Newcastle United v Manchester City

                                                         

Preview
Mourinho's Pensioners collected their finest pay packet from the bank of Pellegrini on Sunday and the Chilean can not afford to feed the Magpies with any similar rewards on Wednesday night.


Manuel Pellegrini's leaky blues travel to Newcastle on Wednesday evening and both teams will compete for a place in the 5th round of the Capital One Cup.

City's fragility in defence has been the source of every newspaper headline this week after Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic catastrophically combined to present Fernando Torres with the opportunity to score a 90th minute winner for Chelsea on Sunday.  Egos, reputations and guarantees of first team places may have all been hurt, but even more sickeningly for City, they fell six points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.


Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic make a crucial mistake on Sunday.

Pellegrini has refused to comment on individuals following his sides 2-1 loss, but it is expected that Joe Hart's place in the side will be considered. Costel Pantillimon was expected to line up in between the sticks tonight even before a media driven exagerrated commotion began on Monday morning and an insight into Hart's future at the club will truly begin on Saturday when City face Norwich. 

Another team in ample trouble is Newcastle United. In Sunday's Tyne and Wear derby, they allowed rivals Sunderland to pick up their first win of the season in a dreadful performance. Pardew's peckers may look comfortable in 11th place, but only three points separates them from the relegation zone.


Fabio Borini sinks Newcastle hearts at the Stadium Of Light on Sunday.

The home side will be seeking revenge after being given a 4-0 thumping by City on the opening day of the Premier League season and in front of a frantic fifty-two thousand capacity, they may just fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Manuel will ring the changes, but a good cup run is something we've been used to for years now. It's time to restore the faith and relieve the pressure.

0-3

Line-Up
A new look side is expected to be on show at the Sports Direct Arena with Stevan Jovetic, Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards all in line to start. Yaya Toure has only recently travelled back from Kenya is doubtful to make the bench.

Vincent Kompany has suffered a minor setback in his rehabilitation which means he will miss a further three games. Costel Pantillimon will start between the sticks.

Key Players

Yohan Cabaye
The Frenchman has upped his game after missing out on a dream move away from the club in summer and has kept Newcastle in a respectable 11th place against all odds. Whether or not the Frenchman starts on Wednesday night is yet to be seen, but Newcastle's chances will be elevated if he does.


Stevan Jovetic
The Montenegrin forward has made an uneasy start to his career at Manchester City after suffering from a number of niggling injuries. His two goals against Wigan Athletic in the last round evidenced his goalscoring talents and City fans can't wait to see more of the £22m man. 

Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester City

CHELSEA 2 - 1 MANCHESTER CITY
Schurrle 33', Torres 90'       Aguero 49'

Things get Nasty as Fernando Torres breaks City Harts at the Bridge.

Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic were involved in a calamitous blunder on Sunday evening which saw Fernando Torres net a 90th minute winner to send Chelsea two points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.

The Spaniard revisited his Liverpool days with a piquant performance that had Gael Clichy gasping like a chronically obese marathon runner. Torres was Head and Shoulders above anyone else on the park, but Manuel Pellegrini will be incensed after witnessing his goalkeeper and centre-back essentially hand the goal to the home side.

The eagerly anticipated tie began cheerfully for City who controlled the early play. Martin Demichelis made his first start for the sky blues beside Matija Nastasic; Javi Garcia was employed in the holding role just in front of him. The team selection prompted a few nervous grumbles, but the pair performed comfortably under the intense spotlight of the media.


Martin Demichelis made his first start as a Manchester City player against Chelsea on Sunday.

However, as is becoming the norm with today's City side, they conceded in the 33rd minute. Just moments after squandering a priceless opportunity to take the lead, Fernando Torres skipped round Gael Clichy to arrow in a delightful cross for Andre Schurrle to tap in his first Chelsea goal. 

Clichy, renowned for his exhilarating pace, looked like Peter Kay chasing Usain Bolt and questions will be asked of the Frenchman who has struggled to hit form so far this season.


