Blackburn 0-2 Man City: New Signings Pay Off
City started it’s 2009-2010 Premier League Campaign off the right way with a 2-0 win at Ewood Park. Emmanuel Adebayor scored the opener after some good pass and go football with Shaun Wright Phillips inside of five minutes. But City struggled at the back. Skipper Richard Dunne, oft rumored to leave City held up well in the middle with Richard Dunne and Micah Richards often scrambling to cover the ground Gareth Barry as the holding midfielder and Wayne Bridge the left back were perennially out of position.
Blackburn had clear pk shout late in the first half when Dunne appeared to have handled a shot in the box. But no call was made, and Shay Given was outstanding as always. Dunne and Given communicate well given their long experience playing together with the Republic of Ireland, but Kolo Toure was still not on the same page with the other back three.
Wayne Bridge continued his form of late last season, which saw him out of position often, pushed too far forward or pinched inside. Bridge’s utility comes more as an attacking option down the left flank, than it does as a man marker.
The second half saw the entrance of Carlos Tevez, who replaced Robinho but played in an advanced position, while Craig Bellamy dropped back into midfield. City showed more tactical savvy and ability to control possession in the second half, but still Barry seemed to be off the same page with the back four. Nigel DeJong, perhaps would have been a better option today, but Hughes will eventually need Barry to suplant DeJong, so best to bloodlet with his team mates early in the campaign.
Stephen Ireland who had a poor game up about the 75th minute sealed the game on a goal where Paul Robinson came off his line and Rovers defense seemed disorganized.
Hughes decision to start Craig Bellamy surely raised eyebrows. But without a doubt the Welsh attacker showed a great deal of both quality and pace today, and his special connection with Hughes could help keep the often volitile Bellamy on his best behavior.
(More later)
PLAYER RATINGS
GIVEN 8
BRIDGE 5
RICHARDS 7
DUNNE 6
TOURE 6
BARRY 5
IRELAND 6
ROBINHO 6
WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 7
BELLAMY 7
ADEBAYOR 7
TEVEZ 7
CONTRIBUTIONS BY DAVID TROTTER, A NEW WRITER FOR MAN CITY BLOG.COM
Chelsea 1-0 Man City: Unlucky 13
City’s thirteenth consecutive match away from home without a victory was a dire affair. As has become almost commonplace when away from Eastlands, city struggled to create chances. Felipe Caicedo perhaps could have done better with a half chance he generated early in the match on a counter attack, but from that point forward, Chelsea had nothing but clear sailing.
The lone goal of the match was scored by the resurgent Michael Essien who has turned in two scintillating performances for Chelsea this week. Pablo Zabeletta, in the starting XI in place of the injured Vincent Kompany lost his mark and allowing Essien an easy chance.
Shay Given was as usual solid between the pipes although he had a rare miscue fumbling an easy corner in the second half. Richard Dunne kept the backline organized, and Wayne Bridge had perhaps his best match in a City shirt, against his former club.
But the City attack was woeful. Elano provided little if any quality, while Shaun Wright Phillips brilliant recent run abruptly ended in the ground where he spent several unhappy seasons in between his two much happier City stints.
City’s performance was flattered by the final scoreline. Chelsea clearly deserved more than the lone Essien goal, but was wasteful going forward and City’s defense held up against almost unrelenting pressure.
Now back to the European campaign and the one hope of silverware this season.
Man City 2-0 AaB: SWP Continues Strong Run
A fine European performance from City ensured that the club would have continue its quest to bring European glory to the blue half of Manchester this year. Shaun Wright Phillips strong play of the last few weeks continued with a masterful personal performance that led City to a decisive victory over a quality opponent at Eastlands.
Most importantly perhaps was City’s failure to concede an away goal, making the Danish side decided underdogs for next week’s return leg.
The fighting spirit of the side was best exemplified by Elano and Robinho two attack minded Brazilians who rarely track back defensively. In the second half with City defending a 2-0 lead and trying to prevent an away goal, both midfielders played excellent defense: very rare indeed but a sign that the squad has embraced the UEFA Cup competition as a real chance for glory this season.
