Source: Man_City
City 0 United 1: Brennan's verdict
TOUGH TO TAKE: Craig BellamyIf only the Manchester City players and staff could have steeped themselves in the optimism and bravado of their fans before they hurled themselves into the fray. All week, Blues' fans had dared to believe that the time was ripe for a shift in the power balance, not just in Manchester, but also in English, and ultimately European, football. And the fact that City had put on a flurry of attacking front-foot football, while United have crashed out of the Champions League and stumbled in the League, only served to heighten the optimism. But when it came to the crunch, the belief was lacking. The belief that they could go at United, take apart that defence, and chalk up what would have been a landmark win. Roberto Mancini has been unfairly criticised for being too defensive, too Italian, at times since he came to Eastlands. He had made such snipes look sick as his team ran in 14 goals in three games, playing with two wingers and two strikers. Ethic There were cynics who felt he might abandon those principles, docking one of the wingers or Emmanuel Adebayor, in favour of a fifth midfielder to match United's crowded engine-room. So Blue hearts soared when the team-sheet appeared, and the only change was a strengthening at left back, with Wayne Bridge back after injury. It seemed Mancini was prepared to back his team to take the fight to United, and had confidence in the work ethic of his front four. But when the crunch came, as limbs began to tire, as carefully-constructed formations began to be melted out of shape by the warm Manchester sunshine, it appeared that Mancini's resolve also wilted. With half an hour to go, off came winger Adam Johnson, who had caused Patrice Evra enough problems to suggest he could get a late pay-off - and he was replaced by Patrick Vieira. United had responded to the stalemate by replacing a midfielder with attacking wide man Nani - a sure sign that they were stepping it up, knowing they had to win. It suddenly looked like City were happy with a point, or at least to play entirely on the counter-attack. It was the moment when the belief faded, and the moment when United grabbed the moment, and ultimately the three points. Agree with Brennan's verdict? Have your say.| Submit Comments| Comments (83)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
