CITY SLICKERS DESERVE MORE CREDIT

THE general reaction to Manchester City's 2-2 draw at Liverpool appeared to be it was a case of missed opportunity for Mark Hughes's side.

The manner in which Yossi Benayoun was allowed to equalise so swiftly after Stephen Ireland had given City the lead may well have been frustrating but it is a measure of how much things have changed if any side is unhappy not to win at Anfield.

Yes, Liverpool had a number of injuries to deal with but this whole debate is growing somewhat tiresome.

All clubs have injuries to deal with throughout the season and this is why the squads are so huge these days. Some players are clearly more injury prone than others and the fact of the matter is that Liverpool's back-up performers have not been good enough this term.

A careful look at the two teams on Saturday would have led to the conclusion that City, on paper, and in my view, had the better XI and certainly the best bench - even without one of their biggest signings in Robinho.

Carlos Tevez, who has scored a couple of goals at Anfield in the past, exited Manchester United because he felt he was being left out of the big games. Yet he found himself amongst the substitutes on Merseyside and who could argue with Hughes that Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy deserved to start on current form?

Shay Given is one of the best keepers in the league, as is Pepe Reina, and, while defenders Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure still need to confirm their reputations, they are both solid performers at this level. Some may feel Richard Dunne was jettisoned too readily, particularly in light of his displays for Republic of Ireland, but Hughes has not done too much wrong in moulding a squad capable of challenging the top four.

If only Gareth Barry had been his normal self on Saturday - he seems to reserve his worst performance of the campaign for Anfield - then City could have been taking three points with them back to Manchester.

The first aim has to be breaking the quartet's cartel and City are currently four points adrift of fourth spot with a game in hand.

They have only been beaten once, in controversial fashion at Old Trafford, and, despite the run of draws, remain handily placed.

It is worth noting they are still a point clear of Liverpool after last weekend's result, having played a game less, and have to play Rafa Benitez's Reds and neighbours United at home. Their other match against one of the big four, a home clash with Arsenal, produced three points.

So why is there the sense that City are underperforming and piling the pressure on boss Hughes?

Admittedly, some of the draws have been irritating for City fans with large aspirations.

The 3-3 with Burnley and 2-2 against Fulham, both at home, are cases in point but all teams have had their blips this term and six draws on the spin in the Premier League is not a disaster for Hughes and his team - even if they really need to beat Hull this weekend.

Perhaps there is jealousy surrounding City's mega-millions from their Arab investors. The Abu Dhabi takeover has financed their spending spree and fans of other clubs, particularly the bigger ones, don't like it.

While Chelsea barely added to their squad, Liverpool sold Xabi Alonso and Manchester United cashed in on the league's best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, City actually moved forwards - buying two of Arsenal's stars in the process.

For the neutrals, their progress should be applauded.

City do not play like Chelsea did under Jose Mourinho when he used Roman Abramovich's fortune to build a hugely successful but largely pragmatic team. This, apparently, proved to be his downfall, as the Russian wanted something a little more in line with fantasy football for his millions. The trophies weren't enough - especially without a prized Champions League.

Entertainment

City's initial ambition is just to get into Europe's premier competition and they have showed they are capable of doing so.

Many neutrals might prefer Tottenham or Aston Villa to break up the top four on the back of the excellent work being done by their outstanding managers Harry Redknapp and Martin O'Neill.

HUGHES: Top four aspirations

But there can be no complaining about the entertainment value City have brought to the table this season.

Their games against the big four can be anticipated with as much relish as the head-to-heads themselves, perhaps even more so as some of the battles tend to disappoint like Chelsea versus Manchester United did recently.

City saw off Arsenal 4-2 in a pulsating match at Eastlands, criminally not shown on live television, as Adebayor hit all the headlines for the wrong reasons for his antics.

The 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford must rank as one of the greatest derby games of all time and, while the 2-2 Anfield draw was not in the same league for excitement, it still contained an extremely enthralling second half. Early kick-offs always seem to take some time to get going in any case.

After rejuvenated Hull visit The City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, it's a potentially stormy reunion with Arsenal in the Carling Cup next Wednesday and then Chelsea at home on December 5.

Can any football fan say they are not looking forward to seeing those games? That is evidence City have made a really positive contribution already this season and there should be plenty more to come.

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