Man City lack inspiration

ARSENAL 0 MAN CITY 0 – THE VERDICT

The Daily Mirror’s Oliver Holt wonders how a club that has spent £350m can be so lacking in inspiration. Man City were outplayed by Arsenal last night in the Emirates goalless draw. The Guardian’s Paul Hayward says City’s players may fight in training but they are becoming united on the pitch. The Sun’s Steven Howard believes money could still land Man City the title. In The Times Matt Dickinson argues that all Jack Wilshere and Arsenal need is a killer instinct. In The Daily Express Mick Dennis says Edin Dzeko’s £27m arrival demonstrates the limitless ambition and bottomless resources of Sheik Mansour. How Arsene Wenger could have done with such a striker last night. The Daily Mail’s Ian Ladyman says the result was another good one for Manchester United.

MANAGERS ON THE BRINK

The Sun and The Daily Telegraph both ask who will be first for the sack. West Ham’s Avram Grant, Liverpool’s Roy Hodgson, Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti or Aston Villa’s Gerard Houllier? In The Times Tony Evans says Liverpool need leadership and Hodgson is not applying it. The owners must not allow the club to sink any lower.

BECKHAM AND HARRY FOR ENGLAND

The Daily Mirror’s Oliver Holt thinks the plan to appoint David Beckham and Harry Redknapp as successors to Fabio Capello represents  a shaft of light in the darkness.

THE ASHES

In The Daily Mirror Ian Botham claims that Australia fielder Phil Hughes knew he didn’t take his ‘catch’ off Alastair Cook cleanly. He should have told the umpires it didn’t carry and got on with it. In The Times Ed Smith argues that technology does not make moral arguments redundant. It intensifies them. The Independent’s James Lawton thinks we are better to have flawed technology than the cynical appeals of old. The Daily Mail’s Nasser Hussain says it was pathetic that only Michael Hussey had the class to applaud Cook’s century. Martin Samuel thinks Cook’s 36 hours at the crease in the series have been the most crucial factor in retaining The Ashes. The Daily Telegraph’s Geoffrey Boycott thinks Ian Bell was out caught behind yesterday, he was lucky but we should not blame the technology. The Guardian’s Vic Marks thinks Ian Bell is ready to move up to No5 on the batting order.

QUOTE

‘I am not prepared to talk about that because I am depressed enough with the performance and result.’ - Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson when asked about his future after last night’s defeat to Blackburn.