***Official City Vs Dippers match thread***

[Douglas Higginbottom]

just got back in from the game! always a pleasure to beat Liverpool! winging, snide, journey man

think it was made even better by the fact that we struggled to get going but it was a very heavy pitch which the fans didn't really allow for and the wind really hand an effect when the ball was in the air.

Vinny got MOTM but it could have been any of the back 5 really. notably mention goes to Clichy who always seems to have a solid game and never panics.

Boy when Gaz Baz has a bad game he certainly goes all out! about 5 missed placed passes in the first half, probably more than all season combined and yet another city player sent off without ever leaving his feet.

Dzeko is obviously struggling at the moment, he works harder than probably most people think and he's got no luck at all.

Quietest Silva has been in a game, but they were trying to give him 'the treatment'!

Pleased that Bellamy got a good reception but Liverpools best player was the Weather!

Michael Jones from Chester filling in for Walton from the Wirral! I think these refs have got a pool going to see who can get away with the most!

I would agree with most of that.
Joe excellent game and such a key save early on.
Micah good but I really would like him to try harder to stop crosses and get back into position after getting forward.
Clichy top class
Vinnie top class
Kolo very good tonight and really put himself about when needed
Milner just goes forever and a great pen.Never doubted he would take it and score.
Silva quiet but quality.Really good effort even though I think he is tired.
Yaya immense. yet again a big part in dragging us home in a big match
Aguero looking tired.If you dont shoot you dont score.How importamnt was that first goal.
Dzeko,worked his socks off with no help from the ref.Touch not good enough at times as we know but great ball to Yaya on the run for the pen.
Barry played well apart from his passing and fouling but to get sent off was a joke.
Lescott very good defending cameo,
AJ I thought did what Mancini would have wanted on our right side covering space and still nearly scored.

Just an extra on Yaya,that lazy unfit good for nothing ,does nothing player.He got some stick in the first half from some halfwit near me because he didnt try to tackle Johnson I think it was on the wing. Total nonsense as Johnson was being dealt with by Clichy and Yaya was covering any attempt to cut inside. Baffling how some people just like to have a go at certain players.Loved Yaya tonight.

[peg-6]

I'm worried for Dzeko. He was poor...again.

[freshie]

With Balotelli out Dzeko needs to step it up big time. Poor tonight and all people around me thought the same. Simply can not trap a ball. [highlight]Some good link up play but that first touch was apalling.[/highlight]

i don't understand the Gareth Barry compliments tonight, not at all, his passing was crap, he was slow all the time and we paid the price for two games in two days. Barry was great on sunday and played well tonight. He needs more than two days rest, he's not the fastest midfielder. His vision is excellent, he reads the game very well, but tonight his body didn't hold up and as above, passing was very poor.Still he did not deserve a red card..... the scouse defender skyrtel , or what ever he is called, did.

2 spot on comments. Barry has been awesome over the last couple of months but I think the quick succession of games over the festive period have caught up with him so the rest on Sunday may be a blessing in disguise. I thought he was not up to his usual standards tonight against the scousers which is why we lost many midfield battles (although the bent ref didn't help matters). Milner was excellent tonight and I would have no qualms about asking him to play in Barry's role in the FA Cup on Sunday, pushing Nasri/AJ into Milner's role

[Beefymcfc]

Really enjoyed tonight and it's that little bit of luck that we've been missing (in regard to the 1st), I've no complaints whatsoever when it comes to the team. Yes, there were a few wayward passes and a few times where we could've took the ball better but all-in-all it was a great team performance. We put 3 past a team who, in 9 games previously, only had 7 goals put past them and even with 12 men against ensured we got ourselves clear from the leading pack.

Prior to this game I was confident, unlike our previous 2, and now I'm thinking that we're going onto prove that we are the team to beat, even after stinging loss. Liverpool fell right into out hands with their egotisical attitude and how sweet it was to beat them after their recent activities and the way they celebrated the win against us .................... or was that a draw, when yet again, we had a player sent off?

PS. I'd say more but the 'Men in White Coat's' might want me behind bars.

