Theres no place like home. Its been over a decade since Manchester City made the move from Maine Road to the City of Manchester Stadium. Much has changed over the years. A new home. New ownership, purchasing the best players money can buy. And heightened expectations. Results have generally followed, particularly at home. The new Etihad may lack the character of the old Wembley of the North, but the confines in east Manchester suit City just fine. The team has made their home an absolute fortress. An exclamation mark was put on their top home form in a 6-0 demolition of Tottenham Sunday. Youll struggle to find a more complete performance than that of Manuel Pellegrinis men against a worthy Premier League foe. Four more goals were put past Viktoria Plzen in Wednesdays Champions League action. Progression from the Group Stage had already been achieved. And while not at their best, its a trademark of top teams to win at home despite inferior form. Mission accomplished. Without two of their top players (Kompany/Silva), City has shown no dip in home form. Results on their travels are a different story. Losses at Cardiff City, Aston Villa, and Sunderland raise questions. But its the convincing, completely one-sided home wins, especially against Spurs and Manchester United that stand out most, giving reason to believe a team sitting eighth in the Premier League table just a week ago should be considered favourites to win the league. Manchester City has 73 points in their last 29 Premier League home matches (W23, 4D, 2L), including a perfect record this season (6-0-0. 26 goals for, 2 against), the best stretch of home form among all league competition. The only true home embarrassment came at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. But its the Premier League form that bodes well. Before Sunday, Spurs had conceded just one goal away from White Hart Lane but City moved through the team with ease. Citys prowess at home has been good, but this years edition looks to have taken the advantage to another level. The preferred attacking, more liberal style of Pellegrini plays to the teams strengths – athletic, two-way players in the middle of the park surrounded by fluid, creative players able to rotate and find space in advanced positions. The approach differs to that of his predecessor, Roberto Mancini. The Italian tactician was more conservative and calculated. When the away form under Mancini dipped (City had the fifth best away record a season ago), it was clear a change had to be made. Pellegrini still must solve the riddle as to how best structure his side for away competition. The team simply doesnt have reliable players in the back four that will lead to superior away form. So taking care of business at home is paramount. Home records are the most important indicator as to who will finish as champion. The team with the best home record has won the league every season dating back to 2001-02. Arsenal was champion that season with a 12-4-3 home record. Second-place Liverpool were better (12W-5D-2L) and seventh place West Ham had an identical home record. It is unlikely City will address their issues along the backline in the January transfer window. Instead, it is more likely Pellegrini will look for a goalkeeper, either to challenge or replace the unreliable Joe Hart. Asmir Begovic of Stoke City has been the top goalkeeper in the Premier League and an approach for the player would be worthwhile. Begovic has more than two years left to run on his contract but is a particularly valuable asset for a team like City as hes still able to play in the Champions League. Stoke seemingly has their goalkeeper of the future in Jack Butland. The 20-year was sent out on loan to Barnsley until the end of the year, and is six years younger than Begovic. Butland has the talent. Whether Mark Hughes feels comfortable enough with Butland will boil down to how far above the relegation zone Stoke sits come January, combined with the price willing to be paid for his current goalkeeper. In the meantime, theres much to like about the City attack. Sergio Aguero has been my Player of the Year, thus far. As a recess striker, Aguero is given free rein to play off the high striker and get involved numerous ways. The Argentine has 16 goals in all competitions thus far, 10 in the Premier League to go along with four assists. Ten of his 16 goals have also come at the Etihad. His finishing in front of goal remains lethal, exhibiting the ability to score in a number of ways. When the attack is played through Aguero dropping deeper, then allowing him to find space on the return ball inside the 18, his knack for finding space has made the player virtually unmarkable. Staying healthy was an issue last campaign and his role was ever changing. This season, he is the undoubted key player in the City attack. Agueros goal that won City the league at the Etihad in May 2012 will be remembered as one for the ages. If he can sustain his current form, especially at home, City and Aguero could be in for a season for the ages. Other Musings - If Aguero has been the leagues top player, Manchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney has to be a close second. Absolutely everything positive at United goes through number 10. Nine of Uniteds last 11 goals have gone directly through Rooney (2G, 7A). The quality in service has been outstanding, combined with a work rate second to none. Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Rooneys dip in form, and subsequent benching a season ago, stemmed from a lack of fitness. New manager David Moyes credits Rooneys success to rediscovering his hunger. "Thats a big part of what he is... a lot of people said that might have been missing from his game last season – well its certainly not missing now," said Moyes. "He has got the hunger and the desire back and hes committed for everything. Id rather have a Wayne Rooney that way than any other way." Complacency happens. Perhaps the time away to reflect, watching from the stands, has revitalized Rooney. Credit the player, the new manager, and also give credit to the old one, sending a wake-up call to a player in need of one. - Good for the Football Association to repeal Wes Browns three-match suspension after being sent off in a 2-0 Sunderland loss at Stoke. Brown was sent off based upon Sunderlands unruly reputation more than anything else. The Black Cats defender won the ball cleanly, although his foot did end up high after the sliding challenge. Sunderland has four red cards on the season, the most in the Premier League. Two ugly challenges against Hull City leading to sending offs havent won Sunderland any favours. And the continued dirty play of Lee Cattermole doesnt help matters. Manager Gus Poyet needs best to try