City was perhaps wasteful in much of the second stanza but goes to next week’s away leg knowing a single goal will probably sink the Danish side. AaB is quality opponent who of course took points from Manchester United in Champions League group play this season, so the Blues will need to be on form next week.
Man City 2-0 Aston Villa: SWP Brilliant
Man City favorite Shaun Wright Phillips had an absoltely brilliant match today when the side most needed it in a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
More to follow later.
West Ham 1-0 Manchester City: Away Misery Continues
City’s continued road struggles we evident once again in the first half when West Ham controlled possession and had the bulk of chances. Robinho had a few opportunities early, but what was very distressing was the amount of bad giveaways committed by normally reliable Nigel DeJong and Pablo Zabelleta. Micah Richards suffered a knock and had to come off early.
Collison’s goal was the direct result of two center backs mispositioned themselves and Wayne Bridge not closing down the attacker after a deflection. The match commentator believed Shay Given should have done better and perhaps that is true. But it’s tough to make one great save after another when your defenders are constantly in the wrong places. Richards being off the pitch made no difference in this case: his positioning has consistently been poor away from Eastlands all season.
Felipe Caicedo quickly could have evened the scoreline but missed an opportunity from a relatively tight angle.
But back to Dunne and Richards. The efforts of these two, along with the departed Sylvain Distin probably prevented City from being relegated two years ago and last season, Dunne was again City’s top footballer, with Richards a close second.
But this season both have been adrift. Dunne seems to be regressing while Richards is simply disinterested, and probably should be sold this summer while his potential transfer fee is still high. Playing Nedum Onuoha outside is not a great option either, but when pushed inside today he didn’t defend well either. City had a late opportunity to even the scoreline after a silly clumsy challenge by Scott Parker on Robinho resulted in a City free kick just outside the area. Elano’s outstanding goal bound free kick was deflected by a West Ham defender for a corner.
Of greater concern Micah Richards, Craig Bellamy and Robinho were all injured. One little piece of consultation is that Elano looked sharper than he has appeared in a while after replacing Bellamy early in the second half. Robinho gave more today than he has in sometime away from home, but his injury on a reckless challenge by Parker which should have warrented a second yellow for the West Ham midfielder looked potentially grave, and the Brazilian did not return to the pitch afterwards.
The only truly positive storyline of the match this afternoon was the return after a lengthy injury spell of Valeri Bojinov. But otherwise, it was another dreadul away performance for a club whose players seem largely uninterested once they fall behind.
Liverpool 1-1 City: January Transfers Come in Handy
City’s terrible away from home form gave Liverpool hope that today they could continue to mount a strong title challenge to Manchester United. But after ninety minutes, the Blues gave the red side of Manchester something to cheer about denying Rafa Benetiz’s side two critical home points, and perhaps effectively ending the title race in late February.
Two seasons ago Chelsea was in a similar position and actually had games in hand on United and failed to catch Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Liverpool now has it all to do in the next two months.
City’s performance was outstanding. Richard Dunne’s return helped organize the backline and Vincent Kompany pushed into the midfield to help steady the ship. Stephen Ireland continued his outstanding 2008-09 form and Robinho played his best match on the road in months.
But it was the performances of Craig Bellamy, Shay Given and Nigel DeJong, all January window signings that made City appear to be a presentable footballing side this afternoon. Bellamy got the goal but also showed tenacity to fight for balls going forward that was lacking in the Blues attack before his arrival. DeJong is the type of ball winner City has lacked in midfield since Claudio Reyna and Joey Barton were around and Given, is well Shay Given.
Given is one of the best keepers in English football. That has been no secret for sometime now. But those of us who were concerned he may have a delay in settling into his new club after having spent so much time at St James Park were ill founded. Perhaps Given is comfortable having played for many years with Bellamy and having no doubt rated Richard Dunne and Micah Richards highly as a centre back tandem. Or perhaps Given is so relieved to escape Mike Ashley’s prison on the Tyne that he’s giving the extra early effort.
