THE BOLLOX
Chelsea and Manchester City bring rarity value to FA Cup semi-final
The last time these two teams met in the Cup was in 1971, a time of muddy pitches and no billionaire investment
Colin Bell scored Manchester City's second goal in their 3-0 win over Chelsea in 1971, the last time the two sides met in the FA Cup.
It has been a quirk of the FA Cup's velvet bag and numbered balls ritual that Manchester City's meeting with Chelsea in Sunday's semi-final is the pair's first in the competition for 42 years – and only the fourth since Gus and Joseph Mears purchased Stamford Bridge in 1904 and founded the club they had initially pondered calling London FC the following spring. By contrast, since that fourth-round tie in January 1971 Manchester United have been drawn to play Arsenal nine times, Chelsea seven times while Mancunians have also been treated to five Cup derbies.
Not that the rarity value adds greater spice to the meeting of two sides wholly transformed by the largesse of billionaire investment from the significantly more parochially-run First Division clubs of five decades ago. During the week of the tie in 1971 Chelsea had spent £475,000 to buy the freehold of Stamford Bridge from the JT Mears Trustees and announced a 10-year plan of refurbishment intended to transform the ramshackle old stadium, still bordered at either end by cavernous terraces with the dog-track lights ringing the pitch, into an 80,000 all-seater, the first in Europe. The original estimates proved hopelessly optimistic and, although the East Stand was rebuilt as a three-tier ugly-chic carbuncle with hideous brown seats, escalating costs and mid-70s inflation spikes saddled the board with such debts that Ken Bates was able to purchase the club, if not the ground, for £1 in 1982, the year the Bridge was supposed to be ready to host 80,000 fans and treat them to heated seats, gourmet restaurants and electronic scoreboards.
Chelsea's defence of the Cup began with a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on a treacherously icy Selhurst Park pitch but they recovered their verve for a comfortable 2-0 victory in the replay. Manchester City had a comparatively easy draw against Wigan Athletic, then in the Northern Premier League, but laboured to win 1-0 after a weak kick by Wigan's goalkeeper Dennis Reeves, a semi-professional and painter and decorator, gave City's relentless dynamo Colin Bell the opportunity to score. Although City were third in Division One and Chelsea one point behind them in fifth, their form had been patchy. Defensively they had been miserly but City's nine draws from 25 games and Chelsea's 10 from the same number had left them trailing the leaders, Leeds United, by 10 and 11 points, an embarrassingly substantial gap in the era of two points for a win.
A crowd of more than 55,000 had witnessed Chelsea's midweek victory over Palace but heavy rain dashed the board's hopes of hitting the capacity against City, though disappointment at an attendance of 50,176 would make most clubs feel wistful in the decades since. The visitors, with their artful and ruthless centre-forward Francis Lee injured, sent out George Heslop in the No7 shirt but stationed him in the heart of defence alongside Tommy Booth to counter the subtle skill of Chelsea's Peter Osgood and the rather more bludgeoning approach of his partner, Ian Hutchinson. Osgood was playing his last game before starting an eight-week ban for accruing six bookings and began with the determination of someone bridling at the injustice of two months' enforced idleness. Yet Heslop stuck to his assignment and with a mixture of luck, skill and judgment held him at bay.
Osgood's greatest skills were his delicate touch and ability to discern defensive weaknesses and one can picture him in his straight-backed guardsman's pose, sniffing out faultlines like a Frenchman smelling for ripeness in melons. First he set Hutchinson through on goal but City's left-back, Arthur Mann, read his thoughts and made a nimble intervention then, a glorious reverse pass wrongfooted the defence but Peter Houseman, stealing in from the left, smashed his shot wide.
City, weakened by injuries, but following the old military motto that irregulars always work harder for their medals, had packed the midfield with the teenagers Ian Bowyer and Derek Jeffries bolstering Mike Doyle, Alan Oakes and Bell leaving Mike Summerbee as a solo forward. It left them lacking invention in the first-half but ultimately succeeded in drawing Chelsea's sting.
