April
2004
Manchester
City v Wolves 3-3
April 10th 2004 att. 47,248
This
was going to be a real six pointer game with both clubs in relegation territory
and what a game it turned out to be. The very opposite of the last match against
Fulham. When you support City you can expect anything to happen and it did. For
any neutrals watching it was a great end to end game with plenty of excitement.
For City fans it was agony at times. How have the mighty fallen. To think we were
dreaming of a top 6 place. That's a laugh. I understand we might qualify for Europe
again like last season!
The
appearance of referee Winter who failed to award City a penalty against Fulham
did not give me much confidence.
Wolves
were quick on the attack and James was brought into action early on.
A
Camara header drops onto the top netting as James does his Tarzan imitation.
A
McManaman pass to Fowler who failed to beat Jones from just inside the penalty
area.
A
poor clearance by Tarnat from a corner is cracked back first time by Mark Kennedy
without David James being able to move a muscle. One nil to Wolves inside 13 minutes.
Why was Tarnat on the right flank?
Jones
thwarts Sibierski as City try to equalize.
Wolves'
second after 23 minutes came as a result of a defensive mix-up. Wright-Phillips
failed to stop Kennedy on the left (arguably a foul by Kennedy). The latters deep
cross to Cort rebounded off Tarnat and with the City defence slow to react the
ball came back to Cort who scored from close range. The expressions on the faces
of the City defence says it all. Two nil to Wolves
A
City attack ends with a shot by Fowler hitting the side netting
A
Camara shot on its way to flick the post before going for a goal kick. Another
escape for the City defence.
Six
minutes before half time City had a free kick over on the left. McManaman ran
over the ball and Tarnat made up for his defensive errors by hitting a sweet free-kick
into the box where Antoine Sibierski headed across Jones into the net to make
it 2-2. We breathed again!
Oh,
they didn't like that! 2-2 at half time.
Yet
another narrow escape for City.
Arthur
Cox in his long dark coat looked like an undertaker watching from the managers
zone. At 2 nil down it was like a wake.
Come back Keegan all is forgiven! After
the defences' display so far his back will have taken a turn for the worst.
After
25 minutes City reduced the arrears. A multi-pass combination on the left ended
with a great low cross Tarnat and Anelka directed his header with pace beyond
Jones.
After
60 minutes James made a wonderful save from a Cort header that was going in the
top corner. A world class save.
The
City defence under pressure again at the resultant corner.
Slovenly
play by Sibierski who lost the ball in the Wolves half gave Camara a run on goal.
On the edge of the area Dunne who was having a nightmare game appeared to touch
the Wolves forward who fell well inside the area and referee Winter who rarely
gives a penalty awarded one. James saved well from Cameron. Sorry no pic of the
save -a digital disaster!
With
ten minutes to go Barton (on for Bosvelt) gave away a free-kick at the edge of
the area and then proceeded to jump aside to let Kennedy's free kick through.
James made a low block but Camara was first to react beating Dunne to the rebound
and Wolves were 3-2 in the lead.
Wanchope
had replaced a poor Fowler but was unable to beat Jones who was able to thwart
Anelka too in the latter stages. As extra time started I had just left my seat
when Shawn Wright-Phillips saved the day by equalizing following a free kick.
The defence had been terrible. They all had bad days trying to cope with the danger
of Cort and Camara.. Tarnat made up for his errors by his two crosses. Fowler
was poor and Anelka missed a few good chances. The midfield gave the ball away
too easily by trying the fancy stuff. There is no place for this sort of stuff
in a relegation struggle.
If
City do manage to survive and the way they played today we did not deserve a point
then something will have to be done about the elderly players being paid princely
sums for little effort. I wonder whether 'Age Concern' have been informed. The
talk now is about a 'Russian Investment'. Perhaps Sven or Ranierri will be the
next manager! Who knows.
I
shall miss the next home game against Southampton. Sorry about that folks.
Team
James
8: Sun 4, Dunne 3, Distin 4 Tarnat 5: Wright-Phillips 6, Boswelt 6 (Barton 4)
Sibierski 5, McManaman 4: Fowler 4 ( Wanchope 6) Anelka 6:
