Man City 2-1 FC Copenhagen ( Bellamy 73', 80', Vingaard 90')

City go through to the last 16 of the Uefa cup after beating Copenhagen 2-1 at Eastlands, and I am absolutely delighted.

We started off slow tonight against a Copenhagen team that tried to take control of the game in the early stages, City stayed composed and stopped Copenhagen from ever being a threat when they were in possession.

City started the second half with more confidence in their play, but it was from about 60 minutes onwards we really started putting lots of attacking pressure on Copenhagen. The away team could just not cope with Bellamy and Robinho, ultimately they were punished by two goals from the Welshman.

Brief look at key performances:
Zabaleta - tonight in the second half of the game I thought the more Zabaleta came into the game the better City looked, he is slowly becoming a genuine driving force within our team.

Robinho - was excellent and looked back to his best, causing problems all the way through the game for the Copenhagen defence.

Bellamy - proving to be a brilliant signing, worked hard running the line tonight and would not let Copenhagen's defence rest.

Onuoha - Nedum has been brilliant since he got into the team, he goes about his job so neatly and quietly I don't feel he gets enough plaudits. He is a real calming influence in the defence and is looking better with each game.

Unfortunately there was a player I thought could have been better tonight and that is Wayne Bridge. Since Bridge came to City he hasn't impressed me, but I thought he deserved time to settle before I read to much into his poor performances. I think he has had enough time now and he isn't playing any better, tonight his general play was poor, he got caught wrong side of the attacker to much and his ball distribution was terrible. He did get better as the game progressed just like he did against Liverpool, but his overall performance was poor. I do have faith in Bridge's ability, I just wish he would start displaying his ability sooner rather than later so the team can benefit.

Next up for City in the Uefa Cup Aalborg.

Man City vs FC Copenhagen - Thurs 26Th Feb 19:45 pm

City's European quest comes back to Manchester on Thursday, the blues host Copenhagen in the second leg of their Uefa Cup tie.

After the first leg finishing 2 - 2 City still have a lot to do if they are to go through to the next round, but after an impressive display against Liverpool at the weekend, going through to the last 16 looks like it could be on the cards.

I hope to see City really attack Copenhagen from the first whistle tomorrow and go on to win comfortably. I think a comfortable win would be good for confidence, as well as sending a message out to the team we play in the next round that we are not easy to play against.

City team news:
Vincent Kompany is expected to play with a toe injury, Nigel De Jong is not eligible and Shaun Wright-Phillips returns because his ban only counts for domestic games.

Copenhagen team news:
Cesar Santin is again a doubt for the away team. Vingaard and N'Doye could start, after both came on as substitutes in the first leg and impressed.

Possible Man City line up: Given, Richards, Kompany, Onuoha, Bridge, Dunne,Wright-Phillips, Zabaleta, Ireland, Bellamy, Robinho.

Possible Copenhagen line up: Christiansen, Pospech, Antonsson, Laursen, Wendt, Vingaard, Kristensen, Norregaard, Hutchinson, N'Doye, Santin.

My prediction: City 2 - 0 Copenhagen

Worth a bet: City to win 2 - 0 with Ireland and Bellamy the goal scorers.

FC Copenhagen 2 - 2 Man City (Onuoha 29', Almeida 56', Ireland 61', Vingaard 90'+)

City only managed a draw in Denmark against Copenhagen after going ahead twice thanks to goals from Onuoha and Ireland.

Well I am disappointed yet again, although we were a little better tonight and tried to press forward, we lacked quality when it mattered. We got into the final third so many times without making it count, whether it was the choice of pass or the timing of our runs it just would not come off for us tonight.

The worst thing about us tonight was our defending it was inexcusable, now people may say this is mainly down to the players, but I point the finger at the coaches. I just think the level we play at these things should have been worked on by now as it has been the same all season, but it doesn't seem to have been sorted out. If I am wrong and it is the players getting it wrong, then I ask the question why certain players have not been dropped.

Now I am not getting on his back far from it, but I have to highlight the way Shaun Wright-Phillips played tonight. It seemed to me he was not interested most of the time, he continuously picked the wrong option or rushed himself into having to make a decision. I just can't figure out whats wrong with him because it isn't just tonight's performance I am going off, he hasn't been the player he was for a while now. It's almost like he has lost his enthusiasm and he needs to get that spark back.

FC Copenhagen vs Man City - Thurs 19Th Feb 19:05 pm

Next up for City is a trip to Denmark in the Uefa Cup. After the terrible performance against Portsmouth, I expect to see a City side with something to prove.

I am not expecting Copenhagen to be push overs, but I do think we should be beating teams of their level. I know we have been playing poor and it makes it hard to say we should be beating any team, but we do have the quality in our squad to take advantage of a team that are on a mid season break.

City team news:
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Richard Dunne both return to the squad from their domestic bans and should be in the starting line up. Micah Richards looks to have been passed fit along with Robinho.

Copenhagen team news:
Cesar Santin and Jesper Gronkjaer could both miss out due to injury, Libor Sionko is likely to miss the game through illness. Johan Wiland is ineligible whilst Martin Vingaard and Dame N'Doye may make their competitive debut's.


Possible Man City line up: Given, Richards, Kompany, Onuoha, Bridge, Dunne, Wright-Phillips, Zabaleta, Ireland, Bellamy, Robinho.

Possible Copenhagen line up: Christiansen, Pospech, Antonsson, Laursen, Wendt, Vingaard, Kristensen, Norregaard, Hutchinson, N'Doye, Santin.

My prediction: FC Copenhagen 0 - 3 Man City