Manchester City and The Money Game

It seems that love is not the only thing that money can't buy! Despite their recently acquired spending power and publicity about being the wealthiest club in the world, City have not yet converted cash into success on the field.

Of course everyone would agree that it is early days, but some of the transfer fees and wages being talked about, ought to guarantee something. Of course Roman Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea, has influenced the clubs rise to a permanent top four, if not top two position, in the Premier League. So it seems that money can equate to success on the field, although it may be that the more a football player is worth, the more temperamental he becomes.

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It seems that British transfer record holder Robinho recently walked out, and for one reason or another, the Ka Ka deal will not go through, so it's all become rather complicated. The fees and salary being publicised are like telephone numbers to ordinary mortals. However, it must be remembered that we are thinking in terms of the best football talent on the planet. It must be hard for any manager, earning considerably less than his top stars to harmonize everything.

There is so much importance attached to team work in many job situations, but it is on the football field, perhaps, that team work matters more than ever. Is it possible to get real team work between players when there is so much salary disparity? It was reported that Manchester City were negotiating to buy Craig Bellamy for £10 million, but that palls to insignificance, against the reported £100 million seemingly offered for Ka Ka.

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It may well be that Ka Ka is a better footballer than Bellamy, but is he ten times as good? It means that you could get a whole team of Bellamy's for one Ka Ka. Somebody put it quite succinctly, when they suggested that you would not put Michael Schumacher in a Honda Civic, in a Formula 1 race. The comparison may not be quite right but it is a point well made.

It is great to see star international players like Robinho, Ronaldo, and Torres, alongside our own stars such as Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney, but it does not necessarily promote harmony in the dressing room or success on the field. Still Manchester United haven't done too badly on the other side of town with, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in close attendance. They are all there to be shot at, and it may be that money can buy the necessary weapons, but it takes time and managerial flair to produce the right blend!

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Manchester City and The Money Game
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Manchester City and The Money Game

Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea

Chelsea Hammered At Old Trafford

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez seems to believe that United receive unequalled official support when they play at home. On this showing, billed as something of a battle of the titans, the only support the team require is that which the players afford each other.

This was a fine team performance by United and Chelsea were well and truly put in their place. They were out-played and out-manoeuvred and you can bet that manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, will agree that his side have work to do. So would former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who watched from the stands and must have had mixed emotions, watching his old squad so easily swept aside.

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In fact United went on the attack from the start. They could, or should have been in front before the excellent Dimitar Berbatov and reliable Ryan Giggs set up Nemanja Vidic, to head his side ahead in first half extra time. It could so easily have been more at the interval, but for United the best was still to come.

It was the irrepressible Wayne Rooney who bagged a second goal after 63 minutes. He received a good ball from Patrice Evra and took what seemed to be the easiest of chances. However, he was in the right place at the right time to add to the visitor's misery.

Berbatov took the third in the 87th minute, with a clinical finish that gave Petr Cech no chance. Chelsea had been humbled and a clear warning was delivered to others who might have thought that a United team, with games in hand, would find it difficult to play 'catch up'.

Unfortunately, the game did not live up to expectations, at least not to those of the Chelsea fans. Even the most biased supporters may agree that the Blues can play better than this. They have some sorting out to do first, such as trying to harmonize the skills of the likes of Drogba and Anelka, in the best interests of the team.

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Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea
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Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea

Manchester City Lost in Nottingham Forest

Manchester City 0-3 Nottingham Forest

Despite much publicity about their spending power, City suffered a humiliating defeat that left their fans wondering what on earth is going on! This sort of performance against an able but inferior side, at least financially, almost defies explanation. It's no good simply saying, "that's football", because there is so much at stake and Mark Hughes side will have to do a lot better to weather the storm. It is, perhaps, understandable that players do not give of their best, when they are threatened with the chop, but there is sorting out to be done, and it is becoming a matter of some urgency.

Forest have not been having the best of seasons, so it was all the more remarkable that they brushed City aside so readily. It all started with a fantastic volley by Nathan Tyson from about 20 yards out. The City keeper had no chance of stopping it but it must be said that it resulted from a defensive error by Micah Richards. However, it shot the visitors into the lead after 38 minutes and they never looked back. In fact forward and onwards seemed to be the theme, when Robert Earnshaw doubled the lead 4 minutes later, prior to the end of a very satisfying first half that few, if any, would have predicted.

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New Forest boss, Billy Davies, must have been delighted watching from the stands, as stand in manager John Pemberton, coached the side to a notable victory. It will give the man who took Derby up to the Premiership, something to build on, after a real confidence booster.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is usually persistent and reliable, was unfortunately injured after 24 minutes to be replaced by Vassel. It seems he sustained a hamstring injury, so he may be out for some time, and if that is the case he will be sorely missed. It may have been more than coincidence that after he left the field Forest assumed control. City were also missing Robinho and Stephen Ireland, but all the top sides experience such problems, frequently without capitulating.

Wes Morgan made a good stop to prevent Jo pulling one back for City, but it was all over when Richard Dunne's throw-in found Garner to crown a wonderful afternoon for Forest. Billy Davies finished with as much to smile about, as Mark Hughes had to frown upon. Expectations are high at Eastfields, and there is little doubt that the excellent reputation the City manager built up at Blackburn is beginning to look a little tarnished. Patience is a virtue that is not always extended to top football managers!

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Manchester City Lost In Nottingham Forest
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Manchester City Lost In Nottingham Forest