Incredible match! Although both teams did not play brilliantly from start to finish, the derby match between United and City produced 7 goals in total, and saw both Fletcher and Bellamy score 2 goals a-piece for their respective teams, but in the end it was Michael Owen's shot which saved the day for United in [.

1) Christano Ronaldo The Winker from Portugal was arguably the best player in the world last season, a title the arrogant spotty bean pole professed himself. When it comes to diving Boonaldo is in a league of his own. I have no more to say on the topic, I hate him too. Facebook hate groups 22,060

So Tevez is set to finally leave Manchester United. Evidently ManU brought some of the CRon monies to him, but he and (more likely or) his agent said, 'no thank you'.
This Joorabchian is some piece of work, isn't he? Not content with the chance to say no to Utd, he's taken the opportunity to rub salt in their wounds.

Mars Attacks Alien
Vincent Kompany
Manchester City defensive midfielder Vincent Kompany is set to miss the start of the upcoming Premier League season due to foot surgery.
Despite losing the 6 foot 5 in Kompany - who made 34 appearances for City last season, scoring one goal - The Citizens' management and ownership team is not too fazed - as they are sticking to their well-publicized plans of pursuing a non-traditional 1-1-8 formation this season.

Rather gloriously, Jermaine Jenas has got his knickers in a twist regarding referee Howard Webb's moment of glory on Saturday, and has now been asked to explain himself by the FA. (nb that's Jenas who has been asked to explain himself, rather than Webb...)

Anyway, back to the barely controllable fury of our sideways-passing warrior.

So Joey Barton has been suspended by Newcastle United, after he dared engage in a raging row with Toon boss, Alan Shearer, in the aftermath of his sending off against Liverpool on Sunday. Not really a surprise is it?

Barton was given his marching orders after a terrible tackle on Xabi Alonso, which led to the Liverpool midfielder leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

Previous posts: Formation | Keeper | Right Back | Centerback | Left Back | Central Midfield | Right Midfield | Left Midfield | Second Striker
Yes, I realize this poll and the previous one are mere formalities. I appreciate you indulging my idiosyncratic need for completion.
I could have included eight in this list and still left out players that were better than some in other polls.

In form Bellamy will stay at Manchester City
As we mentioned a few weeks ago, last January in the Premier League we were treated to a handful of major transfers. I mean, some massive, massive moves: Arshavin, Heskey, Given, Beattie, Defoe, Bellamy, etc. all moved clubs...
So, who will make the move in 2010?

We here at the Man United offside have been pondering how United would enter the transfer window for... oh... roughly 3 months. Well we officially received our answer this morning, as Citeh manager Mark Hughes confirmed his interest in Carlitos Tevez.

Obviously, it isn't quite on the level of Gareth Barry's ridiculously absurd transfer to the Middle Eastlands, but when a club backed by a multi-multi-multi billionaire takes interest in one of your players, you tend to sit up and take notice.

Part the first:
Aston Villa 2 - 0 Fulham
I'm not sure we can draw any conclusions from this match. Fulham must have been absolutely wiped out after their trip to the Urals. Villa are a real Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season, but I think they'll continue to improve.

So thinks former Arsenal player (and City fan) Lee Dixon in his BBC column (with a nod to Jack for the link):

I'll say it again, balance will be the key to City's success this season.

But they are still a tour de force going forward as well.

At Fratton Park, they employed Emmanuel Adebayor as the key frontman, with Carlos Tevez, Bellamy, Wright-Phillips and Ireland supporting and inter-changing behind.

The Manchester derby was an enthralling affair providing us with one of the games of the season. The momentum ebbed and flowed between the two teams throughout as both searched for the upper hand on the other. Before kick off we were greeted with the news Carlos Tevez would start, which added even more spice to the game.

We're only six games into the season, but much has already become apparent. Under-performers, over-performers, challengers, also-rans, and players and teams to watch for the right and the wrong reasons. Here's a quick look at the most obvious, interesting, and intriguing...

Manchester City

It's already clear they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Craig Bellamy will be sidelined for three weeks after suffering a knee injury in Manchester City's defeat at West Ham United on Sunday. The Wales captain tore fibres in a patella tendon and City boss Mark Hughes concedes the "best-case scenario" is two to three weeks out."It's not an old injury," said Hughes.

Manchester United have reportedly tabled a $40M US take-it-or-leave-it offer to the representatives of their Argentine super-sub.
Still, Tevez may decide to switch to the blue half of Manchester (where he will surely earn more money and perhaps even secure a full time starting role) - and team up with the likes of Robinho, Barry, Ireland, SWP, and Bellamy in what could be a potent attacking lineup next season.

I thought I'd said pretty much everything about the Glen Johnson deal in the previous post, but seeing as it's been seven days, it almost feels like new news. And I've got a few addenda I could make, although some of this might sound familiar. Plus, having 20+ comments in the last post necessitates some new material.

The latest striker to be linked to Manchester City today is Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor. City have already got Santa Cruz, and the arrival of Tevez appears to be imminent, but will City really be able to cope with having 5 top class strikers at the club? Tevez, Bellamy and Robinho may be forced to play wide at times which isn't exactly their greatest position, and if Tevez left United because he was fed up of not playing enough matches/playing out of position and he leaves the club after Ronaldo is sold, then why join a club like City where they seem to have strikers all over the place?

Gallery, Images, Photos and Pictures of Manchester City v Celtic, Pre-Season Friendly Match, August 2009. Includes Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robinho, Kolo Touré, Gareth Barry, Wayne Bridge, Tal Ben Haim and Craig Bellamy.

So the new season is upon us.
The one day in the season where everyone is equal. Hopes and dreams remain intact as the sun shines down onto the perfect green turf below. Optimism reigns supreme.
There is expectation now more than ever before. A serious assault on the top four is a possibility - albeit an outside one, but there are high hopes.

Given - More smart saves and another assured performance. Has not put a foot wrong since he signed. 7.5
Richards - Struggled against the lively Moses after being booked early. 6
Toure - The new captain had a strong all-round performance both defending and coming forward.

It's getting near that time when even I would travel up to the chilly north of our fine country, but maybe that's because ‘those lights' are soon to be turned on in Blackpool!!

On that note, this coming Saturday I think it will be the Mighty Arsenal who will shine as bright as those Blackpool Illuminations, and come away with three points at least.

"There's an understanding that at times the next game or opposition might not be the right one for them to be in the side.

"I look at the opposition and the threats our players can make - against different teams you need different threats. That will always come into my thinking, and the players understand that.

Whilst performances so far this season have been professional - with the results reflective of this - our opponents in those games are those who we should be victorious against if we have designs on a succesful season.
This now changes with the visit of Arsenal (and the trip to United the following week) as these will be more of a measure of us as a side, and our potential for the remainder of the season.

Adebayor decided to remind us all of why we sold him today ahead of the game by saying that any fans who booed him during his tenure with Arsenal are "not real fans" and "tomorrow they will support Liverpool." He just doesn't get it, does he? The relationship between supporters and players is just that a relationship.

Having taken a few weeks off to study Arsenal‘s play, I am now back to discuss the latest game and clarify the recent fear that is tingling inside you.

Following the last two trips to Manchester, I have noticed that many of you have commented on Arsenal's failure but on the contrary; both games showed that we were very unfortunate.

Aston Villa has been a Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season. While they have yet to surpass the impressive performances they showcased for portions of last season, they showed glimmers of hope Monday night with an admirable defensive display against a very talented Manchester City team.

I don't hate the whinging Welshman! Watching Aston Villa's draw with Manchester City last night provoked a bit of reaction. Along with many football followers, I've kept one eye on City this season. Given all of the money invested and players that have come in, big things and big performances are expected.

Hot on the heels of more Robinho exit rumours comes Guillem Balague's considered view:

The Premier league club have no intention of selling their star player and Barcelona do not have sufficient funds to even consider making a large enough bid that might give City reason to reconsider.

I've posted previously about a changing mentality in this City side, whereby if we are to make a genuine attempt at a top six (or higher) position there needs to be an expectation of achieving victory heading into games - in that the three points become a formality rather than something hoped for.
A home game versus Fulham has to be such a game.

Stephen Ireland has spoken about the recent incident where he was taken to hospital following the Fulham win:

"Thankfully it wasn't too serious because at the time I thought that was the end of me but I don't even know what it was. I've had every test that there is and still don't know what it was.

The handshake between Rafa Benitez and Mark Hughes at the end of today's 2-2 draw spoke volumes.
Although a pulsating second half had rescued what looked to be a turgid scoreless draw provided plenty of the attacking threat both sides possess, their frustrated expressions bore the knowledge of all too familiar frailties and failings that continue to cost their respctive sides.

This weekend Jimmy Bullard mimicked Phil Brown's ridiculous team talk. Putting Tanfastic's #1 customer firmly in his place. It's one of the best callbacks i've seen in months so here's a few celebration's that benefit from a bit of background reading.

5. Fowler's "Traditional Cameroonian Grass Eating" Celebration

Gerard Houllier actually tried to claim Rigobert Song had taught Fowler this traditional African celebration after the Liverpool player was fined £60 000 for this celebration.

PlainSoccer.com Premier League Leaderboard: Week 16
Player Club Goals Assists Combined 1.Drogba, Didier Chelsea 13 5 18 2.Fabregas, Cesc Arsenal 6 10 16 3.Persie, Robin van Arsenal 7 7 14 4.Defoe, Jermaine Tottenham 12 1 13 -.

(Summary is not available.)

Manchester City will be without £46m of striking talent when the take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday unless Robinho and Craig Bellamy recover from injuries picked up in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against West Ham United on Sunday. £30m Brazilian summer signing Robinho is struggling with an ankle injury while £16m January acquisition [.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed Craig Bellamy faces a spell on the sidelines through injury. Bellamy picked up a knee injury during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at former club West Ham. The Welshman has been ruled out of Wednesday's clash with Aston Villa along with team-mate Robinho after he also picked up a knock at Upton [.

Mark Hughes arrived at Manchester City to start building the team capable of challenging for the trophies in the near future but things do not look too optimistic for the Eastlands outfit at the moment. The Citizens had plenty of problems despite severely strengthening the squad in the last two transfer windows and they will miss out on the European qualification.

Our last funny feeling friday of the season - City's Martin Petrov. One of my favorite studs in 2007-2008 is finally back from a long injury layoff.
He's owned by only 2% of fantasy managers, but could combine with Ireland to put a few past Bolton in Robinho and Bellamy's absence this weekend.

The big news on the wire this morning is that Manchester City have apparently been in talks with Arsenal all weekend over the possible purchase of Emmanuel Adebayor.

This is believable in the sense that Citeh's new owners clearly have a lot of money and want to make a splash by bringing in big names in the transfer window.

Por Miguel Bujalance
La temporada pasada, se especuló con que Jermaine Pennant podría acabar en el Santiago Bernabéu. Eran meses maravillosos, en los que hasta yo podría haber fichado por el Madrid de Calderón...
Al final, Pennant, defensa-centrocampista indefinido del Liverpool, que jugó cedido la temporada pasada en el Porstmouth, ha fichado por el Real Zaragoza.