Thread: A New City Revolution

Page last updated Thursday, January 8th 2008

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Barclays Premiership

Rijkaard appointed City manager


Rijkaard appointed

Frank Rijkaard has signed a four-year deal to become the new manager of Manchester City, replacing Mark Hughes who was sacked yesterday. Rijkaard, 46, resigned as Barcelona coach at the end of last season and City have asked Dennis Bergkamp to become Rijkaard's assistant.

Rijkaard said: "It is a squad any manager would be excited to work with. There is the potential to achieve great things and also a lot of funds provided to strengthen the squad in this January transfer window."

Rijkaard will be at City of Manchester Stadium for Saturday's Premiership clash with Blackburn and will take charge of City for the first time on Sunday. Manchester City must now negotiate a pay-off to Hughes.

Rijkaard led Barcelona to two consecutive La Liga titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06. He also led Barcelona to win UEFA Champions League in 2005/06 by defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the finals. He also won the Spanish Super Cup twice but end Barcelona ended in the third position after Real Madrid and Villarreal.

"City made me a massive offer and it was too good to reject," he said after being named the City boss. "My time at Barcelona has been the most important period of my life personally and professionally. I will be eternally grateful."

And in a statement released through the Man City website, he added: "I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work as manager at Manchester City, a club with a great tradition and history. Ever since I started my coaching career I have wanted to work in England. It is my sincere hope that I can repay the faith the City board has shown in me.

"I am looking forward to meeting the players. I was hugely impressed with the City fans both home and away and it will be a privilege to be the manager of this club with the huge support it enjoys both at City of Manchester Stadium and throughout the world."

City chief executive Gary Cook said: "Frank's arrival is great news for Manchester City. He brings with him a wealth of experience, a proven track record and a winning pedigree. Now is the time for us to regroup and look to deliver the results and performances that everyone associated with the club wants to see."

Frank Rijkaard steps into the vacancy left by Mark Hughes, who was sacked following a disappointing season which has left City in the 14th position and just two points from the relegation zone.

Page last updated Friday, January 10th 2009

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Barclays Premiership

Manchester City vs Blackburn Rovers

FA Barclays Premiership
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium, Date: Saturday, 10th January 2008 Kick-Off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, live on Sky Sports

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Man City go into this match with their new manager Frank Rijkaard in the stands watching them. Craig Bellmay and Shay Given who signed for the Citizens in the January are set to make their debut. Manchester City will be without strikers Jo who has been loaned to Everton and Valeri Bojinov as he is not 100% fit yet to make the squad. Elano could make his 50th league appearance for Manchester City if he brought on.

Sam Allardyce has all his players fit for this game except new signing El Hadji Diouf who is set to miss next 3 months of action with a torn hamstring. Danny Simpson who is on loan from Manchester United is set to make his 75th league appearance. Skipper Nelsen will make his 100th appearance for the club and Brett Emerton will make his 375th appearance.

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Man City(from): Given, Hart, Bridge, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Garrido, Wright Phillips, Robinho. Zabaleta, De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Galuber, Petrov, Benjani, Bellamy, Vassell.

Blackburn Rovers(from): Robinson, Bunn, Simpson, Warnock, Samba, Nelsen, Khizanishvii, Grella, Tugay, Dunn, Reid, Emerton, Gamst-Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts, Villanueva, Vogel, Traecy.

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Ref: Alan Wiley

Match Odds: Man City: 6-4(fav), Draw: 2-1, Blackburn 13-8.

