Manchester City 2 Portsmouth 0
Sunday 31st January 2010 : GYKO at the COMSTAD

Emmanuel Adebayor acknowledged the heavens in remembrance after scoring for the first time since the gun attack in Angola that left him fearing for his life.

Three members of the Togo backroom staff were killed in the terrorist atrocity that resulted in Adebayor and his team-mates pulling out of the African Nations Cup.

There was no joyous celebration as Adebayor rattled his 40th-minute effort past David James.

But as City returned for the second half, the former Arsenal star looked quietly but pointedly to the sky in honour of his fallen colleagues.

By then, Vincent Kompany had powered home a header from Martin Petrov's corner to ensure the Blues moved to within a point of fourth spot despite a less than convincing performance that was still enough to overcome crisis club Portsmouth, who tried hard enough but were too limited to have any impact.

Although Grant has pledged to remain as manager, there is little to be gained from his job at present other that personal pride.

The sale of Younes Kaboul without his knowledge was a lamentable indictment on the state of a club desperately trying to raise money just to pay the wages this month.

It is a shoddy way for any professional club to treat its staff, let alone one who, for now, remain part of the self-styled best league in the world.

Grant was only able to name a full set of substitutes because Quincy Owusu-Abeye signed on loan and the loss of skipper Hermann Hreidarsson to injury during the first half could cause a problem if reinforcements are not brought in before tomorrow's 5pm transfer deadline.

It was to Grant's credit that Pompey were the better side for 39 minutes.

Taking advantage of City's unusual lethargy, the visitors carved out two fine chances.

John Utaka, one of the few survivors from that 2008 FA Cup final win, was presented with the first but leaned back too far when he got on the end of Danny Webber's cross and scooped his shot over.

Webber and Utaka were also heavily involved in the move that ended with Kompany deflecting Vanden Borre's shot onto his own bar.

Stephen Ireland may only be a slight figure. But he had the strength to hold off Webber and stop the former Watford man tapping Portsmouth in front.

Problems are all relative of course. Yes, it is not nice to see such a proud old club suffering an implosion that seems destined to end in administration.

But, compared to what Adebayor has been through, it really is irrelevant.

The last act of Togo's African Nations Cup was to be banned for two tournaments yesterday.

Given their recent experience, they are probably quite glad even if the decision itself is almost impossible to comprehend.

Anyone with an ounce of compassion could have understood what was going through Adebayor's mind after he crashed his 40th-minute shot past David James.

Latching onto Ireland's lofted pass, his marker Mark Wilson appealing in vain for offside, Adebayor acted as though he no longer knew how to celebrate, an acknowledgement to the heavens at the start of the second half told its own story.

Kompany effectively wrapped up victory in stoppage time.

At City's previous corner, the Belgian had complained of being impeded by Tal Ben Haim.

Having gained no response from referee Martin Atkinson, Kompany took matters into his own hands, simply shrugging the Israeli aside as they ran to meet Martin Petrov's corner, before powering home his first goal of the season.

Portsmouth continued to work hard after the break, which, like Grant, is a testament to their professionalism.

Webber might have breathed fresh life into the contest when he tried to turn home the loose ball after Shay Given had saved from Angelos Basinas.

Unfortunately, the striker missed his kick and fell over.

Now Grant lurches on towards deadline day, six points adrift of the survival waterline, having no real idea what players he is going to be left when the window closes.

Man City: Given, Zabaleta (Onuoha 37), Toure, Kompany (Boyata 59), Garrido, De Jong, Ireland, Barry, Petrov (Bellamy 73), Tevez, Adebayor. Subs not used: Taylor, Wright-Phillips, Sylvinho, Ibrahim. Booked: De Jong.

Goals: Adebayor 40, Kompany 45.

Portsmouth: James, Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson (Finnan 27), Mullins (Owusu-Abeyie 85), Basinas, Jamie O'Hara, Webber (Piquionne 77), Utaka, Boateng. Subs not used: Ashdown, Hughes, Ritchie, Sowah. Booked: Wilson, Basinas, Boateng.

