Winger saves the day as Manchester City find going tough

Yaya Toure of Manchester City is helped off the pitch after getting hurt against the Vancouver Whitecaps during their World Football Challenge friendly

John Guidetti celebrated his new deal with an equaliser and a hand in Shaun Wright-Phillips’ breathtaking winner to spare City’s blushes at Empire Field.

The Blues had been having a miserable evening in a beautiful city, going behind, losing Yaya Toure to a worrying injury and seeing Edin Dzeko fluff an open goal. But second-half sub Guidetti helped to turn that around.

The Sweden under-19 star seemed to be on his way out of Eastlands at the start of the summer, refusing a new deal and seemingly being interested in a move to Dutch outfit FC.

But Roberto Mancini likes the look of the powerful youngster and has it in mind to make him his fourth striker in the coming season.

Including him in the plans for the pre-season tour helped to seal the matter, and it was confirmed on the day of the match that Guidetti had agreed to stay.

He paid back immediately, heading in an equaliser just as it seemed Whitecaps were about to record their third win in three games against the Blues.

City have been to Vancouver four times before, and went home with tails firmly between their legs on three of those occasions.

In 1980, they were tonked 5-0, with former Ipswich hit man Trevor Whymark bagging a hat-trick and ex-Burnley striker Ray Hankin also on the scoresheet.

Gluttons for punishment, the Blues were back the following year and lost 2-0. In the first 45 minutes, it looked like the hoodoo would continue as City laboured on the heavy pitch.

Whitecaps are in the middle of the MLS season, so their fitness was an advantage in such conditions.

The fact that they are bottom of the Western Conference mattered little – they saw the visit of the FA Cup winners, and world’s richest “soccer franchise” as a challenge.

There were fireworks, drummers, barrage balloons and the national anthem before the game and the Empire Field was almost full with 24,074 basking in the sunshine.

There had been a real scare that the game wouldn’t take place as torrential rain had flooded the pitch on Friday, forcing postponement of their scheduled game on Saturday.

A frenzied 48 hours pumping out the water paid off, and the sun came out on Monday to help with the drying out. But the surface soon began to cut up and Whitecaps looked fitter.

Joe Hart was the busier of the keepers, tipping over  a looping effort from danger man Eric Hassli early on.

Vladmir Weiss has seen the opportunity to play his way into Roberto Mancini’s plans and, as in San Francisco, he had a lively opening, not least a driving run which freed Dzeko in space, only for his surprise shot to be palmed away by keeper Jay Nolly. Brazilian Camilo gave notice of his long-range expertise with a free kick which had Hart scrambling to his right and hurling himself full length to turn away. But the Whitecaps midfielder went one better when City were caught out on the counter, his shot deflecting off Stefan Savic to wrong-foot Hart.

The keeper had to be down smartly to again deny Camilo, giving Dedryck Boyata a tough time at right back. City should have equalised on 39 minutes when some lovely constructive football down the left, between Weiss, Ryan McGivern and the overlapping Aleks Kolarov, freed Weiss in the inside left channel.

His square pass set Edin Dzeko up with the goal wide open but he screwed his shot wide. That was just the start of the first half woe for the Blues, as moments later Yaya Toure leapt to challenge for a ball and landed awkwardly on his right ankle.

He had to be helped off and limped down the tunnel, to be replaced by James Milner. The Blues made seven changes at half time, and again Weiss – the only man to play 90 minutes on Saturday - remained on the field. We also saw Mario Balotelli back in action, and if he had been a little closer to fitness he might have made more of Shaun Wright-Phillips’ sparky run and cross.

Stuart Taylor almost gifted the Canadians a second with a feeble clearance which Omar Salgado collected and fired inches wide of the post.

Just when it looked like the hoodoo was striking again, up popped Guidetti, powering home a header at the far post from a corner by manager’s son Andrea Mancini.
And it was Wright-Phillips who won it, after Guidetti had led the charge on the right and fed him. The little winger, who scored against Club America on Saturday, smashed his shot from 30 yards into the far top corner,  a timely reminder of exactly what he can do.

