Man City v West Ham 3rd round cup replay

With the match being live on BBC TV there were quite a few supporters missing from this 3rd Round replay against West Ham and to be honest they didn't miss a great deal. With Elano playing much too deep in the first half City rarely gave Green in the West Ham goal any problems. Ashton should have given the visitors a half time lead but it was not a good first half. After the break City changed their system and Petrov did well down the left wing , putting across many good crosses. The City passing was better in the second half but despite all the running and endeavor of Vassell and Bianchi the need for a goal scoring striker