By Robert Morris
After all the rumours of big names and even bigger pay cheques, it was finally time for the gossip to stop, and for Manchester City to do their talking on the pitch – starting with a tough away fixture to Champions League new boys Tottenham Hotspur.
Adding over £100 million of world class talent to an all ready mouth-watering squad, football fans across the globe watched to see who made Roberto Mancini’s starting eleven. A surprise then that only three of the five new recruits received their debuts. Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva slotting in at left-back and left-wing respectively, whilst Yaya Toure found a place in the centre of midfield, just in front of his brother Kolo Toure. Despite all of City’s summer spending, it was Spurs who ultimately bossed the first half; creating a number of chances through their lightning-quick wide men Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale. The latter hit the post on the half-hour mark, but it was City’s young goalkeeper, Joe Hart, who was catching the eye. A number of good saves later and a frustrated Spurs were still unable to break the dead-lock.
In the second half the visitors came out refreshed and a much tighter game ensued, as City almost scored immediately from the kick-off. Aside from Shaun Wright-Phillips’ wasted change, the boys in blue created very little. Perhaps Mancini should have called upon (photo) Emmanuel Adebayor sooner (the ex-Arsenal striker boosts a fantastic goal record at White Hart Lane) but the Togolese international only received seven minutes of action.
In the end City have their goalkeeper to thank, as Hart rescued a point when Mancini’s side could have quite easily been beaten. The Blues will have to step up their game should they be challenging for silverware come the end of the season.