Att: 44,015

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Stretford United 3 Manchester City 1   It's all over Blue
Wednesday 27th January 2010 : Gary Bails for GYKO at Old Trafford

The victory itself was far greater than the prize. No slight is intended on the Carling Cup that the holders will now defend keenly against Aston Villa but there cannot have been a single person inside Old Trafford with that thought in mind. This second leg of the semi-final might have been all that existed in the football world until Wayne Rooney brought it to a close in Manchester United's favour by heading home a cross from Ryan Giggs in stoppage time.

The intensity of Sir Alex Ferguson's side and its attacking vehemence told in the end but the losers still deserve to be saluted. Manchester City did not lack for endeavour and, when United went 3-2 ahead on aggregate, there was a retort. Carlos Tevez, back at his old club's ground, flicked in a ball from Craig Bellamy in the 76th minute.

Emmanuel Adebayor, on as a substitute, had a part in that goal in his first appearance since the murderous attack on the Togo squad and backroom staff at the Africa Cup of Nations. There was almost too much to absorb last night. One incident was reprehensible as, in the second half, Bellamy was hit on the head by a coin hurled from the crowd.

There could be repercussions for United but nobody seemed capable of dwelling on that while the match itself had so ­unrelenting a grip. While City showed commendable persistence, United created sustained havoc. The match would have been beyond the reach of Roberto Mancini's team sooner had Rooney not found a way of missing the target after being found by Nani in the 73rd minute.

The Portuguese winger, of whom so many have despaired for so long in the Old Trafford crowd, gave further proof that he is ready at last to have an impact. Indeed, if so wild an occasion can be trusted, United may be regaining some of the gusto that was once a key trait.

No effort was spared to achieve an edge. Rio Ferdinand chose to deny a charge of violent conduct that followed an incident in the match with Hull City. Aside from any possible feelings of injustice, that decision ensured he was not suspended automatically here. The Carling Cup is more often associated with leading footballers enjoying a night off than finding a loophole that lets them participate.

This was not just a matter of traditional, local rivalry. United will strive to dent the confidence of opponents with the financial means, if not yet the squad, to challenge them on the domestic and even European front one day. The tempo was high and the attacking intent undiluted, with each side employing a three-man forward line when in possession.

Agitation was much more apparent than composure and the referee, Howard Webb, exercised restraint in waiting until the 36th minute before fishing in his pocket for a yellow card after a bad tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips by Paul Scholes. On another occasion there would have been a flurry of cautions by then.

Ferdinand had himself been at risk of a booking and was luckier still to avoidpunishment when, after 24 minutes, he pursued Tevez and caught the Argentinian on the back of his leg. Webb, to the defender's relief, saw no penalty. Tevez, following his spat with former team-matesin the first leg, might also have causedearly heartache in the 30th minute,instead of drawing a good save from Edwin van der Sar.

The chance had been laid on by Bellamy, who ought to be a candidate for the footballer of the year award. His side was also vigorous and, before the interval, neither team had been in command for long. Mancini has had an early impact at the club by instilling a touch of rigour into the defence. This has occurred despite the current need to put a youngster such as Dedryck Boyata at the core of the back four while Joleon Lescott recovers from surgery.

Ferguson will have appreciated that his men, for all the endeavour, had not been at their sharpest. A great deal rested with Rooney, who has been in prime form, to wreak havoc. By playing in a supporting role he contributed to a goal in the 52nd minute. Rooney picked out Ryan Giggs on the right and after a challenge by Nani the ball was laid back to Scholes by Michael Carrick. The veteran drove home low past the right hand of Shay Given.

Of late Scholes has been used in a deep midfield role that lets him conserve his energy but there is always a regret in seeing a menacing footballer defanged. We were reminded here of the way in which his sharp attacking can galvanise a team. United threatened to swamp City, as if levelling the score in the tie was merely the start. Mancini's side strove to rally but could not keep their opponents at bay.

Ferguson's side moved ahead on aggregate after 71 minutes when Carrick shot home after an attempt by Darren Fletcher had been blocked. The sheer forcefulness of United was thwarted for a time but could not be denied indefinitely.

Teams:

Man Utd Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Brown 74), Ferdinand,Jonathan Evans, Evra, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick,Nani (Valencia 90), Rooney, Giggs.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Owen, Berbatov, Park, Vidic.

Booked: Scholes, Nani.

