this season -- was the subject of a glowing report in England's Daily Telegraph this week. Courtesy of the Telegraph, we reprint soccer writer Alan Smith's report in full: All right, so Manchester United have splashed out 19 million on Ruud van Nistelrooy. Across town at Maine Road, Manchester City fans are rather proud of their own star striker. Not as expensive certainly, maybe not quite so easy on the eye, but deadly just the same. And should City gain promotion to the Premiership, as now looks increasingly likely, Sir Alex Ferguson might reflect that his judgment 12 years ago wasn't so bad after all.

Shaun Goater has been knocking in goals for fun this season. Celebrating his 100th appearance for City last Saturday, he expertly tucked another away against Tranmere to take his tally to 28. That's 52 in all -- an impressive strike rate that surely deserves scrutiny higher up. The chance has certainly been a long time coming. As a raw 18-year-old playing local football in his native Bermuda, Goater was spotted by Ferguson during a United mid-season break. He went on to play reserve team football at Old Trafford before eventually moving on to Rotherham. Just over two years ago City manager Joe Royle snapped up Goater from Bristol City for 400,000 in a last ditch attempt to avoid relegation to the Second Division. Although that ultimately proved unsuccessful, Goater hasn't really stopped scoring since. Yet 21 goals last term still failed to persuade some sections of Maine Road that this was the man for them. A whole-hearted style looked awkward at times, his first touch not always perfect. This season, however, he has worked his way into their hearts, lethal in front of goal as City mounted a serious promotion charge.

Only 10 minutes had passed of Saturday's potentially hazardous encounter with Tranmere when Goater displayed his nose for goal. A long, hopeful ball upfield looked to be running safely into the arms of Tranmere goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Defender Clint Hill thought so too as he shepherded the ball back. Goater smelt a chance, though, kept on running like all good forwards do and snatched the ball from Murphy's grasp. As the ball trundled towards the byeline he turned and, with no other players in support, tried his luck, finishing neatly from an acute angle. Murphy complained bitterly that he'd already had hold of the ball. Goater knew better and celebrated with team-mates. The confident execution was typical of a player in top form. When the chance arrives, strikers in this mood don't even consider the likelihood of missing, they simply convert the opportunity with minimum fuss. Goater very nearly repeated the feat shortly after, reading Dave Challinor's headed back pass to get his own head on the ball before Murphy. This time, though, his effort rolled wide.

Prolific he may be, but Goater showed that essentially he's a team player. A clever reverse ball over his shoulder released Mark Kennedy who shortly after returned the favour by feeding a nice ball into his colleague's feet. The Bermudian international flicked it up over a defender before stretching the 'keeper with a good volley. The second half proved a bit of a slog for players and fans alike but Goater worked hard up front and, when needed, back in defence. His control and awareness of those around was admirable as City went on to clinch three more crucial points. You won't catch anyone around Maine Road counting chickens at this stage and Goater is no different. With a huge, good-natured smile, he refused afterwards to discuss his Premiership prospects should they materialise. The doubters thought he wouldn't score goals in Division One, now many say the Premiership is a step too far. But Goater should take heart from Kevin Phillips. I seem to remember the Sunderland striker receiving a similar kind of press. So while there may not be an abundance of players at City who look capable of bridging the gap, the least Goater deserves is a chance. After grafting away for so long in the lower divisions and doing as much as anyone to haul City into their present position, who could deny him that? PHOTO Shaun Goater: deadly in front of goal.