Manchester City have ended Chelsea's unbeaten start to the Premier League season thanks to a superb all round team effort.
The winning goal was a superb 59th minute solo effort from city Captain Carlos Tevez. Picking the ball up on the halfway line before running at the Chesea defence, with Ashley Cole doing all he could to cover for his centre-back his attempted block was in vain as the ball went through his legs Cech was rooted to the spot as the ball went in off the inside of the giant keepers right hand post.
In a solid defensive performance from City
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Super Mario seals win.
Mario Balotelli secured an important away win coming off the bench to score the winner against Romanian side Timisoara.
The boss was taking no chances and fielded a full-strength team, there were two changes from the team that earned an opening day draw with Spurs, with Adebayor and Zabaleta coming in for Wright-Phillips and Richards.
The first half was largely unevenful with only one real moment of worry for City's back line as Timisoara winger Curtean drifted into the box and went to ground so unconvincingly that the referee waved it away.
Carlos Tevez had a free kick was heading for the top left corner but with no real venom it was an easy take for the keeper and that was City's on real shot of any note.
The second half began as the first ended and City slowly began to raise the tempo and got behind the Timisoara back line twice in quick succession, firstly was David Silva's effort which hit the bar but was flagged for offside.
With just over 35 minutes left to play Mancini made his move bringing on debutant Balotelli for Barry and a second after 63 minutes for bringing on Adam Johnson Silva.
City were now dominating possession and on 69 minutes it was Yaya Toure who controlled the ball with his chest and thundered a ferocious shot off the upright and away to safety.
But it was the former Inter youngster who got on the end of an Adebayor cross-shot in the 71st minute to give City the lead. Minutes later he picked up a yellow card for an altication with the Timisoara skipper.
Jo came on for Tevez with just over 10 minutes remaining but there were no more goals to be had. A very good result away from home with the squad starting to show better understanding even after just 2 competitive games under their belt.
The return leg is on 26th Aug 7:45pm kick-off Ticket Info
The boss was taking no chances and fielded a full-strength team, there were two changes from the team that earned an opening day draw with Spurs, with Adebayor and Zabaleta coming in for Wright-Phillips and Richards.
The first half was largely unevenful with only one real moment of worry for City's back line as Timisoara winger Curtean drifted into the box and went to ground so unconvincingly that the referee waved it away.
Carlos Tevez had a free kick was heading for the top left corner but with no real venom it was an easy take for the keeper and that was City's on real shot of any note.
The second half began as the first ended and City slowly began to raise the tempo and got behind the Timisoara back line twice in quick succession, firstly was David Silva's effort which hit the bar but was flagged for offside.
With just over 35 minutes left to play Mancini made his move bringing on debutant Balotelli for Barry and a second after 63 minutes for bringing on Adam Johnson Silva.
City were now dominating possession and on 69 minutes it was Yaya Toure who controlled the ball with his chest and thundered a ferocious shot off the upright and away to safety.
But it was the former Inter youngster who got on the end of an Adebayor cross-shot in the 71st minute to give City the lead. Minutes later he picked up a yellow card for an altication with the Timisoara skipper.
Jo came on for Tevez with just over 10 minutes remaining but there were no more goals to be had. A very good result away from home with the squad starting to show better understanding even after just 2 competitive games under their belt.
The return leg is on 26th Aug 7:45pm kick-off Ticket Info
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Milner finally.....
The most protracted transfer of the summer was finally completed today as England midfielder James Milner became the latest talent to join the Eastlands revolution.
Milner, first linked to City as far back as May put pen-to-paper on a 5 years deal and will wear the famous Number 7 vacated by Stephen Ireland who makes a move in the opposite direction.
Due to the timing of the signing he was unable to be registered to play in tomorrow nights Europa League play-off against Romanian side Timisoara.
On behalf off Pure-MCFC I would like to thank Stevie for his services to the club.
Milner, first linked to City as far back as May put pen-to-paper on a 5 years deal and will wear the famous Number 7 vacated by Stephen Ireland who makes a move in the opposite direction.
Due to the timing of the signing he was unable to be registered to play in tomorrow nights Europa League play-off against Romanian side Timisoara.
On behalf off Pure-MCFC I would like to thank Stevie for his services to the club.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Lion Hart.
Joe Hart's heroics against Spurs have done him no harm in his claim to pin down his place as England's number one goalkeeper.