Andre Schurrle celebrates after opening the scoring for Chelsea.

Mourinho's minions were now in charge and proceedings could have taken an even sourer turn when Torres hit the post with an exquisite snapped effort from just outside the box. Clichy was struggling, Toure looked lazy and Aguero was lacking service; things needed to change if City were going to get back into the game. 

Regardless of City's tendency to drift in and out of games, they can always rely on Sergio Aguero. The prolific predator pounced on a delightful ball from Samir Nasri and fittingly smashed the ball into the top corner with his left foot. The Argentine refuses to stop scoring at the moment and his fierce finish ignited a fresh impetus in City's play.


Sergio Aguero smashes home his 7th league goal of the season to equalise for City.

The game was there for the taking and Aguero's goal elevated Manchester City into the ascendancy. However, it was Jose Mourinho who arguably craved the three points more. Whilst Manuel Pellegrini threw Aleksandar Kolarov into the fray, 'The Special One' introduced Samuel Eto'o in a desperate attempt to seal a vital win. City's discipline at the back was indubitably helped by the experience of Demichelis, and the draw looked the likely result.

With only seconds left on the clock, a sickening lack of communication between Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic rewarded Fernando Torres with a deserved winner. Willian's menacing ball caught out the young Serbian who, despite seeing Hart run off his line, headed over the England stopper directly into Torres' path. 

Hart was equally to blame. If he had stayed on his line, Matija's nod back would have been dealt with. As the home crowd shrieked with jubilation, City were left to scratch their Heads and shrug their Shoulders. An utter, utter calamity.


Fernando Torres celebrates his late winner.

Goalkeeping and defensive errors have become all too frequent under Manuel Pellegrini's leadership, but the Chilean can't be blamed for Sunday's sickener. The line-up was sensible and City were perhaps the better side on the day - Pellegrini got it right. However, it's time to consider Joe Hart's place in the starting line-up. His errors, whilst hard to criticise, are costing us and applying pressure on his position can only make him return to the form we know he can hit. Pantillimon is a sound option between the sticks and many believe it is time to utilise him.

It's a Hart-breaking reality, but our No.1 soon has to become our No.2.

Player Ratings

 Joe Hart 5

Was at fault for Chelsea's winner in a moment of communicational madness. Has to be dropped in order to restore his form of old.

 Pablo Zabaleta 7

Much better than his teammate on the left hand side and offered City a valuable option when attacking.

 Martin Demichelis 6
His first start in a City shirt was satisfactory. Not bad, but not great either. Lost Schurrle for Chelsea's opener.

 Matija Nastasic 5

A day to remember for the young Serbian. Needs Kompany's influence alongside him and presented Torres with a horror header to score the winner.

 Gael Clichy 5

Extremely poor. Looks to have lost his pace and was terrorised by Torres all afternoon. 

 Samir Nasri 7

Looked positive going forward and troubled Chelsea with his skill. Substituted too early.

 Fernandinho 7.5

The main reason for City's domination in the second half. He'll continue to get better as he adapts to his surroundings.

 Javi Garcia 7

More comfortable in his favoured midfield role and despite the many critics, he played reasonably well with a number of timely interceptions and tough challenges.
 Yaya Toure 6

The aim was to allow Yaya to press forward by putting Garcia and Fernandinho in the holding role, but the big Ivorian failed to show up.

 David Silva 7
City's best player in the first half and always looked like he was going to split Chelsea's defence. Unfortunately, he never did.

 Sergio Aguero 8
Needed Negredo's height to help him but he battled on commendably and terrified Chelsea's back line. Another stunning goal for the Argentine, but our unbeaten record when he scores is now gone.

Chelsea v Manchester City

                                               

Preview
No way, Jose! Mourinho's title contenders look to make City stammer at the Bridge. 

Two former Real Madrid managers will lock horns on Sunday afternoon in a fracas many feel will churn out the Premier League champions of the 2013/2014 season.

