Silva is City's most important player

David Silva spent most of his debut for Manchester City being buffeted about the pitch by Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone on the opening day of the season. Then it seemed like City's big summer signing was not made for English football, where praise from pundits generally centres on a player's pace, power and drive, rather than his vision or ball skills.

Lichaj...doing some serious clubbing too....

The Big Nasty, Eric Lichaj, acquitted himself well in a 2-1 Aston Villa loss to Tottenham Hotspur going up against one of the best wingers in the Prem on Sunday, Gareth Bale.

You can ballpoint it that Lichaj is at least second on the rightback depth chart for 2014 at this point and likely 2011 as well (despite some folks at ESPN suggesting Jonathan Spector already has the starting 2014 spot locked-up.

The commentator mash up of England's World Cup performance.

Here's the links:

• Adam Johnson chat [Manchester Evening News]
• Star man report [Sky Sports]
• 3 Up Front podcast [Soccerlens]
• Sir Alex dishes out punishment [Dirty Tackle]
• Diaby injury blow [BBC]
• Asian Cup squads [World Cup Blog]
• Neil Young tribute [Manchester Evening News]
• Top 10 moments from S.

By Ollie Irish

Man City beat Red Bull Salzburg easily at Eastlands last night. The match was lit up by this superb goal from tricksy winger Adam Johnson:

Sweet goal by one of the few English players with the self-confidence and skill to beat a man. Oh, and Mario Balotelli scored twice, which has to be a good thing if it stops the Italian bitching for a week or two.

In the Europa League last night Adam Johnson was excellent; again. Ask anyone who has watched the Prem this season what City lack and they'll say spark and creativity. Johnson is all spark and creativity, and not only that, he tracks back and harries far more than most wingers do.

In the Europa League last night Adam Johnson was excellent; again. Ask anyone who has watched the Prem this season what City lack and they'll say spark and creativity. Johnson is all spark and creativity, and not only that, he tracks back and harries far more than most wingers do.

In no particular order, the stories that we've enjoyed over the last year 1. Gareth Barry, Joe Hart, Adam Johnson and Shay Given get plastered in student digs 2. Jack Rodwell forced to launch Everton's new kit even though his mummy told him not to take his clothes off at the request of strange men. [.

MANCHESTER, England Mario Balotelli scored twice as Manchester City FC qualified for the UEFA Europa League round of 32 with a comfortable victory against FC Salzburg. Balotelli struck on 18 and 65 minutes, his first goal a sumptuous volley from Pablo Zabaleta's cross. Adam Johnson's solo effort rounded off the scoring late on, leaving [.

MANCHESTER, England Mario Balotelli scored twice as Manchester City FC qualified for the UEFA Europa League round of 32 with a comfortable victory against FC Salzburg. Balotelli struck on 18 and 65 minutes, his first goal a sumptuous volley from Pablo Zabaleta's cross. Adam Johnson's solo effort rounded off the scoring late on, leaving [.

Manchester City 3-0 Red Bull Salzburg ( Mario Balotelli*2, Adam Johnson) A brace from Mario Balotelli and a second half strike from winger Adam Johnson allowed Manchester City to record a 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League on December 1, 2010. Man City vs Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 ( Balotelli goal) Man City vs [.

Adam Johnson's goal vs Red Bull Salzberg yesterday. With so many quality midfielders out injured or suspended (Van der Vaart, Fabregas, Arteta, etc.) it would be nice if Mancini played the youngster more consistently. He'd be an absolute stud. Instead, ... Continue reading →

Carlton Cole: a modern-day, footballing Andy Warhol. Images: WillowFoundation.org, Telegraph.co.uk.

In the mood for gifting?

Just think of the joy you'll bring to your SO's eyes when you hand them a painting of a bowl of fruit crafted by Wayne Rooney. He or she will be amazed at the endless list of subliminal messages you'll conjure up as the two of you dissect Rooney's meticulously detailed, erect bananas.

West Ham 1-3 Manchester City ( James Tomkins/ Yaya Toure*2, Adam Johnson) Manchester City moved to joint top spot in the Premiership with Arsenal after a comfortable 3-1 win over struggling West Ham United at Upton Park. Yaya Toure scored two goals while substitute Adam Johnson scored the third after being brilliantly set up by [.

With all the reports about unrest within the Manchester City dressing room, what has almost been lost has been the teams performance recently. After beating West Ham 3-1 today, City moved into second place in the Barclays Premier League.

City were without the suspended Carlos Tevez's, but they still have David Silva who was brilliant again today.

With all the reports about unrest within the Manchester City dressing room, what has almost been lost has been the teams performance recently. After beating West Ham 3-1 today, City moved into second place in the Barclays Premier League.

