Barry positive over World Cup chances

England midfielder Gareth Barry remains optimistic he will be passed fit to play at this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
The Manchester City player sustained damaged ankle ligaments on club duty against Tottenham on May 5 and the injury put his prospects of playing for his country this summer in jeopardy.
He will see a specialist on Monday, and the outcome is set to determine whether Barry can be selected in Fabio Capello's 23-man finals squad.
Barry has been a mainstay of the England team during Capello's tenure and his absence could be keenly felt should he have to stay at home.
Barry told The Guardian: "I'm still feeling positive."
However he stressed: "It's too early to assess just yet whether I'll make it."
The 29-year-old former Aston Villa captain gives England the midfield balance they have lacked in recent tournaments, with his defensive qualities allowing Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to push forward.
In his absence, England have experimented with various formations at their training camp in Irdning, Austria. It has been reported that Gerrard was yesterday pushed into an attacking role in support of striker Wayne Rooney, with James Milner featuring alongside Lampard in central midfield during a training session.
Capello will look at all available options but would ideally be able to call on Barry.
Barry is now hoping his specialist gives him the all-clear, allowing him to make the cut for the tournament.
Barry was picked in England's Euro 2000 squad but did not get off the bench, however it would be a different story if he is passed fit this time.
"I've stayed in Manchester and worked closely with the fitness coaches at the club," Barry said.
"There had been a little confusion when it was thought I was only seeing the specialist on 29 May - a day before we play Japan in our last friendly.
"But I called the manager (Capello) and explained that the actual date is 24 May. So he was able to include me in the provisional squad and I've done everything I can - like sleeping in an oxygen tent to speed up the recovery. I'm hopeful I'll get the all-clear, even though I'll be crossing my fingers."

By football.co.uk

Chelsea phá bĩnh Man City vụ James Milner

Thương vụ James Milner của Man City đang diễn ra êm xuôi, khi đội bóng của các tỷ phú Ả-rập ra giá 20 triệu bảng (có thể tăng thêm 5 triệu tùy phong độ và số trận ra sân của Milner). Chính tiền vệ chạy cánh đang nổi này cũng có những phát biểu cho thấy đang dao động trước lời mời. Tuy nhiên, ở thời điểm quyết định, bỗng chốc xuất hiện một kẻ phá bĩnh.

Kẻ “thọc gậy bánh xe” trong vụ câu kéo tiền vệ ĐT Anh và CLB Aston Villa chính là Chelsea - ĐKVĐ giải ngoại hạng. The Blues đã bất ngờ gia nhập cuộc đua giành chữ ký của cựu thần đồng bóng đá Anh, kể cả khi Man City đã chấp nhận nâng giá mua cầu thủ 24 tuổi lên thành 30 triệu bảng, cao hơn 10 triệu so với con số đề nghị ban đầu.

Milner tập luyện cùng ĐT Anh ở Áo.

Nếu so đọ về sức mạnh tiền bạc, Chelsea không thể sánh bằng Man City. Tuy nhiên, HLV Carlo Ancelotti vẫn nuôi hi vọng giành chiến thắng nhờ danh tiếng của CLB, cộng với tấm vé dự Champions League mùa giải sang năm, thứ mà Man City cũng như Aston Villa đều không giành được sau khi bị Tottenham đánh bật khỏi Top 4.

Ngoài ra, đội bóng Tây London còn hi vọng những John Terry, Frank Lampard và Ashley Cole, đồng đội của Milner ở tuyển Anh, sẽ cùng thương thuyết để cầu thủ chạy cánh này chuyển tới sân Stamford Bridge.

Milner đã trưởng thành vượt bậc trong mùa giải qua, anh có thể chơi tốt ở cả vị trí tiền vệ cánh phải lẫn hậu vệ phải. Bản hợp đồng hiện tại với mức lương 40.000 bảng/tuần của tài năng trẻ trưởng thành từ Leeds United còn 2 năm nữa mới kết thúc và HLV Martin O”Neill sẵn sàng mở một cuộc đàm phán gia hạn thêm ngay khi World Cup kết thúc. Chủ tịch Randy Lerner cũng kiên quyết giữ viên ngọc quý của Villa bằng tuyên bố: "Chúng tôi sẽ làm mọi thứ có thể để giữ cậu ấy”.