Lawro's Prediction: Man City 2-1 Blackburn

Results

English Premier League Matchday Twenty-One

Saturday 10th January 2009

Stoke 0-0 Man Utd

Everton 1-0 Sunderland
(Jo 51)

Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa
(Owen 45 + 2 ; Barry 7)

Portsmouth 0-1 Liverpool
(Carragher 45 + 1)

Tottenham 4-0 Middlesbrough
(Pavlyucheno 13, 20, Keane 47, Turnbull(og) 71)

West Brom 1-1 Hull City
(Boateng(og) 47 ; Cousin 63)

West Ham 1-1 Wigan
(Kovac 10 ; Zaki 38)

Sunday 11th January 2009

Fulham 0-0 Arsenal

Bolton 1-2 Chelsea
(Elmander 89 ; Carvalho 9, Drogba 60)

Page last updated Tuesday, January 13th 2009

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Barclays Premiership

Sunderland vs Manchester City

FA Barclays Premiership
Venue: Stadium of Light, Date: Saturday, 14th January 2009, Kick-Off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, live on Sky Sports

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Man City go into this match with some confidence after Frank Rijkaard takes charge of the team. Pablo Zabaleta who is injured will be missing 3-4 weeks of football. Elano is set to come in the side. Bojinov sit unfit to make the bench. While striker Craig Bellamy needs three more goals to reach 100 career league goals.

Sunderland have their problems of their own with some poor form. Ricky Sbargia is set to keep the same starting XI from the last match which saw being defeated 1-0 at Goodison Park. Dean Whitehead need just one more goal to reach 25 career league goals while Darly Murphy could make his 125th career league appearance if brought on.
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Man City(from): Given, Hart, Bridge, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Garrido, Wright Phillips, Robinho. Fernandes, De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Galuber, Petrov, Benjani, Bellamy, Vassell.

Blackburn Rovers(from): Gordon, Belletti, McCartney, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Edwards, Malbranque, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Jones, Price, Fulop, Collins, Davenport, Kavanagh, Richardson, Murphy, Cisse.

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Ref: Lee Probert

Match Odds: Sunderland: 6-4(fav), Draw: 2-1, Man City 13-8.

Lawro's Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Man City

Frank Rijkaard made a great start to his new job at Manchester City with 3-1 win over Sunderland and sending the Black Cats back into the relegation zone.

A blistering break culminated in Elano eluding Craig Gordon and sliding the ball home for City's opener. Elano played in Stephen Ireland for the midfielder to double the lead before Dean Whitehead's long-range strike pulled a goal back. Djibril Cisse then went close to equalising before Robinho scored from 20 yards.

Sunderland played with great enthusiasm and commitment but, especially in the final third, lacked the quality that City possess in abundance. After Elano's 38th-minute goal, City's passing noticeably improved and it was no surprise when Ireland extended the visitors' lead.

City needed the three points to ensure they do not lose more ground and get back to winning ways in the premier league. But for Ricky Sbragia the headaches remain - his team have still to win at home this season, or indeed take anything from a game after falling behind.

The Black Cats boss can take encouragement from the way his team started the match. They created the first real opening, Shay Given pushing Grant Leadbitter's near-post header against the woodwork and away to safety.

Sheer desire to win a series of 50-50 challenges then created an opening for Whitehead, who quickly turned and shot just wide of Given's goal from 20 yards. The home team continued to pressurise and should have scored when a cross fell to Rade Prica in plenty of space at the far post, but he dallied too long on the ball, allowing Given saved at his feet.

City eventually threatened through Robinho, whose shot was deflected for a corner by a superb block from Nyron Nosworthy. But despite a largely uninspiring opening 38 minutes from the visiting team, Elano's goal outlined City's ability to turn defence into attack.

Robinho flicked Micah Richards' pass onto Martin Petrov who came on as subsitute for the injured Bellamy, who in turn squared for Elano to close in on goal. After rounding Gordon, the City midfielder scored from a tight angle with a shot that George McCartney just failed to stop with a desperate goal-line slide.

Sunderland came out for the second half with real intent but, despite all their endeavour, had Gordon to thank for keeping them in the game. Ireland seemed certain to convert De Jong's drilled cross before Gordon deflected the ball out of his path.

The midfielder then came within inches of heading City's second from a Wright-Phillips cross as City started to turn the screw. Sbragia responded by introducing Djibril Cisse and Graham Kavanagh. But Ireland sealed victory, shooting across and beyond Gordon after Elano had played him in.

Whitehead ensured a dramatic finish with a brilliant strike past Given - and City's keeper had to make a brilliant last-gasp save to prevent Cisse from equalising with a free-kick. City made sure of victory when the Brazilian Robinho found the back of the net.