The game changed nine minutes after the break when Bell, pushed forward because Summerbee had to be replaced by Neil Young at the interval, was gifted possession by David Webb's hapless miskick and calmly rolled his shot underneath Peter Bonetti's urgent dive. Two minutes later he scored again, powerfully and precisely steering in Young's low cross at the far post after the Chelsea centre-half Marvin Hinton let it run past him thinking no one was outside. Bell's stamina and tenacity were celebrated in his nickname "Nijinsky", the triple crown-winning thoroughbred rather than the male principal of the Ballet Russes, but arguably the greatest danger he posed to the opposition was his sheer athletic elusiveness.
"Crumbs," says the Chelsea midfielder John Hollins. "Everyone will think it was me supposed to be marking Colin that day as I usually did. But he'd gone up front. He was a riot to play against. You had to have the energy of three men even to try to outwork him. You would be playing against him and all of a sudden you would be looking over your shoulder, thinking 'Where did he go?' He was a phenomenon."
Bowyer scored City's third and confirmed that Chelsea, who had had to go to Manchester to win the Cup (in a replay against Leeds), would lose it to a team from the city of their triumph. But it proved a pyrrhic victory for City who were knocked out in the next round by the eventual Double-winners Arsenal as the battle for control of the team between their manager, Joe Mercer, and his innovative, charismatic if impatient coach, Malcolm Allison, began to spiral towards open warfare. "Dare I say it?" says Hollins. "But the prize, having won the FA Cup the previous season, we perhaps took a little lightly. The Cup Winners' Cup seemed a bigger goal for us that season."
In the semi-final of that competition, as fate would have it, Chelsea were drawn against the holders, Manchester City, defeated them 1-0 in both legs and went on to win the final in a replay against Real Madrid.
For Hollins there was another cherished victory 15 years later when, as Chelsea's manager, he led them to a 5-4 victory over City in the Full Members Cup in 1986, the sides' only previous match at Wembley. That tournament, introduced after English clubs were banned from Europe following Heysel, was so maltreated by the Football League that both played matches on the Saturday, 24 hours before the final. Chelsea led 5-1 with six minutes to go before City almost pulled off a remarkable comeback. "There wasn't a game like it at Wembley since the Matthews final," says Hollins. "Everybody enjoyed it but I didn't. I was sweating by the end. It was the time when people were saying that football was dying. If so, I said, I hope it's dying like that."
On Sunday, just like in 1971, Chelsea, the holders, take on their immediate predecessors as Cup winners. "We've got so many goalscorers in the team," says Hollins, "and look at [Sergio] Agüero, he's back in top form. Could it be 5-4 again? I hope so. City v Chelsea has always been one hell of a game."
Can Man City salvage their season or will Benitez say goodbye on a high?
Chelsea v Manchester City (FA Cup, Sunday 4pm)
Quite probably there is more than just an FA Cup final place at stake here, with both managers requiring a trophy to enhance their future employment prospects.
The signs are not good for Roberto Mancini with his own club conspicuous in their absence of backing for him in recent weeks, and even lifting the cup is no guarantee he'll remain at Eastlands next season. It will help though, and if ever he needed to prove his tactical nouse, it is here against a cunning opponent.
Rafa Benitez, for his part, has made some surprising political mistakes in recent weeks, not least his ill-advised application for the Liverpool job when the position isn't vacant, and then his lame attempt to explain it away by suggesting he was talking about "almost certainly" returning to his family on Merseyside, when he does that twice a week already.
Yet winning a couple of trophies will make Chelsea a potentially astute decision rather than the career death knell it looks right now. Win and he may well get a decent job in the summer, lose (and repeat the trick in the Europa League) and he becomes virtually unemployable at the top level.
