COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From My Seat: City (A)

By Ken Buckley :  27/02/2008 :  Comments (6) :

The first half display was as good as I have seen in many a long year you just got the sense that you were watching a very good top team.

City started bright enough but it was the Blues of Everton that had the power,purpose and panache. As early as the fifth minute the Yak almost converted a Pienaar cross. A minute later and Richards made the save if the match in the area but Everton dont get penaltys do they.

After some City forays that were well dealt with by our rearguard, Pienaar delivered a curling shot that hit a post with the keeper beaten. We bemoan our luck but within minutes another good build-up saw the Yak hold up the ball until Cahill had advanced, he slipped it to him and then with superb timing sprinted forward to be on the end of Cahill's low pass and slotted with ease past the keeper. The best the City defence could do was to appeal forlornly for offside.

We were now mopping up anything that City could muster and breaking with menace. From one of these measured breaks we gained a corner which was cleared as far as Carsley who delivered the ball of the night, a wicked curling cross to the far post where, in true striker fashion, Lescott had stayed in. He rose above Dunne as though he wasn't there and headed back where the ball had come from and into the net past the stranded keeper. 2-0 away at City before half-time and the Blue hoards are delirious and in fine voice.

It was a pity when the half-time whistle sounded as we had looked superb throughout.

The second half was one where we were determined to give nothing away and try to engineer something on the break.

The Yak who was having his best game to date held the ball up well and generally gave Dunne and Richards a torrid time.

Sven shuffled his pack and before the end I think all his cards must have blown away as you couldn't tell who was playing where what with about four centre forwards on and a centre half playing right wing.

We still went forward when we could and Onuoha plucked a long throw out of the night sky which looked to me to be a yard inside the box. The ref acknowledged the offence but gave a free kick on the edge. Also no booking for deliberate hand ball. I hope the assessor was watching Mr Styles.

The rain was coming down in bucket loads but no one noticed and at the final whistle there was much celebration and just a thought that we may have witnessed a team come of age.
I found it impossible to name a man of the match as every player had played to his potential.

Hibbert once again excelled against Petrov, the Yak was a handful all night, Cahill had boundless energy and Pienaar was having a stormer until forced off with some sort of injury.

The back five were as good as anything I have seen in the E.P.L. with Jags going from strength to strength. The thing I like about him is that like many a centre back who has been dubbed world class, Beresi comes to mind, he understands 'Big Wellie' and 'Row Z' when appropriate. He has added the steel that all top back fours need.

Carsley Neville and Osman bossed the mid-field. In that second half our tackles,blocks and just sheer determination to give nothing away had the hairs of the neck standing to attention.

After such a game I am sure that the physios will be as important as anyone between now and Sunday.

On the way home I reflected on the game and and if this performance was what the Manager has been building for long may he continue in that vein.

The proof of the pudding will be Sunday, another super show or -after the Lord Mayor's show.
I know which I am hoping for.

See you there.
UP THE BLUES

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