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Sunderland: Gordon, Belletti, McCartney, Nosworthy(Collins 89), Ferdinand, Edwards, Malbranque, Whitehead(C), Leadbitter, Jones(Kavanagh 62), Price(Cisse 62).
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Richardson, Murphy, Davenport.

Booked: Belletti.

Goals: Whitehead 82.

Man City: Given, Bridge(Onuoha 90), Richards, Dunne(C), Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Elano, de Jong(Fernanders 88), Ireland, Robinho, Bellamy(Petrov 26).
Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Vassell, Benjani.

Booked: Dunne, Kompany.

Goals: Elano 38, Ireland 76, Robinho 87.

Att: 39,690.

Ref: L Probert.

Elano and Ireland celebrating

Page last updated Thursday, January 15th 2008

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Barclays Premiership

City Bid for Diego

Manchester City have made a sparkling £30 million bid for Werder Bremen's Brazil international attack minded midfielder Diego Ribas da Cunha commonly known as Diego. The twenty-three-year-old appears to be unhappy at Werder Bremen and want's to leave Germany to play in the English Premierleague.

BBC Sport understands two City representatives met with Werder Bremen chairman Klaus-Dieter Fischer on Wednesday to discuss the Premiership club's bid for the Brazil international.

The Werder Bremen attacking midfielder got thirteen goals in Bundesliga games last season. The young Brazilian has seventy-four appearances to his name for Werder Bremen and has scored thirty-four times.

Diego is one of the best young talents from Brazil who has matured a lot in last few seasons. Diego at the age of twenty-three has won the Campeonato Brasileiro twice with Santos, Portuguese Supercup, Intercontinental Cup, Portuguese Liga with FC Porto and also the German League Cup with Werder Bremen.

Diego has also won some International honours with Brazil by winning the Salerno Mundialito, South American Under 17 Championship, Toulon Tournament and Copa America twice.He helped win the Olympic Bronze medal at the recent Beijing Olympics.

Werder Bremen have always maintained Diego is not for sale, but the German club may find it difficult to fend off a big offer from a Premierleague team as the Brazilian want's to play in the English top division along with his best mate Robinho.

Diego said "I've always wanted to play in the English Premierleague. It's one of the best leagues in the world and some of the greatest players have played there. I also have my friend Robinho playing there and he says Premierleague the best place to play great football"

He has twenty-eight caps for his country scoring two goals. The Brazil attacking midfielder currently has two more year's left on his contract but Werder Bremen are willing to accept an offer if it's too good to refuse.

Page last updated Saturday, January 17th 2009

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Barclays Premiership

City sign Diego


Diego joins Robinho at City

Manchester City have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Diego from Werder Bremen. The Brazil international underwent a medical at Eastlands on Friday and has now sealed his switch to the ambitious outfit.

Diego, 23, has put pen-to-paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The attacking midfielder joined Werder Bremen in 2006 from FC Porto and made seventy-four appearances for the club scoring thirty-two goals.

City's new boss Frank Rijkaard told the club's official website: "We have a bit weak midfield. De Jong, Ireland and Elano are good but we need someone like Diego who can go upfront and support the striker and score a lot of goals.

"I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such a young attack minded midfielder, and one is so highly regarded by everyone in Brazil and Germany. We were trying to get an experience and young midfielder and his presence will really help Ireland and De Jong in the side as well as Robinho and Elano will help him settle in England.

"I have had a good talk with him about where we expect to be in the future. From a football point of view, and a club point of view, it's an easy thing to sell because we know we are going in the right direction. Players want to be part of that."

Werder manager Thomas Schaaf said: "I'm really sorry to see Diego go. He's been a fantastic professional and a great lad to work with. We tried very hard to keep him at Werder Bremen and offered him a longer contract to stay at the club.

"He's been with Werder Bremen for almost 3 years now, but he felt the time was right to move on and so realistically, we had no choice but to reluctantly agree to allow him to make this move. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future."