Whatever the case, Given was simply brilliant. Reflex saves have always been his speciality but this afternoon was one of his best efforts. With the point in the bag, City can go on and focus on Thursday’s UEFA Cup clash with FC Kobenhavn and then be assured that having perhaps the best keeper from the British Isles means you are never out of any match.
Brazilians Continue City Away Misery
The failure of a fitness test just before kickoff by Micah Richards was a clear harbinger of things to come from City. Pompey, bruised and beaten and having just gone through a managerial change dominated the first half. City’s best opportunity to score came around minute 20 when Craig Bellamy laid off a ball for Elano. With seemingly all day to pick the target, the Brazilian missed entirely.
Elano scored midweek for Brazil against Italy at Ashburton Grove, but he looked horrible on Saturday filling in for the suspended Shaun Wright Phillips on the right flank. His Brazilian mate, Robinho who was also brilliant at midweek was if anything even less effective.
City’s backline held up for much of the first half even against the brilliance of Glen Johnson and effective runs of Jermaine Pennant. Dave Nugent, one time England striker kept City level by missing an open target more than once. Shay Given did the best he could to throw Nugent off, including once on a breakaway when Wayne Bridge had pushed so far upfield to try and provide the service that Robinho was incapable or perhaps unwilling to provide.
Shalem Logan made his Premier League debut: not his Man City debut however, as he featured in the League Cup a year and a half ago under Sven Goran Eriksson. Logan looked raw at times but did more to supplement the attack from the right back position than the ineffective Elano did.
Craig Bellamy provided some moments in this match thanks to his legendary and volatile temper. Even after the match Bellamy could be seen trying to lecture the officials. Vincent Company serving as captain for the match tried his best to calm down Bellamy but it was to no avail.
A lack of composure always follows when City falls behind and after Glen Johnson’s brilliant strike midway through the second half the side went to pieces. Robinho, ineffective as always away from Eastlands had already been subbed out, while his Brazilian mate Elano continued his personal efforts to keep Pompey clear of the relegation zone.
Late in the match, the slow and awkward Peter Crouch began to resemble Lionel Messi, getting behind the City defense easily. Had City not made the transfer deadline deal to acquire Shay Given, this scoreline could have been worse and more embarrassing.
Earlier in the week we asked the question as to whether or not Mark Hughes knew how to manage Brazilian attacking players. But the shameful performances by Robinho and Elano against a side that had not won a Premier League match in close to three months beg the question as to whether the duo simply are further proof as to how far Brazil has fallen in the world football pecking order under Dunga.
2-0 was the final scoreline, and City’s woes away from Eastlands continue. The Blues last won away from home in August.
Stoke 1-0 City
City’s continued Premier League road troubles were put to the test at the Britannia today. Having done a good job of turning home fixtures into three points lately, the Blues having three additional key players on the lineup on the road should have made the difference.
But as usual it did not. City started the game poorly although a few counter attacking opportunities presented itself early. But the door was left squarely open when Rory Delap was controversially sent off late in the first half. Tis gave City a man advantage, but a spirited crowd at the Britannia ensured Stoke would stay in the match.
James Beattie who many years ago, I believed was one of the best strikers in English Football has struggled since leaving Southampton in 2005.Beattie was the Saints main target but at Everton he flopped and struggles continued for him in the second flight of English Football.
Matthew Etherington as he did when he was at West Ham gave City fits in the midfield and this helped open the game up for Stoke.
Wayne Bridge is in the England player pool under Fabio Capello while Beattie has been discarded by England and most Premier League managers for sometime. Yet with under a minute remaining in first half stoppage time, Bridge lost Beattie and the ball in the box and the result was the only goal of the game.
In the second half Bridge made some nice runs down the left side, while the insertion of Elano gave City more attacking bite. Nonetheless, Stoke were well organized and the Blues really didn’t have many good chances to score.
