Robinho scores on Santos debut

Check out the highlights below.

Firstly, that penalty was dodgy to the extreme... no way should that goal have stood.

Robinho started on the bench (something he had become accustomed to at City I guess) before coming on in the second half. From the highlights, it looked like he bossed the game — but I guess that's pretty easy when the level is not much better than our A-League and you afford Robinho so much time on the ball. To be fair, his goal was well-taken, but you'd expect a £32million player to be dominant in that league.

He looks happy playing in the sunshine in his home country, but to be as world-class as he thinks he is, he's going to have to be a lot more ambitious.

Benjani move confirmed (and a history lesson thrown in for nothing)

As expected, Benjani's loan move to Sunderland has finally been completed.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, it probably save to say that we've seen him in a City shirt for the final time. And although the 'Offside Smiler' had very few admirers, I for one, will miss him.

You know those players that may not be the best on the park, but you still have an affinity with them? Benjani's mine.

Whilst not brilliant talented by any stretch, Benjani is the antagonist in some of my favourite moments as a City fan.

Benjani's debut was the Munich Memorial derby on February 10, 2008. I had arrived back in Sydney the day before from my first trip to England, and tired and still a little jet-lagged, fronted up to one of the first decent Sydney Blues screenings. Having just observed first-hand some poor football in the week prior... I thought we'd get pummeled.

Something about that day was magical, from start to finish. The sun blazing down on Vermin Towers after two weeks of cold and drizzle. The impeccably observed minutes' silence. Deadly Darius' goal on the second attempt. And then... Benjani's shoulder. With the exception of Bellamy third goal at the swamp earlier this season, I have never celebrated a goal as enthusiastically as that. An amazing day and an amazing team performance, without big names such as Elano. Probably our best win since the 4-3 over Spurs in the FA Cup.

Then later in the year, another overseas journey saw myself and Blue Roo land in Schalke in City's first proper Euro away day in many a year. I had stayed overnight in Hong Kong the day before (or maybe two days, who the hell knows with the time difference), and originally planned to fly straight to Manchester before the Derby on the Sunday. However when the UEFA Cup fixtures were released I decided to add Germany to the itinerary. To get to the Veltins in time, I flew direct to Heathrow, changed planes, and then on to Dusseldorf, before a train to Gelsenkirchen. I can't begin to comprehend the amount hours spent travelling or time zones crossed. After a few beers in the Square, I was ruined.

The game itself was a complete blur. But we won, courtesy of goals to Benjani and Stephen Ireland (and even that goal Benjani had a hand in). My first, and only City win was in the Veltins.

And Benjani even managed to score in my favourite away game attended, nodding in the opener in a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Benjani is up there with my favourite ever City players, holding weight with such names as Shaun Goater, Danny Tiatto, and Carlos Tevez. I'll miss his finger-pointing goal celebration, his shocking first-touch, and his clapping when caught offside for the sixth time in the half.

I'll keep possession of his shirt with pride. All the best Benji, the one who comes from Zimbabwe and scores on Derby Day.

Supporters' Club 5-a-side... confirm your interest!

Just a follow up from the last post about the 5-a-side tournament, we're trying to get definite, confirmed numbers as soon as possible... we're need to see if there is demand for a second side, and we're looking into the possibility of maybe getting shirts or something made.

Football ability is not an essential requirement. We're not it in to be massively competitive... we will be there to meet fellow Blues, get on the beers, and sing. So if you have the tactical awareness of Benjani or the tackling ability of Martin Petrov, it's ok.

We're not after payment or anything, that will be on the day.

Supporter's Club 5-a-side Tournament Details
Date: Sunday 21 February
Time: 10:00am
Location: Harbord Bowling Club, near Manly
Cost: $180 per squad, so no more than $20 each

If you can confirm you are good to play, please send an email to lessoninpride@gmail.com saying you are in, and you'll be added to list in this post.

This will be the only way I will accept nominations... telling me in person at Cheers will not suffice, as I am most likely drunk and WILL forget. At a stretch, writing on my Facebook wall will suffice.

Confirmed players:
Crouchy
Brendo the Jet
Underage Georgie D
Joshua L from Melbourne
Andeh J the Manc (party of five)
Nathan C
Rohan
Benny G

Deadline Day Round-up

Deadline Day always promises so much, yet delivers so little. There have been some decent moves in the past, like Arshavin to Arsenal, and of course, Robinho to City, but ultimately not much usually happens. Here's a look at who we were supposedly in for, and what went down.

Adam Johnson (signed)
Unveiled on the Official site soon after close, Johnson completed a switch from Middlesbrough for around £7 million. A very decent player, he caused us a few problems in the recent FA Cup tie before going off injured.

This deal goes against the theme of recent City transfers. Rather than sign successful players with Premier League experience (and an inflated price-tag to boot), we have gone after a promising young player from the Championship, a look to the medium-to-long term. Bear in mind that we were also heavily linked to Victor Moses, who has now gone to Wigan, who falls into this same category.

This gives me the impression that there is more influence in transfers from the director of football, Brian Marwood, than there were previously under Hughes.

McDonald Mariga (missed out)
The Big Mac, as he is known (well I hope he is), failed in a bid to attain a work permit. The rules on this as quite clear, although rather ridiculous.

Mariga met the first part of the UK criteria after playing in 75% of Kenya's games in the last two years. But his application was rejected as Kenya are ranked 98th in Fifa's world rankings, outside the top 70 nations.

An appeal was launched on deadline day, but alas, it didn't fall in our favour. How can the league be expected to attract the best players in the world, regardless of their nationality, with these rules in place?

Mariga has since signed for Inter... really disappointed that this move fell through. We really did need the cover in defensive midfield, with Vieira still not fit and both Barry and De Jong pretty much running on empty.

Gago (missed out)
Attempted to sign from Real Madrid in the region of 15 million pounds, however Real didn't accept our offer of a loan with a look to buy. Apparently the Spaniards were holding out for more money, thinking that the deadline in England was midnight, rather than 5pm.

Benjani (a City player — for now)
There's something about Deadline Day and Benjani that doesn't seem to mix. He fell asleep at the airport and missed his flight en route to signing for City from Portsmouth, now despite being linked to Sunderland all day, the paperwork was not filed on time. As it stands, the Offside Smiler is still a City player, but this may change in the next day or so.

I have a stalker!

And apparently we're the obsessed ones... bless. Too busy taking photos of my arse and not watching the game.