English Premier League: Manchester City

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Founded: 1880 | Nickname: The Blues, The Citizens | Ground: City of Manchester Stadium | Capacity: 47,405


OVERVIEW
Manchester City have spent 10 years in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. In the 2002/03 season, they became one of only two English teams to have qualified for the UEFA Cup through the 'Fair Play ranking'. This meant that the plush new City of Manchester Stadium was treated to European football just weeks after opening for the start of the following campaign.

Kevin Keegan and then Stuart Pearce, established the club in the Premier League, and under the latter, they finished in 14th place in the 2006/07 season. He was replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson who guided the club to a ninth place finish in the 2007/08 campaign. City also secured UEFA Cup football via the 'Fair Play ranking' for a second time.

However, Eriksson was replaced by Mark Hughes in June and the Welshman will be looking to improve on the club's league position last season as well as overseeing a strong European campaign.

In September 2008, a takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group suddenly made City one of the richest clubs in the world. On deadline day, they smashed the British transfer record with a surprise £32.5m swoop for Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho. However they failed in a £100m bid to sign Kaka from AC Milan in January 2009.

CLUB HERITAGE
In 1880, St Mark's Church established Manchester City FC which moved to Hyde Road seven years later and was renamed Ardwick AFC to reflect its new location. The club joined the Football League as founding members of the Second Division in 1892, and after experiencing financial difficulties in the 1893/94 campaign, were reformed as Manchester City FC.
The first major honour arrived in April 1904 when a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers secured the FA Cup. A fire in 1920 destroyed the Main Stand at Hyde Road and in 1923, the club moved to Maine Road in Moss Side, where they played in front of crowds of more than 70,000.

After winning the FA Cup again in 1934, the club won the league title for the first time three years later. Manchester City were relegated from the First Division in 1938 despite scoring more goals than any other team.

City have won the FA Cup four times, with the 1956 triumph over Birmingham City notable for goalkeeper Bert Trautmann continuing to play on despite unknowingly breaking his neck. A second title was claimed under the joint management of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison in 1968, with a dramatic 4-3 win at Newcastle United. They won the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup Winners' Cup a year later, followed by the League Cup in 1976.

PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY
1993/94 - Brian Horton replaces Peter Reid as manager
1994/95 - Chairman Peter Swailes replaced by club legend Francis Lee
1995/96 - Alan Ball replaces Horton
1995/96 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1996/97 - Steve Coppell replaces Ball
1996/97 - Frank Clark replaces Coppell
1997/98 - Joe Royle replaces Clark
1997/98 - Relegated to Second Division
1998/99 - Promoted to First Division via play-offs
1999/00 - John Wardle and David Makin become the club's major shareholders
1999/00 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Kevin Keegan replaces Royle
2001/02 - Promoted to Barclaycard Premiership
2002/03 - Nicolas Anelka joins from PSG for £13million
2002/03 - David Bernstein resigns
2002/03 - John Wardle becames temporary chairman
2003/04 - Club moves to City of Manchester Stadium
2004/05 - Stuart Pearce replaces Keegan in March 2005
2006/07 - Thaksin Shinawatra acquires a 75 per cent share in the club
2007/08 - Sven-Goran Eriksson replaces Pearce
2007/08 - Eriksson leaves the club in June to be replaced by Mark Hughes
2008/09 - Takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group makes City one of the richest clubs in the world and they smash the British transfer record to sign Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5m.



