Official bollox round up from City
Perhaps the nation’s journalists are still in the festive spirit as City have been given a relatively easy in today’s newspapers.
As you would expect, City’s title aspirations are put in doubt in the few write-ups out there after the champions’ second Premier League defeat of the season which left them seven points behind Manchester United.
“Manchester City's afternoon finished with Joleon Lescott at centre forward, Joe Hart pitching up for two added-time corners and City coach Brian Kidd on the touchline,” writes Michael Walker in The Sun.
“All are signs of tension, and yesterday, not good signs.
“As City pushed in vain for an equaliser, Kidd will have heard the comeback news from Old Trafford with familiar bewilderment. Everyone did. Then the final whistle blew and Roberto Mancini stood apart, literally, with a thousand-yard stare and a seven-point deficit. There had been no release.”
Soccer Saturday’s Tony Cottee preferred to concentrate on Sunderland’s magnificent rear-guard action in his round-up from the Stadium of Light.
"There was a foul, in my opinion, in the build-up to Sunderland's goal when Craig Gardner clattered into Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart was deceived by Adam Johnson's strike, too; he was expecting a cross and not a near post-shot and the ball squirmed underneath him,” said the former West Ham man.
"But Sunderland were tactically superb; they defended well and looked very dangerous on the break, and Johnson, James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon were excellent."
Elsewhere, the transfer window re-opens in just under a week but one man who won’t be making his way to the Etihad Stadium is Santos forward Neymar – that’s according to the Daily Mail.
“Neymar has dashed the hopes of Europe's elite by insisting he will not leave Santos in the January transfer window,” writes Rik Sharma.
The 20-year-old has been linked with Barclays Premier League sides Manchester City and Chelsea and Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
But the Brazil star says he is happy at Santos and that it is not the right time to leave.
“I am happy at Santos, with my family, son, friends, so it's not the moment to leave,” said Neymar.
“That moment will come because I have the dream of playing in Europe since I was a kid, but that moment hasn't come yet.”
Roberto Mancini slams 'soft' Manchester City
Roberto Mancini accused his Manchester City players of being too soft after seeing them slip seven points behind leaders Manchester United with defeat at "lucky" Sunderland.
City went down by the only goal for the third successive season at the Stadium of Light, while their neighbours came from behind three times to defeat Newcastle 4-3 at Old Trafford to extend their lead at the top.
Mancini insisted his men had only themselves to blame after not making the most of the chances they created before succumbing to former team-mate Adam Johnson's 53rd-minute strike.
Mancini said: "We deserved to win this game. We had a lot of chances, we played well, but we didn't score.
"This is our problem, we don't score, we don't score enough goals to win the game.
"Last year, we scored one, two, three goals every game. Now when we have chances, we are too soft and this is not good.
"We are too soft in attack, too soft when we have chances, too soft when we shoot. Sometimes we don't shoot, we want to have one touch more. This is not good."
The Black Cats, who took four points from City last season and were the only side to leave the Etihad Stadium with something to show for their efforts, defended resolutely to ensure Johnson's contribution was decisive, but Mancini was less than gracious in his assessment of the game.
He said: "I think they [Sunderland] are really lucky against us at home because you can't create every time 15, 20 chances like this year, last year, two years ago and in the end, you lose the game.
"They are very lucky against us. They defend well, but we need to be stronger when we have a chance to score."
The game was settled by Johnson's second-half effort, but it was one which left Mancini with more than one cause for complaint.
Both he and Pablo Zabaleta were convinced City should have been awarded a free-kick for Craig Gardner's challenge on the full-back during the build-up, although referee Kevin Friend did not agree.
Sunderland played on and when Carlos Cuellar fed the ball out to Johnson, he cut inside before blasting a long-range shot past keeper Joe Hart, who was caught flat-footed and allowed the ball to squirm past him.
Johnson initially thought his former team-mate had kept his effort out, but his joy was unbridled as it dawned on him that the ball had indeed ended up in the back of the net.
Mancini, who absolved Hart of blame for the goal, was scathing when asked for his view of the official's decision to allow play to continue.
He said: "The referee ate too much for Christmas. He was not in good form. He and the linesman, I think, after Christmas, it can happen to have a bad performance like today."
City had earlier hit the bar through skipper Vincent Kompany and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to make three fine saves from Yaya Toure, David Silva and later Sergio Aguero as the Blues launched a late, but ultimately unsuccessful fightback.MuEN
Best yet for Sunderland ace Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson labelled Sunderland’s deja vu victory over Manchester City as the highlight of his Black Cats career so far after grabbing the winner against his former employers.
Johnson’s second-half strike against the Premier League champions left the Stadium of Light rocking after Martin O’Neill’s men secured a 1-0 victory over City for the second successive season.
The Easington-born winger has taken his time to settle on Wearside since his £10m summer move from the Etihad Stadium.
But Johnson revelled in his match-winning contribution yesterday as Sunderland secured back-to-back wins for the first time since March to move seven points clear of the relegation zone and leapfrog rivals Newcastle United.
Johnson told the Gazette: “Without a doubt, that’s the highlight... although there haven’t too many so far, to be honest!
“But from the team’s point of view and for who we’ve just beaten and everything that goes with it regarding me, it was definitely the highlight.
“The crowd were so loud from the very start. We pressed and got them behind us and that’s what we need to do here.
“We need to show the fight we showed yesterday.
“It’s important anytime to get three points, but it just makes it a little better with the opposition.”
Johnson, who scored for City at the Stadium of Light in March 2010, thought England keeper Joe Hart had saved his long-range effort eight minutes into the second half.
But Hart couldn’t keep it out after Johnson noticed that the City keeper had left his near post unguarded.
“Harty is probably the best keeper in the world and I’ve seen him save them many a time,” said the 25-year-old.
“I cut inside and saw Harty leaning towards the far post.
“I thought he’d saved it and it had gone around the side of the post rather than in the net. I couldn’t see the ball because he was covering it.
“But when the crowd cheered, I knew it was in. It all happened so quick.
“It’s crazy how football works. I scored the equaliser for City at the Stadium of Light three years ago and now to score the winner for Sunderland against City was in the script I suppose.”
City, who forced several impressive saves out of Simon Mignolet in the opening 15 minutes, piled on the pressure after Johnson’s goal, yet it was Sunderland who had the better opportunities to add to the scoreline.
Johnson added: “We could have scored more goals.
“There were times towards the end where we defended for our lives.
“But that’s what you’ve got to do in the Premier League, no matter who it’s against.
“Whoever City are playing, they going to have chances and create things with the players they’ve got.
“I know Simon made a couple of great saves, but we gave them as good as they gave us.
“We’re delighted to get the win and the lads deserve a lot of credit.”
Samir Nasri's agent claims the midfielder feels 'isolated' at Manchester City
Samir Nasri has been left feeling 'isolated' at Manchester City in the wake of derby day criticism aimed in his direction.
Nasri was considered to be at fault for Manchester United's late winner at the Etihad Stadium on 9 December, with a Robin van Persie free-kick deflecting off the Frenchman and past Joe Hart.
City boss Roberto Mancini was openly critical of Nasri in the aftermath of the game, with it felt that the former Arsenal man could have done more to block the winning strike.
He was selected for a victory over Newcastle the following week, but is currently sidelined with a groin injury which looks set to keep him out until the New Year.
It remains to be seen whether Nasri will be drafted straight back into Mancini's plans when fully fit, with his representative revealing that the 25-year-old still feels hard done by.
Jean-Pierre Bernes said: "He's a bit isolated, internally, even though he is a solid man.
"I think that, effectively, he has feelings of inner suffering with regards to that incident (against United) because it was not fair.
"I think you have to be fair in life, you shouldn't be excessive."
VIDEO: Manchester City's incredible Premier League title Bollox
Match of the Day commentator Guy Mowbray relives the match that saw Manchester City crowned 2011/12 Premier League champions in just about the most dramatic way possible.
City needed to beat relegation-threatened QPR at home to win the league and deny neighbours Manchester United the biggest prize in English football.
But despite taking the lead just before half-time, City's route to a first top-flight title for 44 years was far from straightforward, with Mowbray describing the game as the most dramatic he has ever covered.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20796290
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +7 GD +2
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[/spoiler]Settled Neymar frustrates Man City and Chelsea by insisting he's happy at Santos
Neymar has dashed the hopes of Europe's elite by insisting he will not leave Santos in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old has been linked with Barclays Premier League sides Manchester City and Chelsea and Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
But the Brazil star says he is happy at Santos and that it is not the right time to leave.
