The City Of Manchester Stadium is a delight to watch football at. Unlike other new stadiums that are springing up around the country the design of this stadium is unique and a refreshing change from your St Mary's or Pride park design. The Stadium on approach dominates the skyline in the Clayton area of Manchester, although I was informed by a friend who supports City the area is now known as 'Eastlands'. Maine Road was always an enjoyable ground to visit, although in recent years it looked a little silly with 4 different types of stand. The new stadium is a million years advanced to Maine Road and a unique feature are the four towers (similar to those in the San Siro, although smaller) to which supporters gain access to the upper tiers within the stadium. The old atmosphere from Maine Road is again in attendance within the new stadium and the City fans actually seem happy and content at their new home. The facilities are second to none in my opinion within the premiership (as you would expect from a new stadium) and the snack bars were well stocked with reasonable prices with helpful staff. Although the queues were pretty large, enough staff were on hand to ensure fans were served quickly. Like most other new stadiums the leg room and view of the pitch was excellent although the first 10 or so rows were subject to a wet afternoon on what was a bleak day!.

Another unique factor of a day out watching your team at the stadium is your ticket, well it's not really a ticket it's a swipe card which will gain you entry to a turnstile that has no operator, although for any problems a steward is always close by. City although helped by the Commonwealth Games staged in the city last year have given us a stadium to visit as an away fan that really is an enjoyable experience in excellent surroundings.

Before the game, five of us visited a pub about a 5 minute walk from the ground called the Victoria, none of us had Liverpool colours on (although some people did have Liverpool shirts on in the pub) and we were with a friend who's a Man City season ticket holder. He did inform us at some games the police are 'manning' the doors at this pub and have in the past refused certain away fans entry.  Other pubs around the stadium are charging fans for the season to be able to drink in there!!, you also will need to show a ticket designated for the Man City areas to gain entrance. There are a lot of 'private' car parks around the little industrial estate just past the Asda supermarket, which at £5 is better than a parking in the street as the general area around the stadium looks quite rough in parts. Supporters who travel on organised coach parties park on the stadium concourse outside entrance M which is cordoned off for away fans only.

The traffic after the game wasn't really that bad, there are plenty of 'escape routes' to hit the various motorways and we experienced no problems. A great day out, probably one of the best this season result, aside!