Tuy nhiên, Chelsea vẫn tỏ rõ quyết tâm trong thương vụ này. Sau khi để sổng Robinho 2 năm trước vào tay Man City, The Blues quyết tâm tậu một cầu thủ chạy cánh phải đẳng cấp, nhất là khi Joe Cole sẽ rời CLB sau một vài ngày nữa. Trên The Sun, một quan chức giấu tên của Chelsea cũng thổ lộ quyết tâm giành bằng được chữ ký của Milner.

James Milner muốn rời Aston Villa?
Phát biểu khi đang tập trung cùng ĐT Anh, chuẩn bị cho World Cup 2010, James Milner tỏ ra dao động trước những lời mời gọi của Manchester City. “Tôi không biết liệu tôi có chơi cho Aston Villa trong mùa giải sau hay không”, tiền vệ của Villa phát biểu tại Graz, nơi tuyển Anh đóng quân, chuẩn bị cho trận giao hữu với Nhật Bản vào ngày 30/5 tới.

James Milner đang dao động trước những lời mời gọi.

“Tôi vẫn tập trung cho Villa và giờ thì tôi hướng sự tập trung vào ĐT Anh. Tôi muốn chuẩn bị tốt nhất cho World Cup. Khi tôi kết thúc mùa giải với Villa, tôi đã nói sẽ cùng thảo luận khi World Cup kết thúc. Tôi thích quãng thời gian ở Villa. Đó là một đội bóng lớn, chúng tôi đã đi đúng hướng, có một mùa giải tuyệt vời và kết thúc với điểm số cao hơn so với mùa giải trước”, James Milner kết luận.

Theo VTC





 

Manchester City worry me now says Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the biggest threat to Manchester United's chances of landing a record-breaking 19th Premier League title next season could come on their doorstep.
The United manager, who correctly predicted last summer that Manchester City would not finish in the top four, is now anticipating a fiercer challenge from his neighbours.
Feeling threatened: Alex Ferguson on the touchline during the Manchester derby
'They will be a lot stronger this time,' he said. 'With the experience of last year behind them they'll be better equipped to go for the title because they will spend big money again.
'Winning the title is going to be more difficult for anybody. This time it's been ourselves and Chelsea and Arsenal for a period, but I think we can all hear the horses' hooves galloping closer.
'In addition to City, I'm expecting Tottenham to be in the mix as well. 'I suppose the neutrals will welcome a situation where the competition is spread further as being good for the game.
'Of course I'm disappointed we didn't quite get there this season, but that doesn't mean we'll be making wholesale changes.
'I believe we are well placed to make another challenge next season. We have brought in some young players over the past couple of seasons and they're going to be a lot better this time. We also have tremendous experience in the side.
'I'd like to make a couple of signings, but the market is very narrow. There will be a few clubs trying the buy the same players and we all can't get what we want.' World Cup 2010: FA chief Lord Triesman accuses Spain and Russia of bid to bribe refereesWenger-Adams, Clough-Taylor, Rooney-Ronaldo, Hughes-Smith, Sheringham-Cole: Footballing partnerships as plausible as Clegg and Cameron... MANCHESTER CITY FC

Man City sắp có Jerome Boateng

Jerome Boateng sắp đến Man City, ảnh Getty

Theo giới báo chí, City sẽ phải trả cho Hamburg 11 triệu bảng để có sự phục vụ của tuyển thủ Đức 21 tuổi này. "Chúng tôi chuẩn bị ký kết hợp đồng với cậu ấy. Boateng là một cầu thủ chất lượng, anh còn rất trẻ và có thể lực sung mãn", Mancini tiết lộ trên tờ Tin tức buổi tối Manchester. Boateng là cầu thủ khá đa năng. Anh có thể đá trung vệ, hậu vệ phải, và thậm chí là tiền vệ. Và những phẩm chất ấy được Mancini đánh giá khá cao trong việc bố trí sơ đồ chiến thuật.
Jerome Boateng bắt đầu sự nghiệp ở Hertha Berlin trước khi chuyển đến Hamburg năm 2007. Anh mang gốc Ghana nhưng đã được chọn vào ĐT Đức từ những ĐT trẻ cho tới ĐTQG. Em trai của anh là Kevin-Prince Boateng, cựu cầu thủ Portsmouth và Spurs, thì đã chọn Ghana để khoác áo ĐTQG, và mới đây đã được chọn vào danh sách sơ bộ dự World Cuơp 2010. Theo Thể thao & Văn hóa Online

Man City 0 - 1 Tottenham

Tottenham edged out Manchester City in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League as Peter Crouch's late goal gave them victory at Eastlands.

