Forever Blue With Ian Cheeseman: City Fans Should Savour Every Moment

Sunday’s game between Manchester City and Liverpool, at the Etihad Stadium, in the Premier League reminded me how lucky I am.

I’ve followed City over land and sea since the 1970s and I’ve seen some very poor games and some wonderful games. There has been drama a plenty and of course I’ll never forget 13th May 2012, when I was commentating on BBC radio, as Sergio Aguero scored that title winning goal against QPR. That day, that moment, will never be beaten.

For the pure quality of football, Sunday’s game between this season’s title contenders wasn’t quite as dramatic but it was one of the best games I’ve ever seen. Back in 2001 I was on holiday near Barcelona with my family and we managed to get tickets for Barca’s last home game of the season against Valencia. The visitors needed to win or draw to qualify for the following season’s Champions League. Barca needed to win.

We bought my six-year-old son a vuvuzela, which we later regretted. He blew it throughout the game. You might recall vuvuzela’s being extremely annoying during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, and that was only on TV. Despite Daniel’s trumpeting, I was gripped by an enthralling game. Barcelona led 1-0, before Valencia equalised. It was then 2-1, before once again the visitors drew level. Barca’s dramatic winner came late on and completed the hat-trick of the brilliant Brazilian Rivaldo. It was an overhead kick from the eighteen yard line which he first controlled on his chest. Check it out on Youtube, it’s breath taking.

The game was full of magic moments and top quality football. As well as Rivaldo, the Barca side included Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars, Frank De Boer and a certain Pep Guardiola. I’ll never forget that game and for now it remains the highest quality football match I’ve ever attended. Sunday’s game between City and Liverpool is now number two on my list.

I sat there mesmerised. I know football is all about winning and of course I'm well aware of how tribal it is. If your team wins, it was a great game. In defeat it’s often difficult to admit you’ve just seen a great game. Maybe the fact that the match ended in a 2-2 draw might make it a little easier to enjoy the nuances of this great match.

City were the better team, in my opinion, and there were a few refereeing decisions that might have been different (to be diplomatic) but it takes two great teams to make a great game. The Valencia team of 2001 were no mugs and contributed richly. In 2022 Liverpool have fabulous players on show. I was particularly impressed by Sadio Mane. Almost every touch was crisp and accurate. I’ve seen him on TV many times and of course at games I’ve attended but at the Etihad Stadium, on Sunday, I was particularly impressed.

Kevin De Bruyne was stunning against Liverpool and like Mane, he scored a goal, but it was his overall contribution that made him the stand out player for City. All goals come as a result of mistakes, if you really analyse it, but sometimes you just have to admit that you can’t stop brilliance.

I still feel confident that City, who retain their one point advantage at the top of the table, will lift the title again, but Liverpool have pushed City to even higher levels than I’ve seen before.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Pep Guardiola played, at the Camp Nou, in that brilliant game back in 2001, and now he’s managing City through the greatest period in their history. I feel very lucky to be able to attend these games, so if you’re a City fan please don’t take it for granted, savour every moment. Nothing lasts for ever, but hopefully it lasts for as long as possible!