Nasri backs "passionate" skipper Kompany
The Frenchman claims that the red card incident helped to spur them on to victory at Hull to get three points for their captain.
Vincent Kompany’s red card spurred City to their crucial win at Hull.
Blues midfielder Samir Nasri, one of the heroes ofo a remarkable performance from Manuel Pellegrini’s men, said the sight of their skipper trudging down the tunnel galvanised the team into action.
Kompany will discover today if he faces further action after reacting angrily to his dismissal, appearing to make an obscene gesture and then kicking a wall.
If not, he will serve a one-match ban in Saturday’s home game with Fulham - and be free to play in the derby and at Arsenal in the following week.
Nasri sprang to the defence of Kompany, saying he was only showing his passionate side after a wrongful red card, as Nikica Jelavic had fouled him before he hauled the Hull striker back and got his marching orders for a professional foul.
And he said the incident made the 10 remaining men even more determined to secure a result.
“When your captain gets a red card, you just want to show that you can do it without him and as well do it for him,” said Nasri. “You want to fight to the end and that’s what we did.”
“Do we only need 10 men? I don’t think so but it was good to show everyone that we are back on track, that when everyone plays for the team, it doesn’t matter if we have 10 or 11, we can win games because we have quality.”
Nasri pointed the finger at referee Lee Mason for the incident, the second time in three days they have had a man sent off in controversial circumstances, after Pablo Zabaleta’s red at Barcelona.
“Again, it was a mistake from an official because the first foul was on Vinny and he took a red card, so for 80 minutes we played with 10 men,” said the French ace. “The first foul was from Jelavic on Vincent, and he was just trying not to let him go one-on-one with Joe (Hart). Of course it’s a foul, but the first foul was on Vincent.”
Kompany later tweeted video of the incident to back up his claim that he was the initial victim, and he also praised his team-mates for rescuing a difficult situation, saying: “Proud of the guys! Phenomenal shift they have put in again!”
Nasri said Kompany was calm by the time the rest of the team saw him again.
“He was fine to be honest. At half-time we were winning 1-0 so it was up to us to continue to run and defend the way we did with 10 men,” said Nasri. “He’s a guy who is always going to fight for the team. He has the passion and he likes to talk as well.
“You have some leaders who lead with the way they play and some with words, but Vinny can do both.
“That’s why he’s the captain - he’s a natural leader. He’s not captain of City and the Belgium national team for no reason.”
City needed their main stars to step forward, as they faced 80 minutes of football with 10 men. They did that, and David Silva more than most with a brilliant display. But Nasri says the beauty of City is that they have several players capable of taking hold of a game in the way the little Spaniard did at the KC Stadium, scoring one and creating the killer second goal.
“David Silva had a great game but when you are down to 10 men you need your main players to do something,” said Nasri. “His goal was beautiful and the assist as well.
“That’s really good for him and the whole squad. Is he the main man? When Kun scores you say it’s him, when Vinny scores it’s Vinny, when Yaya scores you say it’s Yaya.
“But I think we have a team with plenty of players and if you want to win the league then you have to think about the team rather than just one player who can make a difference.”
George Boyd spitting: Hull City await FA findings on altercation with Manchester City keeper Joe Hart
Hull manager Steve Bruce has defended George Boyd as the forward waits to see if the Football Association will take any further action over his altercation with Joe Hart in the second half of Manchester City's 2-0 win at the KC Stadium on Saturday.
Video footage appeared to suggest the Hull substitute spat in Hart's direction after the goalkeeper had reacted furiously to Boyd's fall under his challenge in the box in the 69th minute.
Referee Lee Mason booked Hart for his part in the incident with Boyd, who later added to the controversy by insisting Hart "put his head in" and should have been sent off.
The FA will now await the referee's report before deciding whether further action is required over the incident, which soured a fine win for a City side who had been reduced to 10 men in the 10th minute after captain Vincent Kompany was dismissed. The Belgian may also face further punishment for his reaction to being sent off.
But Bruce refuted the spitting allegation, labelling it as "a load of rubbish" and adding: "He (Boyd) has tried to talk and shout and something's come out. That's what I've seen of it.
"George Boyd wouldn't do that, no chance. Not deliberately, anyway. He is as honest as they come - he was playing non-league six years ago."
Bruce also backed Boyd over the suggestions of diving, accepting Mason got it right in not awarding a spot-kick but adding: "George has tried to go round the goalkeeper and he has lost his balance.
