Manchester City News: Robinho impresses

Manchester City News: Micah Richards impressed with Robinho

The latest Manchester City news lis that defender Micah Richards has heaped praise on new signing Robinho, saying he has impressed his teammates with the amount of work he gets through.

Richards said: "It is not just about his tricks. He has got a good work rate, he works for the team. He could have been a star who came here and cared about himself but he really cares about the team and wants us to do well."

Manchester City meet Portsmouth on Sunday in their latest Premier League game and Micah Richards sees a bright future at Man City. The completion of the £210million takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group is imminent and is expected to give the club Chelsea like power in the transfer market.

Richards, who graduated to the first team from the academy, said: "This is a great place to be at the moment. I've always said we are going to do something. Hopefully with the financial backing we are getting we can go out and win a trophy."

Well given the dross served up by various management teams at Manchester City in the last decade you can only wish for the supporters sake he is right! Manchester City are certainly in the news lately, and it can't be bad if they Premier League ends up with five teams battling for four places!

Football Transfer News

Football Transfer News: Arsenal to sign Johnson to replace Flamini

The latest football transfer news has it that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger may make a surprise move for Man City's Michael Johnson.

This would be a surprise transfer, as Wenger clearly needs experience, not another talented but young star. He only has 33 Premiership games to his name, so though accustomed to the Premier League, he can hardly be called experienced at that level of football. The thing that may also be attracting Arsenal, if there is substance to this, is the fact that he's English. The row between UEFA, FIFA and the EU etc is making football clubs consider English players for transfer more and more. It certainly played a part in Benitez and his thinking over Gareth Barry.

The transfer out of Flamini and Hleb will be a huge burden for Arsenal, but if anyone can get round this it's Wenger. Johnson is an undoubted talent, and will surely play for a big four club one day, but this transfer would be one of the surprise moves of the summer.

The Footy Focus team reckons this football transfer news is more speculation than anything of substance. Arsenal certainly need reinforcing, but is Johnson really what they are after. We think not!

Premier League Preview

Manchester United vs Newcastle

Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville are definitely out for the Premier League holders, while managerless Newcastle are considering playing Oberfami Martins if he is allowed back from Nigeria's training camp. Also missing are Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye and Geremi who are all away on international duty.Footy Focus prediction - do we have to!! If ever there was a foregone conclusion, this is it. Manchester United win to pile more misery on a season to forget for mangerless Newcastle.

Middlesbrough vs Liverpool

Rafael Benitez will welcome back Daniel Agger after a long lay-off with a metatarsal injury. Also rested or previously injured Arbeloa, Gerrard, Reina, Gerrard and Torres will all return in what is (as they all are these days) a must win game for Premier League wannabes' Liverpool. For 'Boro Gary O'Neil and George Boateng return, but sick-note Jonathan Woodgate and Sanli look likely to miss out. Footy Focus prediction - Liverpool win.

Everton vs Manchester City

Everton have lost three key players, with Yobo, Yakubu and Pienaar all away at the African Cup of Nations. On the plus side midfielder Mikel Arteta returns after suspension. Manchester City are hoping Elano is fit to take the place of Nery Castillo who will be rested. Defiinitely out it Michael Johnson with an abdominal strain. Footy Focus prediciton - score draw.

Arsenal vs Birmingham City

For Premier League leaders Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos set to return after injury, while much talked about and unsettled keeper Jens Lehmann is on the bench. Robin van Persie is again out, this time with flu, while Arsenal are another cup affected by the African Nations Cup with Eboue, Song and Toure all away. For Birmingham Martin Taylor will return, while Damien Johnson is going to play with a protective mask, only two weeks after suffering a slight skull fracture. Kapo will also play having recovered from injury. Footy Focus prediction - Arsenal win.

Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool fire blanks as Benitez's title push over?

Liverpool failed to take a much needed step towards to the Premier League top two today, drawing one of their two games in hand away to Manchester City. In a game that Liverpool generally edged more than dominated, they just couldn't convert any of several good chances to take all the points.

Torres in particular had an off day, missing one glorious chance set up for him after great interplay between Aurelio and Kewell. In general Torres just wasn't at the races today, scuffing chances and passes throughout. That said man of the match Richard Dunne, and Micah Richards were colossal in defence for City.

Liverpool started the game slowly in a cagey first half, but began to get into it after the half hour mark. Fabio Aurelio led the charge, with two excellent long range strikes that Hart had to tip over. Before that the only effort of note had been a Harry Kewell effort that Hart struggled to gather.

The second half saw Liverpool push more and more for a winner, so much so that City were hanging on desperately by the games end. Torres twice and Benayoun missed great chances to put Liverpool, in what surely would have been a winning lead. Late on there was an amazing piece of defending by Dunne, when he cleared off his line after Hart had only parried Kuyts header.

All in all it was a good point for City but two vital points dropped for Liverpool. Benitez has won the title from the back of the field before but you can't see this Liverpool team doing it to take the Premier League. In reality it was not the points dropped here today that is halting Liverpool's Premier League title challenge, its the two points from nine gained from their rivals that is their undoing. With those gained at home, it's hard to see that being improved on in trips to Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and the Emirates.

For Manchester City, they can be satisfied at a good performance against one of the Premier League top sides. There tremendous progression under Sven-Goran Eriksson continues.

Manchester City vs Liverpool, Sunday 30/12, 4.00pm

Its a televised test for Rafa as Hicks criticises teams mental strength

As I've said before, in the frenzied world of the Premier League Rafa Benitez in particular always seems to be on the edge of another media round of criticism and speculation, be it be his rotation policy or his seemingly ongoing spat with Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The latest in that saga has seen Hicks give an interview to Sports Illustrated, talking of Benitez 'pouting' to the media and arguably criticising the teams performance against Manchester United accusing them of not believing they could win (I think he's spot on actually). All in all, another bout of a story that just won't go away.