Crouch bundled home a goal that could be worth at least £30m to Spurs with only eight minutes left after Manchester City's on-loan keeper Marton Fulop could only parry Younes Kaboul's deflected cross into his path.

Crouch nods home to give Spurs all three points at Eastlands

The win that secured a top-four finish in the Premier League for Spurs was no more than they deserved as they emerged as the vastly superior side to Manchester City - who must now continue their expensive refurbishment programme in the Europa League.

And the confirmation of a place at European football's top table is a glowing tribute to the rejuvenation undertaken at White Hart Lane since Harry Redknapp took over early last season with the club languishing in the relegation places.

Redknapp has assembled an attractive side with elements of silk and steel, and they were all on show on a thunderous night when they went in search of the three points they knew would clinch the prize.

It looked like the celebrations would have to go on ice until Sunday's final-day visit to relegated Burnley until Crouch finally took the last in a succession of chances to send the Spurs fans banked at one end of Eastlands into ecstasy.

Crouch had earlier hit a post and seen a header saved by Fulop, who also denied Jermain Defoe as Spurs took a stranglehold on proceedings after the break.

City never exerted authority at any stage, although Adam Johnson forced a fine save from Heurelho Gomes, who also prevented an own goal by Gareth Bale. An added concern came in the shape of a second half injury for Gareth Barry, with only five weeks to go before the start of the World Cup.

And boss Roberto Mancini must now face an uncertain future after failing in his remit to reward the riches of Eastlands and City's Abu Dhabi owners with a top four slot.

Changing room is buzzing - Crouch

City's directors, draped in sky blue scarves, applauded politely at the final whistle - but faces set in stone betrayed the scale of their disappointment. The Champions League was the target when Mancini replaced the harshly-dismissed Mark Hughes, and the question remains whether Hughes would have done any worse than the Italian with the vast resources on offer.

No such problems for Spurs, who can now ratchet up their ambitions, a fact readily recognised by supporters who were happy to be kept in after the final whistle to continue their celebrations.

Great feeling to be in top four - Redknapp

Redknapp demonstrated positive intent with a starting line-up that included Aaron Lennon, with Bale on the left-flank as a supply line for Defoe and Crouch.

And with City knowing only a win would serve their ultimate purpose, the attacking approach of both sides laid the foundations for a first 45 minutes rich in entertainment.

Carlos Tevez made a flying start, driving straight at the heart of the Spurs defence and forcing a crucial block out of Gomes after six minutes.

But Spurs also had their share of possession and threat on a night when the size of the prize on offer was graphically illustrated by the unusually animated behaviour of the normally placid Redknapp in his technical area.

Redknapp was almost up celebrating a goal in the 18th minute when Bale's free-kick was met by Crouch at the far post, but his header slammed against the outside of the upright and away to safety. Spurs were frustrated again moments later when King headed in Bale's corner, but was rightly penalised for holding down Barry.

Redknapp drenched by Spurs squad

City had struggled to test Gomes and, when they did break through the ranks of Spurs defenders, they found the Brazilian erecting a wall of defiance. He did well to block a 20-yard shot from Johnson and then pounced down to his left when Bale almost bundled Craig Bellamy's cross over the line.

Bale should have given Spurs the lead seven minutes before the interval, but he pulled his shot wide from 10 yards after Crouch headed Lennon's cross invitingly into his path.

City had the first sight of goal after the break when Barry met Johnson's cross at the far post, but no-one was on hand to apply the finishing touch as his return ball rolled harmlessly across the face of goal.

It was Barry's final contribution as he appeared to suffer an ankle injury in a challenge on the edge of his own area and limped away in great pain, watched by anxious England coach Fabio Capello. Patrick Vieira emerged as his replacement.

Hard work has paid off - Defoe

City's on-loan keeper Fulop had been well protected by his defence, but he proved his worth after 58 minutes when he saved low down as Defoe looked certain to convert Bale's pass.

