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It was an inauspicious start for Ashley Cole, back in the country where – for all that he might say otherwise – he would like to demonstrate that he was dispensed with long before his time. The press-conference swivel chair he dropped into yesterday to talk about his new club Roma’s tie at Manchester City tonight was lower than he anticipated and it looked as if he was going to fall out of the back of it. He grabbed at the arms, grinned, looked up and began the conversation that deconstructed the notion that this man is one of football’s social misfits – a most difficult and diffident individual.
There was certainly one difficult moment. It came when the obligatory question was raised about Rio Ferdinand’s claim, in his autobiography published this week, that Cole betrayed him by not testifying against John Terry in the race case brought by his brother, Anton. The question was not even out there when Cole shot back: “I’m here to talk about football… I’m not here to talk about that.” And behind those words, he wore a face like thunder.
It was a measure of how Cole appears to be growing into his new life, that the clouds cleared and he put the moment behind him. Cole has been clinging to some aspects of his old life in the city of the seven hills. His Mercedes G-Class motor was shipped out from England a few weeks ago. But the modesty and self-deprecation on show felt like something entirely new, given that the general propensity to hate Cole made him a near invisible figure by the time he took his leave of London.
If there was a lingering sense of frustration with Jose Mourinho’s decision to put his faith in Cesar Azpilicueta and let Cole leave, then the former England international did a good job of disguising it. “I don’t think Chelsea were wrong,” he said. “A decision was made and I’m fine with it. I had eight great years there and I still speak to the staff and players.”
There was fleeting evidence of his grasp of the lingo. “Maybe you have to ask Mister,” he said of manager Rudi Garcia, when asked how Manchester City and English football in general are viewed in Italy. Cole and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, the defender on loan from Newcastle United, are taking Italian lessons with a linguist Roma have laid on. They say Cole has formed a friendship with Daniele De Rossi, another of the bearded fraternity and a fluent English speaker.
But beyond all the talk of acclimatisation –the sense emerged of a player simply looking forward to doing what he does best in familiar company, on an English football field tonight. The once ridiculous prospect of him standing across a pitch from Frank Lampard in a City v Roma fixture seems to be cherished. “It [will just] be nice to see people like Joe Hart and Lamps. I never expected to play against him. He is a good friend of mine,” Cole said. Roma need a change of fortune tonight. Three visits to Manchester have brought three defeats. Francesco Totti and De Rossi still flinch at the memory of that 7-1 defeat at Old Trafford which they both played in eight years ago. There has been only one win in 14 visits to England for Roma.
Manchester City - the latest match picturesShow all 111 1 /111Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City - the latest match pictures Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 George Boyd shoots to score the opening, and winning, goal for Burnley
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 George Boyd celebrates
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 Sergio Aguero in action against Burnley
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 Vincent Kompany sits among the subs after being dropped
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 David Silva puts Manchester City in the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 David Silva celebrates his goal
Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 Wilfred Bony in action for Manchester City
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 James Milner celebrates his goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Wilfried Bony came on in the victory over Newcastle to make his Man City debut.
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 A quick-fire David Silva double put City five goals to the good.
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Edin Dzeko tripled Newcastle's misery with a third goal before half-time.
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Samir Nasri doubled Manchester City's lead with an emphatic strike.
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Sergio Aguero put Manchester City ahead inside two minutes after Vernon Anita gave away an early penalty.
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Hull 1 Samir Nasri celebrates with James Milner after the latter scores the equaliser against Hull
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Hull 1 James Milner curls a free-kick in to the back of the net to salvage a 1-1 draw with Hull
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Hull 1 Sergio Aguero has a close-range shot stopped by Allan McGregor
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Hull 1 David Meylor scores to put Hull into the lead against Manchester City
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal 2-0 in front
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey misses the target
Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Olivier Giroud celebrates with Santi Cazorla
Manchester City - the latest match pictures Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Manchester City target Ross Barkley battles with Fernando in midfield
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Stevan Jovetic has an attempt at the Everton goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Joel Robles steals the feet from Samir Nasri's toes
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Romelu Lukaku has a shot well saved by England goalkeeper Joe Hart
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho heads the visitors into the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero returned from injury but was not able to inspire City to victory
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Man City 2 Sheff Wed 1 James Milner scores his team's second goal to take a 2-1 lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Man City 2 Sheff Wed 1 James Milner celebrates scoring his team's first goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates the opening goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Stevan Jovetic scores to put the home side in control
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Jack Rodwell of Sunderland heads his goal to make it 2-1
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Adam Johnson made things all square at the Etihad moments later
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 However Frank Lampard headed in the winner for Manchester City just after coming off the bench
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Lampard celebrates his winning goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva (R) scores the opening goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Fernandinho of Manchester City scores their second goal to put the champions in total control
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 George Boyd of Burnley celebrates after pulling one back
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Ashley Barnes scores a stunner for the visitors to bring things level
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Scott Arfield celebrates the equaliser for Burnley
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 West Brom players bundle the ball over the line for a late consolation with Brown Ideye appearing to get the last touch
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 David Silva celebrates scoring Manchester City's third goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 David Silva runs through the snow at the Hawthorns
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure converts a first-half penalty to double City's lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Joleon Lescott brings down David Silva to give away a first-half penalty
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Ben Foster looks dejected as the snow falls following his error that allowed Fernando to score
