Goals: Wright-Phillips 50 mins and Tevez 70 mins for City.
City came through a difficult away tie in the Carling Cup thanks to second half goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlos Tevez.
Mark Hughes surprised everyone by naming a full strength team. The only change from the game against Wolves was Joleon Lescott making his debut in place of Richard Dunne. Despite this, Palace caused the Blues plenty of problems, particularly through the pacy teenage duo of Freddie Sears and Victor Moses.
As with the two Premier League games so far, City were grateful to the opposition’s lack of composure in front of goal and some inspired goalkeeping from Shay Given for victory. It’s testimony to the Irish keeper’s brilliance that he has now enjoyed four consecutive clean sheets with what has been a far from convincing defence in front of him.
Joleon Lescott probably saw a lot more action than he bargained for in a mixed debut. There was some solid defending from the 6′ 2″ midlands man who won’t lose too much in the air, and he showed composure and confidence when bringing the ball out from the back. He’s a little more mobile and definitely quicker on the turn than Dunney, so we should see some improvement in the defence as a whole.
Whether it was right for Hughes to once again play just a midfield two of Barry and Ireland in front of a defence who had never before played together is highly questionable. Once again there was precious little protection for the back four and Richards in particular wasn’t stopping a sufficient number of crosses.
Barry isn’t quick enough across the ground to do the midfield holding role on his own. Ireland looks to get forward whenever he can and is often bursting into the box ahead of the strikers. This Frank Lampard impression is fine when the ball reaches him but if we lose possession, the team is awfully vulnerable to the counter attack.
Both Tevez and Adebayor had their moments up front and the Togolese in particular is providing a whole new dimension to our attacking play. His movement and ability to link up play whilst also being a goal threat is something we haven’t seen in a long while. With all the thought and planning that goes into player fitness these days it was probably a pre-meditated decision by Hughes to give Tevez his longest runout so far.
Robinho continues to strike fear into opponents who double up on him, yet rarely stop him finding a teammate. Once again he didn’t dominate, but still showed great awareness and some fine touches. He was particularly unlucky with one offside decision that saw him haring clear. The resulting lob over the keeper and into the net only earnt him a reprimand from the referee.
Shaun Wright-Phillips turned in another impressive performance, even if he does lose the ball a little to often. A goal, an assist, a shot against the bar, and some fine runs to relieve the pressure all ensured he was our greatest threat on the night.
After all the uncomfortable moments in the first half it was a relief to see us claim the first goal. Robinho and Ireland were both involved and the Irishman slipped the ball through to Wright-Phillips. He took a touch before crashing the ball in at the near post. The power of the strike ensured it hit the back of the net before the impressive Palace keeper had time to react.
The goal took the wind out of Palace’s sails and City could have taken further advantage when Adebayor burst through, only to be stopped by the keeper. Robinho then played in Wright-Phillips who did everything right in going across the keeper and clipping it over him, only to see the ball bounce back off the bar. Ireland’s attempt to convert the rebound wasn’t the most successful piece of athleticism.
A headed goal from Tevez, courtesy of a Wright-Phillips corner, gave the Argentinian a chance to show his cupped ear goal celebration that we last saw in the derby at Old Trafford. This time he could enjoy the sound of City fans cheering.
Palace continued to have chances but the two goal cushion survived in what proved to be another entertaining game.
Mark Hughes:
“Last year we went out to Brighton and I’d made changes that night. That maybe shaped my thinking this time. We’ve got a bit of momentum at the beginning of the season, and that is important to us.”
I was hoping [Tévez] would get opportunities and thankfully he’s off the mark now. Joleon only had 24 hours with the group, but I thought he was excellent. We’ve got a bit of momentum at the beginning of the season, which is important.”
Kolo Toure:
“It was a big moment for me to lead out Manchester City. If the manager asks me to be captain regularly then I would be delighted to accept because I am really happy to be at this football club and I think as a group we can bring a lot of success here.
“It was a good win because the first half was tough. Palace played well but we knew because of the pace at which they had played they would tire and in the end of we could have scored more goals.”
Reports:
The Guardian
The Independent
Manchester Evening News
MCFC site
Telegraph
The Times
Video:
MCFC site – match highlights
BBC
City embark on their Carling Cup campaign against Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace. The Yorkshireman’s sides are usually competitive and City will need to put up a stronger showing than last season when we went out to Brighton and Nottingham Forest at the first hurdle of the domestic cups.