As tempers flared, Tom Huddlestone was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after appearing to stamp on Nigel de Jong as he lay on the floor following a melee.

Spurs came agonisingly close to taking the lead with 19 minutes left as Defoe and Crouch slid in on Benoit Assou-Ekotto's low cross, only to both miss out by inches.

It was the signal for changes, as Redknapp sent on David Bentley for Lennon and City replaced the tiring Johnson with Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Spurs were looking the more likely side, and Fulop came to City's rescue again when he blocked Crouch's header with his legs - although the England striker should have done so much better than hit the keeper from another wonderful Bale cross.

Mancini admits disappointment after defeat to Spurs

The goal Spurs' second half performance merited finally arrived with eight minutes left as Crouch made up for his earlier misses with the strike that gives Redknapp's side the chance to earn that Champions League jackpot.

Bellamy was guilty of wretched defending, allowing Kaboul to advance into the area, and when a startled Fulop could only palm out his cross, Crouch was perfectly placed to head home.

Spurs survived to the final whistle without alarm - with the only problem on Redknapp's horizon a drenching from his elated players outside the dressing-room.

Man CIty quyết dự Champions League bằng "doping tiền"

Các ngôi sao của Man City có thể bỏ túi 70.000 bảng mỗi người nếu họ giành chiến thắng trong cả hai trận đấu còn lại của mùa giải, qua đó chính thức đoạt vé đi dự Champions League.

Rạng sáng thứ Năm tới (6/5), trận chiến quyết định vé đi châu Âu giữa Man City và Tottenham sẽ diễn ra. Trên bảng xếp hạng của Premier League, cả hai đang bám sát nhau với khoảng cách chỉ 1 điểm và kết quả đối kháng trực tiếp giữa hai đội sẽ là bước ngoặt của kẻ chiến thắng trong lịch sử CLB.

Tiền sẽ chảy vào túi cầu thủ Man City nếu họ giành chiến thắng.

Manchester City đang ở thế yếu do đứng dưới Tottenham và họ buộc phải thắng để nắm chắc lợi thế trước khi vòng 38 diễn ra. Áp lực đang đè nặng lên đôi vai của Roberto Mancini và các học trò. BLĐ The Citizens đã quyết định treo thưởng cho các cầu thủ để khuyến khích tinh thần trước trận thư hùng.

Cụ thể, mức thưởng cho mỗi cầu thủ sẽ là 70.000 bảng/người nếu nửa xanh thành Manchester thắng cả hai trận còn lại và cán đích ở vị trí thứ 4. Trong thang tiền thưởng của CLB, số tiền 1,1 triệu bảng sẽ được chia cho các cầu thủ nếu Man City giành vé dự Champions League, cách chia được thực hiện theo số trận ra sân của mỗi cầu thủ. Theo một quan chức trong BLĐ CLB, số tiền thưởng mỗi trận của Man City từ đầu mùa giải dao động vào khoảng 1600-2000 bảng mỗi điểm, phụ thuộc vào vị trí của CLB trên bảng xếp hạng.

Điều đó có nghĩa là những trụ cột của CLB như Carlos Tevez, Shay Given, Craig Bellamy hay Gareth Barry sẽ được nhận trung bình 60.000 bảng/người. Lấy một ví dụ đó là thủ môn Shay Given có thể nhận tới 100.000 bảng do đã giúp Man City kiếm được 63 điểm trong các trận đấu trong khuôn khổ Premier League trước khi anh bị dính chấn thương trong trận gặp Arsenal 10 ngày trước. Carlos Tevez có thể nhận nhiều hơn thế do đã ghi tới 23 bàn sau 33 trận, như vậy anh có thể nhận gần 70.000 bảng tiền thưởng cộng thêm tiền cho mỗi bàn thắng ghi được, ước tính vào khoảng 90.000 bảng (Tevez mới chỉ vắng mặt 3 trận ở Premier League do chấn thương đầu tháng 9). Ngoài các cầu thủ, Roberto Mancini và các trợ lý cũng sẽ được nhận những khoản kha khá.

BHL cũng được thơm lây.