[Ted Hughes]

Totally different kind of performance tonight but it was the kind of stuff 'the Champions' get credit for, often without actually doing it. We did it. We really got the shit end of the stick here. For those not at the game, I've just watched a recording & believe me, the conditions were much much worse than they appeared on TV. To have to run around in that 2 days after Sunderland against a side which is fit & rested & also has a great big lump striker to take advantage of the ball doing strange shit in the wind; it aint easy.

We weren't especially well organised & I think Liverpool got the drop on us tactically but individually, the players really put a shift in & were determined to get something from the game. Vinny was immense defensively & Yaya put in the best shift I've ever seen from him.

One thing though; Imo a more efficient team would have beaten us. Carrol was getting himself on Clichy & ony needed the ball standing up far post to cause us terrible trouble. Luckily Downing is shite & the ball hardly ever came but it will probably be Gerrard next week. Imo. that performance will struggle to beat scousers again now they've had a look at us & unless the rags are off kilter, it's not enough to beat them either. We did our job but now we need to get back to our controlled passing game for next week.

[Beefymcfc]

Totally different kind of performance tonight but it was the kind of stuff 'the Champions' get credit for, often without actually doing it. We did it. We really got the shit end of the stick here. For those not at the game, I've just watched a recording & believe me, the conditions were much much worse than they appeared on TV. To have to run around in that 2 days after Sunderland against a side which is fit & rested & also has a great big lump striker to take advantage of the ball doing strange shit in the wind; it aint easy.

We weren't especially well organised & I think Liverpool got the drop on us tactically but individually, the players really put a shift in & were determined to get something from the game. Vinny was immense defensively & Yaya put in the best shift I've ever seen from him.

One thing though; Imo a more efficient team would have beaten us. Carrol was getting himself on Clichy & ony needed the ball standing up far post to cause us terrible trouble. Luckily Downing is shite & the ball hardly ever came but it will probably be Gerrard next week. Imo. that performance will struggle to beat scousers again now they've had a look at us & unless the rags are off kilter, it's not enough to beat them either. We did our job but now we need to get back to our controlled passing game for next week.

Ted, Ted, Ted, the Scousers have had half a season to look at us and had the first hand experience as well.

Remember that controlled passing game against the BlackCats and Brom, it was good but not good enough to beat them. We need something different, and that's what we got tonight as well as in other major wins. When we do it straight it doesn't quite work, it's the players extrinsics, whilst still understanding the whole, that scares teams to death.

[Ted Hughes]

Totally different kind of performance tonight but it was the kind of stuff 'the Champions' get credit for, often without actually doing it. We did it. We really got the shit end of the stick here. For those not at the game, I've just watched a recording & believe me, the conditions were much much worse than they appeared on TV. To have to run around in that 2 days after Sunderland against a side which is fit & rested & also has a great big lump striker to take advantage of the ball doing strange shit in the wind; it aint easy.

We weren't especially well organised & I think Liverpool got the drop on us tactically but individually, the players really put a shift in & were determined to get something from the game. Vinny was immense defensively & Yaya put in the best shift I've ever seen from him.

One thing though; Imo a more efficient team would have beaten us. Carrol was getting himself on Clichy & ony needed the ball standing up far post to cause us terrible trouble. Luckily Downing is shite & the ball hardly ever came but it will probably be Gerrard next week. Imo. that performance will struggle to beat scousers again now they've had a look at us & unless the rags are off kilter, it's not enough to beat them either. We did our job but now we need to get back to our controlled passing game for next week.

Ted, Ted, Ted, the Scousers have had half a season to look at us and had the first hand experience as well.

Remember that controlled passing game against the BlackCats and Brom, it was good but not good enough to beat them. We need something different, and that's what we got tonight as well as in other major wins. When we do it straight it doesn't quite work, it's the players extrinsics, whilst still understanding the whole, that scares teams to death.

It's our passing game which has got us to the top of the league. If West Brom or Sunderland's keeper had given us a goal start, we would have five more points & about ten more goals. Tonight was a great one off battle against a much fitter team on the night & our own tired legs, in dreadful circumstances but certainly not the way we should endeavour to play football.