Prediction: Chelsea 1 - 2 Manchester City
Mancini should build a team around Tévez and Agüero
It’s been a fractious campaign for Roberto Mancini. If he’s not picking fights with his own players, he’s telling everybody off for being too nice to Sir Alex Ferguson. The Life’s A Pitch panel wonder if it’s the ravings of a man edging towards the Manchester City exit and ponder which players might be shown the door with him.
Jason Burt of the Sunday Telegraph says Mancini’s future is in the balance and explains that even victory in the FA Cup may not save him. “There’s a desire not to spend as much money as in the past, they don’t want a spending splurge [this summer] and there could be tension because he’ll want to. I don’t think he’s a natural fit for what City want to do as a club. But what could save him is the lack of alternatives. I’m not sure it’ll make a difference if they win the FA Cup.”
“If they give Mancini a chance next season, which I think they should, he’s got to do some bridge-building with the current squad,” says the Mirror’s John Cross. “He’s been so critical of certain players it’s caused resentment. He has to keep people such as Vincent Kompany happy, otherwise big clubs will think they can pluck him away.”
Footballer-turned-pundit Adrian Clarke says whoever the boss is, he needs to hang on to Carlos Tévez and Sergio Agüero. “They have to build a team around that front pair. Without those two they’d lose so much. But Samir Nasri’s time might be coming to an end. Mancini doesn’t seem to get on with him and Nasri doesn’t seem inspired by the manager at all. There’s plenty of deadwood at City, the problem is they’re all on too much money. Some of the lesser earners, the likes of Scott Sinclair, you’d imagine will be moved on.”
Mancini wants winter break
Roberto Mancini has called for a Premier League winter break in December to keep players fresh for the second half of the season.
England manager Roy Hodgson had criticised clubs on Thursday for treating international breaks as holidays for players.
But Manchester City manager Mancini, who is accustomed to a winter break from his time playing and coaching in his native Italy, believes the answer is to interrupt the packed programme in December.
He is concerned that his players are overworked, but admits City's post-season tour to the United States is a factor.
They face Chelsea in St Louis and New York at the end of May before their England players have to return to face the Republic of Ireland and Brazil in friendlies.
Midfielder David Silva could then spend much of June in South America, playing for Spain in the Confederations Cup.
Mancini said: "I think that, in England, you need to have a break in December for the national team because we play a lot of games. The moment that they decide to give players one week off in December, it will be good for the teams and national team.
"Players don't have the time to recover very well. When we finish the championship, we go [for] one week in New York and, after they come back, some players play in the Confederations Cup and in qualification for the World Cup. That is incredible."
Silva given time to prove fitness for City's FA Cup semi-final while Mancini concedes title race despite United derby win
Manchester City will give David Silva every chance to play in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea after manager Roberto Mancini expressed hope that the Spain star could yet be fit in time.
City will make a final decision on Silva’s hamstring strain on the morning of the game, but Mancini revealed that the player is now able to run again for the first time since suffering the injury in Monday’s Manchester derby.
Asked if he believes Silva has more of a chance than he had earlier in the week, Mancini said: ‘Yes, now it’s getting better. Yesterday he ran and I think that he’ll have a chance.
‘I don’t think he can play 100 per cent but it’s important he’s very close.
‘We don’t know if it’s possible but if it’s a risk he won’t play. We’ll decide on Sunday morning.’
Mancini also hit back at Roy Hodgson by calling for a winter break to protect his Manchester City players from burnout.
Mancini was responding to complaints from the England manager that Premier League clubs use international dates to rest their stars.
City and Chelsea have added to Hodgson’s problems this summer by arranging a rare post-season trip to America right before England face Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
David Silva and Maicon are also due to play in the Confederations Cup, while other players face World Cup qualifiers.
Mancini said: ‘It’s incredible, these players don’t have the time to recover very well.
‘When we finish the season, we go for one week in New York and after they come back some players play in the Confederations Cup and qualification for World Cup. That is incredible.
‘I think that in England you need to have a break in December for the national team because we play a lot of games.
‘The moment that they decide to give players one week off in December it will be good for the teams and national team.’
