Blues Reviews

Tottenham 1 Manchester City 5

2011-08-28T15:48:00.002+01:00

English Premier League

Sunday 28 August 2011, 13.30 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta (Richards 64), Lescott, Kompany (c), Clichy, Nasri, Barry, Silva, Y Toure, Aguero (Savic 75), Dzeko
Unused: Pantilimon, Milner, A Johnson, Tevez, Balotelli
Goals: Dzeko (35, 41, 55, 90+2), Aguero (60)
Booked: Barry, Zabaleta, Y Toure, Savic

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the Match: Edin Dzeko

Tottenham could have taken the lead inside 30 seconds as, from kick-off, a neat one-two between Bale and Assou-Ekotto sent the full back clear down the left wing. He pulled the ball back across Hart's goal, but it missed everybody until Lennon picked it up at the back post. He shot through Clichy's legs, but he dragged the shot wide. Krancjar then curled a shot wide from the edge of the box.

Nasri then burst through the Tottenham defence to lay the ball off to Silva, who smashed a shot at goal from the edge of the box, but Friedel was equal to it and palmed it away. The rebound fell to Nasri, but he stood on the ball as he tried to get his shot away. Dzeko's effort was then deflected wide by a red and black shirt, in an offside position.

With nine minutes played, Van Der Vaart turned neatly on the edge of the box and forced a nice save from Joe Hart at his near post, as the game continued in its furious opening pace. Assou-Ekotto then tried to nick the ball but sliced through Aguero as he was played through on the right flank and found himself in the book. Dzeko then finished a neat passing move slicing a shot wide of the post.

It took a good tackle from Corluka to deny Nasri a shooting chance in the box, after some neat one-touch passing between Silva and Dzeko on the edge of the box. Silva then forced a brilliant save from Friedel after another City passing move released the midfielder on the edge of the box. He shot low at the far post and the veteran goalkeeper flicked it wide. Dzeko then had a turn on shot blocked by Dawson.

Van Der Vaart then won a free kick from Barry and stood up to take it himself from the left side of the box. He curled it towards Hart's near post, but the England international got across well to push the ball away for a corner. Zabaleta then saw yellow for a late challenge on Bale.

Gareth Bale then missed a sitter for Tottenham, after some good build up from the home side. Lennon cut the ball back across goal from the right wing and it fell to the midfielder on the back post. With Hart bearing down on him, he skied his shot high and wide. Gareth Barry then went close to adding to his tally for the season as Dzeko let the ball run to him on the edge of the box, but his first time shot for the top corner was just wide.

After a possible handball in the City box, City broke away neatly down the left. Clichy and Nasri linked up well, before Nasri played a lovely one-two with Aguero to set up the crossing opportunity. Nasri then found Dzeko in the box and he found the back of the net, stealing in to get his tow on the end of the ball, giving the away side the lead.

Peter Crouch should have pulled Tottenham level with a diving header as he was unmarked at the back post, after Van Der Vaart had an effort brilliantly blocked by Lescott. Clichy then blocked a Corluka cross for a corner, which Lescott cleared. From that clearance, Yaya Toure broke away with Silva and Nasri, before the cross found Dzeko in the box and he doubled the visitors' lead with a brilliant header.

Dzeko almost had a first half hat trick after he unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box, but it was well pushed away by Friedel, before Silva shot just wide of the American's post, as City looked for their third goal before the break. Bale tried to pull one back on the break from a City corner, but it was deflected wide and Hart claimed the resulting corner from Van Der Vaart.

Tottenham began the second half the brighter, with early pressure, but attacking moves were undone twice by Crouch. First, he handled inside the box before he could get a shot away and then he was caught offside as he tried to break through on goal. Huddlestone was then lucky not to go into the book for a late challenge on Zabaleta.

Dzeko was then inches away from his first City hat trick, as he nodded a cross towards goal from the edge of the box. Friedel through himself at it, couldn't get to it, but fortunately for the Tottenham keeper, it landed just wide of the post.

But then, from a City corner, Dzeko did get his third. The initial cross was cleared by the defence, but it was picked up by Barry, who found Aguero on the edge of the box. His pass sent Toure clear and the Ivorian's low cross was smashed into the net from two yards by the Bosnian.

Aguero then got himself on the scoresheet with an hour played. He picked up the ball on the left flank and nipped in past the defender. Faced with Friedel, he smashed the ball into the top corner and gave City a four goal lead at the Lane. He could have had his second pretty soon after, but his effort from the edge of the box whistled just wide of the post.

Joe Hart had to be alert to tip a Defoe effort over the bar as he smashed a shot from range. Kaboul then pulled a goal back for the home side with a free header from the resulting corner, as the Tottenham man found space in the box. Joe Hart then denied another strike from Defoe from outside the box.

Savic then picked up a bizarre booking for coming onto the pitch before the referee was ready, before Nasri pulled out a brilliant pass for Silva inside the box, lifting it over the back line to the Spaniard. He tried to take it first time, but his effort was just wide of the post. Edin Dzeko was then denied his fourth by a good save from Friedel.

Dzeko then rounded the game off in style by adding his fourth goal of the afternoon. He played a nice one-two with Barry, before side-footing a wonderful left footed effort into the top corner. Tottenham were well and truly beaten and City turned in one of their best performances ever.

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Bolton 2 Manchester City 3

2011-08-21T18:05:00.003+01:00

English Premier League

Sunday 21 August 2011, 16.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany (c), Kolarov, Milner, Barry, Silva (Zabaleta 89), Y Toure, Aguero (Tevez 68), Dzeko (A Johnson 80)
Unused: Pantilimon, Clichy, Savic, Balotelli
Goals: Silva (26), Barry (37), Dzeko (47)
Booked: -

Referee: Mike Jones
Man of the Match: David Silva

It was a bright start to the game that saw City with an early corner, but Lescott committed a foul in winning the header, before a Bolton free kick caused Joe Hart some trouble in the visiting goal. He parried it and it was left to Lescott to clear the ball from the six yard box. Silva couldn't find Aguero from the resulting breakaway.

Kompany was then on hand to clear from the penalty spot as Steinsson got a low cross into the box, before Knight reacted to a defensive header from a corner. He prodded the ball towards the post, but it was just wide of the post. Lescott was then needed to deflected a Davies header over the bar.

A neat ball from Silva then put Kolarov in behind the Bolton defence, who smashed the ball across the six yard box. Milner got the touch, but Jaaskelainen managed to block and collect the ball. Dzeko then couldn't force his way through the back line, as he looked to get a shot away and Silva hit at shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Dzeko then found Milner on the break and the Englishman returned the ball to the forward. He worked his way into the box and delivered a low cross into the back post where Aguero was waiting. The new signing got the ball and hit it first time, but skied it when he probably should have scored.

Bolton looked to have rode the storm as City pressed, but after some good work from Richards breaking into the box, the visitors took the lead. The right back found Silva on the edge of the box and the little Spaniard took a shot and it went straight through Jaaskelainen and into the net. City had the ball in the net again four minutes later, but it was ruled out as Richards had fouled Petrov in the build-up.

Aguero should then have doubled City's lead with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. A ricochet took the ball into Dzeko's path down the left and he got there before the covering defenders. His cross was met by the Argentine with a free header, but he nodded it wide of the far post. City began to pile on the pressure, as Barry couldn't find a red and black shirt in the box, before Milner's low cross was deflected into the side netting.

From that corner, though, City did get their second goal. The ball was played straight to Barry on the edge of the box and, from 25 yards, he fired it into the top corner with Jaaskelainen left flapping at thin air.

But the home side responded immediately. Petrov fired in a low cross towards the penalty spot after he was found by Cahill. Klasnic was first to it and he fired it straight into the back of the net on the volley, reducing the deficit back to one goal. City tried to do the same, but Milner's ball over for Dzeko was just too far and Aguero couldn't get to the rebound off Jaaskelainen first.

The first action of the second half saw Dzeko get himself on the scoresheet and restore City's two goal lead. A ball was knocked on by Milner to Dzeko and Robinson committed himself to the challenge, but didn't win the ball. It broke to the Bosnian in the box, as he beat Zat Knight, and he made no mistake in smashing it past the home side's keeper.

City were immediately on the hunt for the fourth: Dzeko won the ball back in midfield and set Aguero away. He found Milner, who returned it to the Argentine with space to run into. He broke into the box, but couldn't find room for the shot. Instead, he found Silva, who found Milner, who curled a shot straight at Jaaskelainen.

Some neat Bolton interplay should have seen Eagles do better as he broke unmarked into the box. Petrov knocked the ball past Kompany to the midfielder and, instead of delivering the ball to the middle, he elected to take a shot and sliced it wide of Hart's near post. City responded with some of the same, as Dzeko put Milner through, but his shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide.

Silva did well to win a corner as he was crowded out in the box. A short corner routine could have gotten City further in front, as Silva and Milner worked the crossing opportunity, but Dzeko couldn't quite direct his header on target. Kolarov then smashed a shot just wide, with the aid of a deflection.

But, as City were dominant in the game, they conceded a second and Bolton, once again, reduced the deficit. Davies climbed higher than Lescott from a free kick and nodded the ball towards goal. Joe Hart threw himself at it, but couldn't reach it, and it flicked off the post and into the net.

Tevez then joined the action and created a great chance for Silva as he cut the ball back to the Spaniard. But Knight was in quickly to block the fierce effort from the edge of the six yard box. Milner then smashed a ball across the box looking for Dzeko, but Jaaskelainen was there first.

City could have sealed the points with seven minutes to play as the some possession play ended with Johnson picking up the ball just inside the box. He took on and beat Knight and tried to roll it into the back post, but it was just wide, with Tevez slightly too far away to connect. Tevez then had the chance to smash a shot in from level with the penalty spot, but it almost cleared it out of the stadium instead.

Bolton began to press the City defence, but, as the board went up for stoppage time, City's midfield took control of the ball and the visitors were able to see out a victory to send them top of the Premier League.

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Manchester City 4 Swansea 0

2011-08-18T18:23:00.003+01:00

English Premier League

Monday 15 August 2011, 20.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany (c), Clichy, de Jong (Aguero 60), Barry, Silva (Milner 82), Y Toure, A Johnson (Savic 75), Dzeko
Unused: Taylor, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Balotelli
Goals: Dzeko (57), Aguero (68, 90+1), Silva (71)
Booked: -

Referee: Mike Dean
Man of the Match: David Silva

It was a slow start from the home team, who appeared to be struggling to get their possession game going, as Swansea tried to keep City quiet and the home side were miss-placing passes. Despite this, it was the hosts who had the first chance, with a Yaya Toure piledriver being blocked by a Swansea body.

But then the game ground to a halt. Swansea managed to have some possession without troubling Joe Hart, who had nothing to do but pick crosses from the air, while City couldn’t find their final ball. It took until 24 minutes for the next decent chance, as a Silva shot from the edge of the box forced Vorm into a good one-handed save.

The little Spaniard then hit the bar, after he was found from some neat right wing play by Adam Johnson. Silva’s side-footed effort beat the goalkeeper, but it didn’t beat the frame of the goal, and the visitors were off the hook. Yaya Toure then stormed into the Swansea box with a trademark run, finishing with a fierce shot that was tipped wide and Silva shot over from the corner. City began to dominate.

As the game headed for half time, Dzeko hit a shot straight at Vorm before a corner was cleared only as far as Barry on the edge of the box. The former Villa man took a touch and shot for the top corner – again the keeper was beaten, but he was relieved to see the effort come crashing back off the crossbar.

The second half began slowly, but soon City were back into their stride. Ten minutes in, a half-shout for a penalty was rightly turned down by the referee as Silva lost the ball in the Swansea box, before Dobbie forced a good save from Hart, who was also able to prevent the corner from the loose ball.

But then City stepped up a gear. David Silva turned well in his own half to keep the ball. He then found Johnson who broke into the Swansea box and fired a shot across goal. It was well saved by Vorm, but only to the feet of Dzeko, who knocked the ball back into the empty net to give the hosts the lead.

Aguero joined the action immediately for a troubled de Jong, who hobbled straight down the tunnel. The new signing’s first shot came soon after: a snap-shot from the edge of the box on the spin, but it was straight at Vorm. He was looking bright and raring to go.

And it didn’t take long for the Argentina international to get off the mark at his new club. Eight minutes after joining the action, he was on hand at the back post to convert a Richards low ball across the six yard box, much to the fans’ and his delight.

The new boy then had a hand in creating a goal for the man of the match. Dzeko nearly kept the ball on the right flank, before knocking it on to Aguero steaming into the box. He flicked it over the goalkeeper and managed to then extend his leg to keep the ball in play and cross to the back post. Silva was arriving late into the box and he made no mistake in hitting the net.

With just over ten minutes left, Yaya Toure drilled a free kick into the wall after Vorm had picked up a backpass. It spun towards the corner, but the keeper reacted very well to stop the ball on the line and prevent the visitors from falling further behind.

But there was nothing he could do about the final goal of the night – which would be the icing on the cake for the debutant Aguero. He picked up the ball mid-way into the Swansea half and knocked it out of his feet. With nobody closing him down, he decided to have a hit from 25 yards and it whistled into the top corner, completing a fine opening night display from the blues.

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Bolton 0 Manchester City 2

2011-05-22T18:25:00.003+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 22 May 2011, 16.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta (Wabara 87), Kompany, Boyata, Lescott, de Jong, Barry, Y Touré, A Johnson (Dzeko 60), Silva (Milner 78), Tevez (c)

Unused: Given, Vieira, Wright-Phillips, Balotelli,

Goals: Lescott (43), Dzeko (63)

Booked: Tevez

Referee: Chris Foy

Man of the Match: Gareth Barry

City started the final game of the season the brighter, setting the pace in the blustery conditions at the Reebok Stadium, but they couldn't find the early lead they wanted. A Silva cut the ball back towards Tevez, he should have planted it into the net, but it hit a Bolton leg en route. Kompany then had a free header that he put over the bar from a corner.

The home side then missed a similar chance, as Kevin Davies nodded wide, before he was lucky to stay on the pitch with a late and high challenge on Lescott. Bolton would have felt they should have had the lead soon after, as Sturridge found Elmander, but he was denied by a great save from Hart.

Hart then had an uncharacteristic moment in letting the ball slip through his grasp, but Zabaleta was behind him in the six yard box to chest it down and clear the danger. He then smashed the ball against the back of Johann Elmander and it could have gone anywhere, but fortunately for City, it bounced behind for a goal kick.

The City keeper then produced another fine save to keep the scores level, with half an hour played, as a flicked header towards the back post could have dropped into the net and Hart extended his fingertips to knock it behind. The visitors then should have taken the lead after some neat play between Tevez and Touré let Boyata cross. Barry connected and hit the crossbar, before Touré nodded the rebound wide.

Adam Johnson should have put the away side in front as he then had the chance to pick his spot from inside the penalty area, but he skied it and didn't trouble the goalkeeper. Kompany then deflected a shot wide, before Tevez had a shot saved by Jaaskelainen and Silva put the rebound over the bar, with his right foot.

City then caused panic in the Bolton penalty area as a cross to the back post was nodded towards goal by Johnson and Jaaskelainen flapped at it. Touré tried to get onto the second ball, but the keeper got there first and conceded the corner.

With two minutes to play before half time, a fluke header got City the lead. A corner aimed towards the penalty spot was attacked by Kompany, but he missed it completely and it took Lescott completely by surprise. It hit him on the head and looped past Jaaskelainen into the top corner, giving the visitors the lead.

The home side started the second half the better and it took a good foot from Kompany to block a Taylor cross, before Davies couldn't force the ball home. A throw into the box was well dealt with by Boyata, as City struggled to get the ball away. Sturridge could have equalised against his former club, but the ball fell to his right foot on the edge of the box and he could only direct his shot wide.

Ten minutes into the second half, City should really have doubled their lead. Kompany stepped in to make a brilliant interception and Silva had the chance to shoot from the edge of the box. With Touré to his left, he elected to have a go at goal, but it was tame and Jaaskelainen could collect it easily.

Kompany then made a block to a Sturridge shot, before Tevez broke into the box and tried to get an effort on target to edge him ahead in the running for the Premier League Golden Boot. His shot, though, flashed wide of the post. Dzeko then joined the action and Tevez played a great ball for Barry, who crossed for the Bosnian. He missed his first chance, but he was able to swivel and shoot, planting the ball into the net.

A poor backpass put Joe Hart under pressure as he tried to control it with Sturridge closing him down, but he was able to get a clearance in. It was blocked by the former City striker, but it was never in danger of dropping into the net and the visitors had a goal kick. City could have had a second fluke of the game as a Bolton clearance then connected with Tevez's head, but it looped over the bar.

Milner chased down Robinson and won the ball back as it was directed towards his goalkeeper, but his square pass didn't find a blue shirt. Tevez won it back and, via Touré, he had a shooting chance on the edge of the box, but it was swallowed up by Jaaskelainen. Daniel Sturridge then saw a red card for a nasty challenge on Dzeko, which left him on the deck.

With attention elsewhere in the league, the game petered to a close and Tevez wasn't able to add his name to the goalsheet. Eyes went to Old Trafford to see if Berbatov would steal the award, but he wasn't able to and the former United teammates shared the award. City, though, finished level on points with Chelsea, to round off their best ever Premier League Season.

Manchester City 3 Stoke 0

2011-05-17T23:23:00.002+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Tuesday 17 May 2011, 19.45 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, de Jong, Milner, Y Touré, Silva (Dzeko 57), A Johnson (Wright-Phillips 68), Tevez (c) (Boyata 88)
Unused: Given, Kolarov, Barry, Vieira
Goals: Tevez (15, 65), Lescott (53)
Booked: -

Referee: Lee Probert
Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez

Having seen Arsenal drop points again on the weekend when City beat Stoke to lift the FA Cup, the home side were confident of a repeat performance from Saturday to lift themselves into the driving seat for third place in the league. In truth, it was rarely in doubt, as City continued their good play from the final against a deflated Stoke side.

Silva had the first effort of the game, but it was wide of Sorensen’s goal and not troubling the goalkeeper, before Tevez raced onto a great ball over the top from Touré and chested it down, but his shot was just over the bar. City were in full control of the game and Stoke looked like a team with nothing left to play for this season.

And it took just 15 minutes for the opening goal and there were no surprises who got it. City’s all-time leading scorer at Eastlands added another to the tally as, after a quick one-two with Milner, Tevez stepped inside one challenge and around another to lash the ball into the top corner, with Sorensen helpless.

Stoke threatened for the first time in the game with just over 20 minutes played and it was with a deep cross into the box that Hart came to punch, but missed. Carew collected the ball and lashed a shot at goal, but Richards was there to block bravely with his face, leaving him dazed… but he was back on his feet quickly.

Johnson was almost slotted through by Silva, but Shawcross got in front of the pass and read it well, before Silva found himself almost through on goal, but he tried to check back onto his left foot and the Stoke defence were back to clear. Milner then picked up the pieces from a City corner and fired a shot through the crowd, but it hit a Stoke leg and then Carlos Tevez, before bouncing to safety.

Shawcross then saw a yellow card for a blatant body check to prevent Yaya Touré a clean run through on goal and City could do nothing with the free kick mid-way into the opposition half. Johnson then cut in from the right flank, but his shot was blocked for a corner that, eventually, came to nothing and there was only one team in the game at the break.

The first action of the second half saw City double their lead. Richards powered his way through two tackles and went down under a third from Wilkinson, though the free kick appeared very harsh on the Stoke man. Johnson curled the ball into the box and Sorensen came to collect, but it was Lescott who got there first, nodding past him and into the net.

Soon after replacing Silva, Dzeko almost found himself on the scoresheet, too. A lucky bounce fell to him on the edge of the box and he closed in on goal. He tried to slide it past Sorensen, but the Stoke keeper was down quickly to smother the ball and hold on, keeping his side in the game for the time being.

Though, soon enough, City were well in front and it was Carlos Tevez again, to pull himself level with Dimitar Berbatov for the Premier League Golden Boot. A free kick was awarded to City about six yards outside the Stoke box and the captain stepped up to fire it right into the top corner, giving Sorensen no chance of stopping it.

And on 67 minutes, Dzeko smashed the ball into the outside of the post after some good work on the right flank, before Milner was pulled down on the edge of the box by Diao. It looked like an ideal opportunity for Tevez to grab his third as it appeared the referee had given a penalty, until he revised his decision to a free kick. Tevez did take it, but it was chipped over the bar.

With minutes to play, Dzeko headed over from a corner and Zabaleta had to leave the pitch early, again, after he caught a boot in the face and received a nasty cut for his troubles. The Argentinean was, understandably, frustrated and a water bottle on the side of the pitch bore the brunt of his annoyance.

And with that, City leapt up into third place in the Premier League with three goals on the night and Joe Hart’s seventeenth clean sheet of the season earned him the Golden Gloves. All the remains is to see if City can stay in third with a victory over Bolton next weekend and if Tevez can take the Golden Boot.

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Manchester City 1 Stoke 0

2011-05-15T01:55:00.003+01:00

FA Cup Final

Saturday 14 April 2011, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Barry (A Johnson 73), de Jong, Y Touré, Silva (Vieira 90), Balotelli, Tevez (c) (Zabaleta 89)

Unused: Given, Boyata, Milner, Dzeko

Goals: Y Touré (74)

Booked: -

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

With the City fans hoping for the chance to tear down the banner at Old Trafford and the Stoke fans hoping for their first ever FA Cup final victory, the nerves were high at the start of the game. But it was City who settled the quickest. The first corner of the game was flicked away after Richards tried to get a header in towards goal, before Tevez forced a decent save from Sorensen with a low shot to his right.

With 11 minutes played, Yaya Touré had a pop from 30 yards and the ball looked to burst the net until, at the last moment, it swerved away from the goal and whistled millimetres wide of the post, with Sorensen desperately flinging himself towards the shot.

