City Fans Want Best Performance For Christmas and New Year

Manchester City

Tweet Football - City fans have long associated the festive period with good cheer on the pitch as well as off it, with the Christmas and New Year’s Day fixtures generally producing good results.

Premier League - But are the Blues really one of the best teams in December and how well do we usually start the next calendar year?

The 4-1 win over Hull City on Tuesday started the month off in fine fashion and, the last 50 December matches in all competitions makes very pleasant reading.

For rounding up to a half-century purposes we’ll start with the last game of 2008 when City drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers at the Etihad. The 2009/10 season, City racked up five wins in seven matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding 10.

Manuel Pellegrini : Manchester City Must Put Their "difficult situation"

The 2010/11 season saw the Blues fair even better with six wins in eight matches; drawing one and losing one with 17 goals scored again and just five conceded.

Mario Goal

Of course, City secured a first title since 1968 in 2011/12, but, ironically, had a relatively poor December, winning four of seven matches with 12 goals scored and just four shipped.

The 2012/13 campaign didn’t produce a successful title defence, but City did reasonably well with five victories and one draw in nine attempts, scoring 14 goals and conceding 10.

Manchester City, campaign begins with a loss

The best December in recent memory came during City’s 2013/14 title triumph as Manuel Pellegrini’s side were in rampant form winning eight out of nine games and drawing the other.

With 26 goals registered and just 12 shipped by the City defence, it was a stellar month that laid the foundation for the two trophies secured in the months ahead.

Last season was yet another stunning final month of the year as the Blues swept all before them, winning eight and drawing one of the nine matches played.

Celebration

With 19 goals scored and just six conceded, it leaves City with some fairly stunning December facts and figures.

In fact, the last team to be the Blues in December was Sunderland, who secured a traditional 1-0 Stadium of Light victory on Boxing Day 2012 – meaning City have remained unbeaten in their last 19 fixtures played this month.

Overall, the last 50 games have therefore produced 36 victories, seven draws and seven losses with City scoring 117 goals in total and conceding 51 goals with New Year’s Day producing four wins out of five and Boxing Day has seen four wins out of six.

Premier League games have produced an impressive 96 points from a possible 126 with seven out of nine cup matches won.

So is December really a good month for the Blues? Judging by the above it has perhaps been the best month of all for the past six years.

Source : @mcfc.co.uk

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Manuel Pellegrini : Manchester City Must Put Their "difficult situation"

Manchester City

Tweet Football - City, who have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition, face the Italian champions looking for revenge following their 2-1 defeat to Juve at the Etihad in September

Champions League - Manchester City must put their "difficult situation" behind them and use Wednesday's clash against Juventus as a test of their UEFA Champions League-winning potential, according to their coach Manuel Pellegrini.

City, who have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition, face the Italian champions looking for revenge following their 2-1 defeat to Juve at the Etihad in September. But Pellegrini, who has a number of key players sidelined through injury, said the prospect of finishing top of Group D and avoiding a potentially difficult draw in the knockout phase is key to their hopes of going further in the competition this season.
 

Massimiliano Allegri : Juventus Consistent Progress Vs AC Milan
 

Barcelona proved a major obstacle for both City and Juventus last season, the Spanish giants ousting City 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout phase before outclassing Juventus in the final in Berlin. Avoiding the Catalans again would give City a boost and Pellegrini has called for a win on Wednesday that would both secure first place and test City's mettle against an established European side away from home.

"This year I think it's important to be at the top of the group, because it's a test for us tomorrow to try to win in a difficult stadium," Pellegrini told media in Turin on Tuesday. "And that would allow us to win the group."

He added: "It's important to try to avoid them (Barcelona). It's important for our club to at least reach one step more. It doesn't mean that if we finish top of the group, we're going to have an easy draw. It depends on a lot of different things. But if we can avoid important teams at this stage, then I think it's also important for our team."