Manchester City Player Index, 2009/10 season

Name   Played   Goals   YC   RC
Adebayor, Emmanuel   8 (0)   4   1   0
Ball, David   0 (0)   0   0   0
Barry, Gareth   11 (0)   1   0   0
Bellamy, Craig   10 (1)   5   2   0
Bridge, Wayne   11 (0)   0   2   0
Clayton, Adam   0 (0)   0   0   0
De Jong, Nigel   9 (2)   0   2   0
Elano, Blumer   0 (0)   0   0   0
Garrido, Javier   0 (0)   0   0   0
Given, Shay   10 (0)   0   0   0
Ireland, Stephen   10 (4)   1   0   0
Johnson, Michael   1 (1)   0   0   0
Kompany, Vincent   3 (2)   0   0   0
Lescott, Joleon   9 (0)   1   1   0
McDermott, Donal   0 (0)   0   0   0
McDonald, Clayton   0 (0)   0   0   0
McGivern, Ryan   0 (0)   0   0   0
Mee, Ben   0 (0)   0   0   0
Mentel, Filip   0 (0)   0   0   0
Moore, Karl   0 (0)   0   0   0
Mwaruwari, Benjani   0 (0)   0   0   0
Onuoha, Nedum   0 (0)   0   0   0
Petrov, Martin   7 (4)   3   0   0
Richards, Micah   7 (0)   0   1   0
Robinho, De Souza   2 (0)   0   0   0
Santa Cruz, Roque   4 (3)   0   1   0
Taylor, Stuart   0 (0)   0   0   0
Tevez, Carlos   10 (1)   2   1   0
Toure, Kolo   9 (0)   1   0   0
Viban, Jabal   0 (0)   0   0   0
Vidal, Javan   0 (0)   0   0   0
Weiss, Vladimir   0 (0)   0   0   0
Wright-Phillips, Shaun   11 (1)   2   1   0
Zabaleta, Pablo   6 (1)   0   2   1

Courtesy of premierleague.com

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Richards' World Cup vow
Manchester City defender Micah Richards is determined to make England manager Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.




 

The 21-year-old has yet to feature under the Capello regime as the Italian coach guided England through to next summer's finals in South Africa - despite the string of defensive injuries that marred the team's preparations for the friendly match against Brazil.

But Richards, who has won 11 England caps, the last of which came in November 2007, said: "The World Cup is still my dream. It has been hard over the last two years, but all I can do is my best."


He added: "I was quite disappointed when I did not get the call for England against Brazil, but that is just football.

"If Mr Capello does not think I am ready yet, I am just going to bide my time and be patient.

"When my chance comes, I will just take it, like I did two years ago.

"For a 21-year-old to play regularly at club level is hard, especially at Manchester City now, because they want a world XI.

"It is a bit disheartening when you hear they are going after the likes of [Daniel] Alves, the best right-back in the world, or Maicon.

"But football is a confidence game and you cannot let that stuff get you down.

"You just have to keep working hard."

Courtesy of premierleague.com

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Hughes hails Given
                                      
                                                          Mark Hughes has offered his support to his first choice goalkeeper
"The only way you put that bitter disappointment behind you by playing exceptionally well at club level"
- Mark Hughes

Manchester City's Mark Hughes believes goalkeeper Shay Given can cope with his World Cup agony.


After playing the full 120 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's dramatic extra time defeat to France on Wednesday, Given faced the agony of missing out on a place on the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

And now the shot-stopper must get his head together in time for City's Barclays Premier League match with Liverpool on Saturday.

Manager Hughes knows just how Given will feel, having felt similar international pain himself.

As a player, the Manchester City coach was part of the Wales side that lost out on a place at the 1994 World Cup because of Paul Bodin's missed penalty.


Manchester City's Mark Hughes believes goalkeeper Shay Given can cope with his World Cup agony.

 
After playing the full 120 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's dramatic extra time defeat to France on Wednesday, Given faced the agony of missing out on a place on the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

And now the shot-stopper must get his head together in time for City's Barclays Premier League match with Liverpool on Saturday.

Manager Hughes knows just how Given will feel, having felt similar international pain himself.

As a player, the Manchester City coach was part of the Wales side that lost out on a place at the 1994 World Cup because of Paul Bodin's missed penalty.

Then, as manager, Hughes failed to mastermind a play-off win over Russia that would have secured qualification for Euro 2004.


bitter disappointment

"It is not easy as a player or manager to miss out in the last match. Sometimes you feel aggrieved, sometimes you just weren't quite good enough," he said.

"At least Shay doesn't have that hanging over him. It is done now.

"The only way you put that bitter disappointment behind you by playing exceptionally well at club level, and Shay will do that because he's a top professional."

little bit raw

While some members of Giovanni Trapattoni's squad fear their last chance of reaching a World Cup may have gone, Hughes does not feel such worries apply to Given.

Although the keeper is now 33, Hughes can see no reduction in his abilities and is confident he will remain Ireland's number one for a good time yet.

"It is all a little bit raw for Shay at the moment," said Hughes.

"The decision has been made and he has lost the opportunity of this World Cup, which is a shame.

"But it is not over for him. He has to stay clear of injury but I can see him being the Irish goalkeeper for many years after this World Cup. He's a fit guy who works exceptionally hard.

