August:
City get off to a terrible start, losing 4-0 at Charlton on the opening day. But they bounce back by defeating Sunderland, thanks to a Paulo Wanchope hat-trick, before going down at home to Coventry.

September:
A marvellous victory at Leeds, thanks to goals from Steve Howey and Gerard Wiekens, is followed by a narrow defeat by Liverpool. City then draw with Middlesbrough and Tottenham before losing at home to Newcastle.

October:
City seem to have corrected their poor form at Maine Road by beating Bradford. A victory at Southampton the following week seems to suggest they are on the right path. However a 5-0 thrashing against Arsenal brings them down to earth.

November:
The home form takes a sharp turn for the worse with three matches against Leicester, Manchester United and Ipswich bringing three defeats. A 4-1 thrashing by West Ham at Upton Park makes it a barren month.

December:
City go down narrowly at Chelsea before thrashing Everton 5-0 to lift their Maine Road blues. But they fail to find the consistency needed and the last game of the year sees them lose 4-1 to Charlton - at home.

January:
A new year but hardly a fresh start for City, who pick up only three points from a possible 12 and find themselves scrapping for their lives. A draw against Liverpool, thanks to a Danny Tiatto goal, gives them hope of turning it around.

February:
A marvellous Tiatto strike at Middlesbrough is ruled out for an infringement and City have to settle for a point. A week later Sergei Rebrov scores a last-gasp winner for Tottenham. But City then get a lifeline by beating Newcastle.

March:
Another home defeat, this time by Southampton, knocks the stuffing out of City. Aston Villa follow suit and Bradford manage to force a draw to leave Joe Royle's men in the thick of a relegation dogfight.

April:
After a bright start against Everton, City go down 3-1. That is followed by a 4-0 humbling by Arsenal. However City get another lifeline with a 2-1 victory at Leicester. That result boosts their confidence and four points are taken from their next two games, a 1-1 draw against Manchester United and a 1-0 defeat of West Ham.

May:
Joe Royle's side arrive at Portman Road knowing nothing less than three points will do. Shaun Goater gives them hope by bundling them ahead but goals from Ipswich midfielders Matt Holland and Martijn Reuser finally condemn City to Division One.