City's injury crisis was described as a "difficult situation" by the Chilean manager, who saw his side dismantled 4-1 at home by Liverpool on Saturday. City centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany, as well as forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri are still sidelined through injury.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri watched City's performance and said the hosts would "try to capitalise on City's weak points". But Pellegrini was quick to stress he did not regard Saturday's display as "normal", and believes the pressure will be all on the hosts as they bid to secure their own last 16 ticket.

"I think that all managers want to try to find the weakest points of the other teams, I don't think you can take the game from Saturday as one of our normal performances," Pellegrini said. "Now it's a different competition, it's a different game. We're here to play against Juventus, to try to beat them at home, because I think we were very unlucky when we lost to Juve in our stadium.

"It was a close game, they won the game but we didn't deserve to lose that game. But at this moment we're qualified for the next stage and tomorrow they need to at least not lose to qualify. That is important than seeing what are the weakest points of both teams."

He added: "Juve has a very strong squad, they reached the final last year. They're not in their best moment domestically, but I'm sure we'll be up against a team that is determined to win the game. But I also hope we find a Manchester City that will fight to win this game. Beating Juventus here is a big test for the future of our team in the competition."

Source : fifa.com

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Manchester City U18 Extend Record Not Invincible

Tweet Football - Manchester City U18 Successfully Conquering Sunderland and extend its unbeaten run

Manchester City

Premier League - Jason Wilcox's side show they possess steel as well as skill to recover from a 2-0 deficit and turn the tables on their opponents to run out 4-2 winners, and thereby extend their unbeaten run to five games. 

With nine wins from the season's opening 14 games, City lie in second in the table staying in close touch with leaders Everton. 

The boss made a total of four changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Wolves last weekend. Daniel Grimshaw returned between the sticks, Marcus Wood was handed the captain's armband at the base of midfield while Lukas Nmecha and Will Patching, who have both been in flying form this term, earned another start apiece. 

Brahim Diaz and Isaac Buckley were given the task of supporting striker Nmecha from the wings. 

It was a strong side with a number of the starters already seeing action for the u19s and EDS this season, but the young Blues found themselves two goals down midway through the first half as the home side flew out of the blocks. 

However, City refused to let their heads drop and centre-back Charlie Oliver halved the deficit shortly before the break. 

The second half belonged to City and it was nothing less than the boys in blue deserved when Demeaco Duhaney popped up with the equaliser. 

Further goals from Lukas Nmecha and substitute Paolo Fernandes within just minutes of each other effectively ended the game as a contest and ensured City would be taking all three points back with them down the M1. 

Wilcox's young charges will be looking to build on their momentum when they host Blackburn Rovers at the CFA next Saturday. 

Source : mcfc.co.uk

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Sergio Aguero , performed very well in front of the goal Newcastle United

Sergio Aguero , Manchester City striker , performed very well in front of the goal Newcastle United he please register five goals in a 6-1 victory at Etihad Stadium

Sergio Aguero, Jesus Navas, the Etihad atmosphere and more discussion points from City's weekend win over Newcastle...
Navas effect
City’s jet-heeled winger has come off the bench to great effect in City’s last two games. Against Monchengladbach his introduction coincided with the fightback, and his impact against the Magpies was even more telling. The combined effect of his electric pace down the right, and Kevin De Bruyne’s seamless switch to the left flank, helped pulled Newcastle’s defence apart. Navas’ delivery for De Bruyne’s volleyed goal was perfection too.
The haul that had it all
Five goals in nine touches is ridiculous even by Sergio Aguero’s standards. The haul had it all – a header, left-foot, right-foot, a dinked finish, opportunism and a ferocious hit from distance. Manuel Pellegrini said afterwards he is confident City have got on top of Aguero's muscle injury problems. Hopefully that is the case – if the forward stays fully fit City have a chance against any opposition they might face.
Etihad atmosphere

The story of @mcfc's 6-1 win over @NUFC - set to music City Beats: http://t.co/rvxr3nyWTh #mcfc pic.twitter.com/1C6RJ61tCz

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 5, 2015

Almost 54,000 were packed inside a sell-out Etihad Stadium, and City's goal glut after the break had everyone of a Blue persuasion on a high. Goals will always provide a feel-good factor but everything is amplified with so many people behind the team. If the noise levels continue the Etihad Stadium will become a place to fear for visiting teams.