Mancini also hopes that City’s derby’s hero Sergio Aguero, a late substitute at Old Trafford, will be able to play more of a part at Wembley. The Argentina striker has not started a game since February due to a knee injury, making two appearances off the bench.
‘I’m happy because he had a good impact on the game on Monday night,’ added the City boss. ‘It’s important he didn’t have any problem in his knee. He’s probably not 100 per cent but Sergio 80 per cent is important.’
Mancini still insists the title race is over despite Monday’s win over leaders Manchester United. He joked that City would need three bonus points if they beat Chelsea in the cup to stand any chance of closing the 12-point gap at the top.
He said: ‘If United lose against Stoke (on Sunday) and we win against Chelsea in the FA Cup and win against Wigan, with six points it could be possible. We need to have also three points for the FA Cup!
‘No, it’s impossible, 12 points is too much. They did better than us, they deserve to win. The championship is not important, it’s finished, but it was important we showed we are like them.’
Mancini is looking forward to taking on a Chelsea team who moved into the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday night as he battles Rafael Benitez for a place in next month’s FA Cup Final.
‘I think to play at Wembley is fantastic,’ he said. ‘For all the supporters there is a magic moment.
‘It is important this game. It will be different from the other games we play against Chelsea. Last night they played with three or four players they play against us and rested five or six players.
‘Every game against Chelsea is difficult. They are a good team in their best moment this season, doing very well and I am happy for Benitez because he is a good manager.’
Third City star banned from driving
Manchester City defender Micah Richards became the third player from his club to receive a six-month driving ban this month.
The England international was disqualifed after he failed to respond to two speeding notices sent to his home address.
He admitted to two counts of failing to provide the identity of who was driving his Ferrari 458 Italia car which was clocked at 51mph in a 40mph zone in Manchester in September.
Tameside Magistrates' Court heard the six penalty points took him over the 12-point penalty limit as he already had nine points for three separate driving offences in November 2010, December last year and this January.
Richards, 24, who did not attend, was also ordered to pay a #600 fine, #85 costs and #60 victim surcharge.
The court was told Richards had difficulties with his post at the time the notices were sent out last September and last November because his home in Bowdon, Altrincham, was being renovated and he was staying elsewhere.
Last week, team-mate Carlos Tevez, 29, was disqualifed from driving for six months and told to perform 250 hours of community service after he admitted driving while banned and without insurance.
City midfielder Samir Nasri, 25, also received a six-month ban last week after he admitted to three charges of failing to provide police with the identity of the driver of his car which was clocked speeding over four months inee 2011.
Richards's solicitor Nick Terry told the court: "At the time of these offences Mr Richards's home was under construction.
"He was staying at different properties and he had difficulties with his post.
"He couldn't suggest that the notices didn't arrive. He is willing to accept he did not respond to them."
The court heard the footballer could not recall if he was behind the wheel at the time of the speeding offence.
Mr Terry said his client knew he would be banned and had not driven from 9am.
The bench was not informed of Richards's earnings but allowed him 14 days to pay his fines and costs.
According to reports last week, Richards mocked up a picture on his Instagram account of Tevez performing community service as a street cleaner and wrote: "Sorry Carlos but this is too funny!!!"
Resurgent Blues give Mancini lots to worry about
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Chelsea are in their best form of the season.
Blues boss Rafael Benitez has guided his team to the semi-finals of both the Europa League and FA Cup but has seen his side fall 21 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Mancini said: “This game is important. It will be different from the other games we play against Chelsea.
“It is more difficult as they are in a good moment. Last night they played with only three or four players who will play against us — they rested five or six players.
“Every trophy is important for every team. Every game against Chelsea is difficult. They are a good team in their best moment this season, doing very well and I am happy for Benitez because he is a good manager.”
The Italian revealed that he will assess David Silva’s recovery from a hamstring strain on Sunday morning.
Sergio Aguero, Monday’s matchwinner against United, seems more likely than Silva to face Benitez’s side.
