FABREGAS AMJIBU MORINHO

Cesc Fabregas hit back at Jose Mourinho and
the rest of Barcelona 's detractors, telling them
to "shut up" after the Catalans seized control
of their Champions League knockout clash with
Manchester City.

The first leg of the last-16 tie at the Etihad
Stadium was finely poised until the 54th
minute when City defender Martin Demichelis
hauled down Lionel Messi with the Argentine
through on goal.
Although initial contact may have been outside
the area, referee Jonas Eriksson awarded a
penalty and issued Demichelis with a red card,
with Messi converting the penalty and Dani
Alves adding a late second.
Barca have been criticised of late for some
below-par performances - former Real Madrid
boss Mourinho claimed earlier this week they
were the "worst Barcelona for many, many
years" - but Fabregas was quick to focus on the
positives.
The former Arsenal midfielder told ITV : "We
are top of the league, we had a great result
tonight, we are in the final of the cup and
there's nothing else you can ask for but the
fans in Spain, in general… they put so much
pressure on you as a team. That's what makes
everyone feel so special to this team.
"Maybe we had to prove a point in a way and I
think we did it, in style. But I think this team
has done so much, has won so much but today
was one of those days.
"Everyone was saying Barcelona was not the
same Barcelona, some people have been
talking a bit too much and as usual now they
will have to shut up for a few days.”
Fabregas was adamant the tie was not yet over,
however, and that Gerardo Martino's men will
not take their foot off the gas in the second
leg at Camp Nou.
"We will respect City until the end. At 2-0 you
never know w