how can Green have 7 and let in two and Kasper Conceded None and only got a 6 well done petrov derby will be City " : United 1
goals by Petrov, Boilnov and Tevez

Joshua, Manchester, Lancs

Schmeichel born in Denmark conceived in Manchester educated at the City Academy

citijen, ALTEA, SPAIN

if sven can be the magical chef, with a these perfect ingredients, i look forward to a magnificent success for our man city. our time has come. lets not forget the home grown boys, which the city academy has produced, england is calling, and we have the goods. come on city.

beazt, sale, manchester

5 kids from the academy is the pleasing bit despite the signings. how many will utd have at the weekend?

gutted blue, manchester,

Let's not get carried away, it's only the first game of the season. City played some great stuff last season too, and Samaras looked good for a few games -- let's hope Bianchi and Bojinov can deliver consistently. However, Elano does look class, the home grown players are solid and we look a lot more creative. a real test will be the derby.

Neil, Singapore,

same old story!!!!!! errrrr not!!!!!!!!!!! city played football we passed we moved and we put two in the net!!!!! ps it was elano!!!

james, manchester,

I fail to see the reasoning behind giving Elano a rating of 6, his silky touches and vision carved West Ham open on many occasions and his brilliance and creativity to make the first goal was outstanding. Above all his passing was pin point and allowed city to dictate the play for much of the game. Without a doubt his display was captivating, inspiring and worth more than a 6.
Surely on that performance a blue moon is rising?

Chris, Manchester,

Bit hard on Elano Harry

David aka Stephen Ireland, Royton, Lancs

Possibly Mr Glanville watched this game on video.

Steve Lee, Manchester,

I have the feeling that this is only the start of the loaded reports we will have to endure in the coming season. First the anti SGE press reports. Next the City Foreign Legion. (Though nothing to mention Ireland, Richards, Neddy, Johnson & Dunney already at the club before the new signings). How many other clubs started this season with as many home grown kids in their starting 11 or on the bench? But do we get a mention about it? Next we had the ex pro pundits claiming that they had not heared of the foreign kids before and that they won’t be up to the premiership. Of which it was very funny watching Chris Kamara retract his earlier comments after he had only watched them for 10 minutes and muttered in a shocked voice that not only could they play, but one or two actually could be something a little bit special. What next? Look, we are not pretending that we are going to win the league in the next year or so. But we do appear to be playing some decent football. So give it a rest, eh

Windy Miller, Camberwick Green, England

cıty are back!!! can not waıt for the derby match. lets wıpe that smıle from sır alex face. come on you blues.

erhan, famagusta, cyprus

Just to re-iterate that which many other observers commented on. The failure to recognise Elano's contribution, quite apart from making the distinction between Ireland and Elano and his outstanding run and pass leading to the first goal, is laughable.
Did Brian Glanville go to the game or is this an armchair job whilst trying to write 3 or 4 other articles at the time. The young Brazilian's performance in the centre of midfield made a huge impact on the game - West Ham were frightened to death whenever had the ball.

David Sanderson, Accrington,

Glanville,the doyen of Football writers!Are you sure it was not Mike Summerbee who made Bianchi's goal ?Which Upton Park were you at?

BrianChicago, Illinois, USA

schmelchel isnt he danish?

pter, allborg, denmark

"Foreign Legion!?" Not the case. Five Manchester City Academy graduates were involved in this victory alongside existing squad members Captain Richard Dunne and Didi Hamman.

Johnny Baguette, France,

Ireland was our fastest player last season and most skillful - so I don't buy the grounded tanker comment.
but that Elano very quick and Petrov simply venimous!!Go on City.
Willymanc Kippax boot boy

Willymanc, Manchester, England

Brian thats an absolute clanger. Elano is 6" and ran the game. Ireland is 5'6" !!!!!!!!!

Giving Elano 6 is simply not credible.

Taxi for Glanville!

Hitchin Blue, Hitchin,

Again have agree with previous comments ratings do not reflect the truth. Croation Corluka at right back, looked impressive, yet only given a 6??
And possibly young Michael Johnson being given a 7, looked slightly out of his depth but better to come from him.

Andrew Pelham, Manchester

Andrew Pelham, Manchester, United Kingdom

It was Elano not ireland that made the goal, it was elano it was elano elano leano leano leano keano keanio ekano keano! KEANO THERE'S ONLY ONE KEANO

Jo, Cork, Ireland

Perhaps if the players had their names printed on the back of their shirts, or even numbers that could be cross referenced with some sort of team sheet then your "expert reporters" might find it easier to do their jobs. I might suggest it to someone at the FA.
A lot has been made about the new "foreign" players, I don't suppose the fact that 5 players that have come through the ranks will get as much column space.

Howard, Wrexham. CTID

Howard Jones, wrexham,

Oh dear, Brian, I fear your eyesight must be getting even worse.
It was Elano who set up the first goal for Bianchi not Ireland.
The way to tell them apart is that Elano is fast and Ireland moves like a grounded tanker.

Paul, Leigh On Sea, Essex

It was Elano not Ireland that made the first goal. You only give Elano, who had a great game 6, was that because your reporter thought he was Ireland who was poor? Did your reporter actually go to the game?

David Tracey, Manchester,

It was Elano who put the ball in for Bianchi, not Ireland!!!! Did you even watch the match? Elano was class. 6 is a ridiculous mark.

Kinky's Blue Socks, Manchester,

If you'd watched the match more closely, you'd have seen that Elano set up the first goal.

Dave2106, Manchester,

man city had 6 players from britain and ireland who played i bet you dont read that in any papers today
schmelchel richards ireland johnson onucha (all home grown)
and dunne

wayne norris, gold coast , australia

Much as I have long admired Mr Glanville's work, I think he needs to "Go To Specsavers", in his dotage. Mistaking the tiny Stephen Ireland for the World class Brazilian star Elano is bizarre, as is the mark of 6 apparently given to the latter. How do we know if he meant to give 6 to Ireland? The story of Bianchi is a little more complicated than his Serie A Yearbook says as well. In his early career, he was not a striker, so didn't get in scoring positions. Then in his first year at Reggina, he quickly suffered a serious knee injury, and the nine games listed that season were mostly when he was in rehab. The goals last season came as he played in a productive partnership, with very good service. So he really needs to have new man Bojinov alongside at City, and Elano and Petrov to provide the creativity. I'm concerned he might struggle on his own. Great start today though.

Gary, Rowley Regis, West Midlands

Brian the guy who supplied the cross for the goal was Elano not Ireland. Match of the Day's Alan Hansen said the guy looked brilliant and ran the show. They showed clip after clip of him ghosting past people. Get up early and watch the highlights.

Phil shakespeare, Manchester, England

City were great

Ben brierley, Manchester, England