The first Delap long throw in came to nothing, as the City defence dealt well with the set piece, after Balotelli had had a shot blocked and de Jong had fired a shot over, as City dominated the opening stages. Hart then came to collect a Pennant free kick and Huth was lucky to stay on the pitch for a loose elbow in a challenge with Balotelli.

Balotelli forced a wonderful save from Sorensen as he flicked the Italian's goalbound effort around the post when it looked destined for the top corner. Kompany then forced the Stoke keeper into another good save, after the City centre back had picked up the loose pieces from Silva and taken the shot on from the edge of the box.

The City fans were beginning to wonder if it was going to be their day, as their side continued to dominate the game, but couldn't seem to take one of their many chances. Silva missed the most guilt edged of them all in the first half, as it rebounded from Sorensen to his left foot and, with virtually an open goal in front of him, he volleyed the ball into the floor and it bounced over the bar.

Kolarov then skied a free kick on the edge of the box, after Huth had brought down Richards, before Kompany was in the right place to block from Jones, as one of Stoke's isolated chances could have spelled danger for the blues.

The second half started much in a similar way to how the first half ended. Kolarov wasted a good chance when in behind the Stoke defence and he chose to smash the ball at the near post to go for glory, when there were options waiting for the pull back on the edge of the box. Hart was then needed to deny Jones, after he gave Lescott the slip, and the City keeper was out quickly to smother the shot.

And, as it looked like the game was going to be frustrating for City, the breakthrough came. The ball was played low into the box and it looked like the chance had gone, until it broke to Yaya Touré eight yards out. The Ivorian put his foot through it and gave City the lead right in front of their own fans, just as he did in the semi final.

David Silva could have finished the game off for City, but the ball fell to the Spaniard's right foot inside the box and, in checking the ball back onto his left foot, he lost the opportunity to find a finish. And then came the Stoke onslaught: a series of corners in added time had City scrambling to get the ball clear. Sorensen joined the attack and Hart had to come off his line to punch away, before Vieira was in the right place to make a crucial block.

Despite the late pressure, Stoke couldn't force another shooting chance and City were able to see out the remaining time to take their first trophy in 35 years and celebrate with their own imitation banner from the Stretford End. The celebrations were just beginning in the stands, as Carlos Tevez lifted the FA Cup for Manchester City.

Manchester City 1 Tottenham 0

2011-05-10T23:58:00.005+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Tuesday 10 May 2011, 19.45 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany (c), Lescott, Zabaleta (Kolarov 58), de Jong, Milner, Y Touré, Silva (Tevez 84), A Johnson (Vieira 67), Dzeko

Unused: Given, Boyata, Wright-Phillips, Balotelli

Goals: Crouch (OG 30)

Booked: Milner

Referee: Mike Dean

Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

The penultimate midweek of the season and City had their rearranged fixture with Tottenham to play before thoughts could turn to the FA Cup Final. And it was almost a repeat of last season's rivalry, although this time Tottenham behind on points and City could qualify for the Champions League with a victory over last season's tormentors.

Though it was the visitors that got off to the better start with some pressure from Modric and Lennon, it was City who fashioned the first shooting chance of the match, but Yaya Touré's effort from the edge of the box was sliced wide. And with 10 minutes played, Dzeko should have given the home side the lead, as Silva found him on the edge of the six yard box, but Cudicini spread himself well to block.

City wanted a penalty on 17 minutes as Milner went down inside the box, but it was a soft challenge and the referee waved away the protests. Crouch then wanted the same at the other end, but, again, the complaints were rightly dismissed. Modric should have put the visitors in front on 28 minutes, but his placed shot was just inches wide of Hart's post, with the City keeper scrambling.

And then, against the run of play it has to be said, the home side got their goal. A break in the Tottenham pressure came with a City corner and it was taken short between Milner and Silva. The visitors, not switched on, didn't defend it properly and Milner had the chance to drive a low cross into the six yard box. Lescott and Kompany were nearby, but the vital touch came from Peter Crouch, scoring in the same net as he did last season, but this time for a different team.

City could have doubled their lead seconds after the restart, as the ball broke to Silva via Richards, but the Spaniard couldn't find room for the shot and his pass to Dzeko in the box was cut out before the Bosnian could get the shot in. Tottenham tried to get themselves into a shooting position, but there was nothing to trouble Joe Hart at the end of the first half.

The second half came and with it came the expected Tottenham onslaught. In the opening stages, it took a fantastic save from Hart to deny Pienaar an equaliser, as he flicked the ball around the post with Lescott saving the corner. The visitors must have been sick of the sight of the City keeper this season.

Peter Crouch was fortunate to escape punishment as he caught Zabaleta with a flying elbow as the two challenged for a high ball, the latter having to leave the pitch eventually through injury as the medical team were unable to sort it out to get him back into the game. Vieira joined the action for City to give the midfield some bite and it worked, getting the home side some more of the ball and relieving the constant pressure.

Milner could have got his first Premier League goal for City as a neat touch took him into the area, but he squared instead for Silva, but the ball was intercepted before it reached its target. This was just after Silva couldn't connect to a Yaya Touré's low ball to smash it home. Dzeko then skied an effort from the edge of the box, after Milner had delivered the ball to him on a plate.

Tevez then joined the action and almost immediately forged a game winning chance, as he broke into the area and knocked the ball for Vieira to shoot. The big Frenchman waited for Cudicini to go to ground and just lifted it over him. It was goalbound until a brilliant header from Gallas put the ball over the bar for a City corner.

The visitors' attacks became more desperate as the game entered stoppage time and the centre-back pairing of Lescott and Kompany were eating every one of the balls into the box up, leaving City the chance to break. Kompany tried it, as did Kolarov, but neither could force that second goal. It didn't matter, though, as the whistle went before Tottenham could get the ball into the box and City will finish at the very lowest in fourth place this season.

Everton 2 Manchester City 1

2011-05-07T17:26:00.003+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 7 May 2011, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta (Balotelli 80), Kompany (c), Lescott, Kolarov, Vieira (A Johnson 78), de Jong (Jo 90), Y Touré, Silva, Milner, Dzeko

Unused: Given, Boyata, McGivern, Wright-Phillips

Goals: Y Touré (28)

Booked: Kompany, Kolarov

Referee: Phil Dowd

Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

The first action of the game saw a free kick to Everton on the left wing after Zabaleta was deemed to have fouled Arteta, but the neat idea to roll it back to Osman didn't come off, when the Everton man skied his shot into the stand behind Hart's goal.

City, though, responded on 8 minutes as Silva produced a wonderful piece of control inside the area after Kompany had played a high diagonal ball. He turned Hibbert inside out and flashed a shot across the goalmouth, but it was a yard wide of the post.

Three minutes later and City should have been in front. A delightful ball to the back post by Milner found Silva and he cushioned the ball down for the late arriving Vieira, but he put his side-footed volley over the bar from inside the six yard box, when he should have done a lot better.

Everton began to put the pressure on the visitors with a series of corners, but City were able to win the ball in the air and get it clear. Vieira tried to play Silva through, but his pass was just too heavy, before he then gave the ball away on the edge of the box, but de Jong was on hand to help out. An Everton free kick then deflected off the City wall for a corner.

City began to steady the ship and get their foot on the ball and they carved another golden chance as Silva broke into the box. He tried to square it past Howard, but was only able to pick out Everton shirts. A minute later, though, he found Touré on the right and he smashed it past Howard and into the top corner, giving the visitors the lead.

The visitors quickly had the chance to double the lead, as Dzeko tried a curler from the edge of the box, but his miss-hit it and Howard could catch. Silva then found him on the edge of the box and the Bosnian's volley cannoned off Distin's bottom and to safety, before Kolarov couldn't squeeze a low cross past the front post.

Baines tried a low shot that was blocked by Kompany, before Silva almost found Touré in the box again, this time with a low cross, but the Ivorian couldn't stretch enough to find the finish. Lescott was then unlucky to concede a free kick on Everton's right flank, but Everton couldn't find the ball into the box with a move off the training ground. Rodwell then headed wide from a Neville cross.

A brilliant piece of defending from Jagielka denied Kolarov a certain goal in the area, after some neat interplay between Silva and Touré left him through on goal, but the Everton centre-back got a foot on the ball before the Serbian could pull the trigger.

The first action of the second half saw Kompany pull out the best tackle he's made all season. A Baines shot from a free kick deflected to the edge of the six yard box and seemed a simple tap in past Joe Hart, until the Belgian centre-back got his toe in first to force the ball behind for a corner. That led to a series of corners for the home side, but they couldn't force the equaliser.

A defensive header by Dzeko from the final corner allowed City the chance to break away and Touré found himself through on goal, but he couldn't force the ball past Howard on his one-on-one. Dzeko then headed inches wide, with Howard stranded, and Dzeko couldn't find a shot in the box from a corner.

The Everton fans wanted a penalty on 54 minutes as Baines hit the deck in the area, but there was no appeal from the Everton full back and the referee turned the appeals down. Silva then put the ball into a dangerous area in the Everton box from a free kick, but Howard was out quickly to punch it clear.

Rodwell then tried a square pass in the City area, but all of the Everton attack had driven towards goal and the ball was behind everyone, allowing Milner to clear. Kolarov tried one of his long range efforts, but it was well wide of Howard's goal. Rodwell then clattered through de Jong and picked up a yellow card and Kompany saw yellow for his reaction, too.

As the game ticked over the hour mark, Silva and Touré broke into the Everton half and released Dzeko onto the edge of the box. He ran at Distin and fired off a left foot shot that was inches wide of Howard left hand post.

And then, with 65 minutes played, Everton punished City for their slack finishing. Kompany lost Distin in the box from a set piece and he nodded past Hart to equalise for the home side against his former club. City should have been more than one goal in front and they paid the price for being wasteful.

Everton pushed for the second goal immediately and City were on the back foot. A free kick was just about cleared by Kompany and Zabaleta, before de Jong pulled off a great tackle on Cahill to deny him a shooting opportunity. Beckford was then flagged offside as he ran through to shoot, but his shot flashed wide anyway.

And City couldn't hang on in there. Leon Osman rose higher than Kompany in the area and headed towards the back post, giving Hart no chance and pulling the home side in front from a losing position. It had been coming since the equaliser, but still harsh on City.

Balotelli then challenged Howard for the ball as it deflected towards the Everton keeper and he just got enough on it to get it clear. Milner picked up the loose ball and shot at goal. It was deflected and looped just over the bar for a corner. Johnson was causing problems and fired in a low cross, but it couldn't find a City foot.

Hart launched a late free kick into the Everton box, but there wasn't a City head to meet it and it transpired to be another defeat on Merseyside, again underserved against the Blue half, and City handed the chance for Tottenham to close the gap.

Manchester City 2 West Ham 1

2011-05-02T01:07:00.002+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 1 May 2011, 16.10 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Lescott, Kolarov, Barry (Dzeko 75), de Jong (Milner 45), Y Touré, Silva, A Johnson, Balotelli (Vieira 87)
Unused: Taylor, Boyata, Wright-Phillips, Jo
Goals: de Jong (11), Zabaleta (15)
Booked: Zabaleta, Barry, A Johnson

Referee: Howard Webb
Man of the Match: Gareth Barry

With Tottenham having lost to Chelsea the day before and Liverpool smashing past Newcastle earlier in the day, this was a must-win game for City if they wanted to stamp their authority on that Champions League place. And it was City that started the brighter, with Touré having a shot blocked and Balotelli heading wide from a corner.

And, soon enough, that early goal came through the most unlikely of sources. A Silva shot was deflected behind for a corner and that cross was cleared to the edge of the box, where Nigel de Jong was waiting. He placed it expertly into the bottom corner and got his first ever City goal, in almost 100 games for the club.

Just four minutes later, though, and it got better and from another unlikely source. Silva picked up the ball on the right and spotted the run of Zabaleta in behind the full back. He chipped a delightful ball over the top for the Argentine to run on to and his low shot was helped over the line by the defender, via his own crossbar.

City began to slow down in possession and allowed West Ham to get themselves back into the game. Joe Hart produced another save similar to his against Berbatov at Wembley, this time as Robbie Keane broke the line, before the visitors pulled a goal back. Demba Ba reacted first as the ball his Lescott’s hand and he fired it past Hart for 2-1.

West Ham continued to press for their equaliser before half time, but weren’t able to fashion another shooting chance, while City were struggling to get hold of the game, despite starting so well.

With ten minutes of the second half played, City were almost further in front. Balotelli was found by Silva on the far side of the box and he cut it back onto his right foot, before aiming for the top corner. Green was rooted, but was relieved to see it crash back off his crossbar to the flagged-offside Yaya Touré.

Da Costa then forced a good save from Joe Hart, as West Ham looked for an equaliser from a corner, but it was a strong hand from the City keeper and he was able to gobble up the rebound.

Five minutes later and City had another golden chance to wrap up the points, as Silva was onside and played through for a one-on-one with Green. He took too many touches and couldn’t find room for the shot, so he squared for Balotelli, whose shot was cleared off the line by Tomkins.

With ten minutes of the game to play, City had gotten themselves comfortably on the ball again and could have sewn up the points with an effort from Dzeko, but Balotelli was offside as he tried to get to the rebound as it bounced off Green’s body.

City saw the game out with some possession play by the corner flags and almost caused West Ham more problems with a late charge by Zabaleta from right back, as Green made a meal of keeping the ball in play from a pass-back. It didn’t matter that the third goal never came because City were able to hold on and fourth place in the Premier League is looking good for the blues.

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Blackburn 0 Manchester City 1

2011-04-25T22:13:00.002+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Monday 25 April 2011, 20.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Lescott, Kolarov, Barry, de Jong, Y Touré, Silva (Boyata 90), A Johnson (Dzeko 72), Balotelli (Vieira 84)
Unused: Taylor, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Jo
Goals: Dzeko (74)
Booked: Barry, Balotelli, de Jong

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

City started the game on the front foot, controlling the early possession and trying to work an opening. Barry tried to lift a pass to Balotelli, who couldn’t quite get there ahead of the Blackburn defence, before Zabaleta crossed for Silva to volley and, with Robinson helpless, he hit the inside of the post.

Balotelli was then flattened by Dunn on the edge of the Blackburn box and he picked himself up to strike the free kick, but Robinson was able to hold it. Johnson then looked to slip Silva in, but his through ball was blocked.

Benjani then found some space in behind Kompany and he squared the ball for Emerton to cross. He tried to find the head of Benjani, but Kompany got there first. Kolarov attempted a shot from long range that was dipping, but it wasn’t dipping enough.

With 20 minutes played, Roberts wanted a penalty for a challenge by Kompany in the area and it could have been given, the referee perhaps dissuaded by the theatrical fall by the home side’s forward. A Kolarov corner then needed three attempts to be cleared by the Blackburn defence, as Barry challenged.

Balotelli was almost in behind the defence as a long ball was missed by Samba, but it wouldn’t sit up for the Italian, before Silva couldn’t quite get to the rebound. Dunn then hit a free kick straight into the arms of Joe Hart at the other end.

Jones brought the ball out of the back on 34 minutes and got himself into a crossing position on the edge of the box, but a combination of Kompany and Zabaleta got the ball away. The resulting corner almost fell for Benjani, but it bounced too far in front of him and behind for a goal kick.

Benjani then flicked a header beyond his own man at the back post in a decent position for Blackburn, before Kompany attempted to connect to a Kolarov corner. Balotelli picked up the loose end and fired a shot straight at Salgado, allowing Robinson to collect. Samba then came closest for Blackburn, flicking a header past a rooted Joe Hart, but just wide of the far post.

Roberts then caused problems in the City box with a wicked ball in that Zabaleta did well to touch behind and avoid putting through his own goal, before some head tennis on the edge of the City box resulted in a free kick to the visitors to relieve the pressure.

City returned the pressure as Yaya Touré broke into the Blackburn box, but couldn’t find Balotelli in the middle. Kolarov then picked out Barry who looked for the Italian, but he slipped as he tried to put the ball in the net, with Robinson helpless.

The visitors got off to a similar start in the second half as they did the first: Johnson got down the right and crossed for Silva, but it was flicked away just before he could connect. Kolarov then found the Spaniard, who chipped it to Touré at the back post and his headed needed pushing over by Robinson.

Blackburn should have been ahead on 50 minutes as a free header from Roberts was planted well wide by the home side’s centre-forward, before the rebound couldn’t be poked home as Joe Hart threw himself across goal.

City then began to struggle, as they did in the first half, giving away needless free kicks around the area and not able to keep possession at the other end of the pitch. Roberts turned and shot at Hart’s goal, but it was an easy take for the England keeper.

With Blackburn pressing, it took Hart to come and claim a corner, after Kolarov had been forced to knock a Givet cross behind. Silva then had a go from the edge of the box, but he couldn’t quite curl it around Robinson. Benjani then tried from a similar position, but he dragged his shot wide.

Kolarov tried an effort from range that needed Robinson to palm it away, before Silva slipped Touré into the box. Touré found Silva, who shot across goal and it was cleared as far as Dzeko, who grabbed his first Premier League goal, smashing it into the net, Robinson unsighted by Balotelli who was in an offside position.

With three minutes to play, Jones was kicking himself that he hadn’t equalised for the home side. Kompany didn’t know Roberts was behind him when he attempted to clear and caught him. The referee pulled the game back, despite a good Rovers advantage, and Jones headed over from the cross.

As Blackburn pushed forward in stoppage time, Yaya Touré broke in behind the defence and found himself one-on-one with Robinson. His touch, though, was too heavy and the home side’s keeper was out quickly the steal the ball away from him.

With two minutes to play, it was all Blackburn and a free kick from Olsson was well parried away by Joe Hart, before Robinson needed some skill to escape from Yaya Touré closing him down. Kalinic wanted a penalty for a push by Barry, but there was barely any contact. The points went to City, perhaps undeservedly so, and the visitors tightened their grip on fourth spot.

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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0

2011-04-21T12:23:00.002+01:00

FA Cup Semi Final

Saturday 16 April 2011, 17.30 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Lescott, Kolarov, Barry, de Jong, Y Touré, Silva (Vieira 89), A Johnson (Wright-Phillips 80), Balotelli
Unused: Taylor, Boyata, Milner, Jo, Dzeko
Goals: Y Touré (53)
Booked: Zabaleta, Balotelli, de Jong, Kompany

Referee: Mike Dean
Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

Guest match report by Kevin Zatloukal.

Manchester City fans did not sleep well the night before the FA cup semi-final. Many tossed and turned late into the night. When sleep came for others, it was only in bits and pieces. One fan remarked that “it feels like the night before Christmas”. They were unaware of how apt that analogy would turn out to be.

To an outsider, the reason for all this anxiety may not have been clear. After all, City were the underdogs with nothing to lose. They were without their leading scorer, Carlos Tevez. Sure, United were without Wayne Rooney, but they could simply bring on the league’s leading scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, in his place. The bookies gave City less than a 1 in 4 chance of winning. Hence, an outsider might think that the pressure was off City.

Inexplicably, City fans, known for their pessimism and humor in defeat, had gotten their hopes up. They wanted this one. And the night before the match, they laid awake in bed, hopeful and anxious.

The first few minutes of the match passed without incident. Neither team could gain an advantage. The match seemed balanced on knife’s edge, unclear which way it was going to fall.

As expected in “big” matches, Sir Alex Ferguson had chosen to play only one striker, though he had been more adventurous recently. He could especially afford to play with two strikers when one of those was Rooney, who can effectively function as a midfielder as well. Without Rooney, he went with the more conservative approach.

Roberto Mancini had also opted for his usual formation, which has a lone striker. With ten midfielders on the pitch, it was bound to be congested there, and neither team could find a way through early on.

After a few minutes, the City players began to show that they, like the fans, were up for this match. They were energetic, pressing in defense, and starting to find space from which to attack. The first chances in the game came to City.

A few minutes later, momentum shifted sharply and suddenly to United. Berbatov had two incredible chances, both within the 6 yard box. Both came within the space of a minute, but neither produced a goal. Like tearing off a band-aid, it was over before fans even felt the pain, but it left hearts racing.

The first shot came on a defensive error from City. Lescott cleared the ball right to United’s Carrick. With quick one touch passing, the ball moved from Carrick to Scholes to Park to Berbatov, making a run through the center of the defense. He went one-on-one with the keeper, but Hart saved it brilliantly, the ball bouncing out for a corner.

Quickly, United took the corner short, Evra passing to Nani. Nani sent Zabaleta the wrong way and then passed across goal. Berbatov saw it and made a run in, followed closely by Kolarov. Berbatov, Hart, and Kolarov all converged on the ball. Berbatov got a foot to it first but somehow sent it soaring up over the post from only 3 yards in front of goal.

Had it gone in, it would have been a typical goal from United, who seem crouched like a cat, waiting to pounce on any error.

United kept up the pressure and held the momentum for 15 minutes still. They produced more chances (though none like the first two), while City managed none.

Soon, though, City had seized the initiative again. They attacked and made chances. Shots came from Barry, Balotelli, Lescott, and Kompany. The whole team continued to press in defense. Johnson and Silva both intercepted United passes.

City were taking control in part due to Mancini’s tactics. He stood on the touch line waving players forward, encouraging them to move up and attack. He pushed the defensive line forward, keeping United further away from City’s goal and City closer to United’s.

Of course, all this attacking comes with risks in defense. In particular, it makes the team more vulnerable to balls over the top. However, Berbatov doesn’t have speed to easily exploit that in the center. Nani and Valencia would also be threats on the wings. But Mancini bet that Zabaleta and Kolarov could keep them in check. And so far, they had done just that.

United were not done yet, though, and as time ran out in the first half, they managed to create more chances. Still, City were the better team, and City fans were starting to believe. In the final minutes of the half, City supporters were singing loudly.

The more pessimistic fans had been anxiously counting down the seconds until the half-time whistle, but during the break, optimism was again setting in. City had held off the cat for one half. Could they do it again? City had created some chances. Could they nick a goal?

