Light Blue Blues

Charlton 2 Manchester City 2

As I sipped my lunchtime (it had been a late night) coffee and sat down at my computer yesterday to find out what had been happening in the world, I suddenly recalled that Charlton's match against Manchester City was kicking off early, and I began to think about the various possibilities. Since Manchester City came up to the Premiership as runners up to Charlton in 2000, went back down again in 2001 and came back up again in 2002, they haven't done very much, apart from grab the headlines by appointing Kevin Keegan, and then grab them again when he left, and yet, as I said a couple of weeks ago, people seem to think they are a big, successful team. The first game of the 2000-01 season had Charlton beating them 4-1, and the press was stunned and horrified that City's return to the top flight should be like this, even though Charlton had been Div 1 champions, anyway.

Last season this fixture was also the first of the season, but this time it ended 0-3, which by now was another shock, for no one expected that, either. So, I wondered, what would today bring? And immediately there came into my mind the scoreline of 2-2. About four miles away to the south the same thought was occurring to my friend Hamish, but neither of us thought to put money on it, unfortunately.

However after the WBA débâcle, I didn't actually feel confident enough about Charlton winning, and of course without centre back Talal El Kharkouri, sent off by Bolton's tame referee Halsey, and therefore not available for three games, apart from the WBA one that he missed most of, it turned out that Charlton's defence was in deep trouble, and as Curbs admitted, the situation was saved by the goalkeeper. Report by the Inspector here.

Tomorrow night's quiz will again be in the hands of our Australian friend Yvonne and our American friend Laura, and as we won in an exciting finish the last time they did it, we are quietly confident, much as Charlton probably were on the morning of the West Brom match...