Hart foundation
Joe Hart’s save from Aleksandar Mitrovic with City trailing 1-0 was crucial. At the time Newcastle were on the up and at 2-0 the whole complexion of the game would have been different. Of course Aguero grabbed all the headlines with his five-goal display, the question is how many of those would have been scored without Hart’s early intervention?

Mind games
The difference in the game in the first and second halves shows the power of the mental side of the game. When Newcastle had something to fight for, they were impressive, snapping into tackles and threatening in attack. Once City’s second goal went in the visitors could not resist the tides of attack. Twice in a week City have recovered from a deficit to go on and win the game. That belief should stand them in good stead for sterner tasks to come.

Quote : www.mcfc.co.uk

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Manchester City, campaign begins with a loss

FT: City 1-2 juventust ends.  's  campaign begins with a loss. Full report and reaction to follow.
87. SAVE! The evergreen Buffon at his best yet again - this time to deny a curling @YayaToure effort. Still 2-1 to Juve here.  
Morata is replaced by Barzagli.  
CITY SUB: @aguerosergiokun comes on for @SamNasri19 for the final seven minutes. He's done it so many times before but can he save the day?
80. Goal for Juve. A fine effort from Morata beats Hart and the visitors take the lead. City 1-2 Juventus  
JUVE SUB: Goalscorer Mandžukić is replaced by Dybala.  
42 retweets 57 favorites
76. Under 15 minutes to go. Can City get themselves back in front here?    
49 retweets 55 favorites
MATCH SHOT: @YayaToure in action with Patrice Evra.    
CITY SUB: A debut for @Notamendi30 who comes on in place of @VincentKompany.    

FT: City 1-2 @juventusfc it ends. #mcfc's #UCL campaign begins with a loss. Full report and reaction to follow. pic.twitter.com/59aDl6tij8

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 15, 2015

CITY SUB: It's a home debut for @DeBruyneKev who replaces @sterling7 for the remaining twenty minutes.    
70. Goal for Juve. And it's Mandžukić who steers in to equalise. 1-1 now!  
69. @DeBruyneKev will be joining the action shortly. Who should he replace?  
Manchester City FC retweeted chelsea
Some say he's a defender. Some say he is a striker. All I know is... His name is Vincent Kompany 💙 
83 retweets 92 favorites
58. ALMOST TWO! @sterling7 set-up brilliantly by @21LVA but Buffon saves Juve again! Unbelievable stop!  

Officially given as an own goal off Chiellini, but it doesn't matter - City are 1-0 up here! Get in!!    
56. GOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! @VincentKompany!! 1-0!!  
52. Not much has changed in terms of the ebb and flow of the game so far in the second half. How would you swap things around? 
There are 50,363 inside the Etihad Stadium for tonight's game. Thank you for your support!    
MATCH SHOT: @Sagnaofficial challenges Alvaro Morata.    
45. Back under way at the Etihad with @juventusfc getting us under way. No changes at the break. Come on City!    
It was billed as Toure v Pogba but Fernandinho stealing the midfield show. So sharp in those last couple of yards when closing down.
Much like a bus from Juve, stalling our game. City chances were encouraging, just need to play the attacking game we always do. #cityview
fernandinho is our best player by far this match. need to up the tempo. #cityview  
Let's have your thoughts on the first 45 using #cityview now! What would you change? What has pleased you so far?    
HT: 0-0 at the break. @sterling7's early chance and @fernandinho's effort the closest we've come.  
44. Closing stages of the first half. No goals yet, but plenty of attacking intent. Thoughts as we approach the break?    
He's had a brilliant start to the season!    
@fernandinho has been our best player so far by a country mile   #CTID
fernandinho a whisker away from opening the scoring with a ferocious half volley! Did you think that was in?!  
Champions League ‏@ChampionsLeague 8h8 hours ago
A great atmosphere inside the City of Manchester Stadium. Plenty of attacking intent from both sides.
34. CHANCE! Brilliant low ball in from Kolarov but Bony can't arrive in time to finish. City upping the tempo now!  
32. CHANCE! @21LVA nips in and finds Bony. The Ivorian tricks his way into space but lashes at the eventual shot - well wide in the end.
30. We're a third of the way through. Still 0-0, but it's a finely poised clash so far. Who's edging it you reckon?    
@dlamb75 Sterling needs to get into more pockets of space to receive the ball and run!
Who'd you want to see on the ball more to get us up a gear?    
Far too slow from   so far. Need to up the intensity 
22. Fizzing shot from @fernandinho isn't too far away. You sense City have stepped up in the past few minutes. What do you think?  
MATCH SHOT: The line-up...      #ucl
15. City lifted as @21LVA and Bony combine and the Blues win a corner. Pretty even game so far, would you agree?  
Good result in the youth champions league! Good luck to the boys in the start of the new campaign! 
11. Pogba lurking at the back post and finishes well past Hart put no goal given... offside! Correct decision?  
10. The early @sterling7 chance and resulting save from Buffon the closest we've come to a goal as yet.
5. Pogba shapes up to hit a volley towards goal but @Sagnaofficial blocks well. What do you think to the start of this game?  
2. CHANCE! Huge save from Buffon to deny @sterling7 an early goal after @YayaToure's burst through.  
0. And we are off! @21LVA and Wilfried Bony get City's #UCL campaign under way!  

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Paul Pogba 'is the world's best players

Juventus match against Manchester City this evening, the legendary Juventus goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon gives a special assessment to his colleague, Paul Pogba. Buffon said that Pogba is one of the world's best players.

"Level Paul Pogba since a few seasons ago, he is someone who has the capacity of the best players in the world, and I said, including better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo," said Buffon as reported by Mirror (15/9)

Buffon revealed it after the rumors that some big European clubs including tonight's rivals, Manchester City want to bring players the Frenchman.

TodaySport.it Manchester City-Juve, la diretta: subito il salvataggio di Buffon TodaySport.it 2′. Errore clamoroso… http://t.co/HafW5oNxRK

— Urbain (@UrbainIDK) September 15, 2015

@bleacherreport.com

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba's performances last season put him alongside Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world, according to the Frenchman's club captain Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve claimed a domestic double in the 2014-15 term and surprised many by making it all the way to the Champions League final before losing to Barca.

Buffon believes Pogba put himself among the best in the game with his performances in the campaign, per the Mirror's David Anderson: "The level that Paul Pogba was playing at last season, there was nobody better in the world, and I include Messi and Ronaldo in that."

Buffon is the best keeper in the world

The Old Lady managed to keep hold of their star 22-year-old over the summer despite huge interest from elsewhere. The club reportedly turned down an €80 million (£58.6 million) bid for Pogba from Barcelona, per Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t ESPN FC).

Manager Massimiliano Allegri will hope the France international continues to perform from the centre of midfield where he was so vital last term.

A different type of player to Messi and Ronaldo, Pogba contributes both defensively and in attack.

His goalscoring contribution is nowhere near the level of the La Liga duo, per WhoScored.com. However, he is similarly valuable to his side.

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14 Top Players Manchester City Called the Country in Euro 2016 Qualifiers

Following his whirlwind move to the Ethiad, Kevin De Bruyne will join captain Vincent Kompany and loan ranger Jason Denayer for the Red Devils' qualifying matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus.

14 City players have jetted off for international duty but who's going where? ✈ Read: http://t.co/kaScQRN2qp #MCFC pic.twitter.com/TdLZYmrlCk

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 1, 2015

Belgium's ambition to win the top of Group B can be realized only if they win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the game to 7 Qualification Euro 2016, a match was held at Stade Roi Baudouin,

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