Goals: Scholes 52, Carrick 71, Rooney 90.

Man City Given, Richards, Kompany, Boyata,Garrido (Ireland 64), De Jong, Barry, Zabaleta,Wright-Phillips (Adebayor 72), Tevez, Bellamy.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Onuoha, Sylvinho, Petrov, Ibrahim.

Booked: Tevez.

Goals: Tevez 76.

Agg (4-3)

Att: 74,576

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Return to Main Page

Scunthorpe Utd 2 Manchester City 4   Scunnie Scuppered
Sunday 24th January 2010 : Barry Randall for GYKO at Glanford Park

 If, as looks increasingly likely, this is going to be the last game Robinho starts for Manchester City, he can at least reflect that he went out on a high of sorts. The Brazilian may not have come to England with the intention of defeating sides of Scunthorpe's calibre but the late goal that saw off the side currently fourth from bottom of the Championship can be described as some kind of farewell gift – providing, that is, he gets his wish to leave England.

Until then it had looked as if the former Real Madrid player would remember this as an occasion that encompassed all his memories of English football: a wintry afternoon in a strange town, little time on the ball, a heavy pitch and an opposition crowd roaring with malicious joy whenever his first touch let him down, or on those demoralising moments when he tried his luck from distance without any of the magic of old.

What happens next for the most expensive player in the history of the English game is surrounded in confusion given Roberto Mancini's comments after the match that he did not want him to leave the club, despite the player making it clear in an interview on Brazilian radio that he was desperate to rejoin his former club Santos, and with Benfica also registering an official interest. What can be said for certain, though, is that his first goal of a disappointing season for him personally came at a good time for his current employers – a point in the match at which they were looking vulnerable to Scunthorpe coming back from 3-1 down to force a replay that had seemed improbable in the extreme when Sylvinho stylishly lashed in City's third goal from 30 yards.

Sylvinho will never strike the ball more sweetly and that might have been the moment when the Championship side decided it should be an exercise in damage limitation and set about ensuring that their first-ever live appearance on terrestrial television did not end in a more crushing defeat. Instead Nigel Adkins's side came back valiantly, subjecting their opponents to near-unremitting pressure once Dedryck Boyata, the young City centre-half, had turned Cliff Byrne's shot past his own goalkeeper, Stuart Taylor, to make it 3-2. Scunthorpe will also reflect on a number of other close misses but ultimately this was a story of the Premier League side's superior finishing.

Mancini's team will play Stoke City in the fifth round and the Italian will feel that he was justified in resting Carlos Tevez, Shay Given and a few others ahead of the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Wednesday. Mancini also withdrew Nigel de Jong at half-time, bringing on 18-year-old Greg Cunningham for his first appearance in a side already featuring the 19-year-old Boyata and another 18-year-old debutant, Abdisalam Ibrahim.

It was an experimental, slightly risky side, which contributed to an absorbing game, full of attacking football but always with the sense that the away side had a little more know-how than their opponents. City certainly could not have had a much better start, Martin Petrov advancing through the inside-left channel and suddenly finding a gap appearing in front of him, striking a stunning left-foot drive beyond Joe Murphy in the home goal.

Though Mancini has now won six of his first seven games since replacing Mark Hughes, his side are still capable of making life hard for themselves. The equaliser, courtesy of Paul Hayes's volley just before the half-hour, was thoroughly merited, even if the striker was a yard offside before he latched on to Martyn Woolford's flick and volleyed past Taylor.

Hayes had already missed a far easier chance from eight yards and Byrne had headed against the crossbar but Scunthorpe were also guilty of leaving themselves exposed in defence and City re-established the lead just before half-time when Stephen Ireland's clever pass picked out Nedum Onuoha and the right-back slipped the ball past Murphy.

When Sylvinho extended the lead after 57 minutes it looked briefly as if City would run away with the match but Murphy saved twice from Robinho to earn a begrudging handshake from the Brazilian and there was a genuine sense that the game could be salvaged once Boyata inadvertently turned the ball past Taylor. Instead Robinho finished off a flowing passing move and, possibly for the last time, we saw that familiar smile on an English football ground.