Mancini added: “I am happy because he had a good impact on the game on Monday. It is important he didn’t have any problem in his knee. Probably [his knee] is not 100 per cent but with Sergio 80 per cent is important.”
Mancini is frustrated that players like Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Aguero have returned to full fitness with the title race all but over.
He added: “I was frustrated when I didn’t have these players because there were some important moments when we [needed] them.”
Man City look to sign Dortmund superstar
Manchester City have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.
The Champions League semi-finalists have valued Gotze at £35million, as the playmaker has scored 14 goals for the side this season. But that price tag won’t deter the English clubs, who aren’t the only teams watching the young German.
Speaking to Sport1 last month, Gotze said: “Clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United are attractive, other top leagues would help me develop.”
But the German quickly turned his attention back to Dortmund, adding: “I’m not thinking of that at the moment. I’m happy at Dortmund and very happy how things are going.”
Gotze’s current contract lasts until 2016, but it isn’t expected for the youngster to be at the club by that point.
Arsenal will know they won’t have a chance of signing the midfielder unless they are in the Champions League next season, and will be looking to retain their strong form for the remainder of season’s run-in.
While the two Manchester clubs will have no issues with the high price tag, with both clubs having the finance to pay Dortmund’s asking price.
Gotze today discovered his Dortmund team will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Corinthians deny Tevez rumor
Corinthians have played down reports that they are looking to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez in the summer.
Burak Yilmaz has many options if he leaves this summer, but where will he go? Find out in the Rumor Redux.
The Argentina international is under contract with the Premier League champions until the summer of 2014 but has been regularly linked with a return to South America.
City's football administration officer Brian Marwood said last month that the Etihad Stadium side would be holding talks with the former West Ham and Manchester United player in the summer over extending his stay.
After starting his career with Boca Juniors, Tevez spent two years in Brazil with Corinthians before moving to the Premier League with the Hammers in the summer of 2006.
And the Sao Paulo-based side's director of football, Edu Gaspar, insists no reunion is planned as they are not looking for striking reinforcements.
Gaspar was quoted by Lancenet and Terra as saying: "At this moment we have no interest in Tevez, we'll sign players for the positions we need.
"We don't seek a player because he is or might become important. If we need a player and we see that is someone who we need, we go after him. We will fight to sign him.
"Our idea is to keep the club always on the top. If we are not the best, we have to fight to be among the best.
"Many people said that Corinthians didn't need to make signings, but we brought in three great players - Pato, Renato Augusto and Gil."
Antonio Valencia admits Manchester United are 'worried' about throwing away the Premier League title
Antonio Valencia has admitted Manchester United are “worried” about the potential for throwing away their massive advantage at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
Manchester City's win at Old Trafford on Monday has kept alive their slim hopes of retaining the title.
It would still require a staggering sequence of results for United to lose their advantage.
After all, three wins and a draw from their final seven games would be enough, and three of those remaining matches are at Old Trafford, with relegation-threatened Aston Villa and a Swansea side seemingly cruising towards the end of the season amongst the visitors.
Nevertheless, the memory of how United managed to lose the title from a seemingly impregnable position last term has injected an element of insecurity.
"We're a little worried," Valencia told Ecuadorian radio station Sonorama.
"Last year, we were eight points with six games to go and we lost the league. Now it is 12 points and seven games, and we don't want it to happen again."
United visit Stoke on Sunday, with a trip to West Ham to follow on Wednesday.
Victory in those matches would leave the Red Devils within touching distance of a record 20th championship, with Valencia eager to play some part after making only a fleeting appearance as a substitute against City.
"They're the manager's decisions, but I was still a bit upset," said Valencia.
"In such an important game, to be not taken into account as a starter was upsetting."
The Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany has made it his mission to make the smallest team in his homeland, BX Brussels, the biggest club on Twitter. 606 newsletter
MANCHESTER FOOTBALL GIANTS NET CITY £330M BOOST EVERY YEAR
It estimates the two clubs, plus others nearby including Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County, will generate £2.5bn over the next two decades.