The good news is that our squad is far stronger than last season and ought to be more focused due to the absence of European fixtures. We could really do with good cup runs, if only to give some of our squad a regular run out. It’s difficult to predict a team, but I’m hoping Hughes sends out a strong side with the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Petrov and Nedum Onuoha getting a game rather than a host of youngsters.
City failed to produce a thumping victory in any of the pre-season fixtures, so a strong line-up and convincing victory would give a big boost to the confidence of the squad (and supporters). The last thing we need is to go out in a “typical City” performance which would unleash a torrent of pent up criticism in the media.
It will be interesting to see if there’s a role for Nigel De Jong in a pair of defensive midfielders, or whether Hughes continues with the more open 4-4-2 that has so far produced two Premier League victories. The vulnerability of this system was apparent in the second half against Wolves, and not something I’d like to chance in a one off cup game.
New signing Sylvinho is still waiting for international clearance but there is a chance Joleon Lescott could make his debut. While it would be a surprise to see Adebayor and Robinho this early in the competition, both the former Arsenal striker and Kolo Toure are in the squad.
Mark Hughes:
“There is expectation but we are enjoying that and the Carling Cup is the next match on the agenda.
“We are looking to do well in the competition especially as we have not got Europe this year so we have one fewer trophy at which to aim.
“It is a difficult tie. We know that any side of Mr Warnock’s will have a certain way of playing and a certain attitude about them which is a reflection of the manager. It is not going to be easy, far from it. We are not going to take the tie lightly.
“We will go there with a strong side. There are two views on these things. You can possibly give game time to guys that need it because we are so early in the season and maybe some of them need a little bit more actual playing time.
“On the other hand you can say let’s be really strong and hopefully start really well and get the game put to bed and then you make changes and give people opportunities.
“So there are two schools of thought and I know which one I am erring towards.
“Which one? Everyone will find out tonight. We are not in bad shape injury wise. And they have all already been told how important we regard this tie and this competition.â€Â
According to the official site, there’s a cash turnstile for those wishing to pay on the night.
Football ground guide to Selhurst Park
Possible line-up: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Onuoha, McGivern, De Jong, Barry, Ireland, Petrov, Tevez, Bellamy
Prediction: 4-0 to City.
Given – A superb fingertip save in the first half was the prelude to a more involved second period. Unbeaten once again! 7
Richards – Linked up well when going forward in the first half, but needed to mark tighter and stop more crosses in the second period. 6
Toure – Fabulous covering and reading of the game, particularly in the first half. Held firm in the second. 7
Dunne – Despite the second half pressure, Dunney fought to ensure there weren’t any clear chances in the penalty area. 7
Bridge – Another impressive display, carrying the ball forward whenever possible. 7
Barry – Happy going forward in the first half, and equally at ease with the defensive side in the second, even if he wasn’t able to dominate. 7
Ireland – Looked happiest when playing at the heart of our attacking play. Tired in the second half, and loses a point for fluffing our best chance to put the game safe. 6
Wright-Phillips – Excellent first half when Wolves couldn’t contain him. Tired badly in the latter stages and ought to have been subbed. 8
Tevez – Demonstrated a lovely touch in setting up Adebayor for the goal. This wasn’t the only neat bit of link up play. The Argentinian still appears to be building up to full fitness. 7
Adebayor – Great turn and shot for the goal. Should have had a second when clean through, but his overall game was outstanding. 8
Robinho – Still decorating rather than dominating games. The disappointing scuffed shots were followed by a brilliant one from the least likely angle. Only a matter of time before the goals start to flow. 6
Subs –
Bellamy – Desperately unlucky to find himself on the bench. The second half cameo didn’t work as nothing quite came off for the Welshman. 5
De Jong – Came on to late to change the course of the game, but still sat to deep. 5
Man of the match: Adebayor
Blue Days
22 August 2009
Wolves /
Goals: Adebayor 18 for City.
As former City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, was renowned for saying during his time in charge of England, “First half good, second half not so good”. Regardless, a win is a win, and Adebayor is the new hero of Eastlands, capping off another excellent display with the only goal.