The win puts City top of the Herbalife World Football Challenge table, leapfrogging United and Real Madrid – a taste of Champions League things to come, perhaps?

Manchester City agree deal to sell Carlos Tevez to Corinthians

 

Roberto Mancini insists Carlos Tevez is still a City player after confirming that the Blues have agreed a deal to sell him to Corinthians

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Corinthians for the sale of Carlos Tevez.
City turned down a £40million bid from the Brazilian club last week, with City believed to be holding out for £50million for a player who finished as joint top scorer in the Barclays Premier League last season with 20 goals.
However, speaking on the club's pre-season tour of North America, Mancini said: "We have an agreement with Corinthians but Carlos now is still a City player."
Asked whether Tevez would now be discussing personal terms, Mancini replied: "I don't know this. I repeat, at the moment, Carlos is still a City player."
He added: "I want to wait. At the moment we are here, we are working with the other guys. We should think about this."
Defender Joleon Lescott admitted he would be disappointed to see his team-mate depart but understood his wishes.
The England international said: "We'll be disappointed if Carlos leaves but it was down to the club and Carlos what was best for each other and they have come to an agreement so I wish both parties all the best.
"Carlos is his own man. Last season he played to 110% every game so none of us will be holding any grudges towards him and we'll wish him all the best if he does leave."
The Sao Paulo club moved for the Argentina striker after being alerted by Tevez's admission earlier this month that he wished to leave City for the sake of his family, with his two children based in his homeland.
Corinthians president Andres Sanchez last week claimed Juventus had entered the race to sign Tevez but insisted his own club would not increase their offer for the wantaway South American.
Tevez's advisor, Kia Joorabchian, revealed a few days ago that a deal with Corinthians was "close", with the player himself keen on a return to the club he previously represented between January 2005 and August 2006.
The 27-year-old, who joined City from Manchester United in summer 2009 and has also previously played for West Ham, is under contract at City until June 2014.

Mancini gives Shaun Wright-Phillips hope of a Manchester City future

Shaun Wright-Phillips’s City career has been thrown a lifeline by boss Roberto Mancini.

The Blues manager has hinted that the 29-year-old winger could play his way back into his plans – if he has a good pre-season in California.
Wright-Phillips is lined up to play a part in the opening match of City’s tour, against Mexican side Club America, in San Francisco tonight.
But it appeared at the start of the summer that Wright-Phillips was heading for the exit, especially with the Blues hot on the trail of Alexis Sanchez.
There was strong interest from both Bolton and Wigan, but no concrete offers for the £7million-rated Wright-Phillips.
Sanchez is on the verge of joining Barcelona, and that could leave an opening for the England man.
Said Mancini: “Shaun is here with us in America and he is working hard.
“We will have to see what happens during pre-season because he has Manchester City in his blood, but he’s still a young guy and it’s not easy for me to leave him on the bench all the time.
“We will see what happens and need to find a solution that makes him happy, but everything is possible.”
The City manager also repeated his desire to see Carlos Tevez stay, even as City denied that they have had a £45million bid from Juventus.
“I’m not sure what is happening with Carlos Tevez at this moment,” said Mancini, who has left the negotiating to chief executive Garry Cook and football administration officer Brian Marwood.
“Obviously I would want him to stay because he is someone who is very difficult to replace, but if he goes, this is football and there is nothing anyone can do about it.”
Mancini has also warned his team that, despite the fans’ euphoria at ending 35 trophy-less years last season, the FA Cup was not an endpoint for the club.
“The FA Cup should be the start for us,” said Mancini, expected to field a mixture of first-teamers and fringe players in tonight’s game at the AT&T Stadium
“I think that for us the most important thing for us last season was that we won the cup. But now it is important to continue to work well, to improve.
“I am very happy with the way we have started this pre-season on this tour. The players are working very well and it is very important that we work like this.
“It is important to have a good confidence going into the new season. We can work with tranquillity here, and I think the mentality of the squad was changed last year.
“But now it is a new season, the past is finished, and this will be a very hard and long season for us.”