If the fans had again filled with belief, so too had the City players. They came out for the second half full of energy, while United’s players looked flat. City were getting forward, attacking as Mancini had instructed. And they were pressing relentlessly in defense.

Seven minutes into the half, that pressing came center stage. United played the ball back to the keeper, to safety, but four City players were in and around the penalty box. This time it was City who were the cat waiting to pounce.

The attempted clearance by van der Sar left something to be desired, and Silva was there to get a foot to it. The ball bounced to a United defender who passed sideways to Carrick. Carrick tried to quickly pass it up to Scholes, but Yaya Touré was right there applying pressure. He intercepted the ball, and in a burst of pace and power, went past Carrick and then Vidic. Touré put the ball between the legs of van der Sar and into the back of the net.

City fans at Wembley and watching all over the world went wild. Touré ran and leapt toward the corner flag. Adam Johnson was the first to him, and he piled on top. Then the rest of the team joined.

The game was far from over, though. And City fans perhaps know best that this is precisely the moment when United are the most dangerous. They push even harder and take the game back from you.

Instead, City refused to cede momentum. Mancini’s men continued to attack and press. They made more interceptions and created more chances. Balotelli, Lescott, and Johnson all had shots.

Little was working for United, so Sir Alex Ferguson decided to move to a more attacking formation. He removed Valencia, who had contributed little, and brought on a second striker in Javier Hernandez.

Despite the obvious risks from Hernandez’s pace, Mancini’s men continued to get forward, attack, and play high up the pitch. City still had the momentum, but this was something to worry about. However, the worry did not last long.

Scholes and Zabaleta went for a ball with boots high. Zabaleta got there first. Scholes brought his boot over the ball and planted it hard into Zabaleta’s thigh. The ref pulled out his red card and sent Scholes to the dressing room. Cuts and raised bruises were visible on Zabaleta’s thigh, but he continued to play.

Finally, some relief came to nervous City fans. It looked like they were going to pull out the historic win.

But the anxiety was not over yet. Even at 10 men, United continued to push hard. City were tired and their pressing had slowed. United started to get chances.

Mancini, who had been urging them forward throughout most of the game, was now yelling at his forwards to get back and defend. Though clearly tired, City were still the team that wanted it more. Even with 5 minutes of added time, the defense that came through in so many matches could not be breached this night.

Three… two… one… jubilation!

Coaches and players on the bench spilled onto the field, embracing. In front of the cheering City fans, they turned their backs and did the Poznan.

Mancini and his men knew how much this meant to City fans. City reach their first FA cup final in 30 years. If they win, it will be their first FA cup since 1969 and their first major trophy in 35 years. The gift that fans had been waiting for all that time had finally been delivered. Fans who had supported this club through years of ups and downs were hit by a wave of emotion. Grown men could not hold back the tears.

Of course, City hope that this great victory will be the first of many to come. But even when the trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams, this win will not be forgotten. This win was special.

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Liverpool 3 Manchester City 0

2011-04-11T22:11:00.002+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Monday 11 April 2011, 20.00 KO

City: Hart, Boyata, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Barry, Y Touré, Milner (Silva 59), A Johnson, Tevez (c) (Balotelli 13 (de Jong 83)), Dzeko
Unused: Taylor, Zabaleta, McGivern, Wright-Phillips
Goals: -
Booked: -

Referee: Mark Halsey
Man of the Match: Gareth Barry

The game started brightly, with both sides feeling out the other. Tevez tried a run on the Liverpool goal, while Kompany was in the right place to clear a low cross into the City box. Adam Johnson then tried to weave his way long the Liverpool goal-line, but the ball had run just out of play before he could get the cross in.

Dirk Kuyt had the first shooting chance of the game, after a neat chest down from Carroll to Suarez and a block by Gareth Barry could only fall to the Dutchman. His effort, though, was skied well over Hart’s crossbar. Hart was in action a minute later, though as Suarez found himself one-on-one with the England keeper, who touched his low shot onto the post. Boyata then headed a Tevez cross over the bar at the other end.

With just over 10 minutes played, there was a lucky break of the ball to Suarez and he crossed for the near post, leaving Barry to nod behind for a corner. Lescott cleared it well, but it found its way to Flannigan on the left wing and he put a delightful ball back into the middle, which needed a head from Kompany to concede another corner, as Liverpool pressed.

With 12 minutes on the clock, that pressure told. A speculative shot from inside the City half deflected off Kompany as far as Andy Carroll on the edge of the box. The big striker took it first time and smashed it past Joe Hart, who got a hand to the ball, but couldn’t keep it out. It went from bad to worse for City, though, who then lost Tevez to injury seconds after the restart.

City had to hang on under a spell of Liverpool pressure, but the home side didn’t threaten Hart’s goal. Trying to respond at the other end, Boyata stood a ball up to the back post for Balotelli to head, but he could only get underneath it, as City were rocking. Aurelio, though, was lucky not to see more than yellow for a two footed challenge that left Johnson on the deck.

The resulting free kick was deflected behind from Balotelli and the corner cleared to Kolarov, who found Milner and Dzeko in the middle. Dzeko turned and shot at goal, but it was a good few yards wide from the City forward. Adam Johnson then worked his way into the box, but couldn’t get around Skrtel and Balotelli was inches away from connecting from a Kolarov drilled shot across goal.

But just as City were seemingly getting themselves back into the game, Liverpool doubled the lead. A ball to the back post was blocked by Kompany and it broke to Kuyt on the right side of the box. Kolarov didn’t close him down quickly enough and he slotted it past Joe Hart, giving City a mountain to climb.

From the restart it was three. It was sixes and sevens at the back as Kolarov didn’t climb with Andy Carroll and he nodded it straight past Joe Hart after just 35 minutes. City tried to rally before half time and a low ball in by Johnson was cleared from the penalty spot, but City were toothless in attack. A deflected Kolarov free kick was then nodded wide by Lescott.

The second half started as the first ended. Kolarov was caught out of position and Carroll found some space in the middle of the pitch to shoot at goal, but Gareth Barry was there to block, before it made its way through to Joe Hart. Kuyt then found a free header inside the box from a corner and should have made it four.

Another Liverpool corner just after the hour cause more chaos in the City box, as Lucas found another free header. Hart then flapped at the return ball before it was driven out of play on the far side. City managed to get the ball inside the Liverpool box, but it came to nothing as Dzeko couldn’t find room for the shot.

Kuyt then had an effort deflected away by Barry, after Suarez had broken at Kompany, but, fortunately for City, it came to nothing. Balotelli then had a speculative effort from 45 yards that flew well over. There was then more chaos in the City box as Kompany couldn’t get the ball away and Suarez sliced a volley wide.

Yaya Touré stepped up a gear in the midfield on 75 minutes and managed to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but he dragged it well wide and Reina wasn’t troubled. Kolarov then got away by slipping midway into his own half, as Kuyt put the ball out of play. Balotelli then fluffed his lines again, trying to find Dzeko free on the right, but it bounced through to Reina.

Touré then didn’t help Dzeko on the edge of the box, who could only lift it back towards the Ivorian. It was cleared and knocked across the Johnson by Barry, who curled a cross towards the back post, but Reina dealt with it comfortably. Kuyt then managed to get the ball ahead of Kompany and find Suarez, but he couldn’t put the return into the net. Yaya Touré stung Reina’s gloves with a drive from range.

Andy Carroll nearly grabbed his hat trick on 88 minutes, as Lescott was denied a foul against Kuyt, before Kolarov was beaten too easily by Suarez and he found the Geordie’s head at the back post. It was worrying Hart, but it was just over the bar. City’s worst performance of the season left them with the worst possible build-up for the coming semi final.

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Manchester City 5 Sunderland 0

2011-04-03T19:29:00.002+01:00

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 3 April 2011, 16.00 KO

City: Hart, Boyata (McGivern 70), Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, de Jong, Y Touré, Silva (Wright-Phillips 79), Balotelli, A Johnson (Vieira 67), Tevez (c)
Unused: Taylor, Barry, Milner, Dzeko
Goals: A Johnson (9), Tevez (pen 15), Silva (63), Vieira (67), Y Touré (73)
Booked: Kolarov, Vieira

Referee: Howard Webb
Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

Having seen results go their way the day before, City knew that the game against Sunderland was an ideal opportunity to regain their form. And, having won all of their previous encounters at home in the Premier League, City got off to a fantastic start, hardly letting the visitors get a touch of the ball.

Balotelli had the opening shot of the game, but his furious drive was charged down, as the hosts looked for the early goal. And, a minute later, that goal came courtesy of Adam Johnson. He received a return ball from the right from Yaya Touré and smashed it into the net from just inside the box.

And just when Sunderland needed to keep it tight, City hit them with a quick counter attack. Tevez was played in with a neat ball over the top and all Phil Bardsley could do was bring him down in the box. The skipper, though, dusted himself down and slid the penalty into the corner of the net to double City’s lead.

Despite City’s dominance, though, they couldn’t really find a good shooting opportunity – Silva and Kolarov combined neatly down the left, but the pull back to the edge of the box couldn’t pick out a blue shirt and a series of Johnson corners were just about cleared with some last gasp defending from the visitors.

Sunderland began to work up some possession, but were nothing more than toothless in attack: Joe Hart covering his post for a long range volley the closest the City keeper came to seeing any of the action. At the other end, Kolarov drove a shot right at Mignolet and a Tevez near touch and shot was deflected wide. City were cruising at the break.

The first action of the second half saw Roberto Mancini prove that he’s not lost it, as he expertly controlled a high ball, after Vincent Kompany had cleared the early danger towards the dugout. Johnson could have put City three goals in front after some fantastic interplay between Silva and Tevez, but he was just offside, before Sunderland added Zenden to try and get back into the game.

It didn’t work, though, as City pulled themselves further in front. Tevez broke quickly down the right flank and played an early, low ball in for Balotelli. The Italian’s shot was blocked, but David Silva popped up on the edge of the six yard box to slot the ball into the net and seal game with just over an hour played.

Adam Johnson was then replaced to a standing ovation by Patrick Vieira and it was good to have him back on the pitch; proving he can provide that spark that City had been lacking in recent weeks. And it turned out to be an inspired substitution, as Vieira’s first touch of the ball – from a left wing corner – saw him knock it over the line, despite Mignolet’s best efforts to keep it out.

With just under 20 minutes to play, City did their goal difference even more good, as Yaya Touré got his name on the scoresheet. Cattermole got himself in trouble on the right wing and tried to look for his goalkeeper with a chipped pass. Some smart centre-forward play by Tevez though, made sure that Touré could nip in and chip the ball over the on-rushing Mignolet to complete City’s best league haul of the season so far.

The game petered to a close, with Joe Hart still untroubled by the Sunderland attack, collected some simple knock downs and a long range shot from Zenden with consummate ease. Balotelli almost added a sixth goal for the blues in stoppage time, but Mignolet pulled a save right from the top drawer to deny him.

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Chelsea 2 Manchester City 0

2011-03-20T18:24:00.001Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 20 March 2011, 16.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany (c), Lescott, Kolarov, Barry, de Jong, Y Touré (Balotelli 81), Milner (A Johnson 81), Silva, Dzeko
Unused: Taylor, Boyata, Boateng, Vieira, Wright-Phillips
Goals: -
Booked: Milner, de Jong, Barry

Referee: Chris Foy
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

The opening exchanges were tentative with both sides having a cross into the box well dealt with – Lescott clearing for City and Cech catching for Chelsea. But, then it was City who took the initiative and pressed into the Chelsea half. Dzeko couldn’t get a shot away as he broke down the left, before Touré stung Cech’s gloves and Silva’s cross from the rebound was taken away from Dzeko by Richards.

Yaya Touré then dummied in the box and allowed the ball to run through to Dzeko from Kolarov, but the centre-forward wasn’t expecting the ball and couldn’t get it under control and the Chelsea defence could clear the danger.

But then it was the home side who should have opened the scoring. Milner wanted a foul on the right wing, but it wasn’t given and Chelsea were able to break with Torres. He found Kalou, who tripped up over his own man Ramires when through on goal, and Hart was able to collect the ball.

The ball then broke for Kalou on the edge of the box and he cut inside. Neither Milner nor Richards could get the challenge in and Kompany forced it away. Cole, latching onto the rebound, scooped his shot well over the bar, as Chelsea began to grow into the game.

Lescott and Barry then combined to deny Torres a shooting opportunity, after Kompany had found Dzeko, but Touré couldn’t quite slot Silva in after the Bosnian’s lay-off. Some Chelsea possession then resulted in a Lampard effort from the edge of the box, but it was on his left foot and was nowhere near Joe Hart’s goal.

With 20 minutes played, Lescott was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty for handball as the ball was crossed into the box, but neither the linesman nor the referee considered it enough for a spot kick. It was certainly a “seen them given” type.

Kolarov then hit a free kick straight at Cole, before there was a scramble in the City area as Torres fired in a cross and Lescott could only loop it into the air. Hart, though, was off his line quickly to punch and Kolarov could complete the clearance. Hart then pulled off a great save against Lampard, but the England midfielder was offside – though the City shot stopper wasn’t to know.

Milner was then unfortunate to pick up a yellow card for a challenge that was no different to those that had gone before it from the home side, giving Chelsea a free kick on the edge of the box. Lampard’s kick, though, was straight into the wall. Milner then did well to get around Cole, but he couldn’t do the same to Terry, with Dzeko and Touré waiting in the area. He then couldn’t get a shot in inside the box, after some good possession from the visitors.

Kompany was then caught out of position after Richards gave the ball away in the middle, but Lescott did his job in holding up Kalou and de Jong put in a fantastic tackle to deny Torres a shot on goal. The resulting corner bounced up in the box, but Milner was able to clear.

City then wanted an offside flag against Ramires, but the assistant rightly played on, leaving the Chelsea man to square for Lampard. Kompany, though, read the danger and put in a brilliant challenge to get rid of the danger. Ramires was then rightly flagged offside from the rebound.

As half time approached, Richards clashed heads with Malouda and Milner was penalised for handball, despite the attention of four Chelsea players – including a studs-down-the-heel challenge from Kalou – and City felt quite aggrieved with the decision. Kompany and de Jong then combined well to see the ball behind for a City goal kick.

Kompany slipped as the ball was then put into the box by Cole and Kalou swivelled and shot at goal, but Hart was able to get both hands on it and hold the shot, as Chelsea looked for the lead to take into the break. City, though, wanted the same, as Kolarov fizzed a low ball into the box that needed Luiz to clear and a City corner was well cleared by Terry and it was even at the break.

Chelsea carved out a great opportunity to take the lead five minutes into the second half as Kolarov gave the ball away on the halfway line, but Malouda’s effort from the penalty spot – via Torres and Kalou – was tame and Hart was able to collect, as City were stretched.

De Jong then gave the ball away in the midfield and Chelsea broke forward. Lescott and Kompany combined to stop Torres and Lescott’s clearance bounced off Cole and behind for a goal kick, as City began to ride their luck. Silva then tried to slip Touré in, but it was just a yard too far for him and Cech was out to smother the ball.

Dzeko then tried to break onto a raking pass from Milner and couldn’t get past Luiz, who then had too much for Kolarov. He laid it forward and de Jong took a yellow card for the team to prevent the home side’s breakaway. Some Chelsea pressure then finished with Ivanovic smashing a shot well over the bar from the edge of the box.

Lescott then did well to block Torres off and, from the resulting corner, Ivanovic thought he had given the home side the lead with a free header. He climbed well and headed well, but it hit Kompany and bounced behind, as City were beginning to hold on for their lives.

Dzeko then fired a shot straight at Luiz and then did well to win a free kick on the left wing. Milner delivered it and found Dzeko’s head and he flicked it towards the back post. Cech was beaten, but so was the post, as the ball drifted behind in one of City’s isolated chances.

With just over 15 minutes to play, City carved out their best chance of the game on the break. Silva chipped the ball to Kolarov on the left and the Serbian cut inside to the box. Via Touré and Milner, the ball found its way to Silva in the box and he looked for Kolarov, who couldn’t get a shot away.

David Luiz then won a free kick from a tired Richards challenge on the left wing and it turned out to be a disastrous free kick for City to give away. Kolarov wasn’t tight enough to Luiz and he headed past Joe Hart from the edge of the six yard box and City’s 80 minutes of hard work was undone.

Kolarov then flicked on a Drogba free kick and almost put it into his own net, before Richards dived in to block a fierce shot from Cole and Lescott was on hand to clear the danger in the middle. City tried to get the ball into the box and almost had a chance when Terry misjudged a header, but Luiz was on to Balotelli’s touch.

City had the chance to get the ball in the box and we perhaps unfortunate not to get a penalty when it looked like Drogba tripped Richards from the second ball in. But then, as City piled forward, they were hit on the break as Ramires found himself through on goal and he slotted it past Hart to take the hosts above the visitors with a game in hand.

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Manchester City 1 Dynamo Kyiv 0

2011-03-17T22:29:00.002Z

Europa League Round of 16, Leg Two

Thursday 17 March 2011, 18.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov (Milner 89), de Jong, Barry (A Johnson 71), Y Touré, Silva (Dzeko 76), Balotelli, Tevez (c)
Unused: Taylor, Boyata, Vieira, Wright-Phillips
Goals: Kolarov (41)
Booked: Tevez, Kompany, Silva, de Jong, Y Touré
Sent Off: Balotelli

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

Needing two goals without reply to just force extra time, City were up against it from the off. And they were out of the traps quickly, as an early goal would have gone a long way to help with the confidence and the mountain ahead. Tevez had a run at the Kyiv defence, but couldn’t find a way through, before Balotelli, somehow, missed an open goal from two yards, skying a Richards cross.

It was almost trouble for City, though, after just five minutes, but Joe Hart was down smartly to his right hand side to stop the visitors killing the tie off with an away goal. Balotelli then headed over from a Kolarov corner, as City pressed for a way back into the fixture.

As the half settled down, City began to keep possession in the Kyiv half and the visitors were looking to attack on the break, keeping the game stop-start and not allowing the home side to play. It worked, but when City could get moves going, they looked dangerous – as Balotelli accidentally blocked a Silva shot that would have worried the goalkeeper.

But then, as City were looking for a way back into the game, their task got a lot harder. Balotelli was shown a straight red card with ten minutes of the first half to play, seemingly for a karate-kick style challenge onto Popov’s chest, as he tried to clear the ball. City’s mountain had become even steeper.

Though City gave themselves a helping hand soon after. A free kick on the edge of the box was tapped to Kolarov and, after taking a touch to get the ball out of his feet, the left back thundered a shot through the penalty area and into the net. The keeper should have done better, but City weren’t complaining.

And City produced the move of the match so far with some neat interplay between Kolarov, Tevez and Silva right on the stroke of half time, but after the Spaniard had laid it off to Touré, the Ivorian couldn’t get his shot on target, skewing it more towards the corner flag.

Kyiv were then lucky to keep eleven men on the pitch after a high challenge on Tevez on the edge of the box. From the resulting free kick, Richards launched himself at the cross, but his header cleared the crossbar. Yarmolenko then fired in Kyiv’s best effort from 30 yards, but it was comfortable for Joe Hart.

Silva then broke into the box and won a corner with a deflected shot, when he should have perhaps found Tevez on the edge of the box, before Lescott saved City from needing to score even more by heading a corner off the line, as Hart was beaten.

City began to pour forward looking for their equaliser, but that left them open to the counter attack and it needed de Jong to take a yellow card for the team to prevent a three-on-two in the visitors’ favour. Kolarov then won a corner as his drilled cross was almost headed in for an own goal, before Kompany had to rescue a deep ball into the box, but Dzeko couldn’t get the ball back into the mix.

With five minutes to play, Hart had to get down to give away a corner and keep City in the tie, as an away goal at this point would definitely kill off the home side. As the board went up for added time, Dzeko turned and drilled a fierce shot at goal, but the goalkeeper was across well to make the save.

As a final roll of the dice, City had a free kick on the edge of the box: Yaya Touré drilled the ball in and Tevez was millimetres away from getting a touch past the goalkeeper, but he couldn’t and the keeper was able to take the shot with ease. And with that, City’s hopes of a European trophy were over, the damage being done in the first leg.

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Manchester City 1 Reading 0

2011-03-14T03:05:00.003Z

FA Cup Quarter Final

Sunday 13 March 2011, 16:45 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, de Jong (Barry 84), Vieira (Balotelli 70), Y Touré, Wright-Phillips (Boyata 90), Silva, Tevez (c)
Unused: Taylor, Razak, Jo, Dzeko
Goals: Richards (74)
Booked: Kompany, Richards

Referee: Lee Probert
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

With the FA Cup draw having already been made before kick-off, City knew that a victory over Reading would set up a mouth-watering Manchester derby at Wembley. And it didn’t look like City wanted that place in the semi-final, as the game got off to a slow start, with neither team taking the initiative.

In the opening ten minutes, Wright-Phillips was flagged just offside from a Silva through ball, a Kolarov corner was too deep for Vieira to nod back and Lescott had to be alert to get in a timely clearance as the visitors tried to break.

Wright-Phillips was then denied by a great save as he broke into the area and, from the rebound, Silva was denied by an even better save, as he attempted to slot it into the net while the goalkeeper was still on the ground. Unfortunately for the home side, though, it fell to the Spaniard’s right foot and he couldn’t get the power in his finish.

Kompany picked up a yellow card for a late challenge, before Wright-Phillips again went close from the right side of the box, firing the ball into the side netting as Alex covered his post. Kolarov then put a City free kick over the bar, as the home side tried to create that crucial chance.

Just before the half hour, Yaya Touré should have scored when he found himself one-on-one with Alex, but he drilled his shot straight at the goalkeeper and the ball bounced out for a throw-in. Silva then miss-kicked a golden opportunity at the back post, before a move involving him and Wright-Phillips ended with a shot straight at Alex.