Teams:

Scunthorpe Murphy, Byrne, Mirfin, Jones (Milne 82), Williams,Thompson, Togwell, McCann (Josh Wright 88), Woolford,Hayes (Forte 88), Hooper.

Subs Not Used: Lillis, Sparrow, May, Crosby.

Goals: Hayes 29, Boyata 69 og.

Man City Taylor, Onuoha, Boyata, Kompany, Sylvinho, Ibrahim,De Jong (Cunningham 46), Ireland (Zabaleta 66), Mwaruwari,Robinho (Bellamy 85), Petrov.

Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Barry.

Booked: Cunningham.

Goals: Petrov 3, Onuoha 45, Sylvinho 57, Robinho 84.

Att: 8,861

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Manchester City 2 Stretford United 1   Half Way to Wembley
Tuesday 19th January 2010 : GYKO at the COMSTAD

Manchester City's supporters have maintained their vigil for decades, waiting for the sign that transformation truly is at hand. Two goals from Carlos Tevez against his old employers did hint at nemesis for Manchester United but his current admirers have gone through far too much distress to suppose that glory is now imminent in this Carling Cup semi-final.

The pounding that Wayne Rooney gave City as an equaliser was pursued will be remembered by those fans but they still departed with a tremor of hope. The fates had stood by their side, when saves by Shay Given and a goal-line clearance by Nedum Onuoha from an effort by another substitute, Michael Owen, were needed in the closing phase.

The match, all the same, held other ­stories that the victors will rejoice in retelling. They had, after all, come back from a goal down to attain this joy. It is much too soon to tell whether City have been transformed but Tevez is certainly in the midst of an astonishing spell.

He altered the whole nature of this game. The equaliser in the 42nd minute was perplexing since the visitors dominated the first half as if their opponents had never been drenched in the torrent of Sheikh Mansour's wealth. United displayed a command they had not necessarily enjoyed even when City were downright poor.

Roberto Mancini, the City manager, must have feared that and had put an emphasis on solidity. Eventually there were many indications of the attributes in the United side that nudged him towards such caution but the initial effect of the strategy was to subdue his men without attaining security.

It added to the vulnerability when United moved ahead in the 17th minute. The forward Craig Bellamy, scurrying back to cover on the left, was beaten with little fuss by Antonio Valencia and the winger hit a low cross that Rooney knocked against Given, with Ryan Giggs tapping in the rebound for his first goal in this derby fixture since 1996.

The immediate response by Mancini was to keep Bellamy in a deep position on the left, presumably in the hope that sheer numbers would check United in that area. Tactics, all the same, had no bearing on the equaliser. Rafael da Silva clutched Bellamy's jersey and maintained his grip as the Welshman entered the area.

Having played an initial advantage, the referee, Mike Dean, was correct to whistle once a penalty was due City. Their defender Micah Richards had conceded a spot-kick in just that manner at the weekend in the defeat by Everton. United complained fiercely that Rafael's fouling had ceased just short of the area but anyone with a sportsmanlike attitude would have been glad of the conclusion reached.

Edwin van der Sar, having been cautioned for delaying the penalty, still saw Tevez lash it high past his left hand. There was joy and gloating in equal measure of home fans who witnessed the attacker cause United such angst. Rivalry added to the gravity of this encounter.

The interest taken by the visitors in the Carling Cup is highly variable but Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to dent the confidence of an emerging foe and his line-up was fairly strong. City's manager does not have as many selection dilemmas as he would like. The timing of Mark Hughes's sacking was adroit since it left Mancini with the prospect of some simple wins and four victories were racked up in low-intensity matches, but the newcomer is too experienced to suffer from false encouragement.

He cannot have been wholly surprised by defeat at Goodison. Mancini continues to consider his options and the 19-year-old Dedryck Boyata was given his second start for the club here. It is no coincidence that such an opportunity should be extended to a centre-half. Mancini, after all, must achieve the security that eluded Hughes, even if Tevez has his mind on more than resistance. The attacker might have broken the deadlock but instead misdirected a header from Shaun Wright-Phillips's cross in the 23rd minute. The impact had only been delayed.

Tevez put a complete stop to any sense of security United had with his second goal. Bellamy's corner in the 65th minute was sent deep and, when Pablo Zabaleta headed it down, Vincent Kompany lobbed the ball into the centre for the striker to nod past Van der Sar, who then made an unfounded claim for offside.

