Typically tough

The City kit boss and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport
ON paper, Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Stoke is hardly the end of the world, especially as so few of the top sides leave the Britannia Stadium with three points.

We played well for the majority of the match and had Edin Dzeko’s chip with the last kick of the game not been cleared off the line, we would have been celebrating a victory.

Tony Pulis has put together a side designed to make life difficult for their opponents, so no one ever rolls them over.

Peter Crouch appeared to handle the ball just before he scored for the hosts and it could easily have been one of those days.

But Javi Garcia levelled matters with a fine header on his full debut for the club .

We emerged from a physically-demanding encounter with no new injury concerns, which was vital ahead of tonight’s Champions League opener at Real Madrid.

And Gareth Barry made his long-awaited return as a substitute after three months on the sidelines.

Sunday sees in-form Arsenal visit the Etihad Stadium in another huge match so early on in the campaign.

Arsene Wenger’s team have surprised a few people with their goal-filled, unbeaten start to the season, especially in the wake of Robin van Persie and Alex Song’s departures.

They seem to be enjoying a new lease of life this term, judging by their clinical 6-1 triumph over Southampton. We will have to be at our best to end their unbeaten run.


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