The second half arrived and City tried to continue where they left off – but hoping to turn that pressure into goals. Kolarov caused panic in the Reading box with a wicked corner delivery and Tabb was needed to clear it off the line, before Kompany sliced the ball behind for a Reading corner, though the hosts cleared comfortably.

Tevez was then unlucky not to find the net with a cute flick after some good work by Silva to wriggle free in the box, before Wright-Phillips won the ball on the edge of the box and crossed for Tevez, but the Argentinean’s shot was miss-kicked and didn’t make the goal. Goal number 51 just won’t go in for him at the moment.

With 66 minutes played, Richards headed down into the ground and it was looping into the back post until a touch from Alex put it behind for a City corner. It was a sign of things to come, though, and six minutes later, the right back connected to a Silva corner and powered the ball into the back of the net.

That prompted a spell of pressure from the visitors. They weren’t, however, able to create a clear cut chance – the best coming from Shane Long as he got the better of Lescott, but couldn’t beat Joe Hart, who was able to hold onto the forward’s shot. After four minutes of added time and added pressure, City held on for their first trip to the new Wembley and the first FA Cup semi final since 1981.

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Dynamo Kyiv 2 Manchester City 0

2011-03-10T22:25:00.001Z

Europa League Round of 16, Leg One

Thursday 10 March 2011, 20.05 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta, Barry (c), Y Touré, Kolarov (Wright-Phillips 82), Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli (Tevez 57)
Unused: Taylor, Boateng, Boyata, de Jong, Vieira
Goals: -
Booked: Balotelli, Tevez

Referee: Florian Meyer
Man of the Match: David Silva

With Dynamo Kyiv having won their last Europa League tie by a large aggregate scoreline, City knew that this first leg would be a tough game. Temperatures were low and the pitch was rock solid, but it was the visitors who had the first chance, as Balotelli volleyed over from a deep corner.

Kyiv responded with some pressure on City’s goal, but Milevskiy dragged his shot well wide of Hart’s goal. Kolarov’s low ball into the Kyiv box almost caused a mix-up between goalkeeper and defenders, but the home side just about cleared.

Some more pressure from the home side was decisively ended by Lescott and Kompany, before the English centre-back carried the ball forward. After a quick one-two with Dzeko, he found Silva, who looked to slip Richards in behind the defence, but the goalkeeper was off his line quickly to snatch the ball.

With nearly 20 minutes on the clock, City were given a shooting opportunity in the Kyiv half as David Silva was fouled, but from the resulting free kick Kolarov could only find the arms of Shovkovskiy. Kolarov then had another effort from the edge of the box, this time from open play, after Dzeko had done well to keep it and Zabaleta had done well to touch it on.

But, with City having the better chances, it was Kyiv who took the lead. A shot from the edge of the box flicked off Kompany and prevented from going behind for a corner by Richards. That allowed the ball to be fired back into the City box and neither Hart nor Kolarov could get there first and Shevchenko knocked it into the net.

City tried to respond immediately with a free kick from Balotelli, but he scuffed it straight to the Kyiv defence. Yaya Touré then delivered a left wing free kick into the box, but it was well cleared. Two City corners almost allowed Kyiv to break, but each time the quick attack was snuffed out.

Kyiv wanted a penalty for a foul on Milevskiy, but there was nothing doing from the referee. Shevchenko then stayed on his feet to win a corner for Kyiv and could have done more damage to City, but he volleyed over as the visitors failed to clear their lines.

A quick free kick was then worked to David Silva on the edge of the box, via Barry and Dzeko and he crossed for Richards at the back post, but the right back’s jump was just too soon and the ball was just too high and he couldn’t connect. A poor delivery from a Kolarov free kick then allowed Kyiv to break and it could have been another shooting chance for the home side, save for some good defending from Zabaleta.

Milevskiy then found a shooting chance on the edge of the box after Barry couldn’t intercept Varmolenko’s low cross, but he couldn’t trouble Joe Hart and City got into the break without further damage.

The first talking point of the second half concerned Mario Balotelli… City kicked off with ten men, while Balotelli was late arriving to the pitch. From there, Shevchenko shot over from the edge of the box and Zabaleta was lucky to escape a yellow card for a rash challenge in the Kyiv half.

Kolarov then turned in onto his right foot from the left wing and unleashed a shot on his weaker foot that needed flicking over the bar. Balotelli’s corner then came to nothing, as the keeper caught it at the second attempt. Balotelli then ended a mazy run with a foul and City lost possession.

A nice ball from Tevez then almost sent Richards through in the area, but Yussuf read his intentions and got a foot in, before Tevez then found Silva on the edge of the box. He lost his shooting opportunity, but it found its way to Touré, who forced a good save from Shovkovskiy.

Milevskiy then nutmegged Richards with a slide-rule shot, but it wasn’t fooling Hart and the City keeper got hold of the ball. Dzeko then tried to slip Tevez in at the other end, but his pass was just too long for the Argentinean and he couldn’t get there before the goalkeeper.

Hart then needed to be off his line quickly to deny Shevchenko a shooting chance, after some neat interplay from Kyiv set them free down the right wing. Dzeko then couldn’t find room for the shot inside the home team’s box.

A City corner was then nodded as far clear as Kolarov. The Serbian put the ball back into the box and Lescott nodded it towards Tevez, before receiving the return on the edge of the box and striking it at goal. The keeper, though, saw it all the way and was able to hold on, but it was a good effort from the centre-back and City looked to be getting nearer.

Tevez then tried to slip Silva in, but the Kyiv defence blocked the pass. It bounced back to Tevez and he tried again, but Silva wasn’t expecting it and it was cleared as far as Zabaleta. His scuffed effort nearly fell for Silva, but he couldn’t readjust his body in time to put the ball in the net.

But, just as it looked like City were getting themselves back into the game, they were pegged further behind. A flicked header from Kompany inside the area unluckily fell to Gusev. Richards couldn’t react and Gusev smashed it past Hart for Kyiv’s second goal of the night and City were now desperate for an away goal.

Tevez tried to respond immediately, but couldn’t win a corner and was booked for arguing the point, before his shot took a deflection and bounced straight into the arms of Shovkovskiy.

Wright-Phillips almost had an instant impact as he tried to slide the ball through to Richards – who was playing as a makeshift centre-forward – but it was just over hit and City were getting desperate. Gusev then had a deflected effort well held by Hart.

With just over a minute before stoppage time, Hart got in to block a three-on-one breakaway and keep City in the tie. Dzeko then got up well in the box and nodded it down to Silva, who had more time than he realised and tried to head it at goal, but it was an easy take for the goalkeeper.

City have it all to do in the return leg.

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Manchester City 1 Wigan 0

2011-03-05T21:05:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 5 March 2011, 17.30 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, Vieira, Barry, Y Touré, Silva (de Jong 84), Balotelli (Kolarov 69), Tevez (c) (Dzeko 86)
Unused: Taylor, Boyata, Boateng, Jo
Goals: Silva (38)
Booked: Richards, Barry, Kompany

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Man of the Match: David Silva

After a strong performance in the FA Cup in midweek, the home side will have been looking for a good start in this tie to get them back on track. But it was the visitors who started the brighter, putting City under some early pressure with a corner headed over by Rodellega.

City responded, though, and Balotelli shot from the edge of the box in a similar position from which he scored against Fulham. This time, though, it was straight at the goalkeeper and should have been a simple save – Al Habsi, however, just about managed to get the ball behind after spilling it. The goalkeeper set the tone for the match, though, skewing a simple clearance out of play and down the tunnel.

City, though, stepped up their play and should have taken the lead as the first half progressed. Silva the architect, he twice weaved his way to the by-line to get in a low cross, but twice City couldn’t find the finish. First, Gareth Barry couldn’t get a shot in as he had to stretch to control and then Yaya Touré couldn’t find room to hit it before he was crowded out.

Rodellega had a shot blocked from inside the City box, before a neat one-two between Silva and Tevez set the Spaniard through, but his cut back this time fell to a Wigan shirt, as City couldn’t make their pressure count.

Richard was then perhaps lucky to have stayed on the pitch for a late tackle on Caldwell, but the referee elected just to show a yellow card for the incident and the City fans could breathe a sigh of relief. It nearly got better too, but Tevez’s break into the area was slid just wide of Al Habsi’s post, before Silva skewed a shot wide of the other post.

With just over the half hour gone, it was Wigan’s turn to think they should have been ahead. A cut back could only be cleared to McCarthy in the box and the Wigan man smashed his shot wide, with Joe Hart left as an observer. It was a big let off for the home side.

But then, City did get themselves in front with a big helping hand from Al Habsi. Silva weaved his way into the box and fired a shot at goal, straight at the goalkeeper. But the Wigan shot-stopper must have taken his eye off the ball and it went straight through him, between his legs and into the net.

Despite being in front at the break, though, City struggled to get going in the second half. It took Yaya Touré to head away from a corner, before Alcaraz hit the post from a Watson flag kick. Zabaleta, though, was able to ease the pressure with a nice turn away from Moses.

Hart was then called into action as a corner was only partially cleared and fell to the feet of McCarthy at the edge of the box. He volleyed it straight back at goal and the England international threw himself at it to push the ball behind for a corner.

With 25 minutes to play, City appealed for a penalty for a handball in the area, but it was an appeal more from the fans than the players and the referee turned it down. A promising City move was cut short by a poor ball from Kolarov aimed at Tevez’s run into the box, after some neat one-touch play from Silva, Touré and Barry.

As the game ticked towards its conclusion, Tevez was crowded out by the corner flag and N’Zogbia fired wide when he could have done better. Kompany needed to be alert to remove the danger as the game entered stoppage time, before Rodellega could have pulled the visitors level, but he underhit a shot that Hart was able to save.

With seconds to play, though, it was Sammon who missed Wigan’s most guilt-edged chance. He found himself through on goal, bearing down on Joe Hart and, with just the goalkeeper to beat, he slid the ball wide of the post. It wasn’t City’s best performance of the season, but it’s the results that matter and the home side took all three points.

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Manchester City 3 Aston Villa 0

2011-03-03T00:30:00.002Z

FA Cup Fifth Round

Wednesday 2 March 2011, 19:45 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta (c), Boateng, Lescott, Richards (Boyata 84), Vieira, Y Touré (Jo 81), Barry, Kolarov, Silva, Balotelli (Tevez 61)
Unused: Taylor, Wabara, M Johnson, Dzeko
Goals: Y Touré (5), Balotelli (25), Silva (70)
Booked: Balotelli

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Man of the Match: Patrick Vieira

After a demolition of Aston Villa at Eastlands over Christmas and having seen a weakened Villa side, City were confident of progressing to the next round. In fact, it looked an appealing tie to get to, with Everton falling at the hands of Reading the night before.

And it was City who came out of the blocks the quicker. A spell of pressure ended with Gareth Barry, booed by the visiting fans, nearly knocking Petrov’s head off with a long range shot and a Kolarov cross being put behind for a corner by Clark.

From that corner, City made their early pressure play. Vieira got a flick on Kolarov’s wicked delivery and the ball bounced back off Clark, leaving Yaya Touré to swivel and smash the ball past Friedel from inside the six yard box. Villa were already struggling and it looked like they were going to have a mountain to climb.

Nevertheless, the goal did spur them into a bit of life, with Barry Bannan firing over the bar after a low cross had found him inside the area. But then, just as Villa appeared to be settling into the match, City doubled their advantage. A brilliant pass from Vieira set Balotelli through on goal and it was some finish from the Italian on the half volley, in off the post.

At the half drew to a close, Villa upped the tempo to try and get back into the game. Agbonlahor couldn’t get the better of Boateng in the area, before Heskey shot from just inside the box, forcing Hart into a good save. The shot spilled to Delfounso, but Kolarov was there to put it behind.

City weren’t too far away from a third goal just before half time as Kolarov spotted Balotelli free on the edge of the box, and the Serbian’s low delivery was sliced wide. Nevertheless, City were ahead at the break and had been the better side by a mile.

The second half began to get a little feisty as Agbonlahor fouled Richards on the edge of the box, before Richards went in with a tough, but fair, challenge in return on the Villa man. Dunne and Touré exchanged words, before Balotelli was booked for a stray arm into the face of Herd.

Balotelli was close to finding Touré with a driven free kick from the corner of the box, before Tevez joined the action and immediately got himself into the thick of the action. Soon after, it was his presence in the box that left a Kolarov cross to be nodded down to Silva. He took a touch and fired it straight past Friedel to seal the game.

City tried to finish off the game in style, but a brilliant instinct save from Friedel denied Tevez from a great Barry pass, before Tevez flicked it to Silva who, in turn, flicked it to Jo, but the big Brazilian could only fire it straight at the goalkeeper.

The final action of the game saw Young smash a free kick over Joe Hart’s crossbar and City were safely into the next round to face Reading at home. It won’t be an easy tie, but it could have been worse.

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Manchester City 1 Fulham 1

2011-02-27T18:44:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 27 February 2011, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, Kolarov (Milner 77), Lescott, K Touré, Zabaleta, Barry, Y Touré, Balotelli, Tevez (c), Dzeko (Vieira 62)
Unused: Taylor, Wabara, Jo, Wright-Phillips, Guidetti
Goals: Balotelli (26)
Booked: Balotelli

Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the Match: Pablo Zabaleta

City started the game slowly, but they were able to keep possession of the ball in the Fulham half, though unable to create any clear-cut chances. Boateng whipped in a drive ball into the box, but it was held by Schwarzer and Balotelli headed over as he challenged for a Kolarov corner.

With 16 minutes played, Tevez and Zabaleta linked up well and it could have been better, but the Argentinean full back couldn’t get enough on Boateng’s cross to worry the visiting defence.

Fulham, though, soon showed that they hadn’t come to Eastlands to let City play. Beginning to get a foothold on the ball with some possession in midfield, they attacked quickly with Murphy firing over and Lescott and Touré needing to be on their guards to cut out a quick breakaway.

But then, as the visitors appeared to have settled into the game, Balotelli put City in front with a shot from absolutely nothing. Tevez had the ball on the left side of the penalty area and knocked it back to the Italian. He took a couple of touches inside and curled it expertly into the bottom corner, making it nine goals in 11 starts.

Clint Dempsey was lucky to escape any punishment when he seemed to want to square up to anybody and everybody. First he wasn’t happy with Gareth Barry after a challenge and then it was Yaya Touré who was on the receiving end of his displeasure. Zabaleta then had some of Dempsey’s thoughts, before the referee calmed him down.

A Fulham free kick could have been more fruitful after it was played to Duff on the left. He fired in a low cross that Johnson couldn’t force towards goal and City were able to scramble it clear.

But then, just after the break, the visitors got their equaliser. A quick break down the right let Andy Johnson through and he fired a low ball across goal for Duff to smash in at the back post. The City fans were stunned, but it wasn’t really against the run of play.

And the goal gave the visitors a lift, with Johnson firing a shot straight at Hart, who was able to hold. City were struggling to keep the ball and couldn’t get Tevez, Dzeko or Balotelli involved.

A respite in the Fulham pressure brought a City free kick from 25 yards out, but Tevez lifted it well over the bar, before Balotelli miscued a header from a Zabaleta cross. The crowd tried to gee up the players, but it just wasn’t going right for the home side.

With 20 minutes to play, City had a series of corners that Fulham were struggling to deal with. Both Balotelli and Kolarov were firing the ball into the box, but it wouldn’t go in, despite the efforts of the big men in the box. In all of that action, Kolarov almost scored a cracker – a volley from mid-way into the Fulham half – but Schwarzer touched it over.

As the game wore on, City’s efforts became increasingly desperate and Fulham appeared happy with a point. Boateng and Balotelli shot from a long way out and neither troubled the goalkeeper, but perhaps the best chance fell to Tevez. He was played through by Milner and almost flicked it past Schwarzer, but for the keeper’s fingertips.

In the end, City had to settle for a point, but that made it four seasons in a row where City had taken the lead in this fixture and gone on not to take maximum points. A bad day at the office for the blues, but there’s still a long way to go.

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Manchester City 3 Aris Salonika 0

2011-02-25T00:03:00.001Z

Europa League Round of 32, Leg Two

Thursday 24 February 2011, 20.05 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, Kolarov, Lescott, Kompany (Zabaleta 36), Barry, Y Touré, Silva (Wright-Phillips 81), Balotelli, Tevez (c) (Vieira 81), Dzeko
Unused: Taylor, K Touré, Wabara, Jo
Goals: Dzeko (9, 12), Y Touré (75)
Booked: Kolarov

Referee: Pavel Kralovec
Man of the Match: Edin Dzeko

With the vocal away support, City knew that their opponents would be up for the game and, after a goalless draw in Greece, all it would take was a single goal for them at Eastlands and it could be a difficult task for the home side. But City weren’t going to let the visitors get that good start: Kolarov whipped a first-minute free kick over the bar, before Dzeko got his angles wrong from a corner and sidefooted well wide.

Kolarov tried another free kick shortly after from the right wing, but that too was over the bar, as City tried to make their early possession and pressure pay. And, soon enough, it did: Lazaridis couldn’t deal with a ball over the top, allowed Dzeko to steal in and fire across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner with a fine finish.

Tevez and Balotelli both had a shot from the edge of the box, but both times they couldn’t generate enough power in their efforts and the goalkeeper was able to hold on to them both without too much difficulty.

But then it got better. A City breakaway down the left flank was quickly switched to the right, via Silva and then Tevez, and Dzeko switched the ball from his right foot to his left, cutting inside, and he fired it into the same corner as he scored his first to double City’s lead.

Balotelli was showing off the skills on 15 minutes, backheeling for Tevez to shoot, but it bobbled behind for a corner, before Balotelli had a go himself from a free kick from a long way out. The goalkeeper couldn’t hold it, but nobody in blue could latch on to the rebound before he dived on the loose ball.

Aris threatened the City goal for the first time midway into the first half, but Hart’s dive was just to cover his post as Vangeli shot wide. City then lost Kompany to injury, after he appeared to take a knock in going for a header.

Just before the break, a Tevez shot took a deflection that beat Sifakis, but luck was with the visitors as it bobbled just wide of his post for a corner. Zabaleta got in on the shooting action from the edge of the box, but his left footed drive was wide.

With a minute of the half to play, Dzeko should have had his first City hat trick, as he was sent clean through on goal by Tevez. The big Bosnian tried rounding the goalkeeper, but a combination of him and his defenders got enough on the ball to ensure Dzeko didn’t get his and City’s third goal.

Aris came out for the second half quicker than the home side, with a plea for a penalty for a foul by Barry, but the referee turned it down. Dzeko then shot straight at Sifakis, before Bobadilla had an effort from range, but it wasn’t troubling Joe Hart as it flew over the bar.

As the game appeared to be meandering to an end – City were keeping hold of possession and Aris were pressing, but unable to create too many clear cut chances – Balotelli almost put the tie beyond doubt. Breaking down the right, he skipped into the box and fired a low shot across goal. But it hit the post and bounced out, with Dzeko unable to re-adjust to the rebound.

Kolarov almost laid a goal on a plate for Balotelli, but Sifakis got his fingertips to the Serbian’s cross before it reached the Italian, and then Yaya Touré added City’s third of the night. A corner was cleared to him on the edge of the box and he took a touch to control before firing it back and, with the aid of a deflection, he found the bottom corner.

With just minutes to play, Dzeko could have had his hat trick, but the ball skipped off the surface and ran away from him from a Balotelli flick on. Nevertheless, City were safely through to the last sixteen and face a tie with Dynamo Kiev in the next round.

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Manchester City 5 Notts County 0

2011-02-20T17:44:00.002Z

FA Cup Fourth Round Replay

Sunday 20 February 2011, 14:00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, K Touré (c), Lescott, Richards, Vieira, Y Touré (Barry 81), Kolarov, Silva (Jo 87), Balotelli (Tevez 60), Dzeko
Unused: Taylor, Boateng, Kompany, Nimely
Goals: Vieira (37, 58), Tevez (84), Dzeko (89), Richards (90+1)
Booked: Balotelli

Referee: Mike Jones
Man of the Match: Patrick Vieira

After a tough game the first time round, City knew that Notts County were going to be a difficult opponent. And for the opening stages, it was the visitors who were on top of the game: Hart had trouble with a first minute free kick, before Hughes slipped as he struck a shot and, but for that, it could have caused more trouble than it did.

With ten minutes played, City were struggling to get to grips with their opposition and it showed, as Gow hit a low free kick towards the net and Hart elected to be safe rather than sorry, pushing it behind for a corner. Shortly after, Hawley picked up the ball on the corner of the box and curled an effort around Hart. Many in the ground thought it was in, but it hit the inside of the post and bounced out.

And that was the wake-up call that City needed. Richard put in a perfect cross for Dzeko, who got up to head well, but it was straight at the goalkeeper, who pushed it over the bar. Kolarov then had an effort on goal that was spilled by Nelson and picked up by Silva, but the little Spaniard couldn’t get a cross back into the box, but did win a City corner.

Dzeko glanced a header across goal from that corner, but nobody could get the vital touch into the net, before Richards had a go with his head, but he got under the cross and nodded it over the bar, as City began to turn up the heat. Balotelli almost put Dzeko through, but for some good Notts County defending to get in a block.

With just over ten minutes to go until half time, Silva tried a curling effort from the edge of the box, but it was too high to trouble Nelson, before Balotelli forced an excellent save from the goalkeeper with a first time shot after Silva had weaved his way into the box.

From that resulting corner, though, City made their pressure pay. A great cross from Silva was met by the head of Vieira and the veteran nodded it through the goalkeeper’s legs, via Pearce’s hand, to give City the lead. With a minute to go until the break, Hart had to dive bravely at Hughes’s feet to deny the visitors an equaliser.

The opening exchanges of the second half were nervy, as Kolo Touré helped out Balotelli after the Italian had given the ball away on halfway, before Balotelli couldn’t force a shot at goal as he was crowded out in the area.

