2014
In 2014, defending champions City went to The Emirates and a match with Arsenal. The blues had won their opening two games, but suffered a shock home defeat at the hands of Stoke City in their last outing.
Sergio Aguero gave the blues the lead in the 28th minute, but Arsenal came back strongly in the second half and goals from Jack Wilshire and Alexis Sanchez put the Gunners in control. But the blues were not to suffer a second league defeat and Martin Demichelis headed home the equaliser with seven minutes remaining to secure a 2-2 draw.
2008
One of the most memorable years of modern times, 2008 saw the bleus purchased by ADUG, and one of the first things they did was to snatch Brazilian superstar Robinho from under the noses of Chelsea, who had courted him all summer. So it was fitting that City’s record signing would make his debut against the club he was all set to join.
And it was the Brazilian who rubbed salt into Chelsea’s wounds when he fired the blues ahead with a free kick in the 13th minute. The lead lasted all of four minutes as Chelsea equalised to send the teams in at the break all square. Eight minutes into the second half, Frank Lampard put the visitors in front and former blue Nicolas Anelka secured the points with Chelsea’s third. The blues couldn’t muster a response despite John Terry being sent off on 77 minutes.
1991
The blues began the 1991/92 season in fine form. By the time Sheffield Wednesday arrived at Maine Road, City had won four and drawn one of their opening seven fixtures, and faced Everton at home after The Owls.
The blues were favourites to win the match, but after 84 minutes, Wednesday cut through the City defence and Paul Williams scored the only goal of the game to condemn Peter Reid’s men to their first home defeat of the season
1985
1985 saw the blues promoted back to the First Division after a two year absence. But Billy McNeill’s City had already began to struggle, winning just two of their opening seven games, with just one of those at home. FA Cup holders Manchester United were the visitors and Ron Atkinson’s men were in ruthless form.
Bryan Robson and Arthur Albiston gave the reds a 2-0 half time lead, which was increased in the second half by Mike Duxbury. It was a miserable day for the blues, who wouldn’t win again until the middle of November.
1978
13th September 1978 saw the blues in European action for the last time in the UEFA Cup. FC Twente were the opposition and Tony Book’s men travelled to Holland on the back of thumping Leeds United 3-0 at Maine Road
The blues took the lead after 26 minutes through Dave Watson, but Twente equalised five minutes after the break to save the tie. It didn’t matter in the end as the blues won the second leg 3-2 at Maine Road.