Dann tackle reminded me of Cantello clash

Manchester City’s roving reporter writes every week for Chron Sport

IT’S been a big blow for Manchester City to lose Sergio Aguero for tonight’s Champions League opener against Juventus.

A player of his standing is always going to be missed, and the timing of the injury is cruel. An outrageous tackle from Scott Dann took Aguero out of the game at Palace. It was so nasty the defender should have been shown the red card after going over the ball and into Aguero’s knee. The referee was too leniant.

Back in my playing days tackles like that were almost commonplace and defenders used to get away with them regularly. I copped for plenty, I recall, including a horrendous one from West Brom midfielder Len Cantello during a huge game at Boundary Park in 1975.

West Brom needed a win to go up to the old first Division that day. It was the final game of the season and the ground was packed. Cantello took me out in the opening minutes; he went over the ball and his studs caught my knee. I ended up being stretchered off and having stitches in hospital.

I can’t remember whether he got a warning or anything, but he certainly wasn’t sent off. West Brom got their promotion and I ended up struggling throughout pre-season.

I’m hopeful City will still have enough quality to call on tonight for a good result against Juve. They produced a brilliant battling performance to get the three points at Palace on Saturday.

Palace are a strong, pacy side with some top young players, but City were in a different class in the first half and deserved victory.

Confidence is flowing through city’s team at the moment and hopefully that will help them tonight at the Etihad.