City were without the suspended Carlos Tevez's, but they still have David Silva who was brilliant again today.

Por Emmanuel Pollora / @emmanuelpollora
El Manchester City superó por 3 a 1 al West Ham como visitante, con tantos de Yaya Touré, Robert Green en contra y uno de Adam Johnson y es el nuevo puntero de la Premier League junto al Arsenal, aunque perderá el primer puesto tras el duelo que protagonizarán, el próximo lunes, justamente el conjunto de Arséne Wenger ante el Manchester United, ya que cualquiera sea el resultado final, habrá un nuevo líder.

LONDON. England — Manchester City moved up to second place in the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at West Ham as Newcastle beat Liverpool by the same score to get new manager Alan Pardew's reign off to a dream start. Strikes from Yaya Toure, Adam Johnson and a Robert Green own goal [.

Manchester City locked up top spot in Group A after coming from behind to take a point against Juventus in Turin.

Jo was the City hero as swept the ball home at the back post following a cross from Adam Johnson in the 78th minute.

With qualification to the knockout stages assured, City manager Roberto Mancini made nine changes to his side, with only Jerome Boateng and Jo retaining their places following the Barclays Premier League victory over West Ham at the weekend.

TURIN, Italy A second-half equaliser from Jô cancelled out Niccolò Giannetti's effort on his first start for Juventus as Manchester City FC finished top of Group A. The 19-year-old Giannetti, whose previous first-team experience amounted to a seven-minute outing on Matchday 4, got across Dedryck Boyata to turn in Alessandro Del Piero's pass two [.

Tevez making up with officials. Best way to do it with the fans is to score some goals.

1:00 It is cold enough to reconfigure the anatomy on a brass monkey out there and yet shorts and short sleeves for most of the players. The fancy ones though are wearing a snood (see Spurs players sporting the latest trend)!

By Chris Wright

According to the transfer toss in this morning's Daily Mail, Sunderland are plotting a 'double raid' on Man City in January, firstly to tie down current Black Cats loanee Nedum Onuoha to a £6 million permanent deal, and secondly to test the water over bringing in winger Adam Johnson on loan until the end of the season.

Reported Liverpool target Adam Johnson could be on his way out of Manchester City next month.
According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland are attempting to sign the 23-year-old 'on loan' for the remainder of the season, as well tabling a bid to sign Nedum Onuoha on a permanent basis.
However, should Johnson become available, Liverpool are thought to be in the running for the England winger who has grown increasingly frustrated at his lack of regular football under Roberto Mancini.

Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City ( Andy Carroll/ Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez*2) St.James' Park- 26th December 2010- Boxing Day fixture. Manchester City beat Newcastle United 3-1 at St.James' Park to keep pace with rivals Manchester United. Two early goals from Barry and Tevez and a late strike from the latter were enough for Roberto Mancini's City [.

Nearly forgot about the Premiership match-ups midweek today. All about to do down.

As good as he is, this is not a face you want to put on program guides

Villa v. Tevezchester City

Nothing like sending a message of cluelessness to your egregiously overpriced team like making Carlos Tevez the captain last week after he flip-flopped on a homesickness claim to remain at City.

Well there you go, another dire game, another awful result to put 2010 to bed. The anti-Houllier voices now reaching full crescendo; maybe they'll get their wish and we can look forward to our 4th manager in a matter of months. That's generally worked out well for clubs that have tried it in the past.

Well there you go, another dire game, another awful result to put 2010 to bed. The anti-Houllier voices now reaching full crescendo; maybe they'll get their wish and we can look forward to our 4th manager in a matter of months. That's generally worked out well for clubs that have tried it in the past.

MANCHESTER, England — Mario Balotelli scored a hat-trick as Manchester City maintained their push for the Premier League title with a crushing 4-0 win over a struggling Aston Villa at Eastlands here on Tuesday. The win ensured City moved to the summit of English football for the first time since August 2007, although that honour [.

Mario Balotelli who has been in the headlines all week about how he wants to return to Italy, scored a hat-trick to send Manchester City top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, after they beat Aston Villa 4-0.

This was a game that was over in the first 27 minutes. City went one up and eight minutes when Balotelli, who was tripped in the box by Eric Lichaj, calmly slotted the penalty past Brad Friedel.

Mario Balotelli who has been in the headlines all week about how he wants to return to Italy, scored a hat-trick to send Manchester City top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, after they beat Aston Villa 4-0.

This was a game that was over in the first 27 minutes. City went one up and eight minutes when Balotelli, who was tripped in the box by Eric Lichaj, calmly slotted the penalty past Brad Friedel.