Manchester City 5 Birmingham 1 April 11th 2010
Barclays Premier League att 45,209
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City continued their recent goal spree as Mancini's magical magicians made mincemeat of Birmingham City scoring five to make it 14 goals in three games. After the incredible start at Burnley the sluggish start to this game was a slight worry but a soft penalty gave City the nudge they needed and from that moment onwards there was only one team in it. Tevez continued his goal spree - 9 goals in 7 games since he returned from Argentina. Adebayor is also running into good form and with both Johnson and Bellamy providing chances I expect more goals to come. Gareth Barry had his best game for a while and Neddy Onuoha surprised us all with his efforts. For once Given had little to do and while Toure and Kompany kept the centre sealed up only a mad moment by Garrido who lost his man caused a blip. A really good performance to follow the incredible 6-1 win at Turf Moor. The crowd was in good voice and rehearsing for the wonderful support they will give against the old enemy next Saturday in the 'Battle at High Noon'.
City made two changes - Garrido coming in for Sylvinho and de Jong for Viera.
There was a great welcome to Bert Trautmann over from Spain for a few days
Bert Trautmann and his wife had front row seats
Bellamy had an early go at the Birmingham goal
An Adebayor shot from a narrow angle hits the side netting
Taylor deputizing for on loan Joe Hart was soon in action for the visitors - he had more to come!
After 16 minutes City nearly went ahead when a shot from Adebayor just went wide of the post much to the disappointment of the home supporters
Taylor manages to save despite the attentions of Adebayor
On 33 minutes Adebayor broke through.....
..........but the Birmingham defenders managed to clear for a corner
Bellamy got a huge ovation when he came across to take the corner
While the Birmingham bench were getting tetchy Roberto Mancini was the personification of elegance and calm!
On 36 minutes Adam Johnson passed to Adebayor who bore down on the Birmingham goal.....
... down went Adebayor and referee Phil Dowd gave a penalty - much to the annoyance of the visitors - I must admit it did look a trifle soft award.
Carlos Tevez duly scored his 19th goal in 18 league games to put City one up
City supporters were overjoyed as the City players congratulated the Argentinean striker
We had hardly stopped clapping for one goal when in went another! A run by Bellamy ended with a corner which was well taken by Adam Johnson. Neddy Onuoha met the cross with force and it looked like it had gone directly past the keeper but later Tevez claimed it had just touched his toe! City 2 nil!
Onuoha got all the congratulations but then City switched off and a break down the left McFaddon with a chance to cross...
..... to an unmarked Jerome who had the easy task of heading past Given. Garrido was ball watching and not man watching
The goal feast was not finished yet as immediately Bellamy dashed down the other end outpaced his marker and crossed to give Adebayor the easy task to prod home City's third goal. 4 goals in five minutes - unbelievable stuff!
The City players celebrate their third goal and the Champions League seems a little nearer as half time arrived with a 3-1 lead
City were soon on attack in the second half with Adebayor going close and a narrow escape for the visitors at a corner
While trouble kicked off in the visitors enclosure at the other end a school trip gave many of them the chance to capture a few photographic memories of the game
Birmingham did get back into the game when Given first missed a cross and then had to make a good save from Fahey
After 63 minutes Tevez took a free kick following a foul on De Jong but Taylor managed to push his shot round the post
There were more efforts by Tevez and Bellamy as City piled on the pressure to add to their score
We had to wait until the 73rd minute for the next City goal and it was a surprise package from our secret weapon Nedum Onuoha who just went through their defence and coolly slotted home to make it 4-1.
Neddy got a great reception from the home supporters and his fellow team mates so will he keep his place for the 'high noon' encounter next week!
While the City fans were in their element there was a different atmosphere among the visiting fans
Adam Johnson continued his good form that might just earn him a trip to South Africa in the summer and he looks a really good buy
With just three minutes to go a long clarence by Johnson from defence caught out the Birmingham defence and Adebayor was away and he slotted the ball past Taylor to make it 5-1
There were lots of smiling faces among the home supporters to greet Adebayor as he performed a celebration jig in front of the North Stand.
The visitors did put in some attacks in extra time Larsson going close with a shot that went just wide but it was all too late and City consolidated 4th place
Team
Given 7: Onuoha 8, Toure 7, Kompany 7, Garrido 6: De Jong 6.5, Barry 8, Johnson 8 ( Cunningham) , Bellamy 8 ( Wright-Phillips), Tevez 8( Santa Cruz), Adebayor 8