"If he continues to keep up his current levels, there is no reason why he can't be around for the next two World


Courtesy of premierleague.com

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Adebayor tips Tevez to start scoring
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor is backing Carlos Tevez to rediscover his scoring touch.
 

The Argentina international has struggled to find the target since his high-profile move from local rivals Manchester United in the summer.

He had to settle for a place on the bench in the draw against Liverpool on Saturday after scoring only two goals in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Tevez last found the net in the top-flight back in September with a brace in the victory over his former club West Ham United. His only other goals have come in the Carling Cup defeats of Championship sides Crystal Palace and Spassagehorpe United.

TALENTED PLAYER
However, he showed good form after coming on in the second half at Anfield and team-mate Adebayor believes the goals will not be long in coming, telling the club's official website: "We all know how good Carlos is - he was 100 per cent professional when he came on, fighting for the team in defence, keeping the ball and making it easier for me.

"People may be asking why he has not scored a lot of goals, but he's one of the best around. He's got the desire and we know what a talented player he is, he just needs a bit more confidence to start scoring goals."

Courtesy of:   premierleague.com

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Injury blow for Johnson
Manchester City star Michael Johnson could miss the rest of the season with a knee problem.

 

Johnson suffered the injury in training which is so serious that he may have to sit out the rest of City's campaign.

The news comes as a major blow to the England U21 midfielder who had only just come back to the squad after almost a year out with an abdominal problem.

He showed glimpses of his old form in substitute appearances against West Ham United in the Barclays Premier League and Spassagehorpe United in the Carling Cup where he scored in City's 5-1 triumph.

good player

Manager Mark Hughes said: "We are all disappointed for Michael.

"He has worked so hard to get back into first-team contention and shown everyone what a good player he is.

"Unfortunately he might be out for the season but he will receive the best possible care and attention."

 Courtesy of:   premierleague.com

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Sylvinho hails Barca mentality
Sylvinho is urging Manchester City to follow the example of his former club Barcelona.

 

The veteran Brazilian believes City need to take a leaf out of European champions Barcelona's book when it comes to approaching matches.

He said: "We can learn from Barcelona. They play the same way every game. They play the same against Chelsea as they do against a third or fourth division side in Spain.

"We are changing the mentality of a whole club, not just 25 players."

good connection

Sylvinho is now aiming to retain his place in the City team after starting his first Barclays Premier League match for the club against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday after Wayne Bridge was ruled out for a few weeks with a knee injury.

The defender joined City from Barca in August but has been forced to wait for his chance in Mark Hughes' side.

The left-back enjoyed his outing in the 3-3 draw at the Reebok Stadium and now hopes to continue in the team for Wednesday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

He added: "I was upset when Wayne was hurt because he is part of the future at City.

"But I enjoyed the game at Bolton. Matches like that usually take shape in the opening 20 minutes and it was hard for me.

"We didn't play well early on or defend as a team, but in the second half, and even with 10 men, we got the ball down and tried to play good football.

"I had a good connection with Craig Bellamy and Robinho, and I am ready to play at Tottenham if selected."

Courtesy of:      premierleague.com

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Hughes rules out Hart exit
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has ruled out the possibility of Joe Hart leaving Eastlands.

 

Hart was allowed to join Birmingham City on a season-long loan in a bid to further his development after losing his first-team place to Shay Given in the middle of last season.

The 22-year-old's time at St Andrew's has been a spectacular success. Hart has been a pivotal figure in Birmingham's rise up the table, triggering speculation that the England international, who is an outside contender to make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad, might eventually stay permanently.

It is certainly something Alex McLeish would like to see happen. However, Hughes has no intention of losing a player signed from Shrewsbury Town by current England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce.

huge regard

"We allowed Joe to go because we felt it was important that he played regular football," said Hughes. "He was frustrated to lose his place when Shay came but we have huge regard for his ability.

"We felt it was important for him to continue to develop and improve. He wasn't going to do that outside the first-team here, so we decided the best course of action was to let him get some experience elsewhere.

"But our view on Joe has not changed. He is an outstanding keeper and we are pleased that he is a Manchester City player."

Hart has kept six clean sheets in 16 Barclays Premier League appearances this season and has proved a huge success for the Blues who have chalked up five successive league wins to move up to sixth.

That run will face a stern examination on Sunday when Alex McLeish takes his Blues side to Everton while Manchester City host Sunderland on Saturday.

