BLUE MOON in RED SKIES !

LINE IN THE SAND:
There is a saying that it's the 'hope what kills you in the end'. Well in the case of City supporters this is surely about to be proved unfounded, because after decades of blind faith in teams, managers and boards who promised dreams but delivered only nightmares, it appears a blue moon is finally set to rise over Mancunian skies.

This weekend's 3-0 thrashing of Arsenal with Robinho inspired and looking worth every penny of his £32 million pound transfer fee, may well see Saturday 21st November 2008 be acknowledged as the day Eastlands was handed a glimpse of the glittering future which awaits them.

The electrifying Robinho with his pace and tricks tortured an Arsenal defence who well before the end threw in the towel. A capitulation that handed much credence to their much maligned former Captain William Gallas, who although left back in London got as close to Robinho as any of his hapless teammates

As badly Arsene Wenger's team performed, nothing could take away from a city side that were simply irresistible. Robinho's samba flair admirably supported by the midfield attacking spurts of Shaun Wright Philips and Stephen Ireland delighted a 44,000 crowd who appeared at times almost in shock at what they were witnessing.

On 56 minutes the crowning glory when Robinho caressed a divine chip over an on-rushing Manuel Almunia head making it 2-0. It was a goal fit to grace any stadium, the Maracana, Bernabeu, Nou Comp or god forbid even Old Trafford. To have a player such as this extraordinary 24-year-old Brazilian at the height of his powers? Stuff of dreams.

At that moment far away in the United Arab Emirates City owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed must have allowed himself a wry smile. This man whose dollars bills outnumber the grains of sand in his desert kingdom finally seeing just what money can buy at this heady level. With a taste for such who knows what awaits in the coming years?

If not careful Football possesses the power to turn rich men into paupers but luckily for city Sheikh Mansour stands immune. For his fortunes reaches into trillions. A wealth off the scale, unlimited funds to do as he pleases. If this man falls in love with Manchester City then all bets are off. Anything is possible.

For manager Mark Hughes the win over Arsenal offers much needed respite after a traumatic series of bad results. Grumbling on the terraces were turning into genuine anger against a man still generally mistrusted by many City fans for his often, heroic deeds in the shirt of deadly local rivals United.

In this part of the world once a red always. Hughes has some way yet to go before being granted forgiveness for his part in Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford empire that has caused and continues to heap so much misery on those of blue persuasion. For a man whom they once loved to hate, something special is required for alleged past crimes. Hammering Manchester United at Eastland in this Sunday's derby may well prove his redemption.

There looms this weekend arguably the most important Manchester Derby since 1974 when a despondent Denis Law back-heeled United into the second division. Sir Alex Ferguson's team travel the short distance across the city as European and Premiership champions. World famous, glamorous and blessed with some of the game's greatest talents. All Sheikh Mansour aspires City to become.

A line in the sand is about to be drawn. With Ferguson's retirement one, definitely only two years away and Mansour's unlimited budget to buy whoever required to succeed, Mark Hughes is blessed with an unbelievable opportunity to change the course of footballing history and bring trophies galore to Manchester City.

However a moment of magic from Rooney, Ronaldo or Berbatov and City are beaten, then once more the infamous 'sack the manager' drum roll will ring loud leaving Hughes fighting for his job. 'It's the hope that kills you', they claim. In the past this may well have been true, but now, well times have changed.

The man from the desert has arrived at the Eastlands. This is no Peter Swales or Francis Lee, men whose dreams have failed to match their bank balance. Many years ago at this yuletide period three wise men from the east came carrying gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Muir. Today's version comes with an open cheque promising miracles of Mourinho, Messi, Torres, Ronaldo, and Fabregas.................

A blue moon is set to rise, if not today or tomorrow, then soon.

John Ludden: