Manchester City 1 Wolves 0 August 22nd 2009
Barclays Premier League att 47,287
A full house at Eastlands to start the home season saw a narrow City victory which should have been at least 4-1 if even some of the chances had been taken. In the past I have enjoyed a couple of 7 goal thrillers between these two teams in the old first division but after a good first half the second 45 minutes was disappointing. On the positive side many chances were created but we cannot afford to miss so many. Wolves came to defend and rarely troubled Given so City had most of the play and just maybe we got too cocky and expected them to capitulate. I thought Bridge had his best game for us and all the debut players did well.
City had one change from the Blackburn away win, Tevez coming in for Bellamy. Tevez,Barry Adebayor and Toure were all making their home league debuts
Mike Summerbee was officially announced as City Ambassador.
Wolves brought good support to Eastlands
He went that-a-way!
Mick McCarthy our old centre half in the 80's
( 163 games) - now manager at Wolves
Early pressure on the Wolves goal
SWP was soon to cause problems for the Wolves defence
Adebayor just fails to beat Craddock
Gareth Barry had a warm welcome when he took his first corner
A rare shot from Wolves goes wide - Keogh the shooter
Toure heads clear from Edwards
After 17 minutes City took the lead. The move started over on the right wing by Robinho who passed to Bridge and his cross reached Tevez after Barry tried an overhead kick unsuccessfully.....
Tevez laid the ball off for Adebayor to beat Hennessey at his near post with a crisp shot
There was much jubilation among the City supporters - and players
Ward manages to clear from SWP into touch
On 24 minutes Adebayor had a good chance but shot straight at the keeper
Robinho also shoots straight at the keeper when well placed
Robinho is then held back by Stearman....
..........who got a yellow card but the free kick taken by Tevez came to nothing. We need improvement in this department as well as corners
Just after the half hour mark Robinho made a dinking run down the left wing and banged in a surprise shot that Hennessey did well to save.
We had a moment of worry when Adebayor went off for a minute or so for treatment but he was soon back
There were rumors that Lescott was in the ground but I couldn't spot him but I did see actor Warren Clarke
Five minutes before half time Wolves almost scored. A good run by Jarvis ended with a stunning save by Given from his finish
City clear the resultant corner
Just before half time SWP manages to beat Ward on the goal line....
....... and as he tried to pass - appeared to be held by Ward and down he went but appeals for a penalty were turned down. I think it would have been a lucky award
In time added Tevez had a good heading chance but the ball went just wide
Wright-Phillips loses a duel with Hennessey
Adebayor shoots into the side netting when well placed - another chance
Ireland misses a golden chance when only the keeper to beat. Incredible miss
Richards clears from Ward
City looked certain to get a second when Adebayor broke through but his first touch took him too wide.......
..... and his final effort went into the side netting
Robinho did score but he was ruled offside
Wolves nearly scored when the defence let Keogh through but fortunately for City the ball crashed against the bar
City had a final chance when a cross from Robinho was so nearly steered home by Bellamy who had come on for Tevez
As full time approached the City defence were put under pressure by Wolves but City held out for the three points
Given 7.5: Richards 6.5, Toure 7.5, Dunne 7, Bridge 8: Barry 7.5: Wright-Phillips 8, Ireland 7.5, Robinho 7.5 ( de Jong ): Adebayor 8, Tevez 7 (Bellamy 6)
