Ivory Coast was the overwhelming favorite and had the big-name players. It's not like facing those factors had stopped Zambia from maintaining its inspiring quest to be crowned king of Africa before.

Almost 20 years after a plane crash in Libreville, Gabon, killed 25 Zambian national team players and officials, Zambia came full circle and paid an incredible tribute to its 1993 predecessors in that city, stunning Ivory Coast 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shootout after 120 scoreless minutes to capture the African Cup of Nations for the first time in its history.

In a thrilling 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge, both Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata put on a show, but the title could still end up on the blue side of Manchester if Yaya Toure can add some fluidity & ... Continue reading →

By Alan Duffy

Everton 1-0 Manchester City Premier League 31st January 2012

Roberto Mancini's nouveau riche Citizens just can't seem to put any decent daylight between them and their Manchester rivals in the race for the title.

The Ivory Coast won their first match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations today, a 1-0 defeat of Sudan with Didier Drogba scoring the lone goal.

Curious as to their current FIFA ranking and who else might likely put up a fight against the Elephants, I looked it up. Learning that they rank 18th internationally didn't surprise, but the fact that only 5 other African countries make up the top 50 did.

The Ivory Coast won their first match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations today, a 1-0 defeat of Sudan with Didier Drogba scoring the lone goal.

Curious as to their current FIFA ranking and who else might likely put up a fight against the Elephants, I looked it up. Learning that they rank 18th internationally didn't surprise, but the fact that only 5 other African countries make up the top 50 did.

Many are labelling this weekend's game as a grudge match with Spurs seeking revenge for the beating they received at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. According to a recent poll by Sky Sports, Spurs are also the favourites to win the league, no doubt partly due to the new-found hatred that City has acquired.

Puck Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back into the Happy Hour. Since we last got together, I have been on top of the world. The Syracuse Orangemen (they will never be the Orange to true fans) are the number one team in the land, Manchester City remains atop the EPL table thanks to the head of [...]

The last couple of seasons, seeing our midfield overrun, Wenger changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3. This added more players in central midfield where too often we had lost vital games, but the flip-side meant that the striker was isolated.

For 4-3-3 to work you need at least one of your three central midfielders to get into areas to support the striker.

After a very disappointing first half against Liverpool and a distinct lack of cutting edge in the 2nd half, Wigan away is probably one of the best places to go right now for a game to build up your confidence again. I mean that with respect of course, but there is no denying that Wigan aren't having a great season.

Shortly after facing a home defeat against their city rival Manchester United in the FA Cup, another disappointing episode arrived for Manchester City as they suffered a similar outcome in the Carling Cup against Liverpool on Wednesday.

This second defeat in a row obviously stunned the Eastlands, but coach Roberto Mancini remains positive with his team's strength as he even believed that his team can reverse the result in the second leg.

Not a surprise that the FA has turned down Vincent Kompany's appeal for the straight red card that he picked up in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The Man City captain will now miss City's next four games (its four games and not three as this is his second red card of the season).

Kompany, who has arguably City's best player over the last two seasons, will miss tomorrow night's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg with Liverpool.

Not a surprise that the FA has turned down Vincent Kompany's appeal for the straight red card that he picked up in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The Man City captain will now miss City's next four games (its four games and not three as this is his second red card of the season).

Kompany, who has arguably City's best player over the last two seasons, will miss tomorrow night's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg with Liverpool.

FA officials studying the video of Manchester City's 3-0 win over Liverpool have retrospectively awarded Martin krtel an imaginary three game ban following Roberto Mancini's persuasive waving of an imaginary card.

The Imaginary Appeal panel is set to meet on Thursday to imagine what punishment they imagine would be appropriate.

Normal service was resumed for 10-man Manchester City as they once again put daylight between themselves and rivals Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League table with victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
After just one point and no goals from two matches, they were given an easy ride on their way to opening up a three-point cushion over their neighbours, who will try to reduce the gap again at Newcastle.

szólj hozzá: City v Liverpool 3:0 EXTENDED

Pepe Reina flubbed what should have been a fairly simple stop off a Sergio Aguero drive. Liverpool dominated possession thereafter but it was City once again going up through Yaya Toure's header at the half an hour mark.

Gerrard and Craig Bellamy were introduced by Kenny Dalglish after an hour and Liverpool looked more mobile going forward although they failed to look threatening in the final third once again.

Roberto Mancini worries for Manchester City without Yaya Toure

The City boss was delighted with his side's response to Sunday's defeat at Sunderland as they beat Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-04 00:30:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Goals:
Agüero 10'
Yaya Toure 33'
Milner 75' (pen)
Mistakes punished by cruel, efficient competency combined with continued Liverpool impotence in front of goal. An added bonus of a referee error, a game-ending penalty given for Yaya Toure's dive, mere moments after fleeting good fortune when Barry saw red for two soft yellows.

Manchester City 3 Liverpool 0: Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner score

Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League after bouncing back to winning ways with a convincing victory over Liverpool.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-03 22:09:28 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool: Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure & James Milner strikes secure comfortable win for 10-man hosts

Despite the second-half sending off of Gareth Barry, the Citizens dominated Kenny Dalglish's side to gain a three-point cushion at the top of the Premier League

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-03 21:55:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

As City wheel and deal in another transfer window, Samir Nasri falls further down the pecking order. And he just joined. Think how early-adopter Wayne Bridge feels.

It's hard to watch several leagues simultaneously, which somewhat tempers the distaste for the phenomenon of sugardaddied Manchester City and makes the team an intriguing entity to behold.

AP Photo/Christian Thompson.

A tanker full of eggnog has just broken down outside our HQ.

It's just provocative really.

GOOD WEEK

Toure Treasure: Yaya Toure has been named 'African Footballer of the Year' for his performances for Manchester City in the EPL this season.