Liam Gallagher launches new Manchester City 'Blue Moon' shirt

 

This is the shirt Manchester City hope will hit the right note with fans.

It should. After all, it features a “soundwave” graphic of supporters singing the club’s anthem “Blue Moon.”

And the FA Cup winners have even enlisted the help of legendary Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher, the help launch the much-anticipated 2011-12 home kit.

Liam’s new band, Beady Eye, have recorded a version of Blue Moon.
“I’ve been a City fan since I was a kid so to be involved with the launch of a new kit is colossal,” he said. “Manchester City fans are known for having a lot of style and the new shirt looks mega.

“I love the soundwave idea and the Mod-inspired collar looks proper smart.

“Blue Moon is a top tune and has been City’s song for as long as I can remember. It’s been covered by loads of people but the only good one until now was the one Elvis did. I hope the fans buzz off our version and sing along to it at the stadium.”
David Blanch, Senior Designer at Umbro, said: “You can go anywhere in the world and people will know two things about Manchester: football and music. For the new Manchester City Home shirt, we wanted to combine the elements of football and sound in a new and original way.
“Our starting point was the club’s anthem, Blue Moon. When fans are singing Blue Moon, it becomes more than just a song – it’s a connection between the fans and the players. We went into the Stadium to record a section of the fans singing the song.
"From this recording, we extracted an audio clip and created a soundwave graphic which is used within the shirt. One of the most powerful ways in which any fan can positively influence a football match is through sound. We've harnessed that and made it part of the Manchester City's home kit. This is a truly innovative football strip."

Make Kompany captain now

No messing, Roberto. Make Vincent Kompany your captain for next season NOW. Regardless of whether Carlos Tevez gets his wish to leave the club, and no matter how hard he plays if he does stay, the man should no longer be deemed worthy of the armband.

It is easy to dismiss the contribution that Tevez has made in his two explosive seasons at City.

It is no understatement to say that without his 52 goals, his immense work rate and his stirring example, then Blues would not be where they are now, on the brink of the most exciting period in their history.

And those City fans who just want to wash their hands of him, and move on, should do so with respect for Tevez’s contribution.

But as a captain, he is now compromised.

There is little doubt that if Tevez’s wishes – and the machinations of the former used car salesman he has as an
advisor – are thwarted, the player will give his all when he plays next season.

It is in his nature. The Fort Apache fighter in him won’t let him give anything less than everything.

But being a captain is a lot more than playing with heart and leading by example.

Inspiration

He has to be a figure respected by his fellow pros, an ambassador and an inspiration, a man who is weaved into the fabric of the club, and understands precisely what that club is all about.

Tevez, regrettably, is not that man.

Far from embracing City, and Manchester, he has kept them at arm’s length, a man afraid or unwilling to show his emotion.

The thought of him walking forward, at the Community Shield, to shake hands in the centre circle, is absurd given the history of the last eight months.

Kompany, by contrast, has shown the right qualities to lead City on the field and off it.

He is every bit as committed as Tevez on the pitch. Playing in more than 50 games this season, his commitment and ferocious will to win has never flagged.

The fans have roared their approval of him, and voted him as their player of the year.

Players often see things differently, as they witness a side of men which the public doesn’t see – how he conducts himself in training and in the dressing room, and even on a night out.

But the City players voted overwhelmingly for Kompany as THEIR player of the year as well, which – given the extreme respect they have for David Silva, Nigel de Jong, Yaya Toure and Tevez – proves unequivocally just how outstanding Kompany was last season.

Off the field, we see his fitness for the task all the time.

If City win, players are eager to talk to the media, to discuss the merits of the team and their own performance.

