City 1 Middlesbrough 0
February 7th 2009 att.40,558
Highlight of this dour encounter at Eastlands was the debut display of Shay Given the last of the January transfers. He was easily man-of-the-match and will bring more stability to the defence when he has more games under his belt. I just hope that Joe Hart takes the opportunity to learn from him . His time will come. He has had a good run in the first time and now he has to be patient. Middlesbrough turned out to be a better side than their position suggests and well organized. Once again Bellamy proved to be a good signing scoring the only goal and worked his socks off to worry the opposition. Zabaleta once again showed good form in midfield while de Jong hardly put a pass astray. Kompany made the odd error and I worry about Richards. He is occasionally outpaced by opposing players and he has lost many of the attributes he had before he was injured. Robinho flitted in and out of the game and Ireland seems to have caught backheelitis!. It was tough going at times but we just about deserved the three points.
Following a City corner after 30 minutes Bellamy forced a fine save from Brad Jones
City's only change - new signing Given in for Hart chats with his counterpart as the teams emerge from the tunnel.
Shay Given conceded his first goal as a City keeper as one of the City mascots beat the new keeper!
Bellamy had an early run for City ........
A mystery group among the relatively poor number of visiting supporters were dressed in all white! A bit too young to be visiting from a Southern American state!
After two minutes a defensive error let in Ireland who passed to Bellamy but keeper Jones was quick to react and just beat Bellamy to the ball
.....but the cross from Craig Bellamy was cleared by the Boro defence
Bridge tries to break through
After 20 minutes SWP came inside and ran for goal......
.....but although Bellamy was clear on his left SWP decided to go alone but his finish went wide and a chance was gone.
After 27 minutes Middlesbrough broke down the right and a cross from Johnson found Alves well placed.
It looked a certain goal but Given blocked his first time shot with a world class save.
Zabaleta powers in a shot shortly after but the ball just goes just over the bar.
Brad Jones chins the ball away from Robinho!
After 37 minutes Given was in action again - a swerving shot from Alves being blocked by a strong left hand as he was going the wrong way. The ex Newcastle United star was certainly paying off his transfer fee early!
A minute later and an Ireland header hit the bar and bounced to safety
On 39 minutes an Ireland cross went across the goal box......
...... and somehow Bellamy missed the ball and it ran to safety
At the other end Alves got behind Richards and shot for goal...
... but Given was once again equal to the occasion and saved !
Bellamy gave the defenders plenty of problems but half time came with no goals.
Both keepers came out early at half time for extra practice
The deadlock was broken early in the second half. De Jong found Bellamy...
.......who lost his marker and whipped the ball past Jones with his left foot. A well taken goal.
Bellamy celebrated his second goal in three games. he is rapidly becoming a City favorite.
Given has safe hands at a corner
Jones manages to beat Bellamy and clear
Zabaleta tries hard to keep possession
Bridge just fails t keep the ball in
Robinho causes a problem in the Boro defence and ...
...ends with Riggott getting injured.
After 67 minutes good inter passing between Bellamy, SWP and Robinho gave the Brazilian a chance
.... but Jones just managed to block the shot and eventually the ball was cleared.
A minute or so later the duel between Alves and Given continued.. Confusion between Onuoha and Kompany gave Alves a chance...
.....but Given was once again equal to the task and saved yet again
26 minutes into the second half and Robinho has an effort but his shot goes just went wide
General confusion at a City corner
Yet again Given frustrates Alves
Zabaleta keeps control of the ball
A Bellamy cross and .......
Caicedo on for Robinho after 83 minutes had a couple of efforts without success
A late effort by Downing goes just wide but Given had it covered.
City played out the extra time near the corner flag to deprive the visitors of the chance of giving Given any more work to do. A hard working performance to earn the three points
Team:
Given 9.5: Richards 6.5, Kompany 7, Onuoha 7, Bridges 7: Zabaleta 7, de Jong 7.5, Ireland 7.5, Wright-Phillips 7.5, Robinho 7.5 ( Caicedo 6.5) Bellamy 8
....Jones is forced into action.
