City 1 Sunderland 0
March 22nd 2009 att.43,017
After the dramatic penalty shoot-out in Denmark which saw City through to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup I was hoping for a quiet easy day at the expense of Sunderland on this cold windy day. It was way back in 1981 when we were last beaten at home against them and as we achieved our only away win this season against them back in August I was pretty confident of a win. When they went down to ten men after 16 minutes it should have been a comprehensive victory but knowing City anything is possible especially with tired players and nagging injuries. Robinho missed an early penalty - why oh why didn't Elano take it! On the positive side it was good to see Bojinov back from a long term injury. It was his first start since August 2007 and he did well for 65 minutes before being replaced by Bellamy ( also back from injury). Given did not have a difficult shot to save and once again Dunne and Onuoha did well at the centre of defence but man-of-the-match was undoubtedly Micah Richards who had a storming game - scoring the winner with a header and continually raiding down the right wing causing havoc in the visitors defence. Sunderland did not look a strong side at all and will do well to avoid relegation.
City played some nice football again but missed several chances that would have put the result beyond doubt.
A good crowd with strong support from the visitors whch helped lift the atmosphere witnessed this 6th home league win on the trot
Ireland was missing for City, Elano taking his place and there was a great welcome back for Bojinov. Bellamy was on the bench and Zabaleta deputized for the absent Bridge at left back. de Jong and Kompany returned to midfield.
Richards was soon to show his intentions to raid down the right flank and he was brought down by Murphy in the first minute
after 6 minutes a corner won by SWP ended with a header landing just on top of the net.
Elano picking his way through the Sunderland defence his final pass just eluding Robinho
Seconds later and Bojinov put SWP through on goal........
........he dinked the ball past the onrushing Fulop but to his dismay and all the City supporters the ball went just wide.
a rare image - Robinho showing some effort!
The decisive moment - on 13 minutes - unlucky for McCartney as he held back SWP .........
........ on the edge of the area. The linesman had his flag held high so the referee went over over a little chat
....... which went on for ever before Mr Tanner showed a red card and Sunderland were down to ten men.
Bojinov took the free kick and it just went over the bar
Another rare moment in the first half - a Sunderland attack !
After 17 minutes another Richards raid came to an end when Malbranque brought him down in the penalty area.
It was a clear penalty and a great chance for City to take an early lead......
.... so why Bojinov should get himself involved with Bardsley remains a mystery. He had to be dragged away from the incident by Kompany.
It was yet another stupid unnecessary booking
So it was back to the penalty to be taken by Robinho
Alas he tried to fool Fulop with a stop-start kick but both the direction and power were poor and the keeper made an easy save
Robinho's effort was greeted with derision from the Sunderland supporters
This weeks Disco Dance effort starring Richard Dunne and Kenwyne Jones
Onuoha breaks up a Sunderland attack
Yet another Richards run and cross comes to naught
A diving attempt by Robinho fails to beat the keeper.
An odd moment while City were attacking had Given well out of his goal giving Neddy a message!
Richard Dunne gives away a doubtful free-kick at the edge of the area .......
... but he free-kick hits the wall
Richards jumps high to head clear as half time looms
After 47 minutes we had the welcome sight of a player getting a yellow card for diving - Davenport being the offender
On 56 minutes Jones brought down Bojinov .......
...Elano took the free kick perfectly for Richards to nod down........
...... the ball to beat the keeper and into the goal with Robinho dashing in to make sure.
A well deserved goal for Richards to put City ahead. It was his first for several seasons.
A few minutes later City almost scored again. A good Richards run ......
........ ended with a pass to Elano who just failed to clip the ball past the keeper and into the goal - the ball slipping past the wrong side of the post
After 65 minutes Bojinov got a good reception as he was subbed by Bellamy. He obviously thanked the ref for the caution!
A run and cross by SWP.......
ended with Robinho almost scoring and injury to Bardsley .......
.........who needed attention for a minute or so
A great last ditch tackle by Dunne denied Reid
Another strong Richards run........
....ends with another City corner
Nedum Onuoha heads clear a dangerous Sunderland attack
Garrido and Onuoha fight hard to clear
Robinho fails to connect with an overhead kick
A City breakaway should have clinched it but Robinho's shot was saved. He should have passed to an unmarked Bellamy
Elano's shot from the edge of the box is well saved by Fulop
Robinho is penalized for a foul on the keeper
Team
Given 7: Richards 9 (Garrido 7), Onuoha 7.5 , Dunne 7.5, Zabaleta 6.5 : De Jong 7, Kompany 7 ( Fernandes 6) Wright-Phillips 7.5, Elano 7.5, Robinho 6, Bojinov 7.5, (Bellamy 7 )
