Mancini Starts Winning

Roberto Mancini makes his first winning victory in charge of Manchester City as they beat Stoke City 2-0 in Eastlands in their Premier League clash.  Mancini the Former Inter Milan coach, who set his goal on a top-four finish after taking the position from Mark Hughes, saw Martin Petrov put his team ahead in the 28th minute. The Bulgarian brought the ball home at the far post after a miss hit by Robinho from a Carlos Tevez’s low cross into his path. 

Tevez managed to delay in first-half time when he got his toe to Gareth Barry’s header while lifting the ball over Thomas Sorensen. Previously, Chelsea fielded in Florent Malouda late on as Birmingham made it 10 games unbeaten with a scoreless draw at St Andrew’s.  The leaders found Joe Hart Blues keeper in great form, making a one point stop from Frank Lampard was especially impressive.  It ended the match with only 10 men after Malouda got a second booking for a late tackle.

Mancini New City Manager

Manchester City has a new manager, Roberto Mancini, and he wants to lift the Premier League title next season.  Speaking at his first news conference after replacing Mark Hughes at the richest football club of the world, the 45-year-old Italian is not wasting time in setting his targets.  Mancini said that by next season they want to win the Premier League.  He was instrumental in reviving Inter Milan’s fortunes by winning three straight Serie A titles from 2006-08.  His present goal is to get in the top four and he thinks it is possible.  

He hopes to stay with City for many years and win a lot of trophies since he knows that City has great supporters.  Mancini was discharged by Inter at the end of the 2007-08 seasons.   He was named City manager on Saturday after Hughes was also discharged after the 4-3 home win over Sunderland.  Garry Cook the Chief executive said the club discussed a manager replacement in the course of a run of seven consecutive league draws the stopped City’s momentum.

The dream of the English Clubs

In modern years, English clubs have conquered the knockout rounds of the Champions League, but now, this is the first time since the 2005-06 editions that not all of the Premier League’s four entrants have made the last 16.  On the other hand, Liverpool’s collapse only highlights their rivals’ success, as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United all finished top of their respective groups.  Now, with the draw for the knockout rounds looming, we take a look at who the Premier Powers might want to face and avoid. 
Arsenal won in their group impressively but it hardly indicates where they are.  They will win against a side who reside in the drop zone in the Bundesliga.  Chelsea scraped through the group phase by a win over a depleted Arsenal side, and they won’t be expected to progress any further.  Manchester United record against Europe’s best is not impressive despite advancing from the group stages and they are no exception. The Red Devils easily made it thru to the 2008 title, and they will do so once more.

Liverpool & Arsenal Weekend Limelight

As Manchester United and Chelsea undergo a Premier League title issue a different battle emerges when Arsenal visit a Liverpool side aiming to protect their status of being part of the big four.  Pre-season specialists predict a five horse title race between Chelsea and United, Liverpool, Arsenal and big-spending Manchester City.  While City is still working out with its squad, has already drawn half of their league matches.  

Liverpool has exerted efforts to win games and Arsenal, eight points off leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, are still troubled by irregularity.  Under pressure Rafa Benitez the Liverpool manager is winning a testing campaign.  His side has lost three league games more than last season and will play in the Europa League after failing to progress beyond the Champions League group stages.  The visit of Arsenal could be the trigger the Spaniard needs.   Arsenal is hunting for its first league win at Anfield since 2003, which would keep them in striking distance with Chelsea and above Tottenham Hotspur their rival from north London.

Tevez Scores a Win for Manchester

Carlos Tevez did a favor for Manchester United by winning their match against leader Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday in the English Premier League.  City’s win, followed a seven straight league draws.  It cut Chelsea’s lead over the reigning champion second placer United, to only two points.  Chelsea is kicked off the League Cup in a shoot-out on Wednesday by Blackburn.  It suffered penalty when, they were down 2-1 with only eight minutes, Frank Lampard, England midfielder saw his spot-kick that was saved by Shay Given. 

For Given, who just suffered the pain of loosing to France on the Republic of Ireland’s controversial World Cup playoff, this became a special win.  After a seven or eight games since the league victory and it’s especially nice since Chelsea has great players and is a top team.  The team only lost dropped a game all season very late versus Manchester United at Old Trafford so the team is doing fine.

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