Despite Arsenal's cool two-point lead at the top, the accomplished might of Super Sunday's powerful participators makes the respective clubs more likely to land the title next year. 

Both sides enjoyed clamorous Champions League victories in mid-week; Chelsea disposing of German giants Schalke 04 at the Veltin-Arena and Manchester City seizing a nervy 2-1 win in Moscow. Jose Mourinho's acclaimed influence in European football has incontrovertibly fired The Pensioners to first place in Group E whilst Manuel Pellegrini's notorious success in the Champions League has seen his side play with more efficiency on the road.

 
Sergio Aguero bagged a bracein mid-week to give his side the win in Moscow.

'El Cashico' (as the tie has been ridiculously termed) has always been a tale of strikers, however, Chelsea may be regretting their decision to allow Romelu Lukaku leave on loan after seeing Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o score only four goals between them so far this season. Fortunately for us blues, Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo have ensured scoring goals isn't a problem for Manchester City; the pair have netted thirteen goals between them.

Recent history favours the sky blues who haven't lost to Chelsea since 2011. Sergio Aguero scored a superb header to launch City past Chelsea in last year's FA Cup Semi-Final and the Argentine will be hopeful of sinking the blues yet again this afternoon. However, records sometimes have to be broken. 'The Special One' has never lost a Premier League game in charge of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and when Aguero has scored, City have never been on the losing side. It's likely that one of those monumental records will be shattered today.


City will have to be on top form to end Mourinho's excellent home record.

The battle between 5th and 6th promises to be a choleric quarrel in which records, grudges, points and egos will be broken, settled, won and lost. 

It's Mourinho v's Manuel in a titanic tie that will surely have major repercussions on the winner of the Premier League title. 

2-2

Line-Up
Vincent Kompany is still not fit enough to feature and will not be making the trip down to London. However, Martin Demichelis is available for selection and his experience may provide City with a smart option in the back four. Pellegrini still has decisions to make regarding the defence and has to consider whether Javi Garcia will be fast enough to deal with the pace and trickery of Oscar and Hazard. Playing Micah Richards alongside Nastasic could be an uncanny, but effective option.


Martin Demichelis is available for selection and could feature alongside Matija Nastasic on Sunday.

Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and David Silva have all but cemented a spot in Pellegrini's starting eleven, but that still leaves a slot on the right side of midfield vacant. Samir Nasri, James Milner and Jesus Navas will all compete for the place, but James Milner's industry may make him a favourable choice for Sunday's game. 

Jack Rodwell has returned to fitness and is expected to get a few minutes at the Bridge.

Key Men


Oscar
Chelsea's top scorer this season has been a revelation since signing from Internacional in 2012. His low centre of gravity allows him to weave in and out of defenders with ease and on many occasions this year, he has won games for Chelsea on his own. 


Sergio Aguero
Aguero has been City's main man this season and can't stop scoring at the moment. He already has 9 goals for the sky blues and his impressive record against Chelsea will give the City faithful confidence that he can add to his tally this afternoon.

Brazil 2014: Potential World Cup XI

Watching England qualify for the World Cup a week-and-a-half ago did little to proliferate the number of endorphins already present in my jovial little body.

It's a sad fact, but I can make an educated guess that the majority of the English population shared my lack of excitement on the 15th of October. However, although England's progression into Brazil was greeted only by a minimal round of applause, no Englishman can deny that a summer without being able to watch their homeland participate in the world's most decorated competition would be fairly dull.

I don't anticipate any of our 'stars' to particularly shine next summer (let's not be silly), but I'm already salivating at the thought of the world's best players taking centre stage in Brazil next year.

Below I've assembled a truly wondrous World Cup XI, full to the brim of tricks and talent. 

GK: Manuel Neuer, Germany

Since his £20m arrival at Bayern Munich in 2011, the German stopper has undoubtedly established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world. Although he operates behind arguably the strongest defence in European football, Neuer is still able to leave jaws hanging with his shot stopping and impressive distribution. 

Substitute: Thibaut Courtois

RB: Philipp Lahm, Germany

Another German, but it would be a sin to leave this man out of my XI. The 29 year old, recently described by Pep Guardiola as the 'cleverest' player he has ever coached, has been consistently brilliant at the World Cup and is without doubt the most gifted right back in world football. Lahm has been operating in central midfield this season in the absence of the injured Javi Martinez but that only pays testament to his excellent versatility.

Substitute: Dani Alves

RCB: Vincent Kompany, Belgium

The Belgian rock has had his fair share of injury trouble, but the solidity of his performances in qualifying ensured his country qualified for their first World Cup since 2002. The Manchester City captain's exemplary leadership will be critical in the inexperienced Belgium's campaign and if he avoids injury, he'll shine in Brazil.

Substitute: Sergio Ramos

LCB: Thiago Silva, Brazil

The PSG captain narrowly makes the starting eleven ahead of his Brazilian compatriot Dante; the consistency he's shown since his £40m move to PSG acting as the deciding factor in my choice. It's a monumental price to live up to, but the 29 year old has been impenetrable in Ligue 1 and will make Brazil a tough nut to crack next summer.

Substitute: Dante

LB: Jordi Alba, Spain

If Austria had qualified, I'd be picking David Alaba, but Barcelona's Spanish speedster is an obvious choice at left back. His incessant shuttling down the left flank will provide Spain with an extra attacking threat and his pace will ensure he can keep up with the fastest of forwards.

Substitute: Marcelo

RM: Franck Ribery, France

The Frenchman deservedly picked up the European Player of the Year award this year and if France come through their play-off against Ukraine, the Bayern Munich man will be one to watch in Brazil. Ribery has hit peak form in the last two seasons and some believe he can even rival Messi and Ronaldo for the Ballon D'or this season. It's a long shot, but if he continues to torment the Bundesliga's best, it could be a possibility.

Substitute: Marco Reus

RCM: Andres Iniesta, Spain

With so many quality players to choose from, central midfield was a difficult position to fill. The likes of Schweinsteiger, Pogba, Silva and Pirlo came to mind, but for me, it has to be Andres Iniesta. The sensational Spaniard secured Spain's first ever World Cup three years ago and continuously performs week in and week out for Barcelona. His vision and ability to hold the ball surpasses any other midfielder in Europe which makes him my first choice.

Substitute: Yaya Toure

LCM: Mesut Ozil, Germany

The German's £42m move to Arsenal still baffles me, but Arsene Wenger's shrewdness in the summer window has indubitably paid off for Arsenal who can now confidently call themselves title contenders. Ozil's assist record shadows Iniesta's and Ronaldo's reported disappointment at the German's departure is understandable. 

Substitute: Bastian Schweinsteiger

LM: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

Even with Champions League winner Arjen Robben flicking at his heels, Ronaldo's inclusion in my World Cup XI is a no brainer. The Portuguese international is quite simply a goal machine and his exquisite record of 154 goals in 144 appearances for Real Madrid evidences that. Before we can see his magic in Brazil he'll have to face off with Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Portugal are favourites to pull through. 

Substitute: Arjen Robben

RS: Neymar, Brazil

It was his Confederations Cup and it's likely to be the prodigal Brazilian's World Cup in front of an excitable home crowd. He's made a slow start to his Barcelona career but with the service of Andres Iniesta and the guidance of Lionel Messi, Neymar will begin to find his feet in no time. 

Substitute: Sergio Aguero

LS: Lionel Messi, Argentina

It would be ridiculous to omit the world's best player. Even with injury trouble, the prolific Argentine has netted 12 times in 11 appearances so far this season and his return to fitness will provide Barcelona with a critical boost in their quest for yet another La Liga title. Messi has won everything there is to win, apart from the World Cup. Witnessing him pushing for the icing on the cake will be fascinating next summer.

Substitute: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

CSKA Moscow 1 - 2 Manchester City

CSKA MOSCOW 1 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY
Tosic 32'                                                    Aguero 34', 42'


Sensational Sergio reigns in Russia.

Sergio Aguero scored yet another brace on Wednesday evening to put his side on a sumptuous six points in Champions League Group D. 

The sore Siberian winds of the Russian capital nibbled at the players like peeving parasites as they battled for an integral three points, but not even red chequered blankets, woolly hats and scarves could keep the cold from tickling the City bench. 


Costel Pantillimon, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards try to keep warm in Moscow.

With Bayern Munich all but through to the next round, the Khimki Arena transformed into a callous Colosseum with the battle for second place set to commence. Concerns had been raised over the condition of the pitch and the beachy surface juxtaposed with the unforgiving chill of the night air made for a somewhat strange spectacle. 

City's abysmal Champions League luck looked set to continue when ex-Manchester United midfielder Zoran Tosic lobbed Joe Hart to give the home side the lead. Javi Garcia, usually formidable in the air, crucially lost an aerial battle to Milan-bound Keisuke Honda in the build up but Pablo Zabaleta should have been tracking the Serbian.

However, a certain Argentine in form was unprepared to halt his grand goalscoring record and slid in for City's equaliser just two minutes later. David Silva was excellent in the build up and fired in a low cross for Aguero to simply do the rest. 


Sergio Aguero celebrates after levelling for City. 

The blues looked to have awakened from their slurry slumber at home to Bayern Munich three weeks ago and dominated the play in Moscow. Javi Garcia had recovered from his earlier mishap, Fernandinho was enjoying playing closer to 'home' and David Silva was wondrously weaving his magic. 

With only three minutes of the first half left to play, Sergio Aguero nodded in his second headed goal in consecutive weeks to give his side the lead. Alvaro Negredo's cheeky clipped cross was bravely met by the prolific Argentine who just can not stop scoring this season.


Sergio Aguero nods in City's second of the game.

It would be ridiculous to say that the state of the pitch didn't affect proceedings, because it did. Although both teams were affected, City's attacking threat was numbed by the sandy surface and it could have been three or four. The home side launched several Honda led counter attacks in the second half and with seconds left to play, Joe Hart produced a miraculous stop to prevent the Japanese star from netting a certain equaliser.

Unfortunately, the game was plagued by some racist chanting directed at Yaya Toure and Manchester City have launched a formal complaint. UEFA are set to investigate the matter. 

Player Ratings

 Joe Hart 7.5

Made a number of crucial stops to keep out the home side, especially his exquisite block to keep out Honda in the 90th minute.

 Pablo Zabaleta 7

A typical Zabaleta performance. Up and down the pitch like a gazelle but could have done better positionally for Tosic's opener.

 Javi Garcia 6.5
Doumbia's pace troubled the Spaniard and he was at fault for CSKA's goal. However, as the game progressed he relaxed and looked steady.

 Matija Nastasic 7.5

In Kompany's absence, he is the main man in the centre of defence and he disposed of Doumbia's threat with ease.

 Aleksandar Kolarov 7

He's getting better defensively and provided City with an attacking threat down the left flank.

 Jesus Navas 7

Defensive abilities were on show alongside his frightening pace. Troubled CSKA's back line throughout and put in a number of dangerous crosses.

 Fernandinho 7

Cool, calm and classy. Passing and vision was unaffected by rough surfaces.

 Yaya Toure 7

Most of City's play went through the Ivorian although he was fairly quiet.

 David Silva 7.5
Brilliant yet again. Assisted Aguero's second and tested Akinfeev with a curling free kick.

 Alvaro Negredo 7
He's an intelligent player and he showed that intelligence yet again with a clever assist for Aguero's first. Unlucky not to score.

 Sergio Aguero 8
Another two goals for the Argentine who can't stop scoring. His bravery for the second was commendable and his passion for the team is a joy to see.