The frenzy that ensued from United was gripping to witness. Old Trafford will seethe with passion in the return when hopefully City will make that final push.

Teams

Man City Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boyata (Onuoha 69),Garrido, De Jong, Kompany, Barry,Wright-Phillips (Sylvinho 84), Tevez (Mwaruwari 79), Bellamy.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Ireland, Robinho, Petrov.

Booked: De Jong.

Goals: Tevez 42 pen, 65.

Man Utd Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Diouf 90), Brown,Jonathan Evans, Evra, Anderson (Owen 72), Carrick, Fletcher,Valencia (Scholes 88), Rooney, Giggs.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Park, Fabio Da Silva.

Booked: Rafael Da Silva, Van der Sar.

Goals: Giggs 17.

Att: 46,067

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Everton 2 Manchester City 0       Moyes makes his point
Saturday 16th January 2010 : Paul Robinson for GYKO at Goodison Park

Roberto Mancini received a reminder, if he needed one, at Goodison Park of how tough life can be in the Barclays Premier League. After seeing his Manchester City side win their first four games in all competitions, the Italian manager had to endure the bitter taste of defeat. Goals from Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha (penalty) gave Everton a deserved victory and reason to be optimistic for the remainder of the campaign.

City were found wanting - not least Robinho, who suffered the ignominy of being substituted after replacing the injured Roque Santa Cruz. They got off to a good start though and Martin Petrov strode forward before delivering a rasping shot that goalkeeper Tim Howard was content to parry to safety.

The home side hit back and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov sent a header into Shay Given's arms following a cross from Landon Donovan on his home debut. Robinho then had a half-chance for City following a flick on from Carlos Tevez but cleared the bar with his effort.

Play switched back down the other end and Donovan came close to making the breakthrough in the 20th minute. He clipped the ball beyond Given but narrowly wide of the post after being set up by Saha. Donovan then swung in a corner from the left three minutes later and Marouane Fellaini peeled away from his marker only to deliver a weak header that Given collected comfortably. Everton stepped up the pace and Fellaini cracked a shot wide before Bilyaletdinov saw his close-range effort turned over the top by Given in the 27th minute.

Pienaar made the breakthrough in the 36th minute after Pablo Zabaleta's challenge on Saha. The South African took the free-kick and from 20 yards curled the ball beyond Given at the goalkeeper's near post. Everton almost got a second seven minutes later after Bilyaletdinov brushed aside Zabaleta and raced into the box. However, the Russian snatched at his shot and sent it wide of the target.

Craig Bellamy went close for City before Everton added a second in first-half stoppage time. Saha scored a cool penalty in the wake of City protests after he had his shirt tugged by Micah Richards.

City boss Mancini made a change at half-time, bringing on Benjani Mwaruwari to give Tevez some support with Petrov remaining in the dressing room. The main concern for the former Inter Milan boss was that there was little invention from midfield.

Everton were playing with confidence but there was some anxiety in their ranks when Pienaar went to ground after a challenge from Richards in the 55th minute. Pienaar looked shaken up but after brief treatment returned to help his side.

City were struggling to get a foothold in the game and Mancini had obviously seen enough from Robinho to know he was not testing the opposition. He decided to replace the ineffective substitute and bring on Shaun Wright-Phillips in the 62nd minute. It was another setback for Robinho, who had tested the patience of the previous manager Mark Hughes.

Everton were holding firm at this stage with former City defender Distin not giving an inch. Toffees boss David Moyes, however, decided not to push Distin too much after his injury and brought on Seamus Coleman in the 70th minute. Everton were keeping their shape well and almost extended their lead after two swift counter-attacks. Fellaini got on the end of Pienaar's corner in the 79th minute but Given reacted superbly to tip his header onto the post. Then a minute later Tim Cahill smacked the bar as the visitors again found themselves on the back foot.

City kept pushing forward but to no avail as Everton dealt a blow to their hopes of clinching a Champions League place or on this form a top six place...

Teams:

Everton Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin (Coleman 70),Baines, Donovan (Baxter 90), Fellaini, Pienaar, Bilyaletdinov,Cahill, Saha (Vaughan 84).

