Class Overcomes Cash

Good evening readers, actually no, fantastic evening readers!
Coming into today I honestly would have taken a draw, we were coming up against a well organised City side who seem to have come on leeps and bounds since last season. Eastlands is now a daunting place to go as Liverpool and Chelsea have found out already.

Our preperations were dealt a slight blow as Abou Diaby was injured in the warm up. It wasn't a massive dampener because we had Denilson to come in who has impressed me in the few games he has played this season.

City came out all guns blazing, David Silva's early flick forcing a fantastic reflex save from Fabianski. It looked like one of those days where the opposition would do all the pressing, eventually score and leave us chasing the game for the remainder of the match. I mentioned in my preview that we might need a bit of luck to pull off a win and boy did we get it. Just five minutes in Marouane Chamakh was set clean through on goal only far Boyata hauling him down. Clattenburg had no option to send him off as he was the last man back. It left us with a huge advantage but we have struggled to take advantage of this situation before and losing a player to a red card can often spur a team on so I remained cautious.

From there we pressed City, some slick passing and quick movement tormenting their defence. The first goal was always going to be crucial and thankfully and finally in a big game, it went our way. Nasri and Arshavin playing a neat one-two before the Frenchman thumped home to leave us with a valuable lead. City responded immediately and almost equalised when Micah Richards cut inside Djourou only to fire his shot wide of the left hand post. Despite playing well and looking dangerous whenever on the attack and having the man advantage, I was still wary of the threat posed by the Blues. Then the opportunity to put clear daylight between the sides arose when Kompany brought down Fabregas in the box. It was a blatant penalty but seemed too good to be true and my instincts were right as Hart saved. It wasn't what you'd call a poor penalty but it was at a good height for the keeper. That was more or less the last piece of action in the first half, the crowd were desperate to lift the players.

It was really important that we came out in the second half and controlled the tempo as we did for the vast majority of the first half and so we did, keeping the ball well and looking as threatining as ever going forward. We were now begininng to over-run them in midfield as Mancini took off Yaya Toure at half-time replacing him with left-back Wayne Bridge for some reason, Italians eh? We carved out an early chance but Cesc's effort was tame and straight at Hart when he should have done much better. Not long after Tevez was forced off with an injury being replaced by our good old friend Adebayor, otherwise known by prick or cuntface.

Adebayor's introduction seemed to lift his side, David Silva forcing a tremendous save from the strangely on-form Fabianski. Just as the Citizens seemed to be getting a foot hold in the game, Fabregas's through ball was cut out by a City defender falling to Alex Song who toe-poked home brilliantly to send the away fans into ecstacy. It was a goal celebrated in joy and a bit of releif too because you knew City always posed a threat despite being a man down.

Wenger then decided to bring in fresh legs in Rosicky, Walcott and Bendtner, Cesc, Arshavin and Chamakh going off. We were now looking in total control with fifteen minutes remaining. I never thought for one second the game was over but City looked a side with no heart, no urgency, a team of individuals. With only two minutes of normal time remaining we broke on the counter attack, Nasri cutting in from the left wing before playing in the unmarked Bendtner who finished well. Game over and at this point all the nerves were gone and we could finally relax and enjoy giving it to those City cunts.

Fabianski still had a few saves to make to ensure he kept a clean sheet. The Pole truly is in sparkling form and it's great to see considering all the critisism he has taken during his time with us. I honestly have never doubted his ability as a keeper. For me the only question mark was his mental state. He always seemed to be nervous about making mistakes, now he looks a changed man. It's amazing what a few games can do for a player. In my opinion he has done more than enough to keep Almunia out of the side, for the time being at least.

Anyway, Cesc earned the man of the match award. It was a tough call, Song, Nasri and Fabianski had magnificent games too but this boy is well and truly speical. I probably should start calling him a man now because he has matured so fast in such a short space of time.

After the match Wenger praised his side and thinks we have matured a lot since last season. To be honest there are plenty more games and tests to overcome before we can start analysing that but take nothing away from Arsene and the players, credit where its due and they did us all proud today.

I won't brag any longer, we have until Wednesday for that, for now though I'm off to celebrate with a few pints. Till next time, take care and enjoy the win.