Manchester City 4 Sunderland 3 December 19th 2009
Barclays Premier League att 44,735
Little did we realize when we arrived on this cold snowy December day that this was going to be Mark Hughes' final game as manager! With snow falling from time to time it would also be remembered for an end to end exciting game that would provide coaches with a DVD to illustrate poor defending! City took a two goal lead only for it to be wiped out with poor defending. Again we took the lead in the second half and again we let Sunderland draw level. As we went into the lead with ten minutes to go text messages were flying round the ground with the news about the sacking of Mark Hughes. He has been unlucky with injuries and the succession of draws against inferior clubs did not help. Shame he was not given extra time. I could not spot Mancini in the crowd but did see both the Wolves and Bolton manager. I doubt they were there for job interviews! City will be in the news again - for the wrong reasons. The absence of Adebayor and Robinho was not surprising. They both had awful games at Spurs and their replacements had great games - both Bellamy and Santa Cruz the latter scoring twice and leading the line as a team player linking well with other forwards. Tevez as usual worked his socks off. Toure did not play well and I doubt whether we will miss him and Adebayor in January.
There were no bare chests in the visitor supporters section but plenty of Santa's! I just hope our defence were not going to give too many gifts away
Adebayor and Robinho were dropped being replaced by Santa Cruz and Bellamy.
Santa Cruz held back by Turner early on. Signs of things to come
City were early into the attack a corner being cleared by Mensah
Another City corner and Tevez held yet again!
A long clearance by Ireland led to a great pass by Tevez inside the fullback to Bellamy and a pass across goal.........
......... to a waiting Santa Cruz who had the easy task of putting the ball into the net to give City the lead after just 4 minutes.
5 minutes later a poor clearance by a Sunderland defender is well controlled by Bellamy and a quick one-two with Santa Cruz gives Bellamy a break....
He is blocked by Nosworthy and the referee awards a penalty much to the dismay of the Sunderland players
The kick was delayed for the referee to sort out an edge of penalty area positioning disagreement. However it did not prevent Tevez blasting in the spot kick to give City a two goal lead.
With their team two down some trouble kicked off among the Sunderland supporters and the police were called in
Sylvinho tussles with Campbell
Barry, Onuoha and a faceless City defender clear!
After 15 minutes Reid had time to send in a cross.......
...which was headed past Given from close range by Mensah. Toure failed to cut the cross out and many keepers would claim any cross into the goal box! City now only one ahead!
City then came under a lot of pressure and Given had to save well from Turner
Following another Sunderland corner Toure missed his kick and left Henderson a chance which flew like a rocket past Given and it was 2-2.
After 35 minutes Zabaleta ( on for the injured Richards) passed to SWP who turned two defenders and crossed......
......Santa Cruz appeared to be brought down by Nosworthy but the ball ran to Bellamy who scored with ease to put City back in front. What a game!
Barry and Henderson in a heading duel
Fulop has to head clear when challenged by Bellamy
Dance time for Bent and Onuoha
AS the snow came down it was 3-2 for City at half time
Ten minutes into the second half a great move by City ended with a Tevez shot which was well saved by Fulop
On 62 minutes Sunderland drew level again. A cross from Henderson was headed from close range by Kenwyne Jones past Given
I am not sure why but Given was unhappy about something and ran to both the linesman and referee to protest but just got a yellow card for his trouble.
After 68 minutes City took the lead again. Zabaleta crossed for Barry to run down the left and centre for Santa Cruz to score his second goal and City's 4th.
Santa Cruz battles for the ball
Eyes closed and hoping for the best!
Kompany is brought down in full flight by Nosworthy who was booked
With moments to play Petrov is offside near the corner flag
Team
Given 6: Richards 5 ( Zabaleta 6.5 ) Toure 5, Onuoha 6.5, Sylvinho 5.5: Wright-Phillips 6 ( Kompany 6) Ireland 7, Barry 7, Bellamy 8.5 ( Petrov 6.5) Tevez 8, Santa Cruz 8
A bad tackle on Barry ends with a red card for Turner
As Sunderland Manager Steve Bruce has his say about the red card Mark Hughes appears to have his mind on something else! His next job perhaps?
