Derby win should give City a boost

Manchester City’s roving website reporter and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport


I THINK the result was a fair one in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

City deserved to win, and that’s what it’s all about in these games. Looking back at the replays I felt City were denied two clear penalties - but thankfully the decisions didn’t prove crucial.

City probably should have won more comfortably, particularly in the spell just after half-time when they bombarded United.

Yes, United came back at City in the final 10 or 15 minutes and that was a bit worrying, but a couple of great saves from Joe Hart and some last-ditch defending kept the clean sheet intact.

It’s another three points closer to Chelsea, and the win sets up City nicely for the Champions League must-win game against CSKA tomorrow night.

There’s no ifs or buts about it, City have to win, and of course the manager and the players know what’s at stake. It’ll be good to see a full house roaring City on at the Etihad.

They’ve had a bit of stick lately for not filling the stadium, so putting up a two tickets for the price of one offer for this game was a good call.

I know as a player myself that if the stadium’s full and rocking with your own fans it can really spur you on. City might well need that extra lift tomorrow at some stage, and the big-game atmosphere should only lift the players.

I made the long trip to Needham Market on Monday to interview former City star Kevin Horlock for another club website feature. He’s now on the coaching staff at Ipswich Town.

Of course I asked about his memories of the Division Two play-off final against Gillingham at Wembley in 1999.

It was all doom and gloom before Kevin and Paul Dickov scored so late to make it 2-2 - then of course City won on penalties.

That will be posted on the website soon, while I’ve also got interviews with Andy Morrison, Nicky Weaver and Joe Hart in the pipeline.