The next fortnight could prove to be the most important in Manchester City’s history, with both rivals Manchester United and fellow heavyweights Arsenal poised to present a stern challenge in The Blues’ bid to finally secure a place in Europe’s premier club competition.
After 33 weeks of a season filled with hope and massive expectations, Roberto Mancini’s men find themselves in the fourth and final Champions League spot in the English Premier League with five rounds remaining.
The Blues currently sit four points ahead of London club Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to their recent 5-1 victory against Birmingham City at Eastlands.
Big names Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor are fast developing a formidable combination upfront that has already inflicted its fair share of damage against Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal.
The spectacular transformation of Tevez from a workaholic forward to a world class striker this season has almost single handledly guided Man City to a place in the top four.
Having been transferred from rivals Manchester United for a British record 47 million pounds, the Argentine had only scored two goals in City’s opening 12 matches to start the Premier League season.
In comparison, City’s other major signing, Adebayor, was producing very solid returns early on, scoring 4 goals in his first six matches.
Although Tevez was replicating his solid showings with United for his new club, the 25 year old’s lack of ability to find the back of the net on a constant basis was still proving to be an achilles heel in Man City’s aspirations to severely disrupt the Premier League pecking order.
As his form threatened to rival that of Brazilian record signing Robinho, Tevez has since established himself as Man City’s answer to United’s Wayne Rooney, scoring 19 goals in his past 20 League matches.
Overall, he has scored 27 goals for City in all competitions to sit just behind Didier Drogba and Rooney in the goal scoring charts this season.
While much has been made of Tevez and is rapid evolution as a supreme forward, fellow strikers Bellamy and Adebayor are relishing the added responsibility to play in a team not yet filled with the star power of their fancied opponents.
Bellamy, in particular, has grown into a priceless piece of City’s attacking puzzle, scoring important goals and constantly being involved in his side’s most dangerous attacking plays week in week out.
His performance in City’s 4-2 win against Chelsea in late February this year showcased all the positives Bellamy is providing his new club, scoring two goals and running the likes of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho ragged in defence.
City’s other key players Shay Given, Vivian Richards, Pablo Zabaleta, Shaun Wright Phillips and Gareth Barry have also played key roles for a City team on the verge of playing in Europe.
The upcoming fixtures against United and Arsenal however present a formidable hurdle for City to overcome in their bid to play in the Champions League.
City, however, have shown this season they are more than adept to defeating the top teams in the Premier League, having beaten Chelsea and Arsenal convincingly, and losing narrowly to United.
On current form, City really should have Sir Alex Ferguson’s men covered next week, especially if Wayne Rooney fails to recover from his ankle injury.
The trip to Emirates stadium could prove a more difficult assignment for Mancini’s men, but the absence of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas for the Gunners should swing things in City’s favour.
If Man City can attain the six points on offer over the next two weeks, a place alongside European football’s elite should beckon for a team now seemingly on par with their more illustrious Premier League rivals.
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