Second Half, Second City Derby

Second half. One change for City. Whatever, like it'll help.

9:05: Jerome with a fantastic opportunity, only to watch it immediately deflected by Zat Knight. Over/under for number of hours of sleep Knight got last night: 3.

9:07: How does Schmidt not get called for holding Agbonlahor like a hostage?

9:08: Muamba with a yellow for stabbing Petrov in the leg with a cleat. Ouch.

9:10: Apparently even when our reserves play City it gets heated. I love this team.

9:11: Petrov with a beautiful ball to Gabby. He's not getting a whole lot of touches, but seems to be making the most of them.

9:12: Reo-Coker with a cross to no one in particular. Where's our offense?

9:12:30: Kelly with a yellow for failing to keep up with Young and resorting to cheater's tactics.

9:14: Carew has that "flick with the head to an advancing player" thing down. Soon it's going to pay off.

9:15: City with another wasted opportunity. What a beautifully sounding broken record.

9:15:30: Bouma advances the ball into the corner...and a goal kick.

9:16: Mellberg with an interception in the box. I wonder what will happen to him when we get a pure right back in the January transfer window.

9:17: Officials blew that call. Young obviously had won a corner. His touch is getting better every game.

9:18: Well, City finally made Carson corral the ball, so there's that.

9:20: City goal. 1-1.

9:22: Gareth Barry is tired of you. He will dribble past all of you, pass to Reo-Coker, and earn a corner.

9:23: Petrov just shanked a shot from way too far out. I want to like him, I really do.

9:25: Ridgewell is trying to make up for his blunder earlier. He knows Gabby's tendencies far too well.

9:26: Jerome just about gave me a heart attack. Thankfully we have the man who will become the England keeper. Seriously, that does not get old.

9:27: City are applying way too much pressure. Time to switch out size for speed. Carew out for Moore.

9:28: Reo-Coker just blew one of the best chances he'll have all season. I want to eat my new hat.

9:28:30: Another City player down, but he's not faking. It's Nafti.

9:29: The City fan at the bar is explaining to the bartender that he's "the most responsible drunk in the world" and apparently has told his 11-year old daughter how much a DWI arrest will cost her. You know, that and being able to reach the pedals.

9:32: Why are we still playing long ball? Big man not in game.

9:33: Barry is applying some pressure. Not enough for a goal, but we've got 15 minutes left.

9:34: Last substitution for City...

9:35: And the new guy wins them a corner. Ridgewell gets a head on it, but wide. If Ridgewell scored the game winner I think I'd be sick, and not just from the shots I'd start doing.

9:38: Frenetic pace. No team gaining a clear advantage. I guess this really is a true rivalry game.

9:39: Mellberg is not a midfielder.

9:40: Neither is Bouma.

9:42: Corner for City. OK, fine, I'll still get worried when I see the ball crossed into the box.

9:42:45: Another corner. I'm getting chills, and not just from folks opening the door.

9:43: Ridgewell almost made me cry. Gabby with the best save of the game.

9:44: The third straight corner is cleared. I am a mess.

9:45: GABBY WITH A GOAL!! HE RUNS TO THE VILLA FANS AND THERE'S A MOB SCENE!! WHAT A PHENOMENAL HEADER!! I CAN'T STOP YELLING!!

9:46: And of course he gets a yellow for all that. Like. I. care.

9:47: More pressure, and a free kick just above the box.

9:48: Event staff are beginning to circle the field. The Villa section at St. Andrews is absolutely insane.

9:49: Four minutes of stoppage time.

9:50: City fans are leaving. Fairweather pansies.

9:50:20: Gabby is just keeping it in the corner, forcing throw-ins. The City fan here just keeps saying, "Fuck."

9:51: Gabby appears to be limping slightly. Let's hope he can walk it off.

9:53: That's it! Villa win! They head straight to the Villa section of the stadium. What a fantastic finish.

The first Second City Derby of American Villan goes to the good guys. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.