City lined up in a similar 4-4-2 to last week at Blackburn; the only change being Tevez making his competitive debut in place of the unlucky Bellamy. At Blackburn, the Welshman had played in front of Adebayor using his pace to stretch Rovers defence. Today saw a more fluid formation with the interchanging of roles between Tevez, Adebayor, Robinho and Wright-Phillips. With Ireland breaking into the area, and even Barry getting forward at times, there was a myriad of attacking options. The fans were purring approval throughout the first half as chance after chance was created. Adebayor had calmed any nerves with a goal after 18 minutes. Good work from Robinho drew the defenders before he laid the ball off for Barry to cross. A half-clearance saw the ball land at the feet of Tevez who cushioned it first time into the path of Adebayor. A brilliant spin and drilled shot saw the ball fly in at the near post with Hennessey unable to react in time.
Thereafter, chances came and went. Robinho scuffed two shots then hit a cracker from a ridiculous angle which Hennessey just turned round. Tevez planted a header wide when he should have scored. Ireland laid off a Wright-Phillips cross for Adebayor to sting the palms of the Wolves keeper.
Throughout all this Wolves seemed overawed, with a lone striker in a system designed to try and contain City. Allowing this City side to attack is folly, but credit to Mick McCarthy for two half-time substitutions and a switch to 4-4-2, which gave them a lot more purpose going forward.
There was a hint of what was to come just before half-time when Given had to pull off a fingertip save to deny a Jarvis curler that was destined for the top corner.
City’s midfield wilted badly in the second half and Wolves were repeatedly driving through to our penalty area in numbers. As at Blackburn, credit goes to Toure, Dunne and Given in holding firm. Ultimately, a shot from Keogh that cracked against the crossbar was the closest the visitors came to an equaliser.
City continued to create and spurn chances. Ireland was the most culpable when clean through after a one-two with Robinho. Adebayor knocked the ball to far when rounding the keeper and was unable to squeeze in his shot. Bellamy came on for the tired Tevez with the hope of adding a more competitive edge, but it wasn’t to be for the Welshman. Nothing quite went right for him and he added to the missed chances when unable to reach a tantalising cross from Robinho.
Tactically, Hughes was outmanouvred by McCarthy in the second period, leaving it far to late to bring on De Jong to bolster the midfield. Ireland and Wright-Phillips faded badly as the midweek exertions against Barcelona seemed to catch up with the Blues. As a result, there was surely a case for using all three susbstitutes. We were crying out for the tackling of Zabaleta, possibly on the right flank in front of Richards, or Onuoha in place of Richards.
Once again to few crosses were blocked at source, though Bridge did have a good game overall. The arrival of Joleon Lescott will be welcome, but it was conceding the midfield and failing to stop crosses that was the problem here, rather than the centre of defence. Toure impressed once again, particularly when coming across to cover Richards. It brought back memories of Distin covering our left-backs of yester-year, and was a sign of the professionalism the former Arsenal man brings to defensive duties.
Ultimately we rode out stoppage time and greeted the final whistle with a lot more relief than we should have. Despite the concerns at the back, a third clean sheet in the space of a week is not to be sniffed at and Hughes was able to accentuate the positives without to much criticism.
Mark Hughes:
“On chances created, we should have put the game to bed quite early on.
“But some of our play in the first half was outstanding and Adebayor’s play with Tevez was really good. They are quality players and have a mutual respect for what each can produce.
“We stood up to what Wolves threw at us later on and it completes a great week with three games, three wins and three clean sheets.”
Mick McCarthy:
“I don’t think we deserved a point, but we nearly earned one. There’s a big difference between the two. City missed loads of chances while we had chances to get something out of it – and almost did.”
Shay Given:
“When we have teams penned in like that for the back four and the goalkeeper it is about concentration levels.
“That was the case against Wolves. I didn’t have much to do but when I did I had to be in tune. It is all about not getting carried away with the exciting football that we do play and make sure the back door is shut.
“We have momentum on our side and it was important that we followed up the win at Blackburn with another here so we have to be pleased.”
Match reports:
The Independent
Daily Mail
MCFC
Manchester Evening News
The Sun
The Telegraph
The Times
Blog reports:
Bitter And Blue
The Lonesome Death Of Roy Carroll
Norfstander
We’ve Got Robinho
Video:
Match highlights
Blue Days
22 August 2009
Wolves /