Ade 3-1 Lech. Who Needs Rooney?

Emmanuel Adebayor scored his first hat-trick for City that sent a big message to Roberto Mancini regarding the rumours surrounding Wayne Rooney.

The Togolese striker was preferred to Carlos Tevez and he became the first City player ever to score a European hat-trick as his three goals sent City back to the top of the group.

With all the hype surrounding Rooney’s apparently imminent departure from Old Trafford, speculation has been rife that City are favourites to sign the out of form England man. But Adebayor’s performance on Thursday may well have Mancini wondering if he should persevere with Ade and forget Rooney all together.

Adebayor scored two goals in the first 24 minutes of the game to put City firmly in control. His first coming when he superbly turned and fired a shot past the visiting keeper Buric, before heading home David Silva’s cross to double City’s lead.

Silva himself played an impressive part in City’s performance and is rapidly establishing himself in the side. The Spaniard could have grabbed a goal himself in the second half but was denied by Buric after another weaving run and shot inside the area.

That came after Lech had pulled a goal back and were threatening to draw level. Joleon Lescott, who was lucky not to concede a penalty in their last home game against Newcastle, seemed to bring down Slawomir Peszko in the same penalty area. The referee waved to play on and City’s dallying in the area was compounded as the ball fell to Joel Tshimbamba, who hammered home to reduce the deficit.

Adebayor had a chance to complete his hat-trick but was let down by an awful first touch and was nearly made to rue that miss when Tshimbamba had a golden chance to level but somehow blazed his shot over.

That was enough to force City to stop messing around and finish the game and Adebayor duly obliged in the 73^rd minute. It was Silva again who provided an inch perfect cross for Adebayor to steer home and send his name into the City history books.

City were hungry for more goals and Adam Johnson, who seems to get better with every game, almost provided the fourth. The tricky winger waltzed his way into the area and curled a shot which bounced off the crossbar and out of play.

Lech still pressed and a dreadful backpass by Dedryck Boyata almost allowed the Poles back in the game but thankfully it came to nothing.

So a second group win for City sent them back to the top of the group and, with Juventus only managing a third draw from three, qualification is looking good for the blues. However, looking at Lech tonight, the return in Poland is not going to be easy but if the blues will probably field a few more of their big names for that one.

As for Adebayor, he has been criticised over the last few weeks over his work rate, but if he continues to perform in such a manner, surely it will be enough to persuade Mancini that he is the best strike partner for Tevez.

What did you think of the game? Will City qualify for the knock out stage? Do we need Rooney? Let us know your thoughts.

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