Yaya Toure was named the CAF Player of the Year for being awesome in 2011, and rightly so. Possibly for his sartorial abilities.

Actually, he showed up in different dress, which makes one think that massive robe is a prize for winning the prize. A prize which immediately turns its wearer into a spiritual healer?

Yaya Toure was named the CAF Player of the Year for being awesome in 2011, and rightly so. Possibly for his sartorial abilities.

Actually, he showed up in different dress, which makes one think that massive robe is a prize for winning the prize. A prize which immediately turns its wearer into a spiritual healer?

Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure was yesterday named African Player of the Year 2011 in a lavish gala ceremony in Accra Ghana. The 28 year old who has had a fantastic start to the EPL this season, beat Mali's Seydou Keita and Ghana's Andre Ayew who finished second and third respectively to win the award and become only the second Ivorian since Didier Drogba to win the award.

Manchester City continue their winning run after last weekend's victory over Arsenal by gaining another important victory, this time against Stoke City at Etihad Stadium.

The result brought the Eastlands closer in getting the half season champion as they would need one more victory to seal that temporary morale boosting achievement.

With the FA Cup third round just around the corner, let's take a look at how the cup was won last season.
Arsenal and Manchester City were given scares by Championship sides on their way to the fourth round. The Gunners needed a late penalty to earn a replay at Elland Road, while City were taken to a replay by Leicester City.

It wasn't so long ago that pundits and fans alike were questioning whether Mario Balotelli had what it takes to succeed in English football.

His doubters were plentiful and vociferous, with many criticising his perceived lack of maturity. However, one by one Balotelli has silenced his critics as he continues to lay waste to defences across the Premier League.

Yaya Toure, obviously overcome by the Christmas spirit this holiday season, ran around attempting to fight people on Monday night at Stamford Bridge. Though he committed any number of cardable offenses, his pièce de résistance featured a foul on Juan Mata, a kick to the Spaniard's leg while he was on the ground and then, to cap the gesture, a smack to the top of Mata's head moments later.

This should be pretty damn good. As you can see, Mario is dressed for the occasion.

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As a player, you have respect for Barcelona but you never have fear. You have to plan for a good game against them and to try to cause them problems. So no, we do not have any fear of Manchester City, especially because we're playing at home in this match but we do have the ultimate respect for them because they're the league leaders.

An analysis by Footy-boots.com have revealed that coloured boots have topped the EPL scoring charts so far this season, no surprise there then given the outrageous colours on offer to the top brass these days.

White boot wearers like Robin Van Persie (Adidas Predators), Edin Dzeko (Adidas F50 ), Mario Balotelli (Nike CTR360 Maestri II ), Yakubu (Nike CTR360 Maestri ) and Daniel Sturridge (Adidas F50 ) have racked up 43 goals between them already this season up to today wearing white boots, however white boots haven't helped Wayne Rooney's scoring touch with the Manchester United striker grabbing just 1 goal before today out of his nine scored this season so far, with the other eight scored in blue (Nike T90 Laser ).

The two Manchester clubs have been sensationally dumped out of the UEFA Champions League following the final round of matches this evening.

Three-time European champions Manchester United are out of this year's tournament having suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Swiss champions FC Basle 1893. United only needed a point to progress but found themselves two goals down with ten minutes of the match remaining, with Basle's Marco Streller and Alexander Frei getting the goals, before Phil Jones pulled one back to make it an anxious finish for the Swiss side.

Manchester City vs Bayern Munich 2-0 Highlights Champions League 2011 Video Goals Silva Toure is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Manchester City vs Bayern Munich 2-0 Highlights Champions League 2011 Video Goals Silva Toure is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Manchester City vs Bayern Munich 2011 ( Man City vs FC Bayern Munchen video below) Final score and result:- Manchester City vs Bayern Munich 2-0 ( David Silva, Yaya Toure) [.

It's Friday. Lucas is still injured. It wasn't a dream, a bad trip, or a mass hallucination. The collective unconscious didn't suddenly sprout arms, legs, and a sense of self and decide to play a cruel trick on Liverpool fans. Still, there's stuff floating around out there to talk about that doesn't involve talk of ACLs and MCLs and MRIs.

Manchester United are the most successful English club of all time. Their comprehensive history includes: 12 Premier League titles, 11 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, and 3 UEFA Champions League Cups.

They are also the club to attain the most FA Cups in English football history by winning the prestigious title a total of 11 times.

Suarez battles with Lescott...
Liverpool had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday after fighting hard against a City side that began to tire as the 90 minutes went on. Joe Hart kept the away side in the game with minutes to spare after a great save to deny Andy Carroll. Both sides had a bit of luck but neither left victorious.

Point A Piece

Suarez battles with Lescott... Liverpool had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday after fighting hard against a City side that began to tire as the 90 minutes went on. Joe Hart kept the away side in the game with minutes to spare after a great save to deny Andy Carroll.

Downing and Hendo return for LFC v Man City

Today's game between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield will be played amidst much sadness following the news that Gary Speed had died this morning at the age of 42. Speed was Craig Bellamy's manager at Wales and played for Kenny Dalglish at Newcastle.

The Confederation of African Football has released its short list for 2011 CAF African Player of the year. The list includes usual suspects Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Seydou Keita of Mali.

Other players short listed for the prestigious award include: Asamoah Gyan, Yaya Toure, Kevin Prince-Boateng, Moussa Sow, Gervinho, Adel Taarabt and Andre Ayew.

Steven Pienaar isn't smiling in this photo. This grimace is actually quite normal for someone being deprived of oxygen. Don't ask how we know that. Image: Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Puma.

Yet another important engagement we missed recently was the launch of Puma's kits for the Africa Cup Of Nations at the London Design Museum.