I opened up my preview for this match with the following paragraph:

Back in action at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, for what I expect to be a very tricky match. Seriously–this match scares the hell out of me. For one thing, it's a road match against a top half side with a very good home record–those matches are always tough, no matter what.

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Post match comments from Stephen Ireland:

"Looking back at the end of the season we'll probably see it as a good point but we feel a bit robbed," Ireland said.
"We played well, we went ahead but conceded too early. It was very unfortunate but it could have been worse."
As for City's recent habit of drawing too many games, Ireland added: "It's unfortunate we've drawn those games but I think last year we were losing them, so I think it is a positive and it's onwards and upwards or us now.

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So how are you all after the international break? Miss watching our team lose and play horribly? Yeah me too. Luckily however this weekend we're playing some neighbors who are in much the same habit, managed by dear old Big Sam (maybe that was too many adjectives for one guy?). Blackburn are on a run of ten straight losses in away games, however they haven't lost at the Reebok

since 2001 (though really statistics like that don't mean that much).

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I don't make it a habit of watching England games but I'm tempted to try and catch today's friendly with Brazil. Not to actually see England play, you see, but rather in the hope that Lucas Leiva gets a game in the Brazilian midfield.
It speaks volumes about his game this season that Lucas is no longer being constantly pilloried by the fans (well, at least the majority of them) and, without wanting to replace Alonso, he has made a good job of filling in the Spaniard's old role. Click to continue reading...

United went into last night's Champions League tie with CSKA Moscow needing just a point to ensure qualification to the knockout phase of the competition, it should have been a formality - in theory at least anyway - but it wasn't. United have made a habit of doing it the hard way and last night's performance was no different, after going 3-1 down it eventually finished up 3-3 on what was a night Click to continue reading...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife In what seems to be becoming a habit, Manchester City drew their fourth successive Premier League match with a goalless encounter with Birmingham City. The hosts played some hard working football an created many chances, the best of them all being the penalty shot from James McFadden early in [. Click to continue reading...