Courtesy of:    premierleague.com

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Hughes sacked by City
Manchester City have sacked manager Mark Hughes and replaced him with Roberto Mancini.

 
City have released a statement confirming Hughes, who has lost just two matches this season, has had his contract terminated.

Former Inter Milan coach Mancini will take over from Hughes who signed off with a 4-3 home win over Sunderland.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told the official club website: "Prior to the current season beginning, with significant investment in players and infrastructure in place, the consensus between the Board and coaching staff was that appropriate agreed targets should be set for the 2009/2010 season.

"The targets were agreed as a result of the player acquisition strategy of the club being radically accelerated in the summer as a result of very favourable conditions for any buying club. It was also based on the fact that the infrastructure of the club had been overhauled completely at great cost in order to create the best possible environment for the team.

"A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. Sheikh Mansour and the Board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change.

"This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career."

winning trophies

Al Mubarak also confirmed the permanent appointment with immediate effect of Mancini alongside Brian Kidd who will become assistant manager.

Al Mubarak said: "Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships. His experience and track record speak for themselves.

"What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City's potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club."

The club confirmed that Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges have also left and further appointments will be announced in due course.

Hughes won 36 and lost 25 of his 77 matches in charge at Eastlands. Eight of the 16 draws came in the last 11 Barclays Premier League fixtures.

He splashed out almost £200m on players during his 18-month reign, including a record-breaking British transfer fee of £32.4m on Robinho. City also spent big on Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott among others.

Hughes has guided the team to the last four of the Carling Cup, the club's first domestic semi-final since 1981. They also beat Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Mancini's first match in charge of City will be the home fixture against Stoke City on Boxing Day followed by a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 28th December. Click here to view Mancini's profile.

Courtesy of:   premierleague.com

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Zabaleta signs new City deal
Pablo Zabaleta has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with Manchester City.

 

The no-nonsense right-back has become a popular figure at Eastlands since becoming one of the first players to join Mark Hughes' overhaul of the club in the summer of 2008, signing from Espanyol.

The Argentina international has racked up 50 performances for the club in that time, despite facing strong competition for a starting place from Micah Richards, not least in part because of his ability to play as a holding midfielder when required.

The 24-year-old revealed he has quickly adapted to life in England, and has been enjoying a ribbing he is receiving at his local fish and chip shop as the anniversary of his only goal - a winner against Wigan Athletic last January - approaches.

big things

"The guy at our fish shop always says it's easy to remember my last goal - it's the only one," he told the club's website.

"But I only used to score once a season in Spain and Argentina - my first job is always to defend, although I'm happy to play where the manager wants in the best league in the world.

"My English lessons are finished now, I will continue to learn with my team-mates at Carrington. I'm delighted to sign because I'm so happy playing for Manchester City and I love living here."

With injuries beginning to hit City's defence, Zabaleta is looking forward to playing a key role over the festive period.

"We play in front of over 40,000 passionate fans. It's so different from Spain," he said.

"We need to aim for nine points from these next three games to keep fighting for a good position. If we play well enough we can get into the top four. We have the players for big things."

Courtesy of:   premierleague.com

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Santa Cruz: Mancini looking to tighten
Roque Santa Cruz says Roberto Mancini has already spoken to the players about the need to improve defensively.

 

The Italian, who replaced the sacked Mark Hughes on Saturday, was unveiled in front of the press and confirmed his intention to win the Barclays Premier League title next season.

But he still found time on Monday to talk to his new charges about the need to improve certain aspects of their play, particularly in defence.

City have conceded 27 goals in the Barclays Premier League this season, including nine in their last three matches.

causing problems

"In the first day he was shaping the team a little and giving us ideas of what he expected from us," said Santa Cruz. "He knows exactly what he has to do. There is a lot of work to do tactically and I think he will do it.

"We were working very well on reshaping the team, which is one of the things we need to do to get the right balance defensively. For sure he will get ideas and tell the team what he expects from us.

"He wants us to close people down. He wants us to be solid and tight and to make it very hard for the other team to play between the lines. And then once we get the ball, to play it wide.

"We have a lot of defensive work to do and then we will have time to address other things which have been causing problems to the team and solve them in the best way possible."

Santa Cruz scored his first league goals since joining City from Blackburn Rovers last summer as his side defeated Sunderland 4-3 on Saturday.

Courtesy of:   premierleague.com