[Beefymcfc]

Totally different kind of performance tonight but it was the kind of stuff 'the Champions' get credit for, often without actually doing it. We did it. We really got the shit end of the stick here. For those not at the game, I've just watched a recording & believe me, the conditions were much much worse than they appeared on TV. To have to run around in that 2 days after Sunderland against a side which is fit & rested & also has a great big lump striker to take advantage of the ball doing strange shit in the wind; it aint easy.

We weren't especially well organised & I think Liverpool got the drop on us tactically but individually, the players really put a shift in & were determined to get something from the game. Vinny was immense defensively & Yaya put in the best shift I've ever seen from him.

One thing though; Imo a more efficient team would have beaten us. Carrol was getting himself on Clichy & ony needed the ball standing up far post to cause us terrible trouble. Luckily Downing is shite & the ball hardly ever came but it will probably be Gerrard next week. Imo. that performance will struggle to beat scousers again now they've had a look at us & unless the rags are off kilter, it's not enough to beat them either. We did our job but now we need to get back to our controlled passing game for next week.

Ted, Ted, Ted, the Scousers have had half a season to look at us and had the first hand experience as well.

Remember that controlled passing game against the BlackCats and Brom, it was good but not good enough to beat them. We need something different, and that's what we got tonight as well as in other major wins. When we do it straight it doesn't quite work, it's the players extrinsics, whilst still understanding the whole, that scares teams to death.

It's our passing game which has got us to the top of the league. If West Brom or Sunderland's keeper had given us a goal start, we would have five more points & about ten more goals. Tonight was a great one off battle against a much fitter team on the night & our own tired legs, in dreadful circumstances but certainly not the way we should endeavour to play football.

If what you say is true, Mancini will only be thinking about a clean sheet 3-0 victory with a tired team against a refreshed top 6 side.

It's not the pissing, it's the goals mate, and it's the intricate moviement, passing and shooting that's got us there, not just one element, as has been seen from our last 2 games.

[Dameerto]

We can pass all we want, but if we slow the tempo down we lose our edge - we're most deadly when we're ghosts and they're left trying to chase shadows.

[dazby]

Currently on hols in Sydney and missed the match as it started at 7.00 in the morning. After staying up until 4.00 in the morning (Slim, Dazby, how do you guys do it on regular basis !!) and seeing us lose to Sunderland with the last kick of the match, I had a bad feeling about today's match. As it turned out it was a big mistake as it seems I missed a cracker.
This was just the kind of result we needed after the 2 away disappointments and the best preparation for Sunday. Looking now for highlights.

Sleep is for the weak.

[Socrates]

Currently on hols in Sydney and missed the match as it started at 7.00 in the morning. After staying up until 4.00 in the morning (Slim, Dazby, how do you guys do it on regular basis !!) and seeing us lose to Sunderland with the last kick of the match, I had a bad feeling about today's match. As it turned out it was a big mistake as it seems I missed a cracker.
This was just the kind of result we needed after the 2 away disappointments and the best preparation for Sunday. Looking now for highlights.

Sleep is for the weak.

Was 3am start Bangkok time which is a real bugger of a time as you don't whether to stay up late or get up early! The regular 3am / 4am starts must fuck you up down under. Explains why you all talk such crap so much of the time and why Slim's head explodes.

[phips]

just got to watch the match. big win and a solid performance.

All around we were solid I thought, especially defending since we had to soak up alot of Liverpool possession tonight. Vinnie was beastly and I also thought Clichy was fantastic (minus that worrying stray pass in the 80th). Kolo looked great too. Silva deserves recognition for his 2 assists.

I thought Barry was, probably for the 1st or 2nd time this season, pretty poor. He gave away possession too many times in the 1st half with lazy, inaccurate passes. Plus, wtf was he doing with that challenge on Agger? Soft yellow but still, you're already on a yellow..cool your jets big man. His suspension for the United game is going to be huge.

Also, maybe its just me, but I thought Dzeko was poor today. When he got the ball in his feet he either lost possession or stumbled over the ball..much like Carroll but a tad bit better. He looked like the Dzeko of last yr tonight...

[kinkylola]

4am start here in Taiwan ... I watched every minute. No excuses, play like a champion.