MANCHESTER’S footballing giants United and City net the area a whopping £330million a year and support 8,500 local jobs.
And players such as Old Trafford star Rio Ferdinand help to boost the reputation of the city with their online presence.
The cash and employment tonic is equivalent to hosting the Olympic Games every four years and is eight times what Rangers and Celtic provide to Glasgow.
United, managed for 27 years by Sir Alex Ferguson, 71, have raked in £1billion-worth of advertising for Greater Manchester in the past 21 years due to their success and international fanbase.
The study, commissioned by Marketing Manchester, found that sport played a key in promoting the city as a tourist and business hub across the globe.
And the report revealed that the growing popularity of the Premier League around the world is set to deliver even bigger returns for Manchester.
It estimates the two clubs, plus others nearby including Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County, will generate £2.5bn over the next two decades.
Researchers found one in eight of all overseas visitors to Manchester go to a game at Old Trafford.
In other UK cities, an average of just one in 40 watch the local football club during their stay.
Those who go through the turnstiles at the Theatre of Dreams or the City of Manchester Stadium spend an average of £200 more during their visit.
And hotels on City and United match days are 85% full, compared with 70% normally.
Thousands of extra jobs are generated at stadia, hotels, bars and restaurants are generated.
Soaring numbers coming to Manchester from Asia were fuelling the boom, the report said.
It stated: “The success of Manchester United and Manchester City has given massive global exposure to brand Manchester.
“The popularity of stars such as Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand on social media helps raise the profile of Manchester.”
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[/spoiler]Liverpool are favourites to sign Swansea defender Ashley Williams, 28, this summer despite interest from Arsenal. Daily Mirror The Anfield club must decide whether to pay a minimum of £12m if they are to beat Arsenal to the Wales centre-back's signature. Daily Telegraph
West Ham are set to offer Liverpool £10m for striker Andy Carroll. The 24-year-old, on loan at Upton Park, is valued at £17m by the Reds but injuries and his goal return have prompted the Hammers to re-evaluate their bid. DSSC
Tottenham are ready to approach Everton midfielder Leon Osman, 31, following the breakdown of contract talks between the England international and the Toffees. Metro
Stoke are considering a bid for Denmark and FC Copenhagen striker Andreas Cornelius, 20, to replace Michael Owen. Everton are also thought to be keen on Cornelius, who scored his first goal for Denmark against the Czech Republic in March. DSSC
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has rejected talk that the club is already in contract negotiations with striker Christian Benteke, 22, whose 19 goals this season have seen him linked with a move away from Villa Park. Sky Sports
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has shrugged off an argument between Frank Lampard and David Luiz. The pair clashed as they left the pitch at the end of the first half of Chelsea's Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan. Guardian
Stoke City owner Peter Coates has called for the club's fans to get behind their team against Manchester United on Sunday following criticism from the stands during the Potters' recent slide down the Premier League table. Stoke Sentinel
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder David Beckham is ready to take an ambassadorial role with the Football Association, working abroad and promoting grassroots football at home, when he has finished playing - although retirement may be put back another year, beyond his 38th birthday. Times
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has thanked the likes for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere for helping fund his treatment for alcohol addiction in the United States. Daily Star
The president of Paris St-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has denied any interest in bringing in Jose Mourinho to replace manager Carlo Ancelotti. Marca
Juventus director-general Beppe Marotta says he does not have the financial resources available to "concentrate investments" on star individual players, unlike clubs such as Bayern Munich who knocked the Italians out of the Champions League on Wednesday.Tuttosport
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says he would prefer to face German rivals Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the Champions League. Die Welt
Borussia Dortmund have offered Sevilla £15m for forward Alvaro Negredo, 27, as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the German side in the summer. Marca
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has become a dad. The 25-year-old's girlfriend Daniella Semaan, 37, gave birth to their first child, daughter Lia, on Wednesday as he helped Barcelona knock Paris St Germain out of the Champions League. Daily Star
