He's my pal! Team spirit and togetherness are to the fore in a month of highs and lows, not just for comrades-in-arms Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards but for all Roberto Mancini's men ...

David Silva stakes an early claim to one of the goals of the season with his wizardry in conjuring a brilliant late strike at Blackpool, whose battling 3-2 defeat is a warning some other top sides fail to heed ... 

And what's this? A first, shaky attempt at the Poznan as City fans enjoy the 3-1 home win over the Poles. By the time the Blues reach Wembley, it has become football's most compelling mass celebration ...

Once word gets around that something is cooking at City, everybody wants a slice of the action. Marco Pierre White fails to force his way into Roberto's squad, but it turns out his spag bol is to die for ...

Here's your flight crew for today ... Pablo's always good when the going gets rough, and it's service with a smile from the other lads as they head out to Abu Dhabi. Yes, of course they had a proper pilot, we're joking ...      

But there is a sombre note. Malcolm Allison, visionary coach and Blues legend, passes away at 83. Joe Mercer's foil and City's Sixties inspiration is mourned with passion, sorrow and dignity ...