[david yearsley]

First half we struggled with the pace of the game (hardly surprising as they´d had extra days off) Micah got lost on occasions and needed a little help v Downing & Enrique. It was clear that Pool were targeting Carroll and maybe Lescott would have been a better option with Kolo at RB even. We put up with the rough stuff and stood our ground. They fizzled out 2nd half having seemingly bust a gut 1st 45 and we were much better organised and focused defensively. Yes it will be tougher next week coz Yaya is away and Silva will probably be rested. They will try to intimidate so firstly we will need to stand up - after that anything is possible. Rags will depend on what team Baconface puts out

[MARKMAKAVELI]

Fairytale season, can’t believe how good it is. Amazing.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Fairytale season, can’t believe how good it is. Amazing.

It is but very few people seem to agree with you and me.

[MARKMAKAVELI]

I couldn’t care less. Also couldn’t care less about all the negative city press etc.
We are playing amazing football and looking to win trophies. Even if not this year, certainly soon.

Why moan about the negative stuff when we have it so so so fuckin good? Noone has it better than us. Simply amazing. We’re not just winning, we’re being entertained. Love it.

[Chinners]

Fairytale season, can’t believe how good it is. Amazing.

It is but very few people seem to agree with you and me.

I agree with that ... and both of you ... twice

[Ted Hughes]

Totally different kind of performance tonight but it was the kind of stuff 'the Champions' get credit for, often without actually doing it. We did it. We really got the shit end of the stick here. For those not at the game, I've just watched a recording & believe me, the conditions were much much worse than they appeared on TV. To have to run around in that 2 days after Sunderland against a side which is fit & rested & also has a great big lump striker to take advantage of the ball doing strange shit in the wind; it aint easy.

We weren't especially well organised & I think Liverpool got the drop on us tactically but individually, the players really put a shift in & were determined to get something from the game. Vinny was immense defensively & Yaya put in the best shift I've ever seen from him.

One thing though; Imo a more efficient team would have beaten us. Carrol was getting himself on Clichy & ony needed the ball standing up far post to cause us terrible trouble. Luckily Downing is shite & the ball hardly ever came but it will probably be Gerrard next week. Imo. that performance will struggle to beat scousers again now they've had a look at us & unless the rags are off kilter, it's not enough to beat them either. We did our job but now we need to get back to our controlled passing game for next week.

Ted, Ted, Ted, the Scousers have had half a season to look at us and had the first hand experience as well.

Remember that controlled passing game against the BlackCats and Brom, it was good but not good enough to beat them. We need something different, and that's what we got tonight as well as in other major wins. When we do it straight it doesn't quite work, it's the players extrinsics, whilst still understanding the whole, that scares teams to death.

It's our passing game which has got us to the top of the league. If West Brom or Sunderland's keeper had given us a goal start, we would have five more points & about ten more goals. Tonight was a great one off battle against a much fitter team on the night & our own tired legs, in dreadful circumstances but certainly not the way we should endeavour to play football.

If what you say is true, Mancini will only be thinking about a clean sheet 3-0 victory with a tired team against a refreshed top 6 side.

It's not the pissing, it's the goals mate, and it's the intricate moviement, passing and shooting that's got us there, not just one element, as has been seen from our last 2 games.

Oh I agree but the thing that sets us apart from all other PL teams is our ability to kill the oppo by dominating posession, Barca style, then unleash the clever stuff. Last night was down to communal hard work & individual talent against a side who was passing the ball better than us. We also chucked in an Everton style corner kick routine. It was a great, get stuck in, get the job done, title winning style victory in difficult circumstances.

The victory v rags though was a controlled destruction. Next week imo, we need to go back into controlled destruction, pass them to death & tear them apart mode, in both games & then the same v Spurs. Do that & we're on for the treble.

[CityGer]

I couldn’t care less. Also couldn’t care less about all the negative city press etc.
We are playing amazing football and looking to win trophies. Even if not this year, certainly soon.

Why moan about the negative stuff when we have it so so so fuckin good? Noone has it better than us. Simply amazing. We’re not just winning, we’re being entertained. Love it.

Very well said.