March 2008
City 2 Spurs 1
March 16th 2008 40,180
A very welcome win for City -the first since the 'derby' win and the first at home in the Premiership since the Bolton game in December and the first league win against Spurs since 2003. The game was better then the recent faire served up at COMS. City just about deserved their win - Robinson having more to do than Hart. Elano had his best game for a while and Castillo and Fernandes did well. Benjani may not be scoring the goals but he holds the ball up well when given the ball on the floor and he takes on defenders. Dunne and Onuoha did well at the centre of defence. Johnson also made some good runs but despite his goal Ireland is still lacking the form he is capable of. Considering some of the key players missing it was a hard earned win and there is still an outside chance of a European place if results go our way. It's going to be a tough run-in to the end of the season and we wait with baited breathe to find out how much cash will be available in the summer for an improved run at Europe next season.
There was a big welcome back for 'Chairman Frank' and boxer Ricky Hatton before the game
..... and it's not often you see the Chairman waiting by the tunnel for the players to emerge.........
.... with a bevy of Canon lenses pointing in his direction and do I see a new figure from another planet on the left..... or is it Moonchester in disguise!
Good to see skipper Richard Dunne back after his injury scare. Richards, Ball and Petrov still absent.
After just three minutes Keane showed how dangerous he can be by making a chance for himself from a tight angle but his shot went wide
Good work by Castillo fed Benjani who tries to elude the attentions of Woodgate and Chimbonda.........
.....but eventually Woodgate clears for a corner
Fernandes tracks Berbatov carefully
Joe Hart comes out to take an awkward ball under pressure
Castillo was having some good runs taking on opposing defenders
Behind a placid Spurs bench Jimmy Cassell points out a feature of City's play to a colleague.
Elano back to better form tries to break through
Garrido does a dash down the wing but a Spurs defender clears the ball off the City player for a goal kick.
Dawson puts the City defence under pressure at a corner
After 27 minutes City had a great chance. First Johnson's shot was blocked by the falling Dawson who appeared to handle..........
....... then Elano shot and Dawson once again saved the day for Spurs blocking the ball on the line with Robinson beaten.
The ball was partially cleared but back it came again and it was once again Dawson to the rescue........
...Eventually Robinson caught a centre from Corluka and the danger for Spurs was over.
Yes it's that man Dawson again heading clear!
After 33 minutes City went behind. Corluka failed to intercept a long pass to Chimbonda and Keane took a pass and cracked the ball past Hart to make it one nil Ouch!
Referee Clattenburg, who to be fair tried to keep the game flowing, comes in to mediate an Elano moment.
Castillo shoots into the side netting from a narrow angle after 36 minutes.
Benjani was working hard holding the ball when necessary but with City down at half time there was much more work to do to save the game.
Chimbonda manages to clear from Johnson but the ball ran to Elano shot.... but Robinson saved..........and pushed it clear.....
Just as Vassell was being prepared to come on as sub for Steve Ireland Benjani broke down the left and centered....... Castillo miskicked and the ball was headed on by Elano..........
..... and Elano saved it from being a corner but his centre was headed clear by..... you guessed it - Dawson!
City started the second half putting pressure on Spurs who had substituted Lennon with Huddlestone - Benjani being the City player in action here.
Benjani provided a half chance for a promising Castillo but Spurs hung on and cleared.
..... straight to a suspiciously offside Stephen Ireland who side footed it in past Robinson to equalize for City. It was a touch and go decision but City deserved a bit of luck
Hutton blocks an Elano shot
After 67 minutes Keane and Malbranque were subbed.......
...... Keane was not too keen on being substituted and threw a jacket on the ground as he went to sit down. Oh dear the dummy is out again!
A few minutes later and City made a sub with Vassell coming on for Castillo. He made an immediate impact forcing a corner on the right...........
A great swinging corner was headed home with great power by Neddy Onuoha - his first goal for the club and what a great header it was. Hope it was the first of many.
He was like the City supporters - overjoyed
The Spurs delegation in the directors box were none too pleased but there were plenty of smiles on the City side.
Joe Hart gets all puffed up making this save.
Vassell beats the defence and crosses......
......but Johnson - about to shoot - put the half chance wide
A free kick taken by O Hara ended up in the City net but............
.....the linesman had his flag raised -presumably offside against Berbatov and as the Spurs supporters cheers died down the City supporters mimicked the cries until the final whistle went and later as the visiting supporters went back to their coaches!
Team
Hart 6.5: Corluka 6, Dunne 7.5, Onuoha 7.5, Garrido 6: Castillo 6.5 (Vassell 6.5), Fernandes 7, Johnson 7.5, Ireland 6: Elano 7 (Caicedo 6): Benjani 7(Sun )