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure celebrates with Fernando after the latter puts City ahead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Yaya Toure fires home the third to put the result beyond doubt
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City players celebrate after David Silva scores
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 James McArthur had a headed goal ruled out incorrectly for offside with the score at 2-0
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Dacid Silva strokes home his and City's second goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly are unable to prevent David Silva's deflected shot going in to break the deadlock
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart pulls off a fantastic save from Esteban Cambiasso's free-kick
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Frank Lampard celebrates with Samir Nasri after giving Manchester City the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Frank Lampard taps the ball past goalkeeper Ben Hamer
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Leicester fans remain defiant in their support of Nigel Pearson after his clash with a fan last week
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Roma 0 Manchester City 2 City players celebrate their victory in Rome
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Roma 0 Manchester City 2 Manchester City's Samir Nasri wheels away in celebration
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Pablo Zabaleta checks on Yaya Toure after the midfielder collapses with a leg injury
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Yaya Toure scores from the penalty spot what would turn out to be the match-winning goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Phil Jagielka clips his England team-mate James Milner to give away a penalty
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Sergio Aguero limps off the field after just two minutes with what appeared to be a serious left knee injury
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Zabaleta prepares to celebrate after scoring
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Sergio Aguero is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his second
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Stevan Jovetic celebrates after putting Manchester City ahead in the win over Sunderland
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Connor Wickham chips the ball over Pablo Zabaleta and beyond Joe Hart's reach to give Sunderland the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Southampton 0 Man City 3 Manuel Pellegrini clashes with referee Mike Jones
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Southampton 0 Man City 3 Frank Lamaprd scores City's second
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Yaya Toure puts City into the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Stevan Jovetic taps home from close-range to equalise for City
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring for Swansea as Joe Hart looks on in despair
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Doumbia’s put CSKA into a quick lead in this Champions League meeting
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Yaya Toure however brought things level after eight minutes
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Doumbia was to put the visitors back in front however
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Then things got worse for City, with Yaya Toure being sent off
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Fernandinho was also sent off for good measure
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Chris Smalling picks up a booking for blocking Joe Hart
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Later in the first half, Smalling was shown another and then sent off
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Kompany tackles Di Maria
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Sergio Aguero celebrates the only goal of the game
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring Newcastle's second goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 David Silva was substituted after suffering a knee injury
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 Rolando Aarons watches as his effort finds the corner of the Manchester City goal to give Newcastle the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Vincent Kompany celebrate after Silva's stunning effort - but it wasn't enough
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia celebrate what turned out to be the winning goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart of Manchester City fails to stop the header by Diafra Sakho
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Sakho heads home his seventh goal in seven matches to put West Ham 2-0 up
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 City midfielder Fernando tangles with West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Morgan Amalfitano gives West Ham the lead in the early part of the match, turning in a cross from Enner Valencia
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Barcelona loanee Alex Song was an impressive force for the Hammers in midfield
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero and James Milner put City into a two goal lead by half-time in this Champions League group game
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 Ferdando was booked for this challenge
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 CSKA Moscow pulled one back and then Natcho equalised from the spot for the hosts
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 City pushed for a winner in the final few minutes but to no avail
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot to put City 3-1 up
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Roberto Soldado reflects on his penalty miss
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero sees City's second penalty of the game saved and then hits the rebound over
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 David Silva is fouled to give City their second penalty
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero gets his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Frank Lampard is fouled by Erik Lamela to give City a penalty
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen celebrates his equaliser for Spurs
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen equalises for Spurs
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero celebrates his opening goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero fires City into the lead
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero celebrates his goal
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero makes it two with a smart low finish
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure finally breaks the deadlock and puts City in front
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Sergio Aguero slots home from the spot early in the Champions League match
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Joe Hart can't stop Totti bringing the scores level
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Former Arsenal team-mates Gael Clichy and Gervinho come together
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Martin Demichelis rises into the air during this game at the Etihad
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Manchester City - the latest match pictures Hull City 2 Manchester City 4 Substitute Frank Lampard made in four goals in three matches to secure the three points for City at the KC Stadium
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Cole was blunt about the greater pressure he believes is on City’s players. “Yes – they have not been to the knockout stages [often] and there is pressure on them,” he said. “They have big players and I know some of them are very hungry – Hart and Milner and Lamps will always want to keep on winning. There’s less pressure on us.”
Garcia was even blunter after beginning the group with a 5-1 win against CSKA Moscow, while City lost in Munich. “A lot of people said when we didn’t have a chance,” he said. “But we haven’t lost a game and they probably have a bit more to lose.”
The old battles come thick and fast for Cole. Saturday takes him to league leaders Juventus for a match-up with Patrice Evra – the 2008 Battle of Stamford Bridge revisited. There is only so much time for sentiment.
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