is what a first touch should be. The goal came from a bit of pace on the right, a good cross, powerful centre forward play, and a good shot. Four things that Blues had not produced all evening singularly, let alone in combination.

Now four behind, the only player in the squad who has actually scored goals, Jarosik was brought on. His first touch saw him get to the bye line; pull the ball over where Butt fired home. The Blues revival was nipped in the bud however because the Assistant referee, quite incorrectly, ruled that the ball had crossed the line. Hopefully that kind of appalling decision will not occur when the score is 0-0 with 15 minutes to go!

Jarosik did get his rewards when he enthusiastically robbed a now disinterested City defence and fired a crisp left foot shot from 22 yards past the otherwise unemployed James. The Czech indulged in a little bit of badge kissing to show the fans that reports that he is not committed to the cause were unfounded.

There was more indignity to come when Vaesen chased a ball to the side of his box. The ball never left the area although the keeper's feet did. The Assistant referee flagged like a rail guard with epilepsy as he at last managed to get himself on the telly. He was in no position to judge the position of the ball and was wrong. Referee Bennett was unable to do anything but administer a second yellow card and consequently a red. Vaesen hopefully can find video evidence to show that he was hard done by. The 1000 Blues fans at the other end of the ground looking along the relevant pitch marking knew it wasn't out. Steve Bruce's will have mulled over a return for Maik Taylor for the next game but now his mind has been made for him..

Steve Clemence took over in goal and Blues now with ten men, managed to protect him such that he didn't touch the ball.

Blues now find themselves back in 19th place with a Christmas programme that only a turkey would be prefer to face. Tuesday's League cup quarter final against Manchester United should not be taken lightly. It offers the opportunity to make up for today's debacle and to reward those fans that continue to back the side and the manager. Patience however is wearing thin.

[ClaretAVFCBlue]

Ha Ha Ha!!!

[Daz]

Down with Steve Bruce

[THFCWoolley]

Tad old, but their in deep crap at the moment.

[THFCWoolley]

5-0 against Portsmouth, looking better. Sutton looks a good buy to be honest.