Late winner crucial

The City kit boss and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport
MANCHESTER City’s last-gasp victory over title rivals Tottenham could prove pivotal in the race to finish the season on top of the Barclays Premier League.

Mario Balotelli’s cool-as-cucumber penalty in the dying seconds, which sealed a 3-2 win, was a huge relief after seeing our two-goal lead evaporate.

It is still so tight at the top. Spurs remain in the mix and United beat Arsenal 2-1, but I do think Harry Redknapp’s side and the Reds have tougher games than us in the next few weeks and hopefully we can capitalise if they slip up.

Tottenham were everything I expected them to be — quick, powerful, dangerous on the break and, if Jermaine Defoe had converted his golden opportunity in the last minute of normal time, they probably would have won.

The lads were in yesterday for a warm-down. Today myself and the rest of the kit department get everything packed up and head over to Anfield in preparation for tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.

Kenny Dalglish’s side hold a 1-0 lead so there is everything to play for.



Speaking of sides hoping to reach Wembley this season, Athletic will go to the ‘home of football’ if they overcome Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern final second leg on Monday.

I would love to see my old club do the business, especially with boss Paul Dickov’s history at Wembley. Who could forget him sliding across the turf in celebration of his late equaliser for City in the Division Two play-off final against Gillingham in 1999?

If Latics manage to overturn Chesterfield’s 2-1 lead and make it to Wembley, not only will Dicky be desperate to win, he will be gagging to play! I’m not going to try to stop him!