In front of England head coach, Fabio Capello, Hart made a succession of saves including a couple that were absolutely world class.
In front of England head coach, Fabio Capello, Hart made a succession of saves including a couple that were absolutely world class.
Friday, 13 August 2010
Super Mario Signs In
Mario Balotelli has finally completed his long awaited switch to Eastlands.
The talented teenager today put pen-to-paper on a 5 year deal which sees him re-united with former boss, Roberto Mancini.
Although the transfer was too late to register him to play in the Premier League curtain-raiser against last seasons nemesis Spurs, he could be in line to make his debut in City's first home game of the season against a new look Liverpool.
The talented teenager today put pen-to-paper on a 5 year deal which sees him re-united with former boss, Roberto Mancini.
Although the transfer was too late to register him to play in the Premier League curtain-raiser against last seasons nemesis Spurs, he could be in line to make his debut in City's first home game of the season against a new look Liverpool.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Torres finally speaks out.
The Spanish forward has finally responded to speculation after his summer holiday and fresh from winning the World Cup in South Africa, Torres who returned to training on Monday
dismissed the rumours stating: "I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed."
"I felt at home from the first day, I feel the fans love me and everyone knows I am really happy here and really happy to play at Anfield."
He went on to add: "This[Liverpool] is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. I'm excited about the new season and about the targets of the club. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."
"I know that one trophy here at Liverpool - maybe the Premier League - means more than three or four with another club."
Torres is obviously commited to the cause, is it a lack of ambition? In my opinion it's not, it shows a man who will fight for his team and winning one trophy for the club he loves means more than winning 4 or 5 for a team he meerly plays for.
Loyalty, anybody remember that?
dismissed the rumours stating: "I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed."
"I felt at home from the first day, I feel the fans love me and everyone knows I am really happy here and really happy to play at Anfield."
He went on to add: "This[Liverpool] is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. I'm excited about the new season and about the targets of the club. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."
"I know that one trophy here at Liverpool - maybe the Premier League - means more than three or four with another club."
Torres is obviously commited to the cause, is it a lack of ambition? In my opinion it's not, it shows a man who will fight for his team and winning one trophy for the club he loves means more than winning 4 or 5 for a team he meerly plays for.
Loyalty, anybody remember that?
*images © getty images
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Balotelli done today?
Rumours abound, the one catching most attention regards Balotelli's agent and lawyer having a meeting with MCFC officials today to tie up the loose ends on the transfer. The outcome being that the transfer is hours away not days. Whether it is remains to be seen.
Anyone unsure of the phenominal ability of Mario Balotelli?
For many Italian fans he is seen as a trouble-maker, a bad apple, a disruptive influence. For the few who see below the surface he is the saviour of Italian football, a giant in the making, future world player of the year, that's how highly he is rated.
His ability is in no doubt, nor is his temprament but we must remember this is a young man who made his debut for Inter Milan at the age of 15, yes that's right 15 years old!
Roberto Mancini will bring the very best out of him, the reason? Mancini believes in this lad and Balotelli believes in Mancini that bond of trust and belief will help develop Mario Balotelli into one of the great strikers of his generation, provided he listens and learns, as he matures he should become a forward to strike fear into the heart of any defence in the world.
Meanwhile.....
City played their third game of the US tour yesterday as they took on Mexican side Club America. With several of the world cup absentees returning it was a more recognisable team that took to the pitch.
Yaya Toure had an impressive 45mins making his City debut, showing glimpses of what we can come to expect in the soon to arrive Premier League season.
There were also returns for Gareth Barry, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss and a second half return from his shoulder injury for number one stopper, Shay Given.
City's first real sight on goal was Adam Johnson's shot from the corner of the area,dipping just over the top, Club America's busy midfielder Montenegro hit the post beating Joe Hart's despairing dive.
It was City that made the breakthrough Johnson's weaving run into the box resulted in Masquera bringing down the lively winger. Adebayor placed the ball on the spot and calmly slotted it low to the keepers right, 1-0 to City and that was how it remained as the whistle blew on a decent half of football.
After the break both teams made changes and it was Club America's sub Esqueda who made the first big impact equalising just minutes after half-time, Jo later went close as his shot is deflected wide by the keeper, the ever busy Montenegro fired in a fierce shot that beat Given but came back off the post. In the latter stages, Weiss had a shot from the edge of the box which the keeper spilled to Jo's feet but he was unable to finish.