"Boyd is going at full tilt and he's expecting to get clattered. To be fair to Joe he has done what every experienced goalkeeper does - he's pulled himself out of the road. George is trying to take evasive action rather than simulate to get a penalty."
Boyd, who was at the centre of another, arguably stronger penalty call when he fell under Fernandinho's challenge two minutes later, criticised Hart's reaction to the initial incident.
He said: "He didn't nut me but he's put his head in, so he should have got sent off really.
"He said after he didn't touch me, but I thought he touched me a little bit. He came (after the game) and said he didn't touch me. He apologised for the reaction and that's it."
Sons of United pair are training with City's academy
Shaqueel van Persie, seven and Harvey Neville, 11, are both training with the Blues youth set-up rather than following in their father's own footsteps with the Reds
Shaqueel van Persie, seven and Harvey Neville, 11, are both training with the Blues youth set-up rather than following in their fathers' own footsteps with the Reds.
It is unclear why striker van Persie, who cost United £24m and Neville, who spent 10 years there as a player after coming through the youth ranks and has returned as a coach, have decided to point their children in the direction of the Reds' cross-town rivals.
Both boys are said to be talented and two years ago van Persie's former club Arsenal were said to be interested in snapping up Shaqueel.
Harvey plays for his school, St Bede's, which is where a number of City's academy stars study.
A source told the M.E.N.: "There's quite a bit of surprise about it. You would have thought that if they were going to be with anyone it would have been United."
Back in 2012 while with Arsenal van Persie revealed Shaqueel was a chip off the old block.
'I honestly have to say that he has got a lot of talent for football," he said.
'I recognise a lot of stuff of myself in him. His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He's sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me.'
With their new training ground set to open later this year and with Financial Fair Play rules to abide by City are making plenty of effort to ensure they produce the next generation of Blues superstars themselves.
That might be one of the reasons why the youngsters are not with United, who are currently seventh in the Premier League, well behind title-chasing City in second.
Both go to training sessions with the Blues although it is not understood that either have actually signed for the club yet.
Youngsters cannot do so until the end of their Under 8s season.
United declined to comment.
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=48036
Alves set to be subject of transfer tussle
Man City & Man United to battle for Brazilian star
Manchester United and Manchester City are set go toe-to-toe this summer in the battle for Barcelona full-back Dani Alves, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
The Brazilian superstar has been a key member of the Catalan giants’ first-team set-up for some time, but rumours have begun to circulate that his time at the club is coming to an end.
Alves’ current contract expires at the end of next season, and with talk of a falling out between the player and other personnel and the Nou Camp he is thought to be available.
There are few teams on the planet that can realistically afford a deal for the rampaging South American, but City and United are two that can fund a big offer.
Both teams are believed to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, with the Red Devils in particular need of a right-sided option.
David Moyes is known to have a vast budget as his disposal, and could use some of it to secure Alves – who would be seen as an upgrade on current first choice Rafael.
City possess Pablo Zabaleta, but with the Argentine also capable on the opposite flank the current Barca man would offer more attacking intent.
Manchester City line up summer swoop for Arsenal star?
Metro have a claim that has gone down like Chris Foy officiating a Chelsea game here in the Football Transfer Tavern and there are some rather angry faces because of it.
The publication note that one of the Gunners defenders is being eyed by Manchester City with a view to a summer swoop.
As we all know, it is hardly the first time that City have flirted with the idea of landing an Arsenal player – and as our punters note over a beer, it will not do down well at all if they manage to pull of this latest swoop.
Thomas Vermaelen is the player that Manuel Pellegrini has identified as his star signing of the summer, and after the recent performances from the likes of Martin Demichelis and indeed Joleon Lescott, we cannot blame him.
Arsenal meanwhile will not exactly be keen on losing the 28-year-old, and to one of their title rivals to boot.
Our landlord moves over to the pool table and notes to our regulars that the club are hoping to challenge for trophies this season and next- and that is not something that will be aided by selling one of their best defenders.
Manchester City won't let go of their €50m wanted man to struggling neighbours
Bogus reports about Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando almost being on a plane from Portugal to Manchester on the final day of the transfer window are the kind of thing which goes down in transfer folklore. Despite being absolute rubbish and nonsense, over time things that like become fact and are repeated ad nauseam.
That Manchester City didn't sign Fernando during the window was a surprise, that they didn't get Mangala wasn't. In Portugal they'd been reporting for a while that Manchester City were happy to play the long game with Porto for Mangala and not get on the wrong side of the Portuguese club.
