When You Thought City Couldn't Sink Any Lower...

Citeh, of course, have been very, very bitter about losing the derby even though they were utterly dominated in the second half by a clearly superior Manchester United side. They were complaining about 'crowd hostility' (where were you Garrido, on the Mars?), the added time and who knows what else.

But now they sank to their lowest possible. I think so. You can never rule out City embarassing themselves even more but they'll be hard pressed to do it.

Apparently, Craig Bellamy, who hit a United fan - and got away with it, despite clear evidence while Patrice Evra was banned for four games on the WORD of Chelsea employees and no video evidence at all -, acted in self-defence.

'The guy made an aggressive move,' said Hughes. 'Craig just put a defensive hand out to push him away.

Assistant manager Mark Bowen added: 'My take is that he thought the fella might spit in his face or something.'

Mr. Hughes, the guy in question was restrained by at least two stewards. Hardly in a position to intimidate anybody. A defensive hand? You know, a defensive hand is usually put across your own face, to protect it - Bellamy reached out for the fans' face, to slap him, his arm is at full stretch, it's clear on the photos and videos.

Mr. Bowen, what possible harm would it have caused Bellamy if the fan had spat on him? And is that an excuse for hitting him? You are defending the indefensible - possibly in the knowledge that you're safe as the FA would never dare to actually punish Manchester City. They were proved right, of course: their feeble justifications for Bellamy's indefensible actions seemed to convince the FA.

The same FA which did not charge Robbie Fowler for taunting the United fans in the Manchester derby in 2006 but banned Gary Neville for a similar offence a week later! And the same FA which charged Gary Neville for celebrating a goal but did not say a word about Shay Given who turned towards the Stretford End when Bellamy's second goal went in. For some reason they obviously feel our noisy little neighbours need protection from the cruel outside world.

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