Boring boring city was the cheer by opposing fans last season. Now, boring boring city is a sarcastic cheer that will be echoed by the sky blue half of Manchester City. This was not a win, but a statement by the noisy neighbors. And let’s stop calling City the noisy neighbors, because they are presently screaming into the ears of the Premier league telling everyone to get out of their way. After yesterday’s win, anyone questioning City needs to stop and think before they start talking.

First, let’s stop questioning Mancini’s tactics. There is a reason why Mancini won three straight titles while with Inter Milan. The Italian manager’s tactics have always been sound. If he takes off Johnson before the second half and replaces him with Gareth Barry he knows something we do not know. Look what happened yestarday, Mancini took off both his goal scorers and his squad went on to score three more goals. He also outcoached Sir Alex Ferguson, which not many managers can say. (more…)