Citeh's Big Night

From iphone2010

I've started going to see City again this season because the Blues have enjoyed a long League Cup run, which in turn meant midweek fixtures that fit with visits to my nonagerian dad. As a treat a good mate fixed me with a ticket for Citeh v Manyoo in the first leg of the semi final.
In the moments before the game began the lights were turned off in the enormous City of Manchester stadium and the forty six thousand strong crowd went collectively bonkers. An enormous projected blue moon appeared on the Main Stand and the United fans lit enormous red fireworks. This was so much more than a game to the people in that ground - a massively significant fixture as the blue half of Manchester met the red half on equal sporting terms for the first time in many years - and at stake a trip to Wembley which would bring to an end City's exile from football's top table.

And I don't think I've ever seen a more exciting match although City's performance lacked finishing (with the glorious exception of Carlos Tevez). The final ten minutes as the home side clung on to a 2-1 lead against the massive efforts of Rooney and Owen was the most nervous time I've ever spent at a sporting occasion. I don't think I'll ever forget it, and I doubt anyone else there will either. The problem is City has to go to Old Trafford next week, which may end significantly differently.