If ever a team needed a victory it was us. With Spurs being let off and then winning again on Saturday and with George sort of denying everything there was a fairly depressed mood travelling up. The general concensus from people I spoke to was that George was as innocent as El Tel and wouldn't survive the end of the week. The gloom was further added to with the thought that Stewart Houston may be given any sort of temporary managerial role. Being just three points above fourth from bottom West Ham that would be the last thing we would need. Anyway, with Wright, Adams and Seaman all still missing (Wright, I beleive, now starts a two match suspension) Bartram continued in goal with the ever improving Keown at the back. Bung Jensen, Schwartz and Morrow made up the midfield, with the unlucky Hillier left out. Parlour returned wide on the right with Smith and Campbell up front. Man City started brightly with Walsh looking very sharp. A few mazy runs bought no reward. Quinn once again struggled though this may be due to the extra few pounds he's picked up around the waist. The midfield duo gradually took control as the first half progressed. The opening goal came after half an hour. Campbell, who had provided a number of surging runs, unlike when Wright plays, played a delightful ball inside the fall back. Dixon ran on and hammered a low cross which Smith poked home. The goal was met with no measure of delerium from the travelling few as a goal was more than we could expect, especially a good goal. Two minutes later and Schwartz hammered the cross bar with a fine free kick, the sort we've been waiting a bloody long time for. Still minutes later City were torn apart again as another Campbell run and pass set up Schwartz. Schwartz took the ball on and cooly chipped the on rushing Dibble. Two nil away from home and that first elusive win outside of London looked a possibilty. City just couldn't get involved in spite of some Klinsmann-esque diving from Rossler. Eventually he got Koewn booked, which was no more than the man deserved for his usual brutal tackling. Keown however was having another storming game. City nearly got back into the game when a deep cross drifted in the wind. Bartram failed to collect and Quinn's header sailed along the six yard box as Walsh and Bould failed to make contact. Two nil at half time was thouroughly deserved.
The second half was nearly as dominant as the first. City failed to make any headway at all. Jensen and Schwartz were given acres of space in the middle of the park as Dixon and Winterburn raided down the wings. Campbell provided a flash of inspiration as he cut inside only to find no one to pass to. He then rifled a shot against the cross bar. The boys threatened every time they went forward. Campbell cutting in on the angle of the six yard box drove his shot narrowly wide of the upright. Morrow's fine chip was tipped over by a recovering Andy Dibble. Parlour made many a surging run but had clearly run out of steam as the game entered the final quarter. Man City finally rallied into the last ten minutes and could have collected an unjust point. Bartam was forced to save the odd long effort and watch some even odder efforts fly into the City fans. City pulled a goal back with ten minutes to go from a corner. The ball was headed in, only for Winterburn to head of the line. Keown headed on but failed to clear properly and the ball dropped to the edge of the box where it was fired home on the volley. Couldn't tell who scored as it was down the other end. A fine strike though. Man City pushed forward and left some gaping holes at the back. Campbell was again played clean through but failed to slot the ball past the on rushing Dibble. Campbell really did deserve a goal for another fine performance. Morrow then had another chip that was again well tipped over from Dibble. Winterburn got himself booked for a wild late challenge, but Bartram rose to snub out any belated threat from City. A huge sigh of relief greeted the final whistle. City were rather dissappointing for a side you hadn't lost at home and were 6th in the League. I suspect they've played a lot better than this this season. We on the other hand have rarely played better, certainly not away from home. Schwartz and Jensen were superb, as were the entire back four. Campbell seems to be gaining in confidence by the moment. Ther was even time to verbally abuse Steve Bruce in the Sky commentary box as we all filtered out of, what will become, a magnificent Kippax stand. It didn't even rain.
Report by Trevor Collins