Tuesday 29 September 2009

What price City?

So, we are six games in and Manchester City's season is well underway. Can we make a judgement about them yet?

City sit in fifth place in the Premier League with five wins out of six games - their only blemish being the late-goal defeat at Manchester United. However, they have a game in hand on leaders United and second-placed Chelsea, both three points ahead. Interesting.

The latest City adventure was last night's 3-1 win over West Ham at Eastlands (City of Manchester Stadium sounds so much better, doesn't it?). It was a pretty good game with lots of efforts on goal (City's 12 to West Ham's 8) with 12 of the 20 efforts being on target - a very high ratio - meaning there was plenty to do for goalkeepers Green (West Ham) and Given.

Strangely, West Ham had 55 per cent of the possession, but for the most part City looked in control of the game. There was only really a period after West Ham had equalised and then for ten minutes after half-time when the visitors mere on top.

Despite the win, and the general feeling that City were the better side, they are not the finished article. A top four finish is a possibility, but the title looks a step too far. And no surprise really. It has been difficult for City boss Mark Hughes to attract the really top quality players without being able to offer Champions League - or even Europa League - football.

if they can squeeze into the top four this season and offer Champions League football in 2010-11, things could get really interesting!

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