Về phần các cầu thủ, họ có vẻ không mấy quan tâm lắm đến động thái khuyến khích của các sếp trên. Một nhân vật giấu tên nói: "Tiền thưởng không có trong đầu họ vào lúc này và chắc chắn nó sẽ không thúc đẩy họ giành chiến thắng. Thậm chí một vài cầu thủ nói họ sẽ chuyển tiền thưởng đến các quỹ từ thiện. Điều quan trọng nhất thúc đẩy chúng tôi đến chiến thắng đó là suất dự Champions League, đó là con gà đẻ trứng vàng. Cái đó còn có giá trị gấp bội những gì các ông chủ hứa hẹn với chúng tôi".

Nếu Man City dự Champions League mùa sau, các ông chủ có thể xoa tay hài lòng vì khoản đầu tư của họ đã mang lại thành quả mỹ mãn.

Manchester City FC - Stadium

Manchester City's current stadium is the City of Manchester Stadium, also known as "Eastlands", a 47,726 capacity stadium situated in East Manchester, leased from Manchester City Council after the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The stadium has been City's home since the end of the 2002–03 season, when the club moved from Maine Road.^[58]

Before moving to the stadium, Manchester City spent in excess of £30 million to convert it to football use. The field of play was lowered by several metres, adding an additional tier of seating around the entire pitch. A new North Stand was also built.^[59] The inaugural match at the new stadium was a 2–1 win over FC Barcelona in a friendly match.^[60]

Manchester City have used several grounds during their history: after playing home matches at five different stadia between 1880 and 1887, the club settled at Hyde Road, its home for 36 years.^[61] After a fire destroyed the Main Stand in 1920, the club started to seek a new site and moved to the 84-000 capacity Maine Road three years later. Maine Road, nicknamed the "Wembley of the North" by its designers, hosted the largest-ever crowd at an English club ground when 84,569 attended an FA Cup tie against Stoke City on 3 March 1934.^[62] Though Maine Road was redeveloped several times over its 80-year lifespan, by 1995 its capacity was restricted to 32,000, prompting the search for a new ground which culminated in the move to the City of Manchester Stadium in 2003.

Honours

Domestic

• Football League First Division (first tier)^[63][64]
  • Winners (2): 1936–37, 1967–68
  • Runners-up (3): 1903–04, 1920–21, 1976–77

• Football League Second Division / Football League First Division (second tier)
  • Winners (7, record): 1898–99, 1902–03, 1909–10, 1927–28, 1946–47, 1965–66, 2001–02
  • Runners-up (4): 1895–96, 1950–51, 1936–37, 1999–2000

• Football League Second Division (third tier)
  • Play-off winners: 1998–99

• FA Cup
  • Winners (4): 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969
  • Runners-up (4): 1926, 1933, 1955, 1981

• League Cup
  • Winners (2): 1970, 1976
  • Runners-up (1): 1974

• Charity Shield
  • Winners (3): 1937, 1968, 1972
  • Runners-up (4): 1934, 1956, 1969, 1973

• Full Members Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1986

European

• European Cup Winners' Cup
  • Winners (1): 1970

Preceded by Slovan Bratislava 1969

European Cup Winners' Cup Winner 1970 Runner up: Górnik Zabrze

Succeeded by Chelsea 1971

Club records

• Record League victory — 11–3 v. Lincoln City (23 March 1895, most goals scored) 10–0 v. Darwen (18 February 1899, widest margin of victory)^[65]
• Record FA Cup victory — 12–0 v. Liverpool Stanley (4 October 1890)^[66]
• Record League defeat — 0–8 v. Burton Wanderers (26 December 1894), 0–8 v.Wolverhampton Wanderers (23 December 1933), 1–9 v. Everton (3 September 1906), 2–10 v. Small Heath (17 March 1893)^[65]
• Record FA Cup defeat — 0–6 v. Preston North End (30 January 1897), 2–8 v. Bradford Park Avenue (30 January 1946)^[66]
• Highest home attendance — 84,569 v. Stoke City (3 March 1934)^[67]
• Most League appearances — 561 + 3 sub, Alan Oakes 1958–76^[68]
• Most appearances overall — 676 + 4 sub, Alan Oakes 1958–76^[68]
• Most goals scored overall — 177, Eric Brook 1928–40^[69]
• Most goals scored in a season — 38, Tommy Johnson 1928–29^[70]
• Record transfer fee paid — £32.5 million to Real Madrid for Robinho, September 2008 (also current British record)^[26]
• Record transfer fee received — £23 million from Chelsea for Shaun Wright-Phillips, July 2005^[71]