So to the game against Manchester City at the Eastlands stadium. Benitez has some major injury problems, with the one position he is short of cover at giving him the biggest headache. Daniel Agger is still not fit, Sami Hypia is doubtful, while possible stand-in Alvaro Albeloa has the flu, which leaves rookie Jack Hobbs. Elsewhere Jermaine Pennant is still not fit, Peter Crouch is suspended, while Xabi Alonso is fit to continue his comeback into the first team. He showed at Derby flashes of what Liverpool have been missing - he holds them together well and his range of passing is superb.

My hoped for Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Carrager, Agger/Hypia, Arbeloa, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kewell, Torres, Babel.

For Manchester City Elano and ex-red Dietmar Hamann are set to be restored to the line-up after being rested against Blackburn. Michael Johnson is still out injured.

Footy Focus prediction - I just can't call this one!!

Manchester City 2-2 Blackburn

Blackburn show their mettle and grab a point

Blackburn battled back to gain a point in a game that had a better second half than first. Any team of Mark Hughes's is not going to give up, and so it was as Blackburn battled back to score a late equaliser. They could even have won it as they finished the stronger.

The game exploded into life with three goals in six minutes. Vassell headed home from Petrov's cross, Santa Cruz levelled, and then Blackburn captain Nelsen scored an own goal after Petrov again caused mayhem.

The second half saw Blackburn put in a much stronger performance and they could have won it, finishing stronger at the end. Their attackers of Bentley, Santa Cruz and McCarthy played some great football, linking well throughout.

Overall Mark Hughes was satisfied his team battled back for a point. Blackburn can certainly score goals, but their defence is all over the place at times. Manchester City seem to be slightly fading now in performances and results.

Carling Cup Results

You have to say it but they were two great results for Arsenal and Tottenham last night. To go to Manchester City and get the win will be a great boost for Tottenham. While Blackburn is always a nightmare place to get a result so Arsene Wenger will be more than pleased with the 3-2 win.

I watched a bit of the Tottenham game and was impressed with some of the football from Spurs. They were creating some great moves in the last third and were unlucky to have Zokora sent off to say the least. Coming on top of the great Portsmouth result, it seems Ramos maybe beginning to work his magic.

Arsenal by all accounts stood upto the physical challenge of Blackburn and played some stunning football to boot, though did give away a two goal lead before triumphing after extra time. They also lost Denilson to a red card and Barazite with a dislocated shoulder. Wenger really is a genius manager the way he has built this squad up. Full marks to the Arsenal board and fans - they've weathered a couple of ordinary seasons to reap the rewards with a young side playing the best football in the league.

With Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton already through to the semi-finals the Carling cup will have a great line-up for the last four whoever goes through from Chelsea and Liverpool (Though I of course am praying for a Liverpool win!)

Latest Transfer News - English Premier League

Some interesting ones out there in the Premier League transfer rumours. A fellow blogger website is reporting Wes Brown is off to Newcastle. He would be a great buy for Newcastle if they could get him. He may not be getting in the team at Man U but he is top quality.

Newcastle are apparently about to offload Shola Ameobi to Norwich while big Sam Allardyce has ruled out bringing in Barcelona's Edmilson due to the fact he's injured and yet to start a game this season!

Another interesting one is Setanta Sports reporting Milan Baros returning to the Premier League via Birmingham in January. He's lost his way a bit has our Milan since his Liverpool days. He was top class at times for Liverpool and had a great European Championship, but since then he really hasnt done it. He was overweight when he first came to Liverpool and it looked to me he's gone that way a bit again. Come on Milan - you should be playing for a bigger club than Birmingham!!

Talking of Liverpool, Momo Sissoko seems to have done his dash with an outburst against Rafa Benitez. Shame really, he was immense for Liverpool in 2005/06 but injuries and the increased competition for places in Liverpools midfield seem to have taken their toll on him.

Elsewhere Real Murcia striker Inigo is being linked with a move to England. Never heard of him or the team but apparently Premier League relegation hopefuls Birmingham, Wigan and Watford are keen.

Nasri the young French star who was about the only player who caught the eye for Marsielle is reportedly attracting the interest of the Premier League big-boys. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and City all mentioned in dispatches. Think this ones a bit of a column space filler rather than anything concrete.

Man City are also eyeing up Diego Milito with a reported fee of 20 mill. Anyone who pays that for a 28 year old who is struggling to get the goals he got last year is nuts and I dont think Sven is!

Premiership - the race is hotting up at the top!

Newcastle have more problems ahead of Wednesdays clash with Arsenal. Defensive pair Abdoulaye Faye and Stephen Carr are doubtful in a match neither side can afford to lose. I cant see past an Arsenal win to put Big Sam even more under the cosh. Big Sam really did look a despondent man after the defeat to Blackburn. He almost looked like he couldn't see a way out of their nightmare form.

Wayne Rooney is ready to return against Fulham after recovering from his ankle injury. Rooney will partner Carlos Tevez up front. Also BBC is reporting United could give recalls to Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves, Edwin van der Sar and Wes Brown. My punt is on Man Utd to eventually crack the tough nut of Fulham.

Given Liverpool's and Chelsea's form the top four is shaping up as expected. Only Man City are appearing to be surprise challengers. I keep waiting for them to go on a bad run but all credit to them they're still in there. Christmas could be a turning point with whoever is top at Christmas often taking the title. I still think Liverpool will go a lot closer than people think. They're still unbeaten, have the meanest defence and are coming into form.

Tottenham were a bit unlucky against Birmingham though their defending was sometimes shocking. Keanes foul was no way a straight red and they were beaten by a one-off wonder goal.