Richards is looking the part again

The Manchester City kit manager and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport

MANCHESTER City were beaten by one of the best goals I have ever seen on derby day at Old Trafford.

There is nothing you can do with a strike like Wayne Rooney’s scissor kick, which handed Manchester United a 2-1 win.

I thought we were the better side and therefore very unlucky to leave without at least a point, but the difference was an unbelievable effort from the England forward, who had been quiet until then.

As you can imagine, our dressing room was flat after the match but the lads just held their hands up and said the winner was fantastic.

On the plus side, Micah Richards produced some telling runs down the right and a couple of awesome tackles. He is starting to look the part again.

Maybe it is due to the fact there is more competition for places now, but he looks more determined than ever to make his mark.

A top four finish in the Barclays Premier League does not look as clear-cut as it did a week ago. Chelsea and Tottenham have a game in hand on us, and Liverpool are on an unbeaten run.

That said, it is in our own hands. We still have to face Carlo Ancelotti’s men at Stamford Bridge, while Spurs have to come to Eastlands.

So it is down to us to make sure we achieve positive results in such important games.

Hopefully we can also go on to clinch FA Cup or Europa Cup glory.

We faced Greek side Aris today (5pm kick-off), which was the first of a number of matches to be played in a short space of time.




A COUPLE of English managers have been in the news. Steve McLaren has been linked with a return to England following his dismissal from German outfit Wolfsburg.



The former England boss might fancy coming back to this country but, after his success in Holland with FC Twente, I would not be surprised to see a Dutch side offer him a job.

Roy Hodgson did not have to wait long to make his comeback, following a disappointing stint at Liverpool.

He has succeeded Roberto Di Matteo at West Bromwich Albion, who I believe are in serious trouble as they bid to beat the drop.

After bursting on to the scene at the start of the season, they have struggled to grind out results.

Hodgson is a good manager, but it remains to be seen whether he can save the Baggies from relegation.