City then had two chances to score in as many minutes, firstly Adebayor hits bar after through ball from Jo split the Mexican defence.
That was how it finished a 1-1 draw played with a good tempo and so to penalties...
First up was City's goalscorer Adebayor he scored low to keepers right where he'd already scored previously (1-0), Pardo(CA) stepped up to score down the middle (1-1), Jo, who had a hatful of opportunities to score in normal time confidently stepped up to send his shot the same way as Ade (2-1), next up was Mosquera(CA) having given the penalty for City's goal could he redeem himself? The answer was no Given making a save to his right (2-1).
Weiss fresh from the World Cup slotted his spot kick to keepers left(3-1), Montenegro(CA) who had been denied twice by the woodwork saw his shot saved Given diving to his left(3-1), the next one is a pressure shot, score and it's over miss and it continues, who do you want in a pressure situation?
Patrick Vieira of course, after composing himself he slotted his spot kick low to the keepers right to give City a 4-1 win.
With all the penalty takers finding the back of the net and Given making 2 saves, City pick up their first piece of silverware under Mancini, abliet not the kind were dreaming of, but all things start somewhere.
Now the squad prepare to face Italian domestic 'double' winners and reigning European Champions Inter Milan on Saturday.
Anyone unsure of the phenominal ability of Mario Balotelli?
For many Italian fans he is seen as a trouble-maker, a bad apple, a disruptive influence. For the few who see below the surface he is the saviour of Italian football, a giant in the making, future world player of the year, that's how highly he is rated.
His ability is in no doubt, nor is his temprament but we must remember this is a young man who made his debut for Inter Milan at the age of 15, yes that's right 15 years old!
Roberto Mancini will bring the very best out of him, the reason? Mancini believes in this lad and Balotelli believes in Mancini that bond of trust and belief will help develop Mario Balotelli into one of the great strikers of his generation, provided he listens and learns, as he matures he should become a forward to strike fear into the heart of any defence in the world.
Meanwhile.....
City played their third game of the US tour yesterday as they took on Mexican side Club America. With several of the world cup absentees returning it was a more recognisable team that took to the pitch.
Yaya Toure had an impressive 45mins making his City debut, showing glimpses of what we can come to expect in the soon to arrive Premier League season.
There were also returns for Gareth Barry, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss and a second half return from his shoulder injury for number one stopper, Shay Given.
City's first real sight on goal was Adam Johnson's shot from the corner of the area,dipping just over the top, Club America's busy midfielder Montenegro hit the post beating Joe Hart's despairing dive.
It was City that made the breakthrough Johnson's weaving run into the box resulted in Masquera bringing down the lively winger. Adebayor placed the ball on the spot and calmly slotted it low to the keepers right, 1-0 to City and that was how it remained as the whistle blew on a decent half of football.
After the break both teams made changes and it was Club America's sub Esqueda who made the first big impact equalising just minutes after half-time, Jo later went close as his shot is deflected wide by the keeper, the ever busy Montenegro fired in a fierce shot that beat Given but came back off the post. In the latter stages, Weiss had a shot from the edge of the box which the keeper spilled to Jo's feet but he was unable to finish.
City then had two chances to score in as many minutes, firstly Adebayor hits bar after through ball from Jo split the Mexican defence.
That was how it finished a 1-1 draw played with a good tempo and so to penalties...
First up was City's goalscorer Adebayor he scored low to keepers right where he'd already scored previously (1-0), Pardo(CA) stepped up to score down the middle (1-1), Jo, who had a hatful of opportunities to score in normal time confidently stepped up to send his shot the same way as Ade (2-1), next up was Mosquera(CA) having given the penalty for City's goal could he redeem himself? The answer was no Given making a save to his right (2-1).
Weiss fresh from the World Cup slotted his spot kick to keepers left(3-1), Montenegro(CA) who had been denied twice by the woodwork saw his shot saved Given diving to his left(3-1), the next one is a pressure shot, score and it's over miss and it continues, who do you want in a pressure situation?
Patrick Vieira of course, after composing himself he slotted his spot kick low to the keepers right to give City a 4-1 win.
With all the penalty takers finding the back of the net and Given making 2 saves, City pick up their first piece of silverware under Mancini, abliet not the kind were dreaming of, but all things start somewhere.
Now the squad prepare to face Italian domestic 'double' winners and reigning European Champions Inter Milan on Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)