When they lose, the candidates for interview thin considerably.

Kompany always fronts up. He knows that he is not just speaking to annoying journalists with their repetitive questions, but explaining himself and his team to the City fans.

It is not the media who deserve answers when things go awry, but those paying supporters, and Kompany recognizes that.

Intelligent

Not only that, he avoids the anodyne quotes if possible. He is thoughtful and intelligent in several languages, and can be brutally honest about himself, while being diplomatic about the shortcomings of teammates.

He also rose to the moment when Tevez was struck down with a hamstring injury just days before the FA Cup semi-final against United. Those few days in April were possibly the most important in the club’s history, and they had lost their talisman.

Kompany laid it on the line to his troops in that Wembley dressing room, and the rest is history.

As for Carlos, perhaps he should take the advice of wise old Joe Royle, speaking on a national radio station the other day.

He suggested that the player, if desperate to return to South America, might stump up a fraction of the £20million he has garnered in wages at City and help pay his own way back to Corinthians and Boca Juniors.

Over to you, Carlos.

Real Madrid back in the hunt for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez

 

Carlos Tevez

 

Real Madrid have been restored as favourites to sign wantaway Manchester City star Carlos Tevez.

And if Jose Mourinho succeeds in landing the Blues skipper, it would clear the way for Sergio Aguero to come to Eastlands.

Mourinho made it clear on Wednesday he is still in the market for a striker, and it is not thought he will be satisfied with another City man, Emmanuel Adebayor.

And if he gets Tevez, that would place  City in the driving seat to push for Aguero, who is keeping City's top scorer out of the Argentina team.

City firmly rebuffed Corinthians' £35million bid for Tevez, the only offer the Blues have receieved, amid doubts the Brazilians could raise the money.

Corinthians say they are unlikely to make a second bid and City are not desperate to offload a player who has scored 52 goals in two seasons.

Aguero on Wednesday reiterated his desire to leave Atletico Madrid, although he wants to move across the city to Real.

That is being resisted by his club, for political reasons and they feel they will get a better price from City, with the asking price being the £38m release clause in his contract.

Manchester City hit back at Arsene Wenger after financial fair play jibe

OUTSPOKEN: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on tour in Malaysia

 

Manchester City have branded Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's outspoken comments about UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules "unfounded and regrettable".

Wenger believes there are major questions for City to answer over their record £300million sponsorship deal with Etihad Airlines.

Although the contract includes naming rights for Eastlands, plus a major input into a yet-to-be-built training facility close to the stadium, in addition to an extension of their shirt sponsorship, it is still not entirely clear how City ended up with such a gargantuan sum.

As Etihad are the national airline of Abu Dhabi, home of Blues owner Sheikh Mansour, there are some who feel the figures have been artificially inflated to help City achieved UEFA's demand to live within their means.

Wenger is one, putting City onto the defensive.

"The financial details of the comprehensive agreement announced last week between Manchester City and Etihad Airways remain confidential and figures being speculated about are not accurate," said a club spokesman.

"Manchester City is a pro-active member of the European Clubs Association and is working actively and with transparency with regard to Financial Fair Play.

"In light of these facts, recent comments about the partnership by some observers are unfounded and regrettable."

This might not cut much ice with Wenger who, speaking on Arsenal's Far East tour, had questioned the validity of Financial Fair Play if City could be allowed to negotiate such contracts.

"It raises the real question about the credibility of the financial fair play," said the Gunners boss.

"They give us the message that they can get around it by doing what they want. The difficulty and the credibility of the financial fair play is at stake.

"If financial fair play is to have a chance, the sponsorship has to be at the market price. It cannot be doubled, tripled or quadrupled. If they bring the rules in they have to be respected.

"He [UEFA president Michel Platini] is very strongly determined on that. He is not stupid, he knows that some clubs will try to get around that.

"At the moment I believe they are studying, behind closed doors, how they can really strongly check it.

"That is his big test.