15 May
1999
City lock horns with Wigan Athletic in the Division Two Play-Offs.
Joe Royle’s men travel to Springfield Park for the first leg – the final game to be played at the ground before the Latics’ move to the JJB Stadium.
Typically, the clash could not have started in worse fashion for City.
From kick-off, the ball is kicked into touch for a throw-in, from which a mix-up between Gerard Wiekens and Nicky Weaver allows Stuart Barlow to nip in and open the scoring for the hosts inside 20 seconds.
Spurned chance after chance follows, but – just as it starts to look as though fate is against City – Paul Dickov steers home a glorious leveller, ensuring the two sides face off at Maine Road on level terms four days later, with a place at Wembley up for grabs…
2004
City complete a disappointing 2003/04 campaign on a high, storming to a 5-1 triumph over Everton.
Paulo Wanchope bags a brace with former Liverpool man Nicolas Anelka also on the scoresheet in the first half.
Kevin Campbell reduces the deficit after the break but goals from Antoine Sibierski and Shaun Wright-Phillips seal the victory – just our fifth league win at home all season.
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2005
Needing a victory to take the final UEFA Cup berth and complete an amazing turnaround in fortunes under new boss Stuart Pearce, City take on Middlesbrough at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Boro themselves need a point to snatch the final spot and take a first-half lead through Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink but Kiki Musampa levels for City a minute into the second half.
Bizarrely, in a bid to find a winner, Pearce throws goalkeeper David James upfront, leaving striker Jon Macken bemused on the bench.
The gamble almost pays off as deep into injury time, the home side win a penalty and are suddenly just one successful spot-kick away from European football.
Robbie Fowler - a prolific striker - steps up and hits possibly the worst penalty of his career and Mark Schwarzer saves easily.
The game ends seconds later and a 1-1 draw means City miss out while Boro qualify.
2014
Less than a week after being crowned Champions of England, City are back in action as part of a whistle-stop post-season tour to Abu Dhabi.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour watches on from the stands as City conclude a fantastic week for the Club with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Al Ain.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men dominate the game and a sweet second half strike from Marcos Lopes, a sensational goal from Stevan Jovetic and a late Jordi Hiwula penalty ensure a deserved victory in front of a lively and passionate crowd at the breathtaking Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
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2016
City complete the season (and Pellegrini’s reign) with a 1-1 draw at Swansea to all but secure a Champions League spot.
Although qualification is not officially confirmed due to Manchester United’s postponed fixture against Bournemouth, City’s far superior goal difference leaves the Reds requiring a 19-goal victory in the rearranged clash against the Cherries.
Kelechi Iheanacho is on the scoresheet at the Liberty Stadium inside five minutes but his early effort is cancelled out by Andre Ayew on the brink of half-time.
Birthdays
Wishing a very happy 26th birthday to Portuguese right-back, Matilde Fidalgo.
The defender joined City last summer from Sporting Clube de Braga.
Fan favourite Mark Kennedy turns 44 today.
The lethal left winger made 66 appearances for City between 1999 and 2001, helping the Club to promotion back to the Premier League almost 20 years ago to the day.
BLACKBURN 2000 | Kings of the Hill