But, as the hour mark approached, Vieira doubled his tally and City’s lead, with another header from another corner. The ball was flighted perfectly for the Frenchman’s head and he connected with power, to leave the keeper standing. The concern, though, was for Balotelli and Pearce, who had had a nasty clash of heads in a challenge for the same ball.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Tevez forced a good save from Nelson as he shot from range and City were looking like they were going to cruise to victory. Hart was called upon once or twice for routine saves, but there was nothing troubling him from the visitors – Hawley shot low, before Westcarr skied an effort and the home side were comfortable.

Eight minutes later, though, Hart needed some acrobatics to keep the clean sheet in tact, as Gow hit a volley from the edge of the box. It looked like it would fly past the young England keeper, but he got up well to get both hands on it and force it over the bar.

With just over seven minutes to play, the substitute Carlos Tevez wasn’t going to miss out on the action and he grabbed his 50th goal in a Manchester City shirt. He latched on to a brilliant Dzeko pass, took the ball around Nelson and slid it into the net from an acute angle.

Vieira could have had his first ever hat-trick in professional football two minutes later, but he couldn’t get round a header from a Kolarov free kick and he nodded it wide of the far post. Dzeko then tumbled in the area and it looked a nailed on penalty, but the referee turned it down.

But then Dzeko added to City’s goal tally. A brilliantly weighted pass from Barry sent Tevez through, he drew the goalkeeper and chipped the ball into the six yard box for Dzeko to head into the net from a yard out.

And in stoppage time, it got better. A corner from the left wing fell to Micah Richards in the box and he took a touch to control, before volleying it into the top corner with his left foot. The scoreline perhaps flattered City, but they won’t care about that and it sets up a tie with Aston Villa in the next round.

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Aris Salonika 0 Manchester City 0

2011-02-15T22:37:00.001Z

Europa League Round of 32, Leg One

Tuesday 15 February 2011, 17.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Kolarov, K Touré, Boateng, Wright-Phillips (Balotelli 77), Barry, Y Touré, Silva, Tevez(c), Dzeko (Zabaleta 86)
Unused: Given, Kompany, Jo, Vieira, Lescott
Goals: -
Booked: Dzeko

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco
Man of the Match: David Silva

City had a tough test in Greece, visiting a stadium with a hostile atmosphere and a team that were unbeaten there in over 40 years of European football, having beaten the reigning Europa League champions earlier this season. And it was the home side who had the first ‘half-chance’ as Boateng and Touré couldn’t decide who would clear and Hart had to come and gather.

But then City got hold of the game. Dzeko was just offside as he raced on to a Kolarov chipped ball forward, looking to get into the box, before a dipping shot from Silva forced Sifakis into a decent save. Tevez then shot high and wide before Kolarov put Dzeko in, but he could only stab his shot at the goalkeeper from six yards.

Boateng was then too casual in trying to clear and it almost presented the home side with a chance, before Kolo Touré got enough in the way of a shot to take the sting out of it and City could clear. The visitors could then have been in more trouble after a mix-up between Hart and Barry, resulting in Hart handling outside his box, but Neto put the free kick wide.

It was a typical European night, as the game meandered to half time. The first action of the second half saw Aris win themselves a corner and Kolarov clear under pressure, before Wright-Phillips hit a shot straight at the goalkeeper from outside the box.

Hart was the able to easily pluck a free kick out of the air, a few minutes before Toja fired straight at the City keeper, as the home side looked to get themselves in front. But then it could have been the visitors who had the advantage, after Barry found Dzeko’s head, but a fine one-handed save from Sifakis denied him the goal.

But Joe Hart wasn’t going to be outdone by his counterpart and pulled off a fine save of his own from a long range Neto shot, before Gareth Barry was in to block a goalbound effort from Michel.

With 70 minutes played, Dzeko fired wide of the goal, before he wanted a penalty for a challenge in the area, but the referee wasn’t impressed and waved play on. Kolo Touré was then in the right place to get a backwards header away from the City goal, before Balotelli tried an overhead kick, but to no avail.

City finished the game on the front foot with a couple of corners, but they couldn’t find the away goal. Even so, City will feel confident that they can finish the job at Eastands.

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Manchester United 2 Manchester City 1

2011-02-12T14:46:00.003Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 12 February 2011, 12.45 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Richards, Kolarov (Wright-Phillips 52), Barry, Milner (Dzeko 60), Y Touré, Silva, Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Boateng, K Touré, Vieira, Jo, Dzeko
Goals: Silva (64)
Booked: Kompany, Milner

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the Match: David Silva

United started the game quickly with a series a corners, but none of them were able to trouble the City defence and the visitors were able to clear the danger. It was City who had the best chance of the opening minutes, as Tevez slipped Silva through inside the box, but the little Spaniard poked the ball wide as Van Der Sar closed down the angle.

Nani shot over on 11 minutes from the edge of the box, after Silva had returned the compliment to Tevez and put him through, but the striker’s cross was too deep for any of the supporting players. Yaya Touré then headed over from the back post from a Kolarov free kick.

City wanted a penalty with 15 minutes played for a possible handball by Smalling as Silva put Touré through, but it was nothing doing from the referee and City got themselves a corner. It would have been a harsh penalty and the corner came to nothing.

A spell of United pressure was twice dealt with by Richards flying headers, before a dummy from Yaya Touré left Silva with the chance to break. He ran at the United defence, but couldn’t slip the return to Touré in, sending him too wide and the momentum of the move was lost.

Kolarov then benefited from some neat play between Milner, Tevez and Silva and cut inside from the left flank, working the shooting opportunity. But it was on his right foot and he skied it well over the bar from the edge of the box.

United then fashioned their first good chance of the game with 33 minutes played. Giggs found some space on the left and crossed to the back post where Fletcher was free, but his header was straight at Joe Hart and the City keeper held on to the ball. He then did the same to a deflected Nani shot from the left side of the box.

With 37 minutes on the clock, City wanted a penalty for another possible handball, this time the question was asked with more conviction. Again, though, it would have been harsh on Evra, as he charged down Silva’s goalbound shot before Van Der Sar was needed.

But then, just before half time, United took the lead against the run of play. A ball over the top fell to Nani via Giggs and he slotted the one-on-one past Joe Hart. City had been the better side, but they found themselves behind at the break.

City had the chance to get the ball into the box early into the second half, but Richards’s fired pull back missed everybody and United were able to get the ball back. And it was the visitors who started the second half the better, but they needed to score whilst they were on top. Richards couldn’t quite connect from a corner, before a bad touch from Touré in the box let the ball get away from him.

Rooney then denied Richards a goal by heading off the line from a City corner, before Silva found Van Der Sar’s gloves as he got the chance to shoot from the edge of the box, on 56 minutes. A fantastic tackle from Kompany in the area then denied Rooney the chance to shoot.

Some neat work between Silva and Tevez put the former United man free in the box on 62 minutes and Tevez drilled it towards the front post. Dzeko and Silva missed it and nobody was following up to get the shot away and the danger was cleared.

And then, with 64 minutes played, City got their equaliser. Wright-Phillips drilled in a low cross into the box and Dzeko smashed it whilst falling. His shot hit Silva on the back and looped past Van Der Sar to give City the goal they deserved. Tevez then forced a great save from Van Der Sar with his foot from a header, but it wouldn’t have counted as he was in an offside position.

Four minutes later, Tevez had the chance to shoot from the edge of the box after Silva and Zabaleta had combined on the left, but it was deflected into Van Der Sar’s arms, as Dzeko closed in. Silva then had to be quick to intercept Gigg’s pass into the City box, after he had beaten Touré and Richards and Rooney’s shot was blocked to Hart by Lescott.

Vidic had to nip in to steal the ball ahead of Wright-Phillips in the box, as the little winger tried for a one-two with Dzeko and it would have been a shooting chance for the City substitute. Nani then fired a shot well over the bar.

But then, with 12 minutes to play, City were stung again. A cross in from the right found Rooney between two defenders and he scored perhaps the goal of the season – an overhead kick from the right left side of the box. It was United’s second goal against the run of play and they didn’t deserve to be leading, but it was one of the best goals this fixture has ever produced.

United were lucky not to concede a penalty as Vidic elbowed Dzeko in the box, but the referee missed it, before Zabaleta fired in a volley from the edge of the box that was blocked and a Wright-Phillips deflected effort bounced behind for a corner. Van Der Sar then dropped the ball under pressure as Kompany challenged, but the referee gave a foul when it looked harsher than harsh.

But that was the last of the action and United ran down the clock by the corner flag. City had the chance to build one last attack in stoppage time, but they couldn’t find the vital shot in the closing seconds and it was an undeserved victory for the hosts. United were almost the away team as the visitors dominated possession and goal attempts, but it was a sublime goal that won it.

It will be little consolation to them, but City know that the gap between the sides is now minimal.

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Manchester City 3 West Brom 0

2011-02-05T20:00:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 5 February 2011, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Boateng, Kompany, K Touré, Kolarov, Milner, Barry, Silva (Razak 90), Y Touré (Dzeko 64), Tevez (c) (Wright-Phillips 87)
Unused: Given, Lescott, Vieira, Jo
Goals: Tevez (pen 17, 22, pen 41)
Booked: Zabaleta

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez

In a strange Premier League day where this turned out to be one of the lowest scoring games, City were out to recaptured some good form before the Manchester derby. And it started well for the home side, with Tevez hitting the post and Barry firing a cross past the face of goal, but nobody could get a touch, and a home corner came to nothing.

West Brom got their first chance on goal after a foul by Kompany right on the edge of the box. Brunt whipped the kick around the wall and Hart pulled off a good save to push it well away from the goal. Hart was in action again shortly after to touch a volley from the edge of the box wide of the post and then to knock an Olsson header over the bar.

But, just as the visitors were getting into their game, they shot themselves in the foot. A nice ball from Tevez let Kolarov, who had stepped up to left midfield for this match, turn in the box and he was brought down by Reid for a certain penalty. Tevez stepped up and, having missed his previous two, showed no pressure as he sent the keeper the wrong way.

Four minutes later, it got better for the birthday boy. Tevez played a neat one-two with Silva after having beaten two West Brom defenders and found himself through on goal. He slowed it down, composed himself and slipped the ball past Myhill and doubled his personal tally for the day.

Olsson was then needed to put in a last ditch challenge on Tevez to prevent his hat-trick, before Kolarov decided against the intricate build-up that City had been playing and fired in a ferocious effort from 30 yards that needed fingertips from Myhill to touch it onto the bar.

Silva was then just onside and he had his shot saved by the goalkeeper’s legs, as City began to turn the screw. Tevez then got another chance for his hat-trick, after a handball into the box and the Argentinean smashed the penalty into the box.

Tevez could then have made it four for City and for himself as he slid the ball just wide of the post with Myhill beaten and Silva was inches from getting a vital touch. Hart was in action again soon after as the half approached, pushing away Morrison’s effort to keep the three goal lead of the break.

West Brom tried their luck early in the second half, with an effort from Odemwingie, but it wasn’t troubling Joe Hart. The visitors started the half the better, but City were comfortable dealing with their aerial threat through Kompany and Touré and the home side kept possession well.

As the hour approached, City won themselves a corner and it was flicked to Kolo Touré at the back post. After a moment of trickery, he took on a left footed shot that was deflected wide, when his centre-back partner Kompany was in a good position for a lay-off.

The visitors should have pulled a goal back on 62 minutes, as Fortune found himself clean through on goal after some shocking defending from City. His shot beat Joe Hart, but it was into the side netting and City were off the hook.

Odemwingie then missed the target with a shot before Shorey forced Hart into another good save from a free kick on the edge of the box. City had taken their foot off the gas and were struggling to get any sort of attack going, as the goals were flying in everywhere else in the Premier League.

With just over ten minutes to play, Tevez should have had his fourth after the ball broke to Barry at the back post. He dragged Myhill out of position before rolling it sideways to Tevez, but the man on form scooped the ball over the bar when faced with an open goal.

Dzeko couldn’t stretch far enough to knock a Milner cross into the net, before he had an effort deflected into the keeper’s hands and shot one clean at goal, but that was also straight at Myhill. Wright-Phillips almost made it four in stoppage time after a brilliant run from his own half and an effort to match, but it was pushed to safety by the goalkeeper.

The game ended with some City pressure, but no goal was forthcoming and it turned out that City would be the only Premier League side to keep a clean sheet – not too bad for a team with recent defensive problems.

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Birmingham 2 Manchester City 2

2011-02-02T22:43:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Wednesday 2 February 2011, 19.45 KO

City: Hart, Kolarov, Kompany, Richards (K Touré 37), Boateng, Barry, de Jong (Vieira 45), Milner, Silva, Tevez (c), Dzeko
Unused: Given, Zabaleta, Lescott, Jo, Guidetti
Goals: Tevez (4), Kolarov (40)
Booked: de Jong, Kolarov

Referee: Kevin Friend
Man of the Match: David Silva

City couldn’t have wished for a better start to the game at St Andrews, as Silva picked up the ball on the edge of the Birmingham area and tried to make room for the shot. Crowded out by defenders, he opted instead to slide Tevez through on goal and, after a touch that looked slightly too wide, the Argentinean striker fired the ball back across Foster and into the bottom corner after just four minutes.

The home side responded brightly, but they couldn’t force Joe Hart into a save, as a free kick was placed straight into the City wall and an unmarked Cameron Jerome was found by David Bentley, but his header was well wide and well over the target.

With 17 minutes gone, Hart tipped a Zigic volley over the bar – it may have gone over anyway, but the young England keeper wasn’t to know and he opted instead for safety. A wise decision, as City cleared the resulting corner comfortably.

But, four minutes later, the home side were back level. A free kick from the left flank was poorly crossed into the City box, but nobody dealt with it and Zigic was left to flick the ball under Joe Hart. It was a poor goal from another set piece that undid City and questions will be asked about the marking.

Kolarov then hit the wall with a free kick, before Dzeko had a golden chance to grab his first Premier League goal after some hard work from Silva, but he dragged his shot well wide of the goal. City then lost Richards to a serious looking head injury, as the defender was down for almost seven minutes for treatment before being stretchered from the field.

When the game restarted, Dzeko won a free kick on the edge of the box after he was dragged to the floor by Gardener and up stepped Kolarov to rifle it, low, hard and with plenty of bend, into the bottom corner, as Tevez and Silva lurked.

City finished the half the stronger, after a David Bentley free kick was well cleared. Tevez was almost able to release Dzeko, Silva couldn’t quite reach the ball before the on rushing Foster and Boateng had an effort that was best forgotten, being as it was closer to the corner flag than the net.

It was the home side who began the second half the better, with Kompany missing a clearance leaving Bentley the chance to volley at goal, but it was just over the bar as Hart pulled his hand away, knowing where it was heading. Boateng then forced a comfortable save from Foster as he worked his way into the box.

Kolo Touré was then needed to get the ball off the line after it was loose in the box, but the referee had already stopped the game for a foul on Hart by Zigic. Jiranek then had an air shot in the City box when he had the chance to test City’s keeper, before a great challenge from Touré denied Jerome the chance to run in behind the defence.

City then wanted a penalty after the ball struck Carr’s hand when Milner tried to cross and it was certainly one for the “you’ve-seen-them-given” category. Kolarov then miscued a volley inside the box from a deep cross, before Tevez was neatly found by Silva, but the on rushing Foster was equal to his effort.

Just as it looked like City had done enough to earn all three points without really getting out of second gear, the Birmingham pressure paid off. Phillips turned into Vieira in the box and the veteran striker went to ground, leaving the referee to point at the spot. It was very harsh and dubious at best, but Gardener didn’t care as he smashed it past Hart.

Silva then had the chance to find the net from a poor Foster punch, but his kicked the ground at the same time as the ball and it bounced wide. He was then on defensive duty as Hart lost the ball, after Bentley hit the wall with a free kick. Hart then had to tip a Phillips deflected effort of the bar, before retreating to his line to pluck a header from under the crossbar.

The final chance of the game fell to the visitors, as Kolarov stepped up to take a free kick from roughly the same position as he scored. He came very close at the far post, but it was just wide and City came away from St Andrews with only one point, when they could, and perhaps should, have had three.

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Notts County 1 Manchester City 1

2011-01-30T16:26:00.002Z

FA Cup Fourth Round

Sunday 30 January 2011, 14:00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta (Kolarov 77), Richards (Kompany 88), Boateng, Lescott, Vieira, Barry (c), Milner, Y Touré, Jo (Silva 63), Dzeko
Unused: Given, K Touré, de Jong, Guidetti
Goals: Dzeko (80)
Booked: Milner

Referee: Chris Foy
Man of the Match: Micah Richards

After negotiating a tricky tie with Leicester, City headed for another tricky tie in Nottingham. The home side would be up for the game and the pitch would be a difficult one for the Premier League side, still bearing the remnants of the rugby. And it was the home side that had the first chance of the game: Gow whipping a free kick just wide of Hart’s post. Hart had it covered.

With 8 minutes played, City could have been in front. Dominating the early possession, they worked it wide to Richards on the overlap and he fired in a low cross to the centre, where Yaya Touré threw himself at it. He connected with the ball, but the keeper flung out a foot to deflect the effort over the bar.

Dzeko then had an effort from range, but it was well over the bar, before City worked a free kick from deep, but nobody could connect to Boateng’s low cross. Hart was then almost on the halfway line to find Zabaleta, cutting out a ball over the top with a little dragback to avoid the onrushing Lee Hughes.

Milner then won the ball back well on the right flank, but his cross was too strong for Jo and it bounced behind, before an excellent tackle from Pearce denied Dzeko a chance to turn and shoot inside the box. A deft touch from Milner was then needed to set Dzeko up for a shot, but he didn’t get enough on it and he couldn’t find the big Bosnian.

City then should have done better with a breakaway, but Richards’s ball was behind Barry and Jo’s cross was cut out, before the Brazilian skied the rebound from the edge of the box.

Jo was inches away from connecting to a Milner cross as half time approached, before Milner himself was inches away from connecting to a Darby header back to his goalkeeper. County could have put City under pressure in stoppage time, but the free kick from the centre drifted over everybody in the box.

The second half began evenly, with Richards being alert to deny Hughes a chance to shoot, before a howler from the County goalkeeper Nelson gave City a cheap corner, but the visitors couldn’t capitalise.

With 53 minutes on the clock, Richards forced a low cross into the box, but it was hit over the bar as Dzeko tried to take the shot in his stride. Hart was then alert to catch a shot with Hughes lurking, before Milner’s corner was too deep for everybody in the box.

But then the home side took the lead. Hughes appeared to be fouling Zabaleta in the box, but the referee didn’t agree and that led to a deflection behind when Zabaleta might have done better unimpeded. Neal Bishop rose to nod the corner into the net ahead of Edin Dzeko and the visitors had it all to do.

City’s response was immediate: David Silva in place of Jo. Immediately, he put in a good delivery for Dzeko, but the big Bosnian could only flick it towards goal and it dropped onto the roof of the net.

With 69 minutes on the clock, Gareth Barry was denied a brilliant equaliser by a superb save from Nelson. A City corner was nodded as far as the edge of the box, Barry took a touch and fired in the shot towards the top corner, but the keeper got up well to flick it over the bar.

Then, as it looked like it was going to be another upset, City got their equaliser. Notts County were tiring and a long ball out of their defence was nodded to Boateng by Hart. The German then played in Micah Richards who, after a neat touch around the defender, smashed the ball across the six yard box and there was Dzeko to put the ball in the net for his first City goal.

County, though, could have won the game with a few minutes remaining on the clock. A free kick from 30 yards was whipped across the City area and nobody got a touch, leaving it to bounced behind for a goal kick, with Edwards at the back post inches from putting it in.

A good cross from Kolarov resulted in a moment of chaos in the home side’s box, but nobody could get the vital touch into the net, before Silva won the ball back and fired in a shot that found the net via the post. But it was ruled out for handball, as Silva had illegally won the ball back for the visitors.

That left City with another replay to fit into a busy schedule, but it was a better outcome than it looked like it was going to be for large parts of the second half. A victory in that replay will leave City with a home tie with Aston Villa.

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Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 0

2011-01-22T19:53:00.001Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 22 January 2011, 17.30 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, Kolarov, K Touré, Kompany, de Jong, Y Touré, Barry (A Johnson 56), Silva, Dzeko, Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Lescott, Zabaleta, Vieira, Milner, Jo
Goals: -
Booked: Kolarov

Referee: Howard Webb
Man of the Match: Aleksandar Kolarov

Having seen Arsenal and Manchester United win with large margins earlier in the day, City needed a victory to regain second place in the league. But it was the home side that started the brighter, as Hart had to clear away from Bent, before former City skipper Richard Dunne got up from a free kick to head over the bar.

City then had a good chance to take the lead, but Kolarov’s free kick was just too high for everybody in the box and it flashed wide of the far post, before Barry gave the ball away trying to slide Kolarov into a good crossing position on the counter attack.

It was corners where City were causing the home side problems, with Kolarov’s wicked deliveries, but Kolo Touré couldn’t capitalise with a volley on his left foot. Tevez then couldn’t react quickly enough as everybody missed it in the six yard box, and the ball rolled under his foot and City should really have been ahead.

Instead, it was the home side that got themselves in front. Sloppy play from City at the back gifted the ball to Villa. Young took on the shot from the edge of the box and Joe Hart could only parry it into the path of Darren Bent, who scored on his debut.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Vincent Kompany almost had City level. His header from another fantastic Kolarov corner was powered towards the roof of the net, before the intervention from Brad Friedel, who tipped it over for another corner to the visitors.

Dzeko was then inches from converting another Kolarov delivery, before another header from Richard Dunne was collected comfortably by Joe Hart. The former Villa man Gareth Barry almost levelled for the visitors shortly after, as he nodded a Boateng cross just wide, with the goalkeeper beaten.

Despite City’s possession, they were struggling for shots on target, though the game had been mainly played in the Villa half. Just before half time, the home side were able to ease the pressure, with a chance to double their lead from a fierce Young effort and a Downing free kick, but Hart was able to hold the shots on both occasions.

