For Manuel Pellegrini though the pressure is on for every single game from now until the end of the season. With the criteria of five trophies in five years being the mandate handed down to him, and with City still with a chance of four this season, it is important to get that first one under his belt.
The stats may be in favor of the Chilean too with, not only Manchester City being dominant at home in recent seasons, but the general history of league games between the two at City's home makes City overwhelming favorites. Forty four games played with City winning thirty of them means that Big Sam will have a big task to come away from the first leg with a workable score line.
You have to go back to 1984 for the only time these two have met in this particular competition. A meeting at the round three stage went to a replay at Maine Road where City won 2-1 after the initial 0-0 draw. City were also toward the top of the table that season, although it was the second tier of English football.
Although City were eliminated in the next round against Chelsea the Final did feature a relegation threatened Sunderland. For me personally I would really like to see Manchester City lift this trophy as it is the only one of the three domestic titles I haven't witnessed us winning. A few years ago we were close to the Final with the Manchester United Semi Final defeat 3-1 in the second leg after the initial 2-1 win. City also narrowly lost out in 2012 after losing the home tie 1-0 to Liverpool before returning for a good, but not good enough, 2-2.
Both Manchester City and West Ham United have won the competition twice with the home side lifting it in 1970 and 1976. The West Ham victories came in 1966 and 1981, so watch the England fans go crazy if the Hammers get through.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979.
No comments:
Post a Comment