Man City not ready for ultimate litmus test

SEPT 19 — On any other week Tottenham Hotspurs’ visit to Stamford Bridge to play leaders Chelsea would have been Match-of-the-Week but not nowadays, when Manchester United entertain their cash-rich city rivals Manchester City.

City have a 100 per cent start to the season and last week’s win over Arsenal only strengthened their credentials. United’s local rivals have lived up to their billing as the new top-four challengers on the block.

It was back in 1961-62 that City last won four times on the trot at the beginning of a campaign. The run ended at Maine Road with a defeat to Burnley and the season didn’t finish on a high note with the Blues ending the campaign in 12th position.

Fans have to scroll back even further to find five opening wins in succession. It was 1912-13. One of those wins was over Manchester United. Even then they only finished sixth.

Tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford is the ultimate acid test and, with Adebayor facing a lengthy suspension, the boys in blue travel across town with Craig Bellamy as their only fit and eligible striker.

Bellamy will dash into the derby in brilliant form, boosted by a heartfelt tribute from Blues assistant boss Mark Bowen after his performance against Arsenal.

The pacy Welsh skipper’s efforts, including a crucial goal, did not receive due acclaim as a high-octane second half switched focus to strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor.

But Bowen, who reckons Bellamy’s feisty attitude has endeared him to his team-mates, has heaped praise on the striker expected to lead City's attack at Old Trafford.

Former United fan favourite Carlos Tevez must have been relishing this match-up when the fixtures were drawn but sadly for him he is unlikely to play a part in this derby.

At most, he might get a place on the bench at Old Trafford. Irony is a cruel teacher sometimes, as the Argentine could learn, with his reason for leaving United being too much sitting on the bench at Old Trafford.

With Robinho ruled out, Roque Santa Cruz struggling with match fitness and in-form Adebayor suspended for three matches (so far), United’s defence can breathe easy.

United were sublime at White Hart Lane last Saturday and operated in an entirely different class to their opponents. While Spurs learnt just how difficult breaking into the top four is, United reminded themselves what a terrific side they can be when playing at pace, with width and two men up front.

Alex Ferguson certainly has plenty of options to choose from. Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea were among those not required to change out of their suits in the mid-week win at Besiktas.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney might not have been too happy to sit out the final half-hour of that Champions League tie but Ferguson knows he will be fresh for battle.

With the form City have been in, Ferguson could deploy a five man midfield to ensure a blockade in the middle of the park. However, a striker-starved City would have the wily Scot playing to United’s strengths instead.

The Red Devils will win this match and Mark Hughes will be made to eat humble pie by his former boss.

As for the other top-four clash, a London derby between Spurs and Chelsea, the focus is on Spurs’ ability to bounce back. The men from the Lane started this season in stark contrast to last season’s disastrous opening month when they only grabbed two points.

The reality check of last week’s loss against United could be narrowed down to the culpability of Robbie Keane in place of Luca Modric.

He is now 19 games into his second stint at Spurs and one feels that manager Harry Redknapp might eventually resign himself to making the same conclusion that Rafa Benitez made after Keane’s 19 games at Liverpool.

The Irish national captain has been in weak form for about a year now. Hence, it will take some hard decision-making by Redknapp to drop Keane and bring in new signing Niko Kranjcar, whom he is more familiar with, having brought him previously to Portsmouth too.

Over at Stamford Bridge, the era of the Blues under Jose Mourinho might be returning with all those late winners.

But whether Chelsea’s ageing side can last the pace remains to be seen. The evidence to date has been encouraging. Moreover, their capacity to adapt is their strongest suit.

There is no doubt they are facing their first stern test of the season against Spurs. However, my gut feeling is the result will be a case of the Blues giving a true Italian-style footballing lesson to the boys in white.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are set to achieve their fifth win on the trot with a visit to West Ham United in London.

Also in the capital, Arsenal should easily brush aside Wigan Athletic, especially after the emphatic comeback victory in the Champions League on Wednesday. There is true class on the pitch when the Gunners play at their best.

Speaking of class, or lack of thereof, Adebayor has proven to be a player of vile and tasteless character. I for one am glad that Arsenal are rid of a player who could do all that he stands accused of.

Ironically, last weekend also demonstrated that Ade is not alone in his royal crassness. Tennis great Serena Williams and rap star Kanye West joined Adebayor in having a poor sense of judgment with the world watching.

I am thinking aloud here, but is there a supremely wrong message coming out of their respective misdeeds? That these black superstars just get too big for their own heads and are just damaging their own hard-earned reputation and that of their fellow black talents.

With impressionable children watching all these events, the "three stooges" really can’t complain if they are vilified and sanctioned by their peers.

They would do well to learn some wisdom from that famous depiction of the three monkeys who “hear no evil”, something Adebayor needs to remind himself; “see no evil”, a lesson for Williams; and “speak no evil”, for the rude and idiotic West.

And if they don’t learn it now, we might just see one or more them continue to make a monkey of themselves in future.