Page last updated Saturday, January 17th 2009

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Barclays Premiership

Manchester City vs Hull City

FA Barclays Premiership
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium, Date: Sunday, 18th January 2009, Kick-Off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, live on Sky Sports

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Man City go into this match after a comprehensive win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light which was Frank Rijkaard's first match in charge. Craig Bellamy limped of after 26 minutes in last match is on the bench and Martin Petrov is set to replace him. Petrov is set to make his 300th career league appearance while Bellamy still needs three goals to reach 100 league goals.

Phil Brown's Hull are in the drop zone and haven't won for 4 games in a row. Keeper Myhill is set to make his 225th league appearance while Dean Marney will makes his 100th league appearance for Hull. Craig Fagan hasn't scored for 509 minutes while Toney Warner could make his Hull debut if brought on.

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Man City(from): Given, Hart, Bridge, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Garrido, Wright Phillips, Robinho. Fernandes, De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Galuber, Petrov, Benjani, Bellamy, Vassell.

Hull(from): Myhill, Warner, Ricketts, Zayatte, McShane, Turner, Ashbee, Dawson, Mendy, Bullard, Boateng, Marney, Geovanni, Garcia, Halmosi, Barmby, Folan, Fagan.

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Ref: Mark Halsey

Match Odds: Man City: Even, Draw: 9-4, Hull 9-4

Lawro's Prediction: Man City 2-0 Hull

looking good mate. Enjoying it.

Craig Bellamy came off the bench to inspire Manchester City to victory, scoring a brace which gave new boss Frank Rijkaard his first home win.

Hull's Geovanni almost scored against his old club in the first half with a superb chip, while Vincent Kompany hit the bar with a volley. Micah Richards and Nigel de Jong also went close with volleyed efforts. But on 80 minutes, Bellamy nodded in Robinho's scuffed shot and then was set up for a tap-in by Wright-Phillips.

For all City's tidy possession in the first half, they could not manage to edge ahead - although they did come very close. Kompany's 30th-minute volley was hit with such ferocity that it rebounded off the bar back to the edge of the area.

The hosts saw two other volleys go close, first from Richards, whose low effort flew just wide of the post, and later de Jong drove an effort just over. However, Citizens might have conceded the first goal had Shay Given not been able to scramble back to his line and tip over City old boy Geovanni's sublime 25-yard chip.

That was a rare threat from the visitors, who set themselves up with a solid bank of five midfielders and seemed content to play for a draw. Had striker Daniel Cousin been available - who is currently nursing an injury - perhaps Tigers may have played with greater adventure.

But Hull keeper Boaz Myhill would have been pleased by his side's defensive efforts. The English keeper would also have been relieved that, early on, he managed to clear the ball to stop Robinho stealing in after he had cheekily crept up from behind the goal-line.

After the break, the game remained open - and continued to be played out in alternate spells of sunshine and snow. But if the weather was unpredictable, sadly the football was not as Hull were able to read City's attacking intentions and nullify them with relative ease.

It sparked a change from City and, on 70 minutes, Bellamy replaced below par Martin Petrov. But it was Hull City who almost made the breakthrough when Sam Ricketts' long pass released Folan but the striker headed weakly past Given, allowing Stephen Ireland to clear. However, Bellamy then took the game by the scruff of the neck and settled matters in the space of two minutes.

First, City's new-signing nodded in from six yards after Robinho's miss-hit shot bounced up invitingly. And then two minutes later, Wright-Phillips' trickery on the right flank gave him room to cut in and deliver a low cross which Bellamy slotted into an empty net.

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Man City: Given, Bridge(Fernandes 82), Kompany, Dunne(C)(Garrido 70), Richards, Elano, de Jong, Ireland, Petrov(Bellamy 70), Wright-Phillips, Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Hart, Vassell, Onuoha, Benjani.

Goals: Bellamy 80 & 82.

Hull City: Myhill, Ricketts, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Bullard, Boateng(C)(Ashbee 30), Marney, Geovanni, Folan(Halmosi 80), Fagan(Barmby 45).
Subs Not Used: warner, Mendy, Garcia, Dawson.

Booked: Bullard.

Att: 39,420.

Ref: M Halsey.

Bellamy celebrates his brace