Manchester City FC - History

It is widely accepted that Manchester City F.C. was founded as St. Mark's (West Gorton) in 1880 by Anna Connell and two churchwardens of St. Mark's Church, in Gorton, a district in east Manchester.^[2] Prior to this, St. Mark's played cricket from 1875 and the side evolved out of that cricket team – the key organiser was Church Warden William Beastow.^[3] In 1887, they moved to a new ground at Hyde Road, in Ardwick just to the east of the city centre, and were renamed Ardwick Association Football Club to reflect their new location.^[4] Ardwick joined the Football League as founding members of the Second Division in 1892. Financial troubles in the 1893–94Manchester City Football Club.^[5] season led to a reorganisation within the club, and Ardwick were reformed as

City gained their first honours by winning the Second Division in 1899; with it came promotion to the highest level in English football, the First Division. They went on to claim their first major honour on 23 April 1904, beating Bolton Wanderers 1–0 at Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup; City narrowly missed out on a League and Cup double that season after finishing runners-up in the League.^[6] In the seasons following the FA Cup triumph, the club was dogged by allegations of financial irregularities, culminating in the suspension of seventeen players in 1906, including captain Billy Meredith, who subsequently moved across town to Manchester United.^[7] A fire at Hyde Road destroyed the main stand in 1920, and in 1923 the club moved to their new purpose-built stadium at Maine Road in Moss Side.

In the 1930s, Manchester City reached two consecutive FA Cup finals, losing to Everton in 1933, before claiming the Cup by beating Portsmouth in 1934.^[8] The club won the First Division title for the first time in 1937, but were relegated the following season, despite scoring more goals than any other team in the division.^[9]

Twenty years later, a City team inspired by a tactical system known as the Revie Plan reached consecutive FA Cup finals again, in 1955 and 1956; just as in the 1930s, they lost the first one, to Newcastle United, and won the second. The 1956 final, in which Manchester City beat Birmingham City 3–1, is one of the most famous finals of all-time, and is remembered for City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann continuing to play on after unknowingly breaking his neck.^[10]

After relegation to the Second Division in 1963, the future looked bleak with a record low home attendance of 8,015 against Swindon Town in January 1965.^[11] In the summer of 1965, the management team of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison was appointed. In the first season under Mercer, City won the Second Division title and made important signings in Mike SummerbeeColin Bell.^[12] Two seasons later, in 1967–68, Manchester City claimed the League Championship for the second time, clinching the title on the final day of the season with a 4–3 win at Newcastle United and beating their close neighbours Manchester United into second place.^[13] Further trophies followed: City won the FA Cup in 1969, before achieving European success by winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970, beating Górnik Zabrze 2–1 in Vienna.^[14] City also won the League Cup that season, becoming the second English team to win a European trophy and a domestic trophy in the same season. and

The club continued to challenge for honours throughout the 1970s, finishing just one point behind the league champions on two occasions and reaching the final of the 1974 League Cup.^[15] One of the matches from this period that is most fondly remembered by supporters of Manchester City is the final match of the 1973–74 season against arch-rivals Manchester United, who needed to win to have any hope of avoiding relegation. Former United player Denis Law scored with a backheel to give City a 1–0 win at Old Trafford and confirm the relegation of their rivals.^[16][17] The final trophy of the club's most successful period was won in 1976, when Newcastle United were beaten 2–1 in the League Cup final.

A long period of decline followed the success of the 1960s and 1970s. Malcolm Allison rejoined the club to become manager for the second time in 1979, but squandered large sums of money on unsuccessful signings, such as Steve Daley.^[18] A succession of managers then followed – seven in the 1980s alone, the first being John Bond who succeeded Allison in October 1980. Under Bond, City reached the 1981 FA Cup final but lost in a replay to Tottenham Hotspur. The following season began well and they went top of the league just after Christmas, only to finish mid-table at the end of the season. They were relegated a year later, and reclaimed their top flight status two years afterwards, only to lose it within another two years. They returned to the top flight again in 1989 and finished fifth in 1991 and 1992 under the management of Peter Reid.^[19] However, this was only a temporary respite, and following Reid's departure Manchester City's fortunes continued to fade. City were founders of the Premier League upon its creation in 1992, but after finishing ninth in its first season they endured three seasons of struggle before being relegated in 1996. Two years after that, they were relegated to Division Two – becoming the first former winners of a European trophy to be relegated to the third tier of their domestic league.