He told TV Bandeirantes: 'I am happy at Santos, with my family, son, friends, so it's not the moment to leave.
'That moment will come because I have the dream of playing in Europe since I was a kid, but that moment hasn't come yet.
'Today, I don't see myself playing for any other team [than Santos].'
Last week Man City's director of football Txiki Begiristain flew to South America to discuss a possible move for the Brazil international.
Neymar enjoys playing for his country and some believe he will not leave Santos until after the 2014 World Cup, which is being hosted in his country.
In summer 2013 Brazil participate in the Confederation Cup and he is determined to make an impact.
'I would be lying if I said I am not thinking about the Confederations Cup,' he explained.
'I had two opportunities to play competitions for the national team, one in the Olympics and another in the Copa America, and I feel I am even more prepared now.
'I am very eager and I hope I will do a good job so we can win the title.'
Frank Lampard has been told that his Chelsea career is over and that he can find a new team in the January transfer window. The 34-year-old midfielder was informed of the news before scoring in Sunday's 8-0 win over Aston Villa - his 500th Premier League start.The Sun
Chelsea are ready to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to sign Barcelona striker David Villa. The Blues' interim boss Rafa Benitez is planning a £12m deal for the 31-year-old who cost the Spanish giants £33m in 2010 but who has made just a handful of first-team starts in the current campaign after suffering a broken leg last season.
David Villa's future at Barcelona is uncertain. Daily Mirror
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is set to make the first move to sign Newcastle striker Demba Ba when the transfer window reopens. Club chairman Tony Fernandes is so keen to sign the 27-year-old Senegal striker that he is prepared to build a clause into any deal to allow Ba to leave for a minimal fee if he joins the Loftus Road club and they are subsequently relegated. Daily Mirror
Chelsea captain John Terry will not be offered a new contract by club owner Roman Abramovich with the Russian still angry at the 32-year-old for failing to back former boss Andre Villas-Boas. Daily Star
Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland, 19, is set to leave the club in January after their latest takeover talks stalled. The £6m-rated England international, who has caught the eye of Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City and Southampton, may be sold to keep the Blues from going into administration. The Sun
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand faces an agonising decision on his Old Trafford future in the new year. The 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer and will have talks after Christmas with manager Alex Ferguson over the possibility of an extension. Daily Express
David Villa is not leaving Barcelona despite a renewed interest shown by English club Arsenal. Marca
Eric Abidal's return to football is getting closer and closer but the player is not looking at leaving Barcelona. The defender admits that he has received offers from Paris Saint-Germain but says his family is happy in Barcelona. Marca
A little more than two weeks after leaving Lille, goalkeeper Mickael Landreau has decided to join Bastia until the end of the season. He will be presented at the club on 31 December. L'Equipe
Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling says he will not be tempted to reject England after winning his first non-competitive cap last month, despite being courted by the country of his birth, Jamaica. DSSC
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has laughed off reports linking him with a loan move for Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa, 31. DSSC
Reading's £3m move for defender Stopilla Sonzu, 23, is on hold after he was named in Zambia's African Nations Cup squad. The Sun
Napoli have turned down an offer of £45m for Uruguayan striker Edison Cavani who has been linked with Chelsea, Manchester city, Liverpool and Arsenal. Times
Liverpool could be set to bid for Wigan striker Franco Di Santo, 23, in the January transfer window. Reds manager Brendan Rodgers worked with the Argentine at Chelsea. Daily Mirror
Newcastle striker Demba Ba, 27, has admitted he would like to play for boyhood idols Paris St-Germain. The Senegalese player is being tracked by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and QPR. Metro
Reading's billionaire owner Anton Zingarevich wants to sign Andrey Arshavin, 31, from Arsenal in January as part of the Royals' bid to stave off relegation from the Premier League. DSSC
Roberto Di Matteo and Roy Keane have emerged as early frontrunners to take over at Nottingham Forest following the sacking of Sean O'Driscoll on Boxing Day. Daily Telegraph
The kick-off between QPR and West Brom at Loftus Road had to be delayed after the West Brom team coach was caught in a traffic jam caused by Boxing Day bargain hunters. Metro
updated more later ...