City continued their dominance of the game after half time, with Tevez firing the first chance wide just seconds in, before Silva was looking for a free kick on the edge of the box as he was fouled by Dunne, but the referee wasn’t interested.

Dzeko then headed over from a corner after his shot had been deflected wide to win the flag kick, before Kolarov smashed a shot straight into Albrighton and Friedel needed a strong hand to bat away a fierce shot from Boateng. The rebound could have gone anywhere, but it fell to a Villa shirt and the home side cleared the danger.

Villa could have nicked a second after a difficult backpass was sliced by Hart straight to Agbonlahor, but the hosts couldn’t capitalise. The City keeper then did well to push a Young shot away, in one of Villa’s isolated attacks.

City then camped themselves into the Villa box, as Johnson wriggled his way to the by-line and found Tevez, but the little striker’s shot was superbly blocked by Collins. De Jong was then denied his first City goal by a flick onto the post from the feet of Clark as the midfielder’s shot from range flew towards the bottom corner. Villa were backs against the wall.

With 5 minutes to play, Dzeko got up ahead of Collins and headed inches wide of the post and Kolarov’s shot took two deflections before finishing just wide, winning City another corner. The left back then latched onto the clearance, but his effort cleared the crossbar.

And with that effort, City’s hopes of an equaliser disappeared. Villa defended very well, having gone in front, but in not converting one of their 24 shots on goal, City will feel very hard done to.

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Manchester City 4 Leicester 2

2011-01-18T23:39:00.003Z

FA Cup Third Round Replay

Tuesday 18 January 2011, 19:45 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Kompany, Lescott, Vieira, Milner, Y Touré (Jo 79), A Johnson, Silva (Barry 64), Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Boyata, K Touré, de Jong, Nimely
Goals: Tevez (16), Vieira (37), A Johnson (38), Kolarov (90+1)
Booked: Vieira

Referee: Mark Halsey
Man of the Match: James Milner

The visitors started brightly and forced a corner from a deflected header that almost beat Joe Hart, before Adam Johnson found himself through on goal, but he wasn’t able to give the home side the lead, slipping as he took the shot and Weale was able to make the save.

Lescott then forced a great reflex save from Hart, as he deflected a cross goalwards and the City keeper was alert to block and then dive on the ball, changing direction quickly. Dyer then fired over for the visitors, as they tried to get themselves in front and take advantage of an uncertain start by City.

Yaya Touré then couldn’t find Tevez or Silva as he played a low cross into the box and Weale was able to see the ball safely behind. But he could do nothing about the next effort, one that put City in front. Tevez received the ball from a throw-in and beat two challenges into the area, before lashing it into the top corner, silencing the visiting fans.

But, just two minutes later, Leicester had a chance to get back into the game. Dyer broke into the box past Kolarov and Vieira, brushing the latter and going down. The referee took his time, but decided the contact was enough to award the penalty, which Gallagher drove into the net.

City looked for a way back in front with a slick piece of passing football that allowed Tevez to drive a low ball towards Yaya Touré, but the Ivorian could only swing his left foot at it and it was straight at Weale in the Leicester goal.

And, just before the break, that City goal came. Tevez played a nice ball over for Zabaleta and he drove his way to the by-line. His pull back landed to the feet of David Silva, who shot at goal on his weaker right foot and forced a good save from Weale, but Vieira was there at the back post to stab the ball home.

Then, as the City fans were taking their seats, they were celebrating again. A defence splitting pass from David Silva slipped Adam Johnson through for his second one-on-one of the night and this time he made no mistake, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper from outside the box and, in the space of a minute, City were two goals clear.

The second half started slowly, but for two pieces of individual skill. First, Kompany miscued a clearance, but was able to turn and beat the on-rushing forward to make up for it, before David Silva almost set himself up with a crossing opportunity by back-heeling it to himself through two defenders.

Tevez skied a shot on 54 minutes after some neat interplay between Yaya Touré and Adam Johnson, before the Argentinean had the chance to put his penalty miss against Blackpool behind him. Through on goal, he was tripped by Hobbs, but his penalty was straight down the middle and saved by Weale.

With 62 minutes on the clock, Adam Johnson could have finished the game after the Leicester defence allowed him through, but he scuffed his shot – which wasn’t easy – and Weale was able to push the ball away to safety.

Leicester had the chance to shoot on the edge of the box after a foul from Barry, but the City wall did its job and Johnson was able to clear the danger. Vieira was then booked for a heated exchange with Dyer, before Jo couldn’t get a shot in when the ball broke to him at the back post.

Then, with 83 minutes played, the visitors set up a grand stand finish. After a large slice of luck where the ball bounced kindly off the referee, Dyer raced on to a pass through the centre that neither Kompany nor Lescott could quite reach and he slotted the ball past the on-rushing Joe Hart.

But, as the game entered stoppage time, it was Aleksandar Kolarov who wrapped up the tie for the home side. After a piece of patient build-up, Adam Johnson cut into the box and slid the ball to Kolarov on the edge. He took a touch and found the space to fire a low drive across Weale and into the bottom corner. City were safely through into the fourth round.

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Manchester City 4 Wolves 3

2011-01-15T19:05:00.003Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 15 January 2011, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, K Touré (Lescott 54), Kolarov, de Jong, Barry, Y Touré, A Johnson (Silva 84), Tevez (c) (Milner 82), Dzeko
Unused: Given, Boateng, Vieira, Jo
Goals: Jones (og 41), Tevez (51,66) Y Touré (54)
Booked: -

Referee: Lee Mason
Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez

City knew that a victory would take them to the top of the Premier League, albeit for a short time depending on United result against Tottenham on Sunday. But it was Wolves who began the game looking like the team who could go top, as City struggled to get going.

Fletcher fired a warning shot wide of Hart’s goal, before the City keeper was in action again to punch away a corner, knocking it out for a throw-in. And the visitors’ pressure paid off on 13 minutes, as a bit of pinball in the City box from a poor clearance by Kolo Touré left Milijas to tap the ball into the net.

Fletcher then could have doubled the lead with a free header, but it was straight at Hart, as the City fans began to wonder whether the home side were going to turn up. They then had another heart-in-the-mouth moment, as Kolarov had to throw himself in front of a shot to prevent what looked to be a certain goal, as Wolves capitalised on a sloppy pass.

City tried to get themselves back into the game, but it didn’t seem to be happening, as Tevez looked for Johnson, but he was flagged offside, before it was roles reversed, as Tevez almost flicked a Johnson cross goalward. Tevez was almost in again seconds later, but Hennessey was down quickly before him.

Tevez then had a go from range and it wasn’t far away from finding the top corner – Hennessey was beaten, but so was the crossbar, as City still struggled to look dangerous.

With half time quickly approaching, Dzeko had a shot deflected wide and City sent the big men forward for the corner. It found its way to Kolo Touré at the back post and he took a touch, before firing a shot at goal. Hennessey saved, but was unlucky to see it bounce off Jones and into the back of the net.

Kolarov could have put City in front at the break, but his effort from a long way out was just about spooned around the post by Hennessey, as, from nowhere, City finished the half on top.

And it was almost as if a completely different City team came out for the second half. The team that had struggled to pick passes, to find room for a shot and had been bossed at their own game by the visitors was gone and a team that looked dangerous had replaced them.

With just five minutes of the half played, a great piece of individual skill put City in front. It was the captain, Tevez, who picked up the ball just inside the box, beat two defenders to get himself a one-on-one, before sliding it under the goalkeeper and City looked to have put their poor first half showing behind them.

Three minutes later, it got better with a clinical breakaway. Tevez slipped the ball to Dzeko on the left and he cut inside to find some space, and placed a deft pass in to Yaya Touré, putting him through on goal. Touré made no mistake and slotted it into the net, to give City a two goal advantage.

As the hour mark approached, Zubar hit the bar for Wolves, leaving Hart beaten with a fierce header from a corner and reminding the home fans that the game wasn’t over. Then a great piece of skill from Dzeko had the fans on their feet, as he turned one challenge and nutmegged a defender to set up another attack.

Dzeko then had a shot deflected just wide, as it looked like it was going to sneak in at the near post, before City added to their lead. The corner was flicked clear as far as Zabaleta who, as it looked like he might have a go from the edge of the box, chipped it back in to Tevez, unmarked, and he nodded it home off the underside of the crossbar.

But, almost immediately, Wolves had a chance to reduce the deficit. Lescott with a clear foul in the box gave Doyle the penalty kick and he fired it home, sending Hart the wrong way and, with over 20 minutes to play, the visitors began to believe they could get back into the game.

A late flag for an offside on Dzeko left the City fans fuming as it looked like he was going to get on and score, before Yaya Touré should have finished the game off, capitalising on a mistake in midfield that left him clean through on goal. But, as he tried to add to his goal tally, Hennessey stuck out a knee and knocked the ball wide.

Though, with four minutes to play, the visitors set the game up for a grandstand finish. Zubar found himself space inside the City box and had a free header from a left wing corner – Hart was beaten and Kolarov thought he’d hacked it off the line, but the linesman said otherwise and awarded the goal.

With four of five added minutes played, Wolves came within inches of an equaliser as a shot was deflected past Hart, who was left helpless, but, fortunately for City, it was just wide of the post. Milner then almost finished the game, after Hennessey had been playing in midfield, as he raced on to a Hart clearance, took it around the goalkeeper, but it was cleared off the line.

There was no time to take the corner and City were hanging on, despite having been three goals in front in the second half, but they did enough to take the points and spend Saturday evening on the top of the Premier League.

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Leicester 2 Manchester City 2

2011-01-09T18:33:00.002Z

FA Cup Third Round

Sunday 9 January 2011, 16:00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, Kolarov, K Touré, Lescott, Vieira, A Johnson, Wright-Phillips (de Jong 45), Milner, Jo (Zabaleta 73), Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Boyata, Santa Cruz, Ibrahim, Nimely
Goals: Milner (23), Tevez (45)
Booked: -

Referee: Mike Dean
Man of the Match: James Milner

City’s FA Cup campaign for this season got off to the worst possible start – just 45 seconds into their third round tie with Leicester and they were behind. A short corner was whipped into the box and Bamba got up before Boateng to nod the ball past Joe Hart, leaving the visitors on the back foot from the off.

The response took 13 minutes: after a spell of solid possession, City forced a right wing corner. It was crossed over towards Vieira, who volleyed on the turn, but it was too close to the goalkeeper and Weale got down well to block. Vieira then couldn’t force the rebound back towards goal.

City began to take control of possession, but they weren’t really creating many chances. A Kolarov free kick was deflected well wide of the goal and the resulting corner came to nothing.

But then, from a moment of brilliant play between Milner and Tevez, the English midfielder pulled City level. After a quick one-two, he cut inside the Leicester defence and smashed the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot for his first goal in a City shirt.

From then, the half became a bit flat. Bamba was again unmarked from a Leicester corner, but he couldn’t head towards goal. Adam Johnson had a glorious chance to put City in front as he slid in to Tevez’s low cross, but he could only poke the ball wide, with Jo in perhaps a better position at the back post.

Though, just as it looked like the teams would go in level, City stole the lead. A short corner was poorly defended by the home side and a low Milner cross left Tevez free to back-heel the ball into the net on the near post.

The second half almost began in similar fashion to the first, with the home side almost putting the ball in the net, but, thankfully for City, the effort was just off target. King then headed just over, as Leicester began to look for a way back into the tie.

With 53 minutes played, The Foxes did have the ball in the net through Gallagher from 50 yards out, though play had long since stopped for a foul on Vieira. Leicester then wasted a good chance to get the ball into the box from a free kick, before City cleared the danger.

As the hour approached, City built up a good attack all the way from the back four, leaving Milner with the chance to hit the shot from the edge of the box. His effort, though, was straight at the goalkeeper, who held the shot as Tevez lurked for a rebound.

But then, just as it looked like City had ridden the storm, a mistake from Joe Hart let the home side off the hook. A simple catch was fumbled into the path of Andy King, who needed no second invitation to poke the ball into the net, bringing the game level once again.

With just over 20 minutes to play, de Jong gave away a foul right on the edge of the City box and was relieved to see that the referee had ruled it as such – the foul was right on the line and it was the correct call from the match official. The free kick eventually came to nothing.

Five minutes later, James Milner was City’s saviour, heading the ball off the line as Bamba had, once again, got up before the City defence and beaten Joe Hart. At the other end, de Jong should have had his first City goal and his first goal in over three years, as a great turn from Tevez left him with almost no work to do, but from nowhere, Weale got across to make the save.

With minutes to play, City could have stolen the game with an effort from Tevez, but the goalkeeper got across well to save, before Howard attempted to chip the ball over Hart from 50 yards, but it was well off target.

A trip to Notts County is the reward for the winners of this tie, which will have to be replayed at The City of Manchester Stadium to find a victor.

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Arsenal 0 Manchester City 0

2011-01-06T00:07:00.003Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Wednesday 5 January 2011, 19.45 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Zabaleta, Kompany, K Touré, de Jong, Barry, Milner, Y Touré, Jo (A Johnson 65), Tevez (c) (Boateng 90+4)
Unused: Given, Bridge, Lescott, Wright-Phillips, Vieira
Goals: -
Booked: de Jong, Barry
Sent Off: Zabaleta

Referee: Michael Jones
Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

City went to the Emirates without a victory away to Arsenal since 1975, knowing that a victory would send them back level on points at the top of the league, but, equally, a defeat would see them slip below the hosts. With this in mind and a good Christmas period behind them, the visitors came away with the point they wanted.

It could have all gone wrong for the visitors with just 90 seconds played, as van Persie was almost left with an open goal from a square pass by Wilshire, who could have shot instead, but, thankfully for City, it rolled past the Dutchman.

Milner responded immediately for City, but as he got to the box he couldn’t make up his mind whether to shoot or cross and, in the end, he did neither, sending the ball well wide of the far post.

Hart was then right behind a Wilshire shot and Kolo Touré put in two excellent tackles to deny the home side getting a shot in at goal, as the game approached just the five minute mark. Three minutes later, van Persie struck the foot of the post as Hart was unsighted and Arsenal were piling on the pressure.

But City were holding strong: Hart got down well to deny Wilshire, van Persie skied a free kick and Zabaleta was in the thick of the action with several great tackles on Walcott. Walcott then slide a great chance wide of the post, after he turned in the box.

Fabianski had to clear to stop Richards getting to the ball first, before a City corner came to nothing as Tevez miss-hit his return ball when free at the back post. The breakaway, though, saw Arsenal hit the post twice – first van Persie crashed one past Hart, and the rebound fell to Walcott, who did the same, though from an offside position.

With 33 minutes played, Jo chipped a ball for Tevez to chase, but the bounce took him wide and, with very little support in the centre, the Argentinean opted to volley at goal and it was just over the bar.

Arsenal then wanted a penalty as a Walcott cross hit Kompany on the arm, but it would have been harsh had it been given, before Hart was right behind a van Persie effort from the edge of the box.

The second half started much the way the first ended, with the home side on the attack and the visitors holding on somewhat – though the pace of the Arsenal attack had slowed. Van Persie shot wide, before it took a world class save from Hart to keep the scores level. Van Persie had an attempt from outside the box and it was destined for the top corner, before the England international’s fingertip intervention.

Richards headed wide from a City corner in one of the visitors’ isolated chances, before pinball in the City box ended with the away side winning a goal kick. Song then went on a mazy run through the City defence that ended in a poor pass.

Arsenal continued to press for the final ten minutes, without really carving out any clear cut chances, save for a free kick from 30 yards that Hart needed to push away. But the game ended on a sour note for both teams.

Zabaleta ran the ball out of play and Sagna wasn’t happy with the City man’s defending. The Arsenal man pushed his head into Zabaleta’s twice, before the Argentinean full back pushed him in the chest and both players saw red, harshly.

City were able to see out the final moments and it was another clean sheet to add to the growing collection. It wasn’t a good offensive performance, but City were strong at the back and it was a point well earned, despite the Arsenal fans’ disappointment.

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Manchester City 1 Blackpool 0

2011-01-01T19:09:00.003Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 1 January 2011, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov (Zabaleta 60), de Jong, Barry, Y Touré (Vieira 85), Silva (Milner 64), A Johnson, Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Jo
Goals: A Johnson (34)
Booked: -

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong

City began the first game of 2011 with all guns blazing and had two excellent chances to take the lead in the opening 90 seconds. First, Tevez slid a shot wide as he stole the ball on the edge of the box, before Silva sent a low cross towards Touré, but he couldn’t stretch to reach it.

Blackpool then had a golden chance to take the lead and probably would have done through Gary Taylor-Fletcher were it not for a brilliant saving tackle from Lescott, yards away from the goal.

Lescott turned attacker shortly after, but he couldn’t find room for the shot after Kolarov’s corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, before Tevez overran the ball when he could have slipped in Johnson for a chance to shoot.

With 13 minutes played, it was Joe Hart who was called upon to make the first save of the game, as a poor clearance found its way to Taylor-Fletcher in the box. He turned and shot towards the top corner, but Hart got across well to push it behind.

Five minutes later, Silva should have buried a shot from the penalty spot after he hit it first time from a Tevez low cross, but, uncharacteristically, he got his angles wrong and skewed the ball wide of the post, as City looked to press home their early dominance.

Just after the half hour, Tevez forced Kingston into an excellent save, as he broke into the box and fired towards the top corner. But the Blackpool keeper was off his feet well and flicked the ball over the bar.

Shortly after, though, City’s hard work came to fruition. A corner was only half-cleared to Johnson on the edge of the box and the winger took a touch to control before firing low and hard through the crowd. It flicked off Crainey’s ankles and beat Kingston into the back of the net.

A minute later, Tevez had the chance to double City’s lead after Yaya Touré was hauled down in the area by Varney. The little Argentinean, though, pulled his kick wide and Blackpool were off the hook.

City started the second half slower than they finished the first, with some slack passing almost letting the visitors in. There was then the chance for the second goal for Jerome Boateng, after a good touch from Adam Johnson from a City corner, but the German defender slipped and pulled his shot over the bar.

With 54 minutes on the clock, Joe Hart was called into action again, saving from Matt Phillips, before a break from Yaya Touré could have seen City in a more comfortable position but for the intervention of Richard Kingston’s left boot – the midfielder carried the ball all the way to the edge of the box, but couldn’t get past the visiting keeper.

With an hour played, City lost Silva to injury, before Lescott almost put Blackpool in with a poor backpass, but, fortunately for the home side, Joe Hart was out quickly to clear, just in time.

With 69 minutes played, Tevez should have killed all of the Blackpool threat, as he picked up the ball from Johnson and was through on goal. He rounded the goalkeeper and tried to switch it back to his right foot, but he slipped in the process, giving the defence time to get back.

Tevez missed again from just inside the box after some great work by Milner to get a low ball in, before Blackpool wasted a free kick from 35 yards and Zabaleta needed to be alert to prevent a quick breakaway from a City corner.

As the game approached the final ten minutes, City began to drop deeper and Blackpool pushed forward, looking for their equaliser. Eardley went close, but Joe Hart was equal to his drive from range, tipping it over the bar, before Hart again had to palm a goalward header over.

Zabaleta set up Tevez as stoppage time approached to try and kill the game off, but he couldn’t find the target as he fired wide. Blackpool tried to launch one last attack, but a combination of Kompany and Boateng got in the way and, in the end, the home side were thankful to hear the full time whistle.

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Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0

2010-12-28T20:11:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Tuesday 28 December 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta, Vieira, Y Touré (Jo 63), de Jong (c) (Bridge 77), Silva (Milner 59), A Johnson, Balotelli
Unused: Given, Boateng, Barry, Tevez
Goals: Balotelli (pen 8, 27, pen 55), Lescott (14)
Booked: Milner

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the Match: David Silva

With large changes from the side that won at St James’s Park, an out-of-form Aston Villa side could have had their hopes of a resurgence buoyed. But, City quickly snuffed out their chances, as a bright start led to Silva almost finding Balotelli in the box.

But, a minute later, the same two players combined and Lichaj hauled the big Italian down in the box and the home side had a penalty. Balotelli dusted himself down and coolly slotted the ball past Friedel, sending the American the wrong way to put City in a commanding position.

Yaya Touré almost doubled City’s lead immediately, but the ball was deflected wide of the post for a corner, as City pressed. And the second goal was soon in coming, as, after a short delay while Cuellar was treated, Lescott rose well to nod the ball towards goal. Bannon thought he had headed it clear, but the assistant flagged that it had crossed the line and the referee gave the goal.

Aston Villa threatened an immediate response, but Downing’s free kick was well over the bar, before a City move consisting of 35 passes without a Villa touch effectively ended the game before half time. After a spell of knocking the ball between midfield and defence, City saw their chance and Yaya Touré found Silva, whose shot was saved by Friedel, leaving Balotelli to slot in the rebound.

With 34 minutes on the clock, Silva almost made it four, but his effort was deflected just the wrong side of the post, as Friedel was beaten, after some good work from Adam Johnson on the right wing.

Kompany then played his way into trouble inside the City box, before he got himself out of it with a sublime piece of skill. Lescott was then perhaps a little fortunate not to give away a penalty on Agbonlahor, as Villa tried to get forward with half time approaching.

Hart was alert to stop a shot from Agbonlahor, receiving a helping hand from Lescott, who got his toe to the ball before anyone else to clear the rebound. Richards then fancied his chances from well outside the box, but he miscued his shot and it dribbled behind for a goal kick.

The first big chance of the second half fell, unsurprisingly, to the home side. A Johnson corner was cleared only as far as Vieira. The veteran took a touch and fired it towards goal, but Friedel was equal to it, pushing it around the post for a corner.

And it was a sign of things to come: A minute later, Adam Johnson weaved his way into the box and was tripped by Albrighton. The referee had no hesitation and awarded City their second penalty of the game and Balotelli slotted it home for his hat-trick, as coolly as his first.