After relegation, the club underwent off-the-field upheaval, with new chairman David Bernstein^[20] City were promoted at the first attempt, achieved in dramatic fashion in a play-off against Gillingham. A second successive promotion saw City return to the top division, but this proved to have been a step too far for the recovering club, and in 2001 City were relegated once more. Kevin Keegan arrived as the new manager in the close season, bringing an immediate return to the top division as the club won the 2001–02 Division One championship, breaking club records for the number of points gained and goals scored in a season in the process.^[21] introducing greater fiscal discipline.

Manchester City (blue) in action against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, January 2006

The 2002–03 season was the last at Maine Road, and included a 3–1 derby victory over rivals Manchester United, ending a run of 13 years without a derby win.^[22] City also qualified for European competition for the first time in 25 years. In the 2003 close season the club moved to the new City of Manchester Stadium. The first four seasons at the stadium all resulted in mid-table finishes. Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson became the club's first manager from overseas when appointed in 2007.^[23] After a bright start performances faded in the second half of the season, and Eriksson was sacked in June 2008.^[24] Eriksson was replaced by Mark Hughes two days later on 4 June 2008.^[25]

In August 2008, the club was purchased by Abu Dhabi United Group. The takeover was immediately followed by a flurry of bids for high profile players; the club broke the British transfer record by signing Brazilian international Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5 million.^[26]UEFA Cup. During the summer of 2009 the club took transfer spending to an unprecedented level, with an outlay of over £100 million on players Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tévez and Joleon Lescott.^[27] City finished tenth, and also reached the quarter-finals of the

On 19 December 2009 it was announced that Mark Hughes had been replaced as manager by Roberto Mancini.^[28]

Manchester City FC

Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club who play at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The first known competitive fixture was played in November 1880, when the side was known as St. Mark's (West Gorton), they then became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 before changing their name to Manchester City Football Club in 1894. The club's most successful period was in the late 1960s and early 1970s when they won the League Championship, the FA Cup, the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup under the management team of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison and with players including Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee.

Since winning the League Cup in 1976, the club has failed to win any major honours. The club's decline led to relegation twice in three years in the 1990s, spending the 1998–99 season in the third tier of English football. The club has since regained top flight status, the level at which they have spent the majority of their history.

Everton muốn có Onuoha

Everton đang tính đến việc bổ sung nhân sự cho hàng thủ của mình để có thể thi đấu tốt hơn trong mùa bóng năm sau. Lúc này, Onuoha của Man City đang là mục tiêu mà HLV David Moyes cảm thấy rất thích hợp với đội bóng thành phố cảng.

Những thiếu hụt ở hàng thủ sau sự ra đi của Lescott hồi đầu mùa khiến Everton thi đấu không thành công và mọi chuyện chỉ trở nên sáng sủa hơn khi họ mượn thành công trung vệ Senderos từ Arsenal trong kỳ chuyển nhượng mùa Đông.

Nhiều khả năng Arsenal sẽ đòi lại Senderos khi mùa bóng khép lại và hLV David Moyes của Everton lúc này bắt đầu phải tính đến việc tìm kiếm một gương mặt thích hợp để bổ sung cho hàng phòng ngự của mình.

Onuoha là một mục tiêu khá thích hợp khi mà hậu vệ người Anh không phải là nhân vật được trọng dụng ở Man City trong khi cá nhân anh luôn muốn được ra sân nhiều hơn để khẳng định tài năng của mình. Chính vì thế, nếu như Everton quyết định theo đuổi Onuoha thì khả năng thành công của họ sẽ rất cao bởi Man City cũng không thực sự mặn mà trong việc giữ chân hậu vệ của mình.

Lối chơi của Onuoha được đánh giá có nhiều điểm tương đồng với Lescott và Senderos, tức là rất dũng mãnh và giàu thể lực, do đó sẽ hoàn toàn thích hợp với nhu cầu của Everton vào lúc này.