Subs Not Used: Nash, Forshaw, Duffy, Mustafi.

Goals: Pienaar 36, Saha 45 pen.

Man City Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Garrido,Petrov (Mwaruwari 46), De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez,Santa Cruz (Robinho 9), Robinho (Wright-Phillips 60).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Onuoha, Sylvinho, Boyata.

Att: 37,378

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Return to Main Page

Manchester City 4 Blackburn Rovers 1  Tevez Wrecks Rovers
Monday 11th January 2010 : GYKO at the COMSTAD

ALEX FERGUSON had no regrets when he lamely let Carlos Tevez go from the red to the blue side of Manchester. Not worth the money apparently. Well, as Wayne Rooney carries the goalscoring burden on his own at Old Trafford, United's boss might well be having second thoughts. The Reds' faithful had implored the club to sign him up. But the powers that be did not listen. By the time they asked the Argentine striker to make his loan move permanent at the end of last season, it was too late. Ferguson subsequently mused they had not been that bothered and he was comfortable with things. There will be a few United fans scratching their heads right now, though, because Tevez is looking worth every penny and more of the £25million City paid for him.

After a hat-trick last night, the 25-year-old striker's tally stands at 11 goals in eight starts and 15 for the season.
Tevez received the Barclay's Player of the Month award for December before kick-off and then produced a performance which lifted City into the top four for the first time since November 1. City are now just seven points behind leaders Chelsea and six behind second-placed United, with a game in hand on the old enemy.

Tevez's hat-trick goals came in the seventh, 49th and 91st minutes, with Micah Richards getting the other six minutes before the break.

Morten Gamst Pedersen's 71st-minute curler, after a mistake by Vincent Kompany, was beleaguered Blackburn's only consolation. They have not won in nine league games and hang three points above the drop zone.

No such problems for City, who are on a five-game winning run including Hughes' last match and the FA Cup victory at Middlesbrough. The only downside for new boss Roberto Mancini, or Bobby Manc as the City faithful call him, was the fact they conceded the first goal of his reign.

Mancini has not been afraid to change things tactically or personnel-wise since his arrival and sprang a surprise by giving Benjani his first start in the league since December 2008. It worked too, as City's forgotten striker linked up superbly with Tevez and the rest of the team. Even so, his influence in the first goal was more through luck than judgment. Martin Petrov swung over a seventh-minute corner, which Paul Robinson came to punch. He succeeded only in colliding with team-mate Keith Andrews. The ball flopped down to Benjani, who miskicked his attempted shot across goal and Tevez met it like a poacher supreme.

City's second was a special moment for Richards, whose future looked in doubt after a series of below-par performances under Hughes. But he was boosted this week when Mancini said how highly he rated him and that he definitely wanted him to stay. He picked up the ball 10 yards outside his own box and set off like an American footballer who had just won an interception and was heading for the end zone. The pitch opened up as he tore towards the Rovers area. From just outside it, he slipped a pass in to Benjani whose shot came back off the inside of a post. Fortunately, Richards had continued his run and followed up to scoop the ball home under pressure from retreating Rovers centre-back Ryan Nelsen.

Not long after the restart, the home fans were celebrating another Tevez goal. Tevez began and finished the move, first finding Benjani with a sweeping ball to the right flank. Benjani's control was perfect, as was the way he evaded Gael Givet before pulling the ball back. Petrov dummied and Tevez caught it first time with a superb right-foot effort past the outstretched arm of Robinson.

After Rovers' reply, Tevez completed his hat-trick with the goal of the night. Pablo Zabaleta cut out a Rovers throw and fed sub Robinho, who touched the ball off to Tevez on the edge of the box. There appeared no room for a shot. But with a short backlift he fashioned one round his marker and past a startled Robinson.

Teams:

Man City Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Garrido, Petrov (Boyata 87), De Jong, Barry, Bellamy (Robinho 69),Tevez, Mwaruwari (Santa Cruz 81).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Wright-Phillips, Sylvinho, Ibrahim.

Booked: Zabaleta.

Goals: Tevez 7, Richards 39, Tevez 49, 90.

Blackburn Robinson, Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Emerton, Andrews (Hoilett 46), Nzonzi, Pedersen, Dunn (Olsson 66),Di Santo (Kalinic 46).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Reid, Salgado, Chimbonda.

Booked: Pedersen.

Goals: Pedersen 71.

Att: 40,292

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
 

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 1     Up on the Riverside
Saturday 2nd January 2010: Billy Howe for GYKO at the Riverside

BENJANI fired Manchester City through to the fourth round of the FA Cup as Middlesbrough were edged aside at the Riverside. The striker converted Martin Petrov's through-ball on the stroke of half-time to claim victory in a tight game.

Substitute Carlos Tevez had two good chances to extend a much-changed City's lead, while Boro were unable to force a replay despite a battling performance. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, enjoying his first test of cup action in the City hot seat used the depth of his squad to make five changes to the side which beat Wolves 3-0. Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry were all left on the bench, with Stephen Ireland injured and Kolo Toure away on African Nations Cup duty. Sylvinho, Javier Garrido and Benjani were drafted into the starting line-up, along with youngsters Vladimir Weiss and Dedryck Boyata.

Boro manager Gordon Strachan named the same side which went down 2-1 at Barnsley on Monday, with on-loan striker Marcus Bent named up front after agreeing an extension earlier this week.

The game kicked off with snow still falling at the Riverside Stadium, with the first real attack arrived with six minutes gone when Justin Hoye denied Martin Petrov a sniff of goal. But the Teessiders were unable to clear their lines and might have fallen behind seconds later.

Pablo Zabaleta's initial shot was blocked by a combination of David Wheater and Rhys Williams before his follow-up went just wide off the back of Julio Arca. Boro, who had won only two of their 10 matches under Strachan before today, responded well as Bent and youngster Jonathan Franks started to force their way into the game. Full-back Tony McMahon mustered his side's first real attempt on goal with 23 minutes gone, but his curling left-footed effort was well wide of Given's far post.

Boro were dealt a blow when Johnson, who had just recovered from a hamstring injury, pulled up lame yet again. He was replaced by Marvin Emnes two minutes later, with the Dutchman quickly into the action when a well-timed tackle by Boyata denied him a chance in the box.

Petrov and Benjani almost found a way through the home defence with six minutes of the half remaining when the midfielder played a one-two with the striker before blasting a right-foot shot wide. But the same pair did the trick on the stroke of half-time when Petrov's fine pass put the Zimbabwean striker in on goal and he finished confidently.

City made two changes at the break when central defender Micah Richards and De Jong failed to return and were replaced by Barry and Tevez.

Boro thought they should have been awarded a 47th-minute penalty when O'Neil went down under Sylvinho's challenge inside the box. The midfielder was stunned not to get the decision as the Brazilian protested his innocence, and Mr Attwell brandished a yellow card to add to his disappointment.

Tevez's presence presented the Teessiders with an entirely different set of problems, although they just about managed to keep him at bay during the early stages of the half. The Championship side suffered a second injury blow with 55 minutes gone when Emnes landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge and after extensive treatment on the pitch, was replaced by Mark Yeates. Within seconds, Coyne was called upon to make an important save after Tevez created a yard of space for himself and fired in a well-struck right-foot shot from distance.

Tevez might have wrapped the tie up with 68 minutes gone when he rounded Coyne only to shoot wide from a tight angle. The Argentine then curled a right-foot free-kick just wide with nine minutes remaining, but still Boro had hope.

Riggott had to hack substitute Bellamy's cross out for a corner seconds later with the visitors attacking at pace before Tevez and then Petrov narrowly missed the target in a late flurry.

Teams :

Middlesbrough: Coyne, Hoyte, Riggott, Wheater, McMahon, O'Neil, Rhys Williams, Arca (Luke Williams 70), Johnson (Emnes 32), Bent, Franks, Emnes (Yeates 57). Subs Not Used: Steele, Shawky, Grounds, Bennett. Booked: O'Neil.

Man City: Given, Richards (Barry 46), Garrido, Sylvinho, Kompany, Zabaleta, Petrov, Weiss (Bellamy 74), De Jong (Tevez 46), Mwaruwari, Boyata. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Vidal, Trippier, Tutte. Booked: Garrido, Barry. Goals: Mwaruwari 45.

Att: 12,474

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).