With 67 minutes played, Jo could have gotten himself on the scoresheet, but it was just behind him and a difficult chance, meaning he couldn’t keep his volley down after Kompany had flicked on a Milner corner. Zabaleta then fired a left footed shot wide, after Jo had attempted an ambitious overhead kick.

Delph had an isolated shot for Villa, but it was well pushed around the post by Hart, before Downing sent another free kick well over the bar. Lichaj then fired towards goal from six yards, but Hart, again, was on the top of his form to make the save, as Villa looked for a late consolation goal.

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Newcastle 1 Manchester City 3

2010-12-26T17:21:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 26 December 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov, Y Touré (Vieira 83), de Jong, Barry, Silva (A Johnson 70), Milner, Tevez (c) (Balotelli 86)
Unused: Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Jo
Goals: Barry (2), Tevez (5, 81)
Booked: Silva, Lescott, Hart, Johnson, Balotelli

Referee: Chris Foy
Man of the Match: Gareth Barry

The game was only 90 seconds old when City showed how they intended to approach it. The visitors opened the scoring through Barry, with a helping hand from the Newcastle defence as well. Krul played a short ball out that was stolen by Tevez and he laid it on for Barry to find the net, through the keeper’s legs.

And it got better for the away side just two minutes later. Tevez found Milner wide on the right and his ball straight back into the box found the little Argentinean striker, who was able to slot the ball into the top corner from close range, giving City the perfect start.

A minute later and the home side could have been back in the game. Carroll had the chance to head into the net from close range, but Joe Hart was on hand to pluck the effort out of the air and hold it, making it look a much simpler save than it actually was.

Carroll then fired a low cross towards Nolan, but the former Bolton man couldn’t connect to it, before Kolarov came close to making it three for City, as his left footed effort rifled just over the bar from outside the box.

With 20 minutes gone, Yaya Touré, with more time and space than perhaps he realised, volleyed high and wide from the edge of the box, after Coloccini had nipped in to clear Barry’s low ball in. Had he not, it would have been an easy finish for Milner.

Nolan picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Milner as the former Newcastle man cleared the ball from the byline. Silva then picked up a yellow for a high challenge on Barton, while Tioté and Touré clashed as tempers began to flare.

An Andy Carroll effort then nearly found the net after it deflected off Nolan, but Hart had it covered, before Tevez lost the ball as he tried to wriggle free in the Newcastle box. Krul was out quickly as the City forward won it back, but he couldn’t quite find room to get the shot in.

A minute from half time, Tevez gave the ball away in midfield and allowed Newcastle to build an attack. It lead to a diving header from Carroll, but that too flicked off Nolan and spun wide of the post.

City started the second half quickly, just as they had done the first, earning themselves a corner as Newcastle still looked like they were on their half time break. Kolarov’s vicious cross was cleared, before his shot from the rebound skewed wide of the post.

Newcastle began to press, but couldn’t quite force a shot on goal from a corner, before Lescott couldn’t find his feet in the Newcastle box after he had stayed forward from a corner, his shot deflecting clear.

With the hour approaching, Kompany was penalised for a foul and the set piece from Barton needed to be punched away by Hart. Barton and Kolarov then injured each other as neither pulled out of a challenge on the left flank, though neither of them were going to drop out of the game.

Gutierrez then headed over, before Nolan attempted to curl one in to the back post from the edge of the box, but he got his angles wrong and Joe Hart was able to catch comfortably. Gutierrez then missed a header as the ball bounced behind, and City were hanging on to their two goal lead.

And the goal did come for the home side. Barton swung a corner into the middle and it was met by the unmarked Andy Carroll, who planted it into the net. Hart picked up a yellow card for complaining that he was fouled by Kevin Nolan and the City keeper had a point, but Chris Foy wasn’t moved.

City were on the ropes and Newcastle came close again, as Hart came off his line to punch but missed completely, but Ranger flicked his header wide. Tevez then had an isolated chance for City, as he broke away, but he decided to cut inside onto his right foot instead of taking the shot with his left and Newcastle got bodies back.

Nolan dived in at the far post after Ranger had nodded down with just over ten minutes to play, but he could only flick the ball wide with his studs as Kompany and Hart tried to scramble it clear.

But City showed what they were made of as the clock ticked past 80. Milner found Tevez on the left and he broke through the challenge of Barton. A quick one-two with Adam Johnson gave Tevez the chance to cut inside and shoot – the shot flicked off two defenders and finished in the net, via Coloccini’s bottom.

That goal killed off the game and City were content to see out the match with Newcastle pressing forward and the visitors defending stoutly. After a great start for the Blues, it was certainly three points well earned, as Newcastle showed they were no pushovers.

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Manchester City 1 Everton 2

2010-12-20T23:37:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Monday 20 December 2010, 20.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, K Touré, Kompany, Kolarov, Y Touré, Barry, Silva, Milner (A Johnson 45), Balotelli (Jo 83), Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Richards, Boateng, Vieira, Wright-Phillips
Goals: Jagielka (og 73)
Booked: Kompany, Barry, Kolo Touré
Sent Off: Kolo Touré

Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the Match: Pablo Zabaleta

Knowing they could be top of the league for Christmas with a victory, City started the game with some good possession. But, within just three minutes, it was all undone: a free header from Tim Cahill inside the six yard box put the visitors in front, with the home side’s defending leaving a lot to be desired.

And it could have been worse for City, who seemed to collectively be having a bad game. David Silva, Yaya Touré and Vincent Kompany all gave the ball away as City looked to set off on the attack, setting Everton on dangerous counter attacks.

With 19 minutes on the clock, it did get worse. With Zabaleta off the pitch for treatment to a headwound, Cahill and Baines exploited the space and, after Kolo Touré couldn’t reach to intercept the first cross, the ball fell to Baines inside the box. He curled it around Joe Hart and into the net, with a first time hit on his wrong foot.

And City had a mountain to climb.

There were signs that the home side might get back into the game before the break, but chances were few and far between. Balotelli volleyed over from a corner, before City appealed for a handball in the box, but the referee waved the appeals away.

Zabaleta had a shot blocked in the box by what looked to be a stray arm from Phil Neville, but the referee was unmoved again, as Everton were camped in their area and City piled on the pressure. Despite the pressure, though, Howard wasn’t called into action.

Fellaini then went into the referee’s book for a stamping challenge that left Tevez on the deck, before a superb free kick from Kolarov was matched by Howard, springing to his left to touch it around the post. Yaya Touré then blasted over the bar, before City appealed a fourth time for a penalty – and another handball – against Phil Neville, but, again, it was waved away by the referee.

After half time, it really was all City… But it was Everton who had the goals and it was they who were content to defend deeply and park the bus. Kolarov troubled Howard with a long range effort, before the left back had another rasping effort, this time just wide, after Tevez had set him up.

Anichebe then saw yellow for a late tackle on Hart, before Kolarov wasted an opportunity to get a good ball into the box from a free kick, wide on the right.

With 30 minutes of the game to play, the visitors were reduced a man. Victor Anichebe brought down Zabaleta with a silly challenge as the City man was heading towards his own goal and the referee deemed it worthy of a second yellow card.

With 64 minutes played, City had another penalty shout – this time, handball by Jagielka, but the referee, once again, turned the appeal down. A minute later, Silva’s shot was blocked by Neville’s arm in the area again, but, despite the City players being convinced it was a spot kick, the referee waved play on.

Barry then put a volley over the bar as City took control of the game, but they were finding it hard to break down the ten men of Everton, who had become camped in their own half. Balotelli then had a great chance to shoot, but he slipped at the crucial moment and the ball dribbled behind for a goal kick.

With 20 minutes to play, though, City were back in the game. Yaya Touré’s driven cross towards the back post flicked off the knee of Jagielka and beat Tim Howard, reducing the home side to a one-goal deficit.

Three minutes later, it looked like City had equalised. Balotelli beat the offside trap to run on to a David Silva pass, but his deft flick over Howard rebounded back into play off the post, before Howard pulled off a world class stop to deny Tevez, who looked certain to score.

With five minutes to play, the City players were shaking their heads in disbelief as Peter Walton turned down another penalty appeal, as the ball struck Hibbert on the arm in the box and appeared to be a nailed on spot kick. He then endeared himself to the City fans further, by awarding a goal kick after Tim Howard had clearly tipped Yaya Touré’s effort wide.

City’s misery was then compounded, with two stoppage time yellow cards for Kolo Touré. First, he brought down Distin in the Everton half and prevented a breakaway, then, a minute later, did the same to Bilyaletdinov.

Everton’s only two shots on target were enough to steal the points, while City will be scratching their heads as to why their 32 efforts on goal yielded only four shots on target and one goal – a deflected cross.

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Juventus 1 Manchester City 1

2010-12-16T20:13:00.002Z

Europa League Group Stage, Group A

Thursday 16 December 2010, 18.00 KO

City: Given, Boateng, Richards, Boyata, Bridge, Wright-Phillips (Chantler 90), Milner, Vieira, A Johnson, Nimely (Zabaleta 61), Jo
Unused: Taylor, Ibrahim, Kay, Mee, Elabdellaoui
Goals: Jo (77)
Booked: Zabaleta

Referee: Istvan Vad
Man of the Match: Adam Johnson

Having already qualified for the next stage of the Europa League, City fielded a weakened side for the trip to Turin. That being said, it was the visitors that started the brighter and should have taken the lead almost immediately. Richards charged down the right flank and delivered a low cross towards Jo, but the striker couldn’t connect to the ball and slot it home.

Boyata then had to be alert to stop Del Piero from getting his shot away, putting in a cracking tackle in the area, before Nimley almost got his first City goal with a header from a Johnson free kick, but it was just wide.

Del Piero had an ambitious effort on 13 minutes, but it cleared Given’s crossbar comfortably, before Jo had a cross blocked as he got onto a lovely through ball from Vieira. A minute later, Adam Johnson wanted a penalty for a foul by Chiellini, but it was nothing doing from the referee.

With 10 minutes to go until half time, a one-two between Jo and Nimely almost set the Brazilian through, but the return pass was slightly too hard for him to latch onto. Nimely then hit the post with a header, but it wouldn’t have counted as the referee had spotted a foul in the build up.

A dangerous Juventus free kick was flicked wide by Sissoko, before the home side took the lead, somewhat against the run of play. Del Piero worked up to the by-line and go his low cross in through the six-yard box. Gianetti got in front of Boyata and was able to flick the ball home, just before half time.

The second half started in much the same was as the first – with Jo missing an opportunity to get himself on the scoresheet. Johnson crossed the ball from the left and Jo got up ahead of Chiellini, but his header was wide of Manninger’s far post.

With five minutes of the second half played, Jo then had the ball in the Juventus net, but it was wrongly ruled out for offside, before Adam Johnson almost squeezed the ball into the net, but it was well blocked. At the other end, Given had to be alert to tip a Krasic effort over the bar.

On the hour, Juventus survived another City penalty appeal, though this time it looked to have been blatant. Nimely shot and it looked dangerous until Chiellini saved it – literally – with both hands, but the referee turned the appeals down. Sissoko should then have doubled the lead with a free header from a corner, but he couldn’t hit the target.

Milner then volleyed wide from a Jo knock-down, before, with 20 minutes left, Manninger dived at the feet of Jo to deny his shot at goal. It wouldn’t have mattered, though, as the flag had, again wrongly, been raised for offside.

Another blatant handball shout was turned away by the referee shortly after, as Juventus cleared the danger, and City appeared to be struggling to create chances. That was, of course, until Jo equalised for the visitors. Johnson found the Brazilian on the edge of the box and he took a touch, turned and fired into the bottom corner of the net.

Richards almost put the visitors in front immediately, but he couldn’t quite turn Johnson’s cross into the net, before Adam Johnson himself could have won it for the Blues right at the death, but he couldn’t get his free kick on target. It finished 0-1 in Salzburg, leaving City to top the group.

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West Ham 1 Manchester City 3

2010-12-11T17:07:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 11 December 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, K Touré (c), Kompany, Zabaleta, Y Touré, de Jong, Barry, Silva (Milner 87), Balotelli (A Johnson 61), Jo
Unused: Given, Richards, Lescott, Vieira, Santa Cruz
Goals: Y Touré (29), Green (og 73), A Johnson (81)
Booked: Balotelli, de Jong, Zabaleta

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the Match: David Silva

City started the brighter of the two teams, controlling the play in the opening stages in the West Ham half. Zabaleta tried to feed it through to Jo, before Silva did manage to find the Brazilian, wide on the left, but his low cross towards Balotelli was held by Green.

A minute later, the same combination should have put City into the lead. Silva found Jo wide on the left and he played it in to Balotelli on the edge of the six yard box. But, unmarked, the big Italian couldn’t find the net and his side-footed effort rolled wide of the far post.

Some neat interplay between de Jong, Yaya Touré and Jo then left the Dutch international a chance to cross, but it was just cut out before it reached Balotelli. The resulting corner was played short and led to half-hearted shouts for handball, before Boateng had to be across quickly to deny a quick West Ham breakaway.

West Ham had a little pressure on the City goal, with a couple of free kicks, but the crosses into the box were easily dealt with. Scott Parker than had West Ham’s first effort on goal – a volley from a clearance by Kolo Touré, from about 35 yards. Hart, though, had it well covered.

Nigel de Jong then gifted West Ham a shooting chance, giving away a free kick on the edge of the City box, after Balotelli had crossed high and wide from a free kick at the other end, but Stanislas skied it.

With just over 20 minutes played, Stanislas beat Boateng in City’s right back position and fired in a low shot towards goal. Hart saw it late, but he got down quickly to block and hold it.

A crunching challenge from Kompany then denied a quick breakaway by the home side and set City on the attack. Silva found Barry, who had the opportunity to drive the ball into the box low and hard, but it was blocked wide for the corner.

With 26 minutes on the clock, Yaya Touré picked up the ball in the midfield and drove towards goal. He carried it from halfway and into the West Ham box, but, instead of taking the shot with his left foot, he used the outside of his right and it was an easy save for Rob Green, who was able to hold it.

Barrera then had a pop from range, but it was watched well wide by Hart, before City went up the other end and took the lead. Yaya Touré found Barry wide on the left and the England international’s return pass was hit first time, just inside the area, with his left foot and it found the top corner emphatically.

City could have doubled the lead almost instantly, as a long throw-in from Boateng laded to Balotelli with his back to goal, but he couldn’t quite get his shot in, and West Ham managed to scramble it clear. Balotelli then had a free header cleared off the line from a corner, as City began to dominate.

Just before the clock ticked to 40, Scott Parker turned away well from Nigel de Jong before trying to slide a shot from the edge of the box inside Joe Hart’s post, but the City keeper had it covered and it was just wide.

West Ham had the chance to level just before the break, as Piquionne beat Kolo Touré in the air, but his header, from the penalty spot, was just over the bar and Joe Hart had it covered.

It was the home side who started the second half the better, with some pressure on Joe Hart’s goal. City, though, while struggling to get the ball away at times, weren’t troubled and West Ham couldn’t force a decent shot on target. A couple of corners were cleared, Joe Hart collected a low cross and a shout for a penalty for a handball by Yaya Touré were waved away – it would have been very harsh.

With 53 minutes gone, Yaya Touré had another shot from range that stung the gloves of Rob Green, but it was comfortably dealt with in one of City’s isolated second half attacks.

The same man had another effort from range, again held by Green, before Jo volleyed over from a deflected Silva cross, before an Adam Johnson corner caused chaos in the box, but the home side just about scrambled it clear.

As the game entered the final fifteen minutes, though, City were able to take it by the scruff of the neck and take complete control. Yaya Touré ran from the edge of the box, past Tomkins and into the box and fired in a low shot. It hit the post, bounced off the back of Green and into the net for 0-2.

And soon enough, City were showing their dominance. David Silva played a beautiful ball to Adam Johnson and the substitute took the ball around Rob Green and slid it into the net, taking them joint top of the Premier League.

But, there was a blemish on the copybook to come for City. With the game heading towards stoppage time, Tomkins was unmarked from a West Ham corner and he rose to head the ball past Joe Hart, with the aid of a deflection off Kolo Touré.

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Manchester City 1 Bolton 0

2010-12-04T18:48:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 4 December 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, K Touré (Lescott 32), Kompany, Kolarov, de Jong, Barry, Y Touré, Silva (Richards 85), Balotelli, Tevez (c) (Milner 90)
Unused: Given, Vieira, Jo, A Johnson
Goals: Tevez (4)
Booked: Y Touré, Tevez, Kolarov
Sent Off: Kolarov

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

City started the game quickly, pressing Bolton and looking for the early goal. And that’s just exactly what they got – Tevez, fresh from having gotten his eye in with an effort straight at Jääskeläinen, was sent through by Yaya Touré and he made no mistake, slipping it past the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.

Yaya Touré could have then doubled City’s lead just two minutes later, but his effort from inside the box was blocked, before he later crossed for Tevez and Balotelli, but the low ball was just behind the two forward men.

Both the City players and the City fans wanted a penalty on 15 minutes, as Silva weaved his way into the box and fired in a shot. It was blocked en route to the goal, but it looked to have been by the arm of the defender. The referee, though, gave a corner and not a spot kick.

Bolton had their first real chance of the game a minute later, as ex-City winger Petrov’s free-kick deflected off the City wall and curled just wide of Hart’s post.

With half an hour gone, Yaya Touré misplaced a defensive header and it needed Kolarov to get the ball away, before City had a goal ruled out for offside – Barry was clearly ahead of play, but there were questions as to how active he was, as he let the ball run for Silva, who found Tevez to slot it home.

Silva then cut inside from the right and left the defence in a spin, before finding Tevez on the edge of the box. The Argentinian, though, could only find the gloves of Jääskeläinen, as City looked for that second goal.

Zabaleta then had a golden chance to find it, but his one-on-one was blocked, after he ran on to a delightful chipped pass from his fellow countryman, Tevez. Tevez then shot over, as Zabaleta returned the favour a minute later.

After the break, Bolton should have pulled level with their best chance of the game. City were caught short at the back and Kevin Davies had the chance to volley from the edge of the box, but it was just over the bar.

Zabaleta then should have added to City’s lead as he was sent clear in the box, but the full back’s shot was well blocked by Jääskeläinen. Balotelli then hit the post, after Tevez and Silva caused confusion in the visitors’ box.

City were soon peppering the Bolton goal with shots, as Balotelli had a shot saved when Barry was square, Tevez shot high and wide and Silva hit the bar, as the home side pressed for that second goal.

After the bout of pressure, though, it took Zabaleta to put in a fantastic defensive header to deny a certain equaliser, as the ball was swung to the back post. Hart was then able to collect the ball in the box, as a corner caused a moment of confusion.

Jääskeläinen got down well to save a Kolarov free kick on 65 minutes, before a run and shot from Yaya Touré was blocked for a corner by Gary Cahill.

With 20 minutes to play, it was almost 1-1, but for Vincent Kompany. The big Belgian saved Hart’s blushes, after the young keeper came off his line to collect a free kick and, unchallenged, let the ball slip through his hands. It carried on through towards the net, but the centre-back was there first to clear.

Two minutes later, Kolarov picked up a yellow card for a late challenge in the City half, before a delightful run by Kompany opened the Bolton defence up. He carried the ball to the edge of the box and produced a wonderful flick to Kolarov, but his shot was driven wide.

But then, as it looked like City would be comfortable going into the final minutes, Kolarov slid in on Ricketts and looked to have touched the ball. But the linesman flagged for a foul and the referee concurred, giving the left back his second yellow card and sending him for an early shower.

With minutes to go, it was backs to the wall for City, needing Lescott and Kompany to clear the danger from Kevin Davies, before Richards produced a fine header to thwart another Bolton attack.

Balotelli had the chance to shoot at goal from a free kick, but it was well over the bar, before Bolton launched it towards the City box again. But, again and again, there was Kompany to head clear and help the ten men see out the game.

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Manchester City 3 Red Bull Salzburg 0

2010-12-01T23:47:00.003Z

Europa League Group Stage, Group A

Wednesday 1 December 2010, 20.05 KO

City: Given, Boateng, Lescott, K Touré (c) (Richards 83), Zabaleta, Vieira, Milner, Wright-Phillips, A Johnson, Jo, Balotelli (Adebayor 71)
Unused: Hart, Kolarov, Barry, de Jong, Silva
Goals: Balotelli (18, 66), A Johnson (79)
Booked: -

Referee: Libor Kovarik
Man of the Match: James Milner

City started the game on top, taking the initiative and piling on the early pressure. The team knew that a victory should see them through to the knockout stages of the competition, providing Juventus didn't win in Poland.

In the opening stages, a couple of Adam Johnson corners came to nothing, before Mario Balotelli cut inside from the left and fired a shot well over the bar from range.

With seven minutes gone, Wright-Phillips warmed the crowd up with a brilliant run and cross that needed an intervention from Schiemer to put it behind, before Jo got in to have certainly scored.

Zabaleta was denied a penalty shortly after, before Jo asked for the same when he went down whilst through on goal. But the referee gave neither and Jo should have done better to get an effort on goal fired off.

Vieira then put a fantastic ball through for Balotelli to chase into the box, but his shot was well saved by the legs of Tremmel, when the Italian could have looked for Jo square.

Soon enough, City got the reward their weight of pressure deserved. Zabaleta put a low ball into the box and Balotelli, from the penalty spot, cheekily flicked out a foot and directed it into the bottom corner of the goal.

Balotelli nearly doubled the lead soon after, after he got to the ball ahead of the onrushing Tremmel, but his flick over the goalkeeper's head was off target. He managed to keep it in play, but couldn't force it over the line.

Just before half time, Wright-Phillips had a snazzy turn and shot that troubled the visiting defence, before Milner almost had the ball in the net from the right side of the box, but his low drive was just wide of the post.