That could be why they didn't manage to complete a Fernando deal. The midfielder told Porto that he'd stay and sign a new contract so they were no longer interested in a transfer. Manchester City dutifully pulled out of negotiations, being a well behaved buyer, and Fernando then dropped the bomb that he wouldn't renew after the window had shut.
It created a week of mayhem at Porto. There were threats to banish Fernando if he was set to leave for free, but it all got sorted out and the midfielder renewed, only for his agent to repeatedly make comments that he'd be leaving anyway. The double deal could be on in the summer.
Manchester City had at least one representative watch Porto against Napoli on Thursday night and then again on Sunday against Sporting. Mangala and Fernando have had better pairings of games but given that Manchester City have had reps in Portugal for much of the season they know what the pair can do.
Manchester United's reported interest in Mangala will come as a worry, especially given the reports that David Moyes is planning to spend this summer like a drunken sailor. Manchester City may not be prepared to lose this particular transfer battle with their neighbours but it will up the defender's price should Moyes and other managers pursue him seriously during the next window.
[spoiler]Adriana Karembeu - Christian Karembeu's wife
[/spoiler]Arsenal are confident of beating Manchester United in the race to sign highly-rated Freiburg centre-back Matthias Ginter, 20. Daily Mirror
However, Manchester United are considering a bid to steal £37m-rated Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, 20, a long-term Arsenal target. Daily Star
Roma want to sign Newcastle's 28-year-old French full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who is valued at £8.5m and also wanted by Bayern Munich. TalkSHIT
Atletico Madrid are plotting a bid for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, 29, who left the Spanish club to join Liverpool in 2007. Sun
Arsenal and Spurs lead a host of clubs tracking Charlton midfielder Diego Poyet, the 18-year-old son of Sunderland boss Gus. DSSC
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is hoping to secure Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia for a knockdown price of £3m in the summer, when the 30-year-old enters the last year of his contract. Daily Star
Real Madrid are the latest club to express an interest in Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 26. Daily Express
Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, 22, insists he has no interest in leaving the Spanish club, despite being scouted by Manchester United for the past 12 months. TalkSHIT
The Football Association will write to Fifa in a bid to ensure striker Nicolas Anelka, 35, serves his five-game 'quenelle' suspension if he joins another club after being sacked by West Brom on Friday. Guardian
Norwich boss Chris Hughton says Canaries fans had the right to focus their anger on him during Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Southampton - but insists he will not quit. Eastern Daily Express
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey says Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho should not face further disciplinary action after being sent to the stand during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Sun
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 23, pulled out his phone and snapped a 'selfie' with team-mates Kieran Gibbs, 24, and Lukas Podolski, 28, on the pitch at White Hart Lane following Sunday's 1-0 derby win over Tottenham. Metro
Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, 31, scored twice on his Major League Soccer debut as Toronto FC beat Seattle Sounders 2-1. Guardian
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville described the 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Saturday as "unacceptable". Daily Express
Fulham manager Felix Magath has placed photographs of fans in the Craven Cottage dressing room in a bid to inspire his players in their relegation battle. Daily Telegraph
Bayern Munich's 25 year-old German defender Jerome Boateng has caught the eye of Manchester United following a string of strong performances. Bild
Italian champions Juventus are considering matching a £25m buyout for Bayern Munich's 27-year-old Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic but could face stiff competition from Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Full story: Tuttosport (in Italian)
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas hopes to return to French club Marseille to supervise the development of young talent. The 36 year-old is currently playing in Australia for Perth Glory. L'Equipe
Juventus are ahead of AS Monaco and Villarreal in the race to sign the "new Gareth Bale" Andrija Vukcevic, 17, of Montenegrin club Buducnost Podgorica. Tuttosport
The contract negotiations between Barcelona and 26-year-old striker Lionel Messi are likely to be extended due to unresolved salary issues. Marca
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, 32, says the 'El Clasico' against Barcelona will be "very important but not decisive", as they already hold a sizeable lead in La Liga. AS
Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, 25, says the club will go to into the crucial derby match with the "sole idea of winning". AS
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud's reason for wanting to quit London and return to France is that his wife, Jennifer, has told the 27-year-old it is the only way to save their relationship. Daily Mirror
West Ham fan and Pirates of the Caribbean actress Keira Knightley, 28, has revealed her love for Gary Neville's "amazing" football punditry. DSSC
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