Manchester City 3 Arsenal 0 December 2nd 2009
Carling Cup Round 5 att 46,015
Now this was a bit more like it! Three cracking goals and a semi-final against United to look forward to. Our first semi for 28 years!! A much better display against the Arsenal youngsters who had a fair amount of the play but rarely gave Given any trouble. The City defence are showing better signs with Lescott having his best game for City and Bridge continuing his improved form. Toure and Richards played their part too in keeping the eager Arsenal youngsters at bay. In the first half City missed several good chances the best one going to Bellamy but he was soon forgiven later in the game. The spectacular individual goals by Tevez and Wright-Phillips were outstanding and will lift their confidence. Adebayor continues to puzzle with only occasional glimpses of his talent. The atmosphere in the ground was very good and it was nice to see so many smiling faces when the game ended. Hope we are still smiling after Saturday! I don't think Chelsea are going to be such easy meat.
City made 2 changes Bellamy coming in for Robinho and Barry for De Jong
Arsenal made the first attacking moves and Given had to be quick to come out to save at the feet of Rosicky
A good corner by Barry led to a header from Adebayor being saved low down by Fabianski
The Arsenal keeper just beats Bellamy to the ball to clear
Another City attack is thwarted
Toure blocks a Ramsey shot
Given lets a cross by Rosicky go wide
Given is happy to see a shot by Vela closely marked by Lescott go well over the bar
A Tevez effort is saved by Fabianski
A good move down the right wing and a dummy by Ireland gives Bellamy a great chance but his shot just goes wide
City give Fabianski some catching practice
Straight after half time City went into the lead. Tevez broke in from the left wing and cracked the ball past the Arsenal keeper. A great goal and well deserved for all his hard work
Before kick-off the lights were dimmed and out came the blue moon to set the mood for the home supporters who were supplied with flags before the game
Adebayor is swift to offer apologies after fouling an Arsenal player
Much laughter round the ground when this image of the young supporter attacking his snack!
Bellamy was having a great time giving the visitors defence a hard time
Its dance time - once again
Yet another Bellamy break down the left gave Adebayor a half chance but Fabianski managed to put the City forward off .......
...... and he had too have a short rest after his effort but it was not long before City added to their lead. A great run by SWP down the right flank......
.....ended with SWP crashing the ball into the top corner to give City a two goal lead
Shaun went to the corner flag to wait for his colleagues to arrive for the celebration. A terrific goal and an excellent boost to his confidence
A spat between Bellamy and Wilshere earned a lecture by referee Foy
Another break by City this time by Ireland ended with a block by Song.....
Bellamy and Eastmond had a difference of opinion and Song was the 6th Arsenal player to get a yellow card
Bellamy too ended up in the book when he upended Eboue
Bellamy was back in action at the other end forcing Fabianski into a save
With only a minutes to go Bellamy yet again broke down the left and left the Arsenal defence stranded
He crossed the all to give Vladdy Weiss a chance to score his first senior goal for City and a three nil lead
Vladimir Weiss who is one of the best up and coming youngsters and this will be a goal he will remember.
There was just time for Arsenal to hit the post - a shot by Merida
There was plenty for the City Chairman to enjoy but not much for the Arsenal manager Wenger who failed to shake Hughes' hand after the game
team
Given 7: Richards 7, Toure 7, Lescott 8, Bridge 7.5: Wright Phillips 8 ( Weiss 7.5) Ireland 7.5, Barry 7, Bellamy 8, Tevez 8 ( Kompany 7) Adebayor 6
A Bridge run comes to an end
Bridge in defensive mode trying to block an effort by Wilshere
