Birmingham City will go to Old Trafford in eight daysa time making use of their heads as champions, held high. And, in one of those odd twists which the baseball gods seem to relish, there's a strong chance they'll field the very group which ended their 44-year watch for a name last period. If Sergio Aguero steps back into the staff for the derby, needlessly to say, and Joleon Lescott maintains his place, the Blues are set to field the exact same XI which started against Queenas Park Rangers on that fateful May day last year. Extremely, it would be the first-time that those 11 people have taken to the field together because a' a poignant reminder of the incidents, ailments, and worldwide call-ups which have pock-marked the Bluesa year. It's also a note that manager Roberto Mancinias attempts to enhance his title-winning group has, by and large, not worked a and that his champions have under-performed for much of this strategy. It was noticeable, against Newcastle, simply how much better City appeared with the back of the team renewed, with their world-class stars a' aside from Aguero a' back in harness. Joe Hart in goal, Vincent Kompany at centre-back, Yaya Toure as midfield nub, David Silva connecting it upA a' that was the formula for success last year, along with Agueroas objectives. Newcastle certainly are a poor barometer, these days because they were remarkably timid and extremely demotivated letting City a freedom to attack seldom seen at the Etihad. United a few weeks is a true way of measuring whether City nevertheless have their mojo, and of simply how much surgery this staff involves in summer time. In front of this sport, Newcastleas French midfielder Yohan Cabaye said something which raised a couple of hackles down at City. He claimed the difference between the two Manchester teams was that City were a collection of great folks, while United were a great group, in the truest sense of the word. Cityas response to which was to score two top-quality group targets in the first half against Cabayeas area through Carlos Tevez and Silva, before adding two more in the second half. But Cabayeas remarks have some meaning, and perhaps echoed what City hero Pablo Zabaleta said the other day. Shock need certainly to increase as a group and in terms of our mentality,a said the Blues defense. aPeople usually contemplate that itas enough having winners in your team to win, but if great players donat form a united front you're not going anywhere.a This is simply not news to Roberto Mancini, who has stressed his staff, as a system, is a small one, and in United they're facing an ensemble which has evolved over 20 years, steeped in a winning culture. It's not an expression on Mancinias administration that his people are perhaps not such a smooth-functioning device, as the haste with which they have been assembled within the last few three years works against fluidity. But it is apparent that as soon as you get 2 or 3 of Cityas nub of world-class stars away, the product quality falls quite fast. The group is laced with quality at the top end, but falls away too quickly next. Unitedas group is significantly greater in terms of ability and knowledge to bring in people without affecting the quality of the staff. In pictures: City v Newcastle At Everton a fortnight ago, when Yaya was sick, and Aguero and Kompany hurt, when they lose big people City were fairly standard, and are sometimes missing opinion and combat. The clash with Newcastle provided payoff for that poor exhibit and, although it began with the feeling of a pointless end-of-season installation, it developed to a party of that has been great about the Blues in the last three months. There was clean sheet to stress the fact the Bluesa defence remains the strongest in the Premier League some attractive basketball, four goals of all enjoyable inside their own way, and yet. That is a fantastic starting place for next season, as well as a huge confidence for the FA Cup desires which now illuminate the remaining of this plan. Barring further misfortune, and with the possible improvements of Aguero and Matija Nastasic a' who acquired a knock on international duty a' City will probably subject this team against United. Town appeared in get a grip on from the start as Newcastle tried to beat the world record for the earliest cases of time-wasting, however it required a call a when Papiss Cisse rattled Joe Hartas post a' to essentially get the Blues going. It absolutely was a joy to behold, when they did. The first target was a great exemplory instance of what this team is approximately. It was begun by yaya from inside his own half with a fast, accurate pass to choose Silvaas float into space. The ball was swiftly transferred by the Spaniard on to Gael Clichyas overlapping run, and his first-time cross found Tevez displaying more will and desire than his gun to deal the ball home. Because it was down to Samir Nasrias incessant twinkling around the edge of the box, a pleasing feature of the sport, the 2nd was much more stimulating for City supporters. Nasri was the villain of the final derby, ducking out from the wall and deflecting Robin van Persieas late free-kick past Hart to provide the Reds a terrible, late champion. His kind has been poor this season, and he displays the worst aspects of what Cabaye and Zabaleta said and often looks like somebody using his undoubted talents for their own advantage, as opposed to the teamas. Here, he was unselfish, enterprising and effective, working the defenders and bamboozling them sometimes. Seeking an opening, he selected Silvaas function, his move fast and firm in the sure knowledge that the Spaniardas splendid first contact would be as much as it. Silva, naturally, took the ball beautifully, his touch making the guaranteed, driven end seem like a formality rather than mix of two hard skills. City briefly slumbered at the start of the second half, until Kompany a' right back after two months out injured a deflected in Barryas right-foot shot to quell any return desires for the guests. Town confronted more goals, with Edin Dzeko finding owner Rob Elliot in defiant mood. The ultimate flourish got, fittingly, from Yaya who comes alive at the moment of year. The Ivorian was a strong, gentle presence all day, and he stormed through the protection, playing a one-two off a defender, steaming past Jamie Perch and hammering a go from an acute angle. The ball ricocheted off Perchas try to stop, and wrong-footing Elliot, who can only help it into their own web. Yaya gets credit for the task nevertheless, you imagine the Premier Leagueas doubtful objectives will verify it as an own goal. What is your verdict on the performance? Have your say.
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