Craig Bellamy was tantalizingly close to a spectacular goal in the 81st minute. Bellamy’s work rate was excellent today though no doubt the punditry that makes money off of commenting on English Football will continue to question the large amount of money spent on a what is essentially a journeyman Welsh player.
However, City did not hit the target once in the second half until Wayne Bridge’s long range shot deep into stoppage time.
This loss once again brought forward the trouble with City: Players who seem to connect only in limited spurts, defenders losing their mark in the area, and worse a lack of chemistry and continuity. Nigel De Jong, the new signing from Hamburg did sure up the midfield today as he had on Wednesday against Newcastle.
Where do City go from here? Signing Shay Given as is possible before the transfer deadline is of little use for a dysfunctional attacking squad away from home. The concentration on unrealistic targets like Kaka and Didier Drogba during this window cost the club a chance to sign more potentially valuable rile players like Nigel DeJong.
A midtable finish is probably the best we can hope for from City. But should City’s remarkable home form continue, a UEFA Cup spot remains a target, albeit an allusive one.
Blackburn 2-2 Man City: Post Match Thoughts
A remarkable draw with Sturrdige and Robinho setting up a dramatic equalizer sends City into the new year with some momentum. However, the clubs performance for most of the match was poor, and Mark Hughes tactics were exposed. Sam Allardyce had lots of success against City whilst managing Bolton and MarkHughes return trip to Ewood Park was always going to be a tough game to win. But City’s form away from home is about as poor as it gets, and the club finishes 2008 with the least points in the calender year for any club that played Premiership football in both 2007-08 and 2008-09, inspite of the draw.
Robinho was lively early drawing what should have been a penalty in the area early and then missing just wide on a header that was nicely set up by Felipe Caicedo. Stephen Ireland continued his good form today but the support was lacking. City must address its striker problems when the transfer window opens. Daniel Sturridge’s late goal and assist not withstanding the reported pursuit of Michael Owen could be a critical move for the club. More creativity in the midfield is critical as well in addition to more cover at the back.
The wily veteran Tugay heled control the flow of play for Blackburn and Benny McCarthy who has had success against City previously was on form tonight. Micah Richards had another poor outing bringing into question whether his form is suffecient to be included in Fabio Capello’s England squad going forward.
The tying goal was thing of beuaty with Robinho timing his run perfectly and Sturridge holding off two defenders and then finding Robinho at the back post to set up the equaliser. A draw is a nice result away from home especially when City was clearly outclassed much of the evening, but a serious upgrade is needed for the squad and for the first time in a long time, it seemed Hughes got his tactics wrong in a big match.
Caicedo, Robinho Pace City Victory
Sky Sports Photo
Entering Boxing Day in the relegation zone is not what was expected entering this season for City supporters. It was even more unexpected when Robinho was transferred from Real Madrid right before the Summer transfer window shut. The new Abu Dhabi ownership groups faith in Mark Hughes which appeared misplaced a few days ago was affirmed with today’s smashing 5-1 victory over a Hull City club that entered the match 6th in the table.
The insertion of Felipe Caicedo into the starting lineup by Hughes today made all the difference early. Also critical was the healthy and inspired support play of Robinho and Stephan Ireland. Ireland for his part has been roundly criticized by City supporters for several years now but from my vantage point he has been the clubs most consistent and spirted player this season.
Hughes gave a start to Elano, seemingly in the doghouse and destined to exit the club when the January window opens. Elano responded with a solid performance, perhaps because he is in the shop window, or perhaps because he wants join the potential group of galacticos that may be bought in the January window.
When City performs as they did in today’s first half they are a joy to watch much like Arsenal have been for years now. The buildup play is beautiful when Hughes has a full selection of midfielders to choose from, and when Robinho is performing at a world class level as he did today.
City’s victory takes the club out of the relegation zone and in this confusing Premiership season within site of a European place.
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