10 classic City games

05 April 2010 11:03
There are some days which are simply golden. And for City, Saturday at Burnley was one of them. The stunning 6-1 victory over the doomed Clarets was, in its own way, every bit as impressive as that 4-2 win at Chelsea in February. And when time lends a little perspective, perhaps it will take its place on the list of great City displays. In the meantime, M.E.N. Sport's MIKE WHALLEY has drawn up his own list of the Blues' 10 greatest performances of all time. Have a look and then have your say. 10. October 29, 1977: First Division: Liverpool (h) 3-1 (Kidd, Channon, Royle). A goal down at home to the European champions at half-time, City battered Liverpool in the second half.Peter Barnes was in wonderful form, setting up Joe Royle to score City's third even though Alan Hansen fouled him in the build-up! 9. May 11, 1985: Second Division: Charlton Athletic (h) 5-1 (Phillips 2, May, Simpson, Melrose). City needed a win to clinch promotion, and did so in style on a gloriously sunny afternoon at a packed Maine Road. Andy May's towering header for the Blues' second was possibly topped by Paul Simpson's cheeky fourth ? or David Phillips' 25-yard thunderbolt for the fifth. 8. October 22, 1994: Premier League: Tottenham (h) 5-2 (Walsh 2, Quinn, Lomas, Flitcroft). Brian Horton was an attack-minded manager, fielding two out-and-out wingers in Nicky Summerbee and Peter Beagrie. When it worked, it was glorious. A Tottenham side containing Jurgen Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham were torn to shreds in a downpour. Paul Walsh and Niall Quinn had a feast. 7. May 5, 1956: FA Cup final: Birmingham (n) 3-1 (Hayes, Johnstone, Dyson). Don Revie was the star at Wembley, setting up goals for Joe Hayes and Jack Dyson. But the game has gone down in folklore for the heroics of Blues' keeper Bert Trautmann, who played the final 15 minutes with a broken neck after a collision with Birmingham's Peter Murphy. 6. April 24, 1937: First Division: Sheffield Wednesday (h) 4-1 (Brook 2, Tilson, Doherty). A significant moment in City history ? as this was the victory which secured the first of their two league titles. All-time club leading scorer Eric Brook started the rout with a fierce drive from a tight angle, but Peter Doherty scored the goal of the game after a terrific interchange of passes with Fred Tilson. 5. May 11, 1968: First Division: Newcastle (a) 4-3 (Summerbee, Young 2, Lee). The pinnacle of the Joe Mercer-Malcolm Allison era, as City swept to the league title with a dramatic last-day win at St James' Park. Mike Summerbee, who scored City's first that day, reckoned there were 25,000 City fans in the crowd. He celebrated by having a night out with his close friend George Best, whose United side were pipped to the title by the Blues. 4. November 7, 1987: Second Division: Huddersfield (h) 10-1 (McNab, Stewart 3, Adcock 3, White 3). City's biggest victory of the 20th century ? which came in front of the Granada TV cameras ? had Paul Stewart, Tony Adcock and David White fighting over who got the match ball. Huddersfield's consolation was scored by former City player Andy May after John Gidman conceded a penalty. ?I think John only did it to get on TV,? laughed Stewart afterwards. 3. February 3, 2004: FA Cup fourth round replay: Tottenham (a) 4-3 (Distin, Bosvelt, Wright-Phillips, Macken). Perhaps the ultimate example of Kevin Keegan's motivational powers and City's spirit in adversity. The Blues were 3-0 down at half-time, and had Joey Barton sent off as the players left the field at the interval, yet fought back to claim an improbable victory thanks to Jon Macken's last-minute header. 2. September 23, 1989: First Division: Manchester United (h) 5-1 (Oldfield 2, Morley, Bishop, Hinchcliffe). A home-grown derby-day thrashing, with six of City's 12 players on duty having graduated through the youth system. ?We'd been conditioned for that day since 10 or 11 years of age,? Paul Lake said years later. Andy Hinchcliffe's bullet header from David White's cross remains one of City's greatest-ever goals. 1. December 9, 1967: First Division: Tottenham (h) 4-1 (Summerbee, Coleman, Young, Bell). Has there ever been a City performance to top the Ballet On Ice? That was how this display was dubbed after the Blues ? who went on to be league champions ? passed Spurs out of sight on a pitch resembling an ice rink. ?Tottenham were one of those teams who allowed you to play,? said Colin Bell, reflecting on the victory. ?And if anyone allowed us to play, we murdered them.? What are your favourite all time City games? Have your say.| Submit Comments| Comments (39)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia

Source: Man_City