to change this negative repute. It cost him a potential result at the Britannia. Sunderland isnt good enough to survive with a thug reputation tied to them. - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims his Chelsea side were tired after a 1-0 Champions League loss to FC Basel. If the teams tired, why isnt Juan Mata playing? Is he not good enough? And how about a look at David Luiz? Two English centre backs continue to regularly start over a player set to start for Brazil at the World Cup. Mourinhos squad selection is often times puzzling. He has a squad full of top talent. Use it. - Arsenal defeated Southampton 2-0 at the Emirates last weekend. The score-line flatters the victor. An Artur Boruc all-time gaffe put the visitors behind early. The true TSN Turning Point: Adam Lallana substituted off in the 54th minute. After dictating the pace of the game, it all came unraveled after Lallana was taken off for Dani Osvaldo. Can Southampton play with two strikers? The two deep-lying midfielders (Wanyama/Schneiderlin) leave too much space between the central midfielders and the attack duo. Both Osvaldo and Lambert typically play high roles. The team moves with so much more fluidity with Lallana and Jay Rodriguez getting into advanced positions in support. Perhaps this is a case where the Osvaldo/Lambert potential partnership should be put on hold for the best of the team. The Saints are in tough again this weekend at Chelsea. Twitter - @WheelerTSNE-mail - gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Nike Air Huarache Triple Black Nederland . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. [url=http://www.airhuarachesale.nl/nike-air-max-1-aanbieding/air-max-1-ultra-cit... . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. [url=http://www.airhuarachesale.nl/nike-air-huarache/nike-air-huarache-zwart.htm... Air Huarache Zwart . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Nike Kaishi Run Grijs . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.CALGARY - The Calgary Stampeders offensive line made room for Jon Cornish to run for 175 yards and four touchdowns the last time the Saskatchewan Roughriders visited McMahon Stadium. Then Calgarys offensive linemen held CFL sack leader Alex Hall to zero sacks when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers came to town earlier this month. Can they continue their success Saturday, now that Hall is a Roughrider following his trade from Winnipeg? A 42-27 loss to Calgary on Aug. 9 was an anomaly for a Saskatchewan defensive line that was talented enough before Halls arrival Oct. 6. Saskatchewan is tied for second in the CFL in sacks with Montreal and ranks second in stopping the rush. The Roughriders defence contributed to 28 points scored off turnovers in a 35-14 win over the B.C. Lions last Saturday. "Their front four, front five now that Alex Hall has joined the club, theyre great run defenders and pass rushers," Calgary head coach John Hufnagel said Monday following the Stampeders team photo. "Its going to be a big challenge for our offence to be able to run the ball efficiently and effectively and protect our passers." Calgary (13-3) and Saskatchewan (11-5) have already secured home playoff dates, so its now a matter of who hosts the division semifinal Nov. 10 or the final Nov. 17. Calgary can secure first in the West Division with a win or a tie Saturday. Saskatchewan can extend the race for first place to the last week of the regular season with a victory. Calgary and Saskatchewan are 1-1 against each other this season, so Saturdays victor would get the higher playoff seed in the event theyre tied in points at the conclusion of the regular season. "Truthfully, Im very pleased this game means something for both teams," Hufnagel said. "Itll get us playoff ready." Calgarys Charleston Hughes has pulled even with Hall for the league lead in sacks (15). Stampeder defensive end Cordarro Law is second with 12. But Saskatchewans John Chick, the CFLs defensive player of the year in 2009, Tearrius George, Jermaine McElveen and Ricky Foley can be hard on opposing offensive lines with a combined 29 quarterback tackles between them. While acknowledging Saskatchewans prowess on the defensive line, the Stampeders arent prepared to say the Roughrider front four with Hall will be their toughest test this season. "I think Saskatchewans defensive line is a huge strengtth for them," Stampeder tackle Edwin Harrison said.dddddddddddd "Any time you can add a player like Alex Hall to your unit, you get an immediate upgrade as a unit. "I dont want to say we dont look at our opponent, but every game is a big game. Every game we have somebody who is a quality opponent. "It will definitely be a huge test for us, an important test for us, but it will be a huge test and a huge game for our team because its the next game. Make no mistakes, this team, it doesnt matter who we play." Calgary leads the CFL in fewest sacks against and most rushing yards, a testament to the offensive lines performance. Theyve done it with a rotating cast of characters, because the offensive line wasnt exempt from the injuries besetting the Stampeders at almost every position this season. Harrison began this season on the nine-game injured list because of a lingering knee injury. The latest ailment is left tackle Stanley Bryant, who is questionable for Saturdays game with a knee injury. Right tackle Dan Federkeil moves back into the lineup after missing five games with a groin injury, but right guard Dimitri Tsoumpas remains sidelined with a concussion. JMichael Deane and Spencer Wilson have rotated in where needed on the right side. Rookie centre Brett Jones and guard Jon Gott are the only two linemen who have managed to stay in games week to week. Harrison says a lot of homework goes into adapting to personnel changes almost every week. "Every guy in our group does an outstanding job of preparing themselves to play each and every week," he said. "I dont think a lot of people know how much time we put in, not only on the practice field, but in the meeting room and at home. "As an offensive line, if everybody in that room isnt on the same page, we will not be successful." How significant is Calgarys containment of Hall on Oct. 5 and the dismantling of the Riders defensive line in August heading into Saturdays game? Not very, offensive line coach Mike Gibson said. "Those games didnt define who we are," he said. "Our body of work is defined by who we are. They were part of it no doubt. "Were first in the league in rushing, were first in the league in the least sacks and that wouldnt happen with just two games. We see good defences week in and week out and we just have to be prepared to play." Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '