Pearce hails Barton

September 10, 2005

REFORMED bad boy Joey Barton received a pat on the back from his manager in midweek - and the mighty congratulations of his Manchester City team-mates at Old Trafford following his derby-day strike against United.

Barton deflected Darius Vassell's shot 15 minutes from time to earn City a 1-1 draw and extend their unbeaten run under manager Stuart Pearce to 13 games.

Sir Alex Ferguson described the result as "ridiculous" but the United boss knows it would have been far worse had Edwin van der Sar not miraculously kept out Andy Cole's injury-time effort which threatened to hand City their first win on enemy territory since 1974.

Instead, Barton was the City hero, a situation he could not have expected to find himself in when he was sent home in disgrace from Thailand in July following a bar-room brawl with team-mate Richard Dunne.

"I have seen a level of maturity in Joey that wasn't there a month ago," said Pearce.

"What happened in Thailand was a big wake-up call in some ways because not too long ago Joey wanted to take on everybody and fight the world. You can never win like that.

"But he has asked for help, which is not easy, and I am proud of him for that.

"He has worked extremely hard and I had a chat with him on Tuesday just to give him a pat on the back and say well done."

The praise has had a galvanising effect on Barton, who together with midfield partner Claudio Reyna, battled tirelessly to ensure United never got into their stride.

Although City's tactics were derided by Ferguson, they were nowhere near as negative as those deployed by former boss Kevin Keegan 12 months ago.

Pearce might have been stretching the truth in his claim that his side deserved to end their 31-year barren streak at Old Trafford but the Blues did restrict their hosts to just four decent chances.

Only Ruud van Nistelrooy was able to take one, referee Steve Bennett correctly ruling the prolific Dutchman was onside when he latched on to Paul Scholes' powerful free-kick.

A magnificent David James save kept that effort out but the discarded England keeper's heroics went unrewarded as the rebound fell straight back to Van Nistelrooy who promptly rattled in his 131st United goal.

What did you make of the tactics? Have your say.

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Robert, Chapel (10/09/2005 at 19:53)

Not the first time that City have drawn at Old Trafford, but the first time in many many years when the teams have been of similar quality.

65,000 Utd fans there today, but you'd have never have known it. Spoilt it for the City fans. You want a bit of atmosphere, but it was dead today

nick stout, wigan (city fan) (10/09/2005 at 19:54)

ferguson is only saying that city's tactics were negative because of his teman's inability to break us down, what does that say about his own side? it goes to show that without ronaldo an dalso rooney's failure tolet his football do the talking, that they do not have the flair to win the Premiership. City are a team building for the future and it looks very promising under psycho! The future's bright the future is sky blue!!!

Wayne Lomas, Whitefield (10/09/2005 at 20:02)

City matched them in every dep't except for the fans the fans - who outdid them as usual.

Proud and Blue.

James, Oldham (10/09/2005 at 20:07)

I was watching from a box there (only way I could get in) and I can't say there weren't any atmosphere. The stand around me was loud, obviously not City-loud, but loud all the same. Well done lads, the result will do nicely. =D

Malc, Wilmslow (10/09/2005 at 20:23)

Sporting comments from Sir Alex once again !!

Just goes to show what an impact SP is having.

sussex blue, sussex (10/09/2005 at 20:57)

same old fergus scum - always moanin. why doesnt he have the magnaminity to cngratulate stuart on what is quite frankly, a dream start to premiership management ( unlike his own, remember ? )and we are bitter blues ? Hardly.

Birch, Above the Rags (10/09/2005 at 21:25)

United tactics taggart
were not putting crisp passes together
but hoof it up and rely on speed

Taggart spit your chuddy out again your team is average and were not commanding
Most average utd performance I have seen Van de Saar saves the day where was carroll or tommy terets

Blue mooning, Swinging on a star (10/09/2005 at 22:48)

the whinging Ferguson has to get his if not fors first.....City...you were lucky Grandad

Mat, Bredbury (11/09/2005 at 00:11)

loved the celebration Joey...was it aimed at those "noisy" rag fans!!as for Taggart..the only thing that is "ridiculous" is your inability to praise an opposition manager for out-thinking you and deserving at least a point. But then I suppose a point against a team in the top 2 was a good result for your team Alex!!

davo, Sydney (11/09/2005 at 00:42)

Taggat is gutted. Admit red noses, you were lucky.

Fan, high up in stands (11/09/2005 at 05:29)

Robert,Chapel. speaking of atmospheres, our ground is not the same since we moved. Maine Road was a good to great atmoshpere wherever you sat. Now we have this new massive stadium the fans high up loose out on the incidents important to a match because its such a distance you can't see it happening, so you get the moners which drags down the atmoshpere especailly through the cold winter nights. To bring the Maine Road Roar back i say giant screens plastered around the ground for the fans high up would keep them fire up when incidents are happening. That would keep us warm through winter.Hence more noise and happy fans. IT WOULD MAKE IT OUR HOME. WHAT DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK? .Nice one SP.ctid.......

Ray, Bristol (11/09/2005 at 06:30)

Joey has been excellent this season and SP has been a great help to him in achieving what he has....

Bluemoan, Moonchester (11/09/2005 at 08:14)

Taxi for Fergie. Yes they had more possession, but which team had more shots ON target and the most corners. The future's bright the future's BLUE. CTID

Mike, Stockport (11/09/2005 at 09:18)

I wasn't at the game, but judging by his comments, neither was "Sir" Alex Ferguson. I hope he stays at United for some while yet, becuase he looks past it to me. Go City!

Wigan Blue, Shevington (11/09/2005 at 10:05)

Sorry - Ruud van Lostit looked a mile offside to me. Another 4 - 1 at ours?

Stan Dandyliver, Rainy Paradise (11/09/2005 at 13:54)

Well said Stuart Pearce and well done Joey Barton. Let's hear it from all those City fans crying "Barton out" after the Thailand incident.

Ken Neck, Droylsden (11/09/2005 at 22:51)

What was Ferguson on about when he called the scoreline ridiculous?
You can't get a more normal scoreline than 1-1.
Love-15! Now that's a ridiculous scoreline. Some of these elderly people are just crackers!

Blue John, Melb. Oz (ex M/c 19) (12/09/2005 at 03:47)

Mr Potatoe head slaging off Citys tactics and his fans are voting Van Der Sar their best player, what a tosser. Go you blue boys

Darren, Brisbane Australia (12/09/2005 at 07:10)

My only problem with the tactics are how our fullbacks play (or don't) out of defence. The rags get these lovely triangles and pass the ball until the player is clear to bring the ball forward. Thatcher and Miils just hoof it up. That was the only noticable difference in the skills of the two teams. I would like this to be addressed please SP.

gandalf, stockport (12/09/2005 at 09:09)

can't help but agree with taggert the scoreline was ridiculous , city should have won .... yea ha.
come on city.

baz, basra, Iraq (12/09/2005 at 09:29)

There's two things I hate in thius world. People intolerant of other peoples cultures, and the dutch!

Glyn, Madrid (12/09/2005 at 10:00)

The biggest mistake SAF made "again" was underestimating our midfield, i couldnt believe Keane was on the bench, anyway, enuff about them, we have a midfield to compete in this division now, i just hope Barton and Reyna last the pace.

Blue Tiger, Virginia (12/09/2005 at 11:19)

Darren in Brisbane get off Stuart Pearce,s back his plan was a great plan that upset the Rags.
Well done CITY !
Nice to see Joey mature, he is getting better with every game.

abeja, Malaysia (13/09/2005 at 03:55)

Excellent !! Loved the way Joey celebrated his goal.
Shhhhhh....

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