Fans making a stand in face of adversity

THE mood was set before City even stepped foot off the team bus on Sunday, with hundreds, if not thousands, of fans arriving early to welcome their squad to the Etihad.

- JOE BRAY

Blue smoke filled the sky and old chants were remembered to add to the defiant response from the club this week in response to the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League last week.

Pep Guardiola led the Brave hear tesque response with his punchy press conference on Friday, and the Blues support followed his battle cries unanimously against Aston Villa. If they can keep it up, City will have a dangerous weapon in their attempts to chase down Arsenal in the table.

Guardiola deliberately positioned City as the underdogs against the entire Premier League and its other 19 clubs on Friday, and his comments were met positively by supporters who have often embraced the idea that the world is against them.

From the bus welcome, to the We’ve got Guardiola’ chants ringing around the Etihad before kick-off as the manager walked out prompted by the stadium PA), it was clear there would be a defiant atmosphere on Sunday. Everyone inside the ground seemed perfectly happy to follow Guardiola in trusting the club that it is innocent, and that they are subject to an unfair trial by media before the chance to present its case.