Straight after the break, City could have doubled their lead again. Wright-Phillips intercepted a shot pass and broke towards goal, but his low ball didn't reach Jo in the box and Salzburg were, just about, able to clear.

Milner then found Balotelli on the inside right channel and the Italian's cross towards Jo again didn't reach its target, as City carried on where they had left off before the break.

Just after the hour mark, a low cross from Jo was blocked by an arm and he appealed for a penalty to the addition official behind the goal, but it was only a corner for the home side.

But, minutes later, it was 2-0. Adam Johnson won the box on the edge of the Salzburg box, before slipping Vieira through. The veteran scuffed his shot, but it broke to Balotelli at the back post and he drove it into the net.

With 15 minutes to go, Given was called into a rare moment of action as he was forced into a good save from range, before City added to their goals tally for the night.

Adam Johnson picked up the ball wide on the left and cut inside. After taking on and beating three men, he came face to face with the goalkeeper and, on his wrong foot, he found the bottom corner.

City saw out the game with Adebayor unlucky not to find the net from just inside the box, but it didn't matter. A draw between Lech Poznan and Juventus saw City back on top of the group, needing a point in Turin to be sure of winning the group.

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Stoke 1 Manchester City 1

2010-11-27T17:21:00.003Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 27 November 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Richards, K Touré, Kompany, Kolarov, de Jong, Milner (A Johnson 82), Barry, Silva, Balotelli (Jo 90), Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Lescott, Boateng, Vieira, Wright-Phillips
Goals: Richards (81)
Booked: Tevez, Richards

Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the Match: David Silva

It was the home side who began the game the brighter, with a long throw in from Rory Delap being dealt with comfortably by Joe Hart as he caught under pressure from Fuller and Jones. Balotelli then had a poor touch in the Stoke area as City tried to get the early goal.

Hart was in action again soon after, punching away another long throw in, before City gave the ball away in midfield and he needed to be alert to make a great double-save, first with his legs from Fuller and then his hands from Jones.

With 15 minutes gone, a neat one-two between Fuller and Jones left the former through on goal, but he dragged his left-footed shot well wide, when he probably should have given the home side the lead.

De Jong was then dispossessed in midfield by Delap and, fortunately for the visitors, Jones couldn’t take advantage. Another Delap long throw in then caused trouble in the City box, with Hart missing the punch and Huth volleying over.

City almost had the chance to take the lead, largely against the run of play it would have had to have been said, as some great skill from Silva allowed him to cut in from the left flank, but his cross was just too high for Tevez.

The visitors had a strong claim for a penalty soon after, as Milner looked to have been felled in the box by two Stoke defenders, but the referee wasn’t having any of it. Hart was then called into action again, making a comfortable save from Fuller.

With ten minutes to go before half time, City seemed to have found their feet and were getting themselves back into the game. Kolarov had a shot from range, but it bobbled through to Begovic in the Stoke goal, who saved comfortably.

It took a great challenge from Touré in the area to deny Jones after Fuller had won the ball in midfield and the home side broke. Kolarov was then denied a free kick on the edge of the Stoke box, as he went down under pressure.

City finished the half the stronger as a poor backpass almost let Tevez in, but Begovic was off his line sharply to clear. From the resulting throw in, Tevez, Silva and Balotelli caused all kinds of problems in the six yard box, but nobody could put the ball in the net in the scramble.

City began the second half in control of the game. They were keeping possession well and knocking the ball around the edge of the Stoke box, without truly threatening. Silva had a go with his left, but sliced it wide, before Balotelli hit a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Hart held an effort from Fuller, before Begovic did the same to a fierce Milner effort from range. Wilson then went into the referee’s book for a lunge at Barry and he was perhaps lucky the punishment wasn’t more severe.

Tevez was then unlucky to go into the book for a challenge on Begovic, as he tried to block the ball as the Stoke keeper cleared it, before Balotelli, somehow, didn’t get a touch on a Kolarov low cross through the six yard box.

Some great possession play from City opened up a shooting chance for Kolarov from the edge of the box, but it was on his right foot and he skied it over the bar. Stoke then had a dangerous breakaway blocked for a corner by Kompany.

From that corner, Shawcross got up before Hart and nodded towards goal. But Milner was on the post and was able to clear off the line, before the ball went into the net. The Stoke players claimed the goal and a handball, but it was neither, as he used his thigh to get the ball away.

Silva then had a shot well wide, with Barry trying to get a touch to steer it towards the net, before City took the lead with a piece of brilliant from, of all people, Micah Richards. It was a brilliant turn from the right back on the edge of the Stoke box, setting himself up with a shooting chance and he directed the ball past Begovic and into the net.

City tried to play keep-ball for the final ten minutes and it was all looking good, despite a free kick from the Stoke left being headed over Hart’s goal being a warning shot. Unfortunately for the visitors, it wasn’t a warning they heeded and a backheel from Tuncay, as he controlled a long ball on the edge of the box, sent Etherington through and he fired past Joe Hart and into the net, with 90 seconds of stoppage time to play.

Overall, a point was probably a fair result, but having taken the lead with ten minutes to play, City will be disappointed that they haven’t taken all three. On a day with United and Arsenal wins, it could have been a costly goal to concede, with City now five points off the top.

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Fulham 1 Manchester City 4

2010-11-21T18:27:00.002Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 21 November 2010, 16.00 KO

City: Hart, Zabaleta, K Touré, Kompany, Kolarov, de Jong, Y Touré, Barry (Vieira 82), Silva (Milner 88), Tevez (c) (A Johnson 77), Jo
Unused: Given, Boyata, Wright-Phillips, Adebayor
Goals: Tevez (6, 55), Zabaleta (32), Yaya Touré (34)
Booked: Zabaleta

Referee: Lee Mason
Man of the Match: David Silva

City started the brighter against their former manager’s team and, with recent disappointing draws to United and Birmingham, an early goal would be just what the doctor ordered. And the medicine soon arrived through Carlos Tevez: Barry found him inside the area and he turned brilliantly to set up a one-on-one with Schwarzer. There was nothing the Fulham keeper could do and City had the lead.

Fulham looked to bounce back strongly, but the balls into the box were comfortably dealt with by Kompany and Kolo Touré. With the ball on the ground, it was no contest, as City began to boss possession and the midfield.

A Fulham set piece almost resulted in a brilliant City breakaway goal. A sneaky pull-back to Murphy on the edge of the box was blocked by Silva and Tevez found Kolarov on the break. He took a touch around the defender to set himself through on goal, but a brilliant save from Schwarzer denied him his first goal for the club.

With 26 minutes gone, Silva had options inside the box and he seemed unable to decide which was best. In the end, he neither took on the shot nor the cross and the ball threatened the corner flag more than the goal, with Tevez square of him, ready to unleash an effort on goal.

But, just over five minutes later, City had doubled their lead. Zabaleta, another Mark Hughes signing – seven of which were on the pitch for City – latched onto a poor clearance from Duff and hit it first time from the edge of the box. It brushed Duff on its way through and shot straight past Schwarzer for 0-2.

And, as Fulham looked for a way back into the game, City added their third. Tevez was allowed to turn and run at the Fulham defence and, when it looked like he might take on the shot, he slid in Yaya Touré. His first touch was brilliant and allowed him to slide it across Schwarzer into the bottom corner of the net.

It could have been four for City before the break, as Kolarov fired a great ball across the box that both Yaya Touré and David Silva didn’t read, and it went straight through everybody and out for a throw-in.

Fulham had the final chance of the half as Davies flicked a header towards goal from a quick free-kick, but Hart’s positioning was spot on and it was a simple catch for the City keeper, who had been untroubled all half.

Fulham had clearly had a talking to at half time and came out looking for an immediate response. Hughes headed over from a corner, before Andy Johnson fired in a low cross that needed Hart to collect. Gera then beat Kolarov in the air and Hart produced a great save, but the whistle had gone for a foul by the Fulham man – though Hart wasn’t to know.

With an hour gone, Tevez should have made it four for City. Some neat interplay on the halfway line between Yaya Touré, Zabaleta and Tevez left the two Argentineans to combine, sending the striker through on goal. He ran into the box and looked to bend it around Schwarzer with the outside of his foot, but it was saved for a corner.

From that corner, though, he did get his second and City’s fourth goal. It was only half cleared by Dickson Etuhu and Zabaleta unleashed another thunderbolt from the edge of the box. It flicked off Tevez, over Schwarzer and into the net and City were running away with the game.

Three minutes later, Kolarov could have had his first City goal with a curling effort from the right side of the box, but it was inches the wrong side of the post, with Schwarzer beaten.

With 15 minutes to go, Fulham pulled a goal back. A corner was half cleared by the City defence and Gera shot first time from the edge of the box. It flicked off Yaya Touré’s ankle and past Joe Hart, who couldn’t react to the deflection.

Minutes later, City were unlucky not to have had a penalty as Tevez was fouled trying to skip past Salcido, before Adam Johnson spurned the chance to add to the goals tally as he cut inside from the right wing. He carried it across the edge of the box, but looked for Silva instead of taking on the shot and it was cut out by the Fulham defence.

Gera then fired a free kick well over the bar as the game entered stoppage time, before Andy Johnson looked for a foul from a Zabaleta challenge and Gera wanted a penalty for a de Jong foul, though the referee turned both appeals down.

City fans finished the game bouncing in the away end at Craven Cottage and the performance on the pitch was the answer to recent criticisms. The win also put City back into fourth spot and just three points off the top of the table.

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Manchester City 0 Birmingham 0

2010-11-13T18:33:00.001Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Saturday 13 November 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, K Touré, Kompany, Kolarov (Zabaleta 82), de Jong, Y Touré, Milner (Santa Cruz 67), A Johnson, Silva, Tevez (c) (Barry 84)
Unused: Given, Richards, Vieira, Jo
Goals: -
Booked: Tevez, de Jong

Referee: Michael Jones
Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

After a disappointing Manchester derby, the fans at the City of Manchester Stadium wanted a good start to the match with Birmingham. But, to their disappointment, the game started flatly, as if a continuation of the fixture from midweek.

In fact, aside from exchanging corners neither side could find a shooting chance until midway into the first half. Kolarov found Tevez with a beautiful ball over the top and he laid it on to Johnson. Crowded out, Johnson couldn’t get a shot away, but it broke to Tevez and he fired low and hard across the box. It was begging for a touch, but it never came.

Kolarov then shot straight at Foster after his corner kick was cleared straight back to him, before City were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty as Johnson clipped Ridgewell in the box.

As half time quickly approached, City had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for a handball by Tevez as he nipped in front of Ben Foster. The skipper was booked and the game stumbled to the break.

The first minute of the second half almost had City in front. A brilliant ball into the box for Milner to chase put him through and he got a touch to get past Foster, but his shot was cleared off the line by Carr, after his goalkeeper was beaten.

Kolarov then smacked a free kick straight at Foster, before Larsson did the same at Hart for Birmingham. Johnson then had a shot blocked from a Kolarov corner, before Silva almost slipped Kolo Touré through, but his pass was just too strong.

Just after the hour mark, Tevez almost broke the deadlock, but his shot was just wide of the post as Foster scrambled down. Fahey then forced Hart to stretch as he sent a snap shot towards goal, but it was comfortable for the City keeper.

Tevez’s first touch then let him down as a drilled Kolarov cross reached him in the box and Santa Cruz rose well in the area, but he couldn’t get enough power on the header and it didn’t trouble Foster.

With ten minutes to go, Cameron reminded City that Birmingham were dangerous on the break as he latched onto a long ball ahead of Kolo Touré and fired in a shot into the side netting.

De Jong was denied his first City goal by Foster, as he curled one towards the top corner, before Foster made a meal of a shot from outside the box, but Santa Cruz couldn’t get there before the Birmingham defence.

After a disappointing performance in midweek, the fans weren’t happy with this showing by Roberto Mancini’s men. Nevertheless, City sit in fourth place and have another clean sheet this season.

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Manchester City 0 Manchester United 0

2010-11-11T01:09:00.004Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Wednesday 10 November 2010, 20.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng (Kolarov 83), K Touré, Kompany, Zabaleta, de Jong, Barry, Y Touré, Milner (A Johnson 73), Silva, Tevez (c) (Adebayor 90+5)
Unused: Given, Lescott, Richards, Vieira
Goals: -
Booked: -

Referee: Chris Foy
Man of the Match: Vincent Kompany

City went into this fixture on the back of a good performance and with a mind to avenging the three last minute defeats of last season. And, with news of a virus hitting the United camp, City went into the derby as marginal favourites.

It was the home side who started the game brightly, but a driving run from Tevez was swiftly cut out by Vidic, when the former United striker should possibly have taken the shot on from distance. Zabaleta had a go at a low cross, but Carrick was in the way.

United then had a go at Joe Hart’s goal through Carrick, but the midfielder’s shot was high, wide and not very handsome. Fletcher then summed the game up, by running the ball out of play under pressure from Kompany.

Evra then forced Hart into a comfortable save with a driving run from the middle, before Carrick got in the way of a Nigel de Jong thunderbolt volley at goal, as the ball was cleared from a Milner corner.

With 37 minutes on the clock, Tevez had City’s best chance of the game – a free kick from the centre of goal, roughly 25 yards out. He curled it over the wall and it looked to be heading inside the post, until Van Der Sar got there first.

It took almost until the hour mark for the next chance of the game. Berbatov was able to volley at goal from inside the box, but his effort was straight at Joe Hart and was nothing he couldn’t deal with easily.

A minute later, Tevez had the opportunity to shoot from the edge of the box, but it wasn’t up to his usual standard and bobbled through for Van Der Sar to gobble up.

A scissor kick from the edge of the box from Gareth Barry, as a City corner was nodded clear, was the home side’s next chance, but Van Der Sar didn’t even move as it flew well wide of his goal.

Adam Johnson came on to try and liven the game up, but even he couldn’t do it all by himself – as he skipped into the box between O’Shea and Ferdinand, the ball ran away from him and was cleared by Vidic.

With the game heading towards injury time, Zabaleta had the chance to win it for City as he latched onto a Johnson pass that wasn’t cut out by Ferdinand. But, after stepping inside Vidic, his left footed effort was over the bar.

Tevez had the chance in time added on to unleash a shot from range, but he elected to try and beat his former team-mates. He couldn’t get his shot in and it brought a dour game to its conclusion. Neither side really fashioned a good chance and the points were rightly shared.

It was the very definition of a bore draw.

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West Brom 0 Manchester City 2

2010-11-07T17:32:00.003Z

Barclay’s Premier League

Sunday 7 November 2010, 15.00 KO

City: Hart, Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta (Kolarov 88), de Jong, Barry, Y Toure, Balotelli, Silva (A Johnson 68), Tevez (c)
Unused: Given, Richards, Vieira, Milner, Adebayor
Goals: Balotelli (20, 26)
Booked: de Jong, Barry, Balotelli, Zabaleta
Sent Off: Balotelli

Referee: Lee Probert
Man of the Match: David Silva

It was the home side who started the brighter, knowing that the visitors were feeling somewhat delicate after a poor run of results. But, West Brom’s series of corners came to nought, and City were able to take control of the game.

Tevez had the visitors’ first shot of the game from outside the box, but it was wide of Carson’s post, before he and Balotelli tried a neat one-two in the box, winning City their first corner of the game. That, though, was well cleared by the West Brom defence.

With 10 minutes on the clock, Zabaleta was close to doubling his all-time City total with a 25-yard drive after a Tevez shot was blocked, but it was slightly too high and slightly too wide of Carson’s goal.

Shortly after, though, City made their dominance pay. Silva was the architect with a delightful reverse-ball to Tevez and the Argentinean fired it low and hard across goal, leaving Balotelli with the simple job of knocking it into the net from close range.

Two minutes later and it should have been two for City. Yaya Toué found Silva free in the box and the Spaniard tried to open his body up and beat Carson with a curler to the back post, but it was well pushed away by the keeper. Tevez, though, was probably the better option, free in the centre.

But, minutes later, City had doubled their lead. Silva was involved again, with a delightful ball over the top for Balotelli. He brought it down and, with a little bit of luck to beat the defender, he turned and fired in a right-footed shot straight past Carson and into the net.

While the home side hadn’t really threatened Hart’s goal, City still needed to be alert, with Zabaleta putting in a brilliant block to deny Scharner a free shot on goal, before Tevez went close with a free kick at the other end.

Yaya Touré was his way to the Albion box soon after and, as two defenders came over to cover, he tried to clip the ball to the back post where Balotelli was in acres of space, but it was just cut out before he could have the chance for a first half hat-trick.

The second half began with some West Brom pressure, though there was little really to trouble Joe Hart. Then, with 52 minutes on the clock, Cox had an effort from range that beat Hart, but didn’t beat the frame of the goal, as it rebounded to safety from the post.

Balotelli was then flagged offside as he tried to break through for his and City’s third, before he received a yellow card for diving – something that Mancini will want to cut right out of his game.

And then, just before he was about to be replaced with Adam Johnson, Balotelli was sent off by the referee. It was a deserved red card for a kick on Mulumba, who was booked for his reaction to the challenge.

The red card got Albion going. Hart was called into action to tip a Nicky Shorey free kick over the bar expertly, before Silva was needed on the line to keep the ball from going into the net by flicking it up onto the bar and away.

City had the chance to end the game on 71 minutes after an excellent breakaway by Yaya Touré, relieving the pressure on their goal. But some desperate defending kept Tevez out, as Touré tried to find him at the back post.

Then that same man, Yaya Toué, picked the ball up in his own half and carried it to the corner of the West Brom box. He checked, crossed low looking for Tevez, but it flicked off a defender and needed Carson’s boot to keep it out. Barry picked up the rebound, but his shot was well blocked.

Albion began to press again, but City nicked the ball and began to kill the game with some excellent possession football. The home side’s frustration told when Mulumba scythed down Tevez to receive his second yellow card and end his side’s man advantage.

City saw out the game by keeping the ball in the Albion half. Tevez tried to get his name on the scoresheet with an ambitious lob from a free kick closer to the half-way line than the box, but Carson watched it over the bar and City ended their losing streak.

Lech Poznan 3 Manchester City 1

2010-11-04T20:14:00.000Z

Europa League Group Stage, Group A
Thursday 4 November 2010, 18.00 KO

City: Given, Bridge (Kolarov 69), Boyata, Lescott, Richards, Vieira, Zabaleta (c), Wright-Phillips (Silva 45), Milner (Kompany 77), A Johnson, Adebayor
Unused: Hart, Barry, Jo, Balotelli
Goals: Adebayor (51)
Booked: Richards, Bridge

Referee: Pieter Vink
Man of the Match: Adam Johnson

City started the brighter of the two teams knowing that a victory in Poland would see them qualify from the group. Some neat play between Milner and Johnson should have won City a corner, but the officials turned the appeals down, before Johnson slipped the ball infield for Milner, whose shot was charged down by the Poznan defender. It broke to Adebayor, but he couldn’t get a shot in.

Lescott then smartly put the ball in the Poznan net, when Bridge had quickly put the ball back into the box after a clearance from a corner, but he was rightly flagged offside.

A pair of City corners then came to nothing, before a Stilic effort was charged down by Bridge. Peszko was then too slow to latch onto a through-ball and Given was off his line quickly to gather.

With 18 minutes gone, City should have been in front. A corner from the right caused all sorts of problems in the Poznan box. Adebayor couldn’t get up to nod it into the net, before a Vieira chip to the back post fell to Johnson. He crossed back for Boyata, but the Belgian’s header was bounced off the ground and into the keeper’s arms, when, from six yards out, it should probably have found the net.

On 23 minutes, Given was beaten all ends up from a free kick driven through his man wall by Peszko, but it was just wide of his post. But, soon after, the home side had found the net, against the run of play. City struggled with a high ball into the box and only partially cleared to the edge of the box. Milner got out to close down Injac, but his shot was too quick and it beat Given into the bottom corner.

City were on the ropes for a while, with Lescott almost caught out by Peszko in the centre circle, before rash challenges from Richards and Bridge saw both full backs booked.

With half time approaching, City seemed to be running out of ideas. Milner, Johnson and Adebayor all couldn’t find room for a shot around the edge of the box, before a Johnson free kick missed everybody and bounced behind for a goal-kick.

The first action of the second half saw the visitors level. A corner from the right found Adebayor free in the box. He headed it and it was well stopped by the Poznan goalkeeper, but he could do nothing about Adebayor’s follow-up and he volleyed it into the net.

City could have had another chance to get through on goal after Zabaleta was fouled in the centre, but Johnson’s chip for Adebayor as just too long. At the other end, Zabaleta was in quickly to deny a Poznan breakaway, before a Silva crossfield pass was just too long for Johnson.

With 63 minutes gone, Given was called into action for the visitors, saving from a tight angle, before a deft flick from Adebayor nearly lands in Silva’s path, but the Poznan defence scrambled it away.

Bridge was then lucky not to concede a penalty as he brought down Peszko in the box, before Kielb shot narrowly past Given’s post, with the City keeper throwing himself at the ball.

Lescott then cleared with a great block, before Silva had a great chance to give City the lead after some fantastic work by Adebayor. The Togolese striker broke down the City left all on his own and worked his way into the box, before chipping to Silva, who improvised the shot and it bounced onto the bar and over.

But, just as it looked like City would leave Poland with a point, Poznan scored to change the game. A free kick from deep was lifted into the box and it looked a comfortable clearance for Boyata. He met it, but his header rebounded back off Arboleda and clipped the post on its way past Given.

With less than five minutes to play, City almost nicked an equaliser immediately, after Johnson broke to the by-line and crossed low for Silva. Uncharacteristically, though, the Spaniard put it over the bar from six yards out.

It turned out to be a crucial miss. As the game entered stoppage time, Kompany was crowded out in the midfield after winning two tackles and the ball broke to Mozdzen. From 25 yards out, he smacked a shot straight into the top corner, leaving Given with no chance and winning the game for the Poles.

City in crisis? Only a victory at The Hawthorns on Sunday can prove otherwise.

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