Barclays Premier League
3rd October 2010
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Attendance: 46,067
Last Sunday saw the missus and I taking in the clash between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the City of Manchester stadium. This rare Premiership away day also afforded the opportunity to pay a visit to my brother @dookjam who, to a large extent, inspired this blog entry. Having become more accustomed to the Northern League scene of late, paying more than £5 to get in was a trip down a gloomy but still vaguely familiar memory lane. But, this is the Premier League, you get what you pay for and the CoM is a fine venue.
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| Bell end |
Leaving behind its former guise as a generic sports arena, the CoM has been well and truly "Cityfied". Being something of a traditionalist when it comes to football, it feels strange that this is City's home. Approaching the stadium, I don't feel anxious and I'm 95% certain the car's safe where it's parked. A far cry from the days of visiting Maine Road - Moss Side and all that - we walk confidently past the main entrance to the away enclosure, past the Colin Bell end (ahem) and towards two foamy-mouthed police horses situated outside our turnstiles.
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| Canny view |
The monsoon we woke up to relents as we approach kick off although the impressive sculpted downpipe at the south end of the stadium continues to channel a torrent of rainwater from the roof to the drain. Once inside, we approach the top of the stairs to the away section and drink in the view. The pitch is a lush green and the bowl of home fans before us gives the impression that somehow we're surrounded.
Four minutes in: 'the Ben Arfa tackle'. Difficult to see from where we are but someone's receiving treatment and it's one of ours. Replays on the two corner mounted video screens are not forthcoming and as the minutes pass, it's clear it's a serious one. Routledge comes on and as the half develops, City look dangerous on the break but we're more than holding our own. Game changing moment #1: Tevez, seemingly brought down by Williamson, picks himself up to blast home a penalty. Newcastle react quickly and persistence from Gutierrez finds himself in front of goal with the ball at a perfect height. 1-1 and mayhem in the away end. Rival fans make each other's acquaintance and the atmosphere in the away end in buoyant. Banter, gesticulating, posturing but not really bad natured - this was just heavy petting and idle taunts over lack of vocal home support, empty seats, that sort of thing.
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| Balti pie |
Half time comes and the main event - we take the opportunity to check out the local pie situation. We test the balti pie: tasty filling but tough crust and far too expensive at £3.50. (two out of five stars). We're driving straight home after the game so we pass on the beer.
Second half begins and Newcastle continue to look good for a draw. The excellent Cheick Tiote bosses the midfield and fortunately Milner's somewhat off the boil today. Adam Johnson enters the fray and his first act is to weave into the box and fire a sweet left foot strike into the far corner. City in the lead, clock ticking. Campbell & Carroll come on but hope of a point is running away. Game changing moment #2: Ameobi is swept to the floor in the box, but there's no penalty decision this time.
As we filter out of the ground, belated texts filter through to my phone revealing the extent of Ben Arfa's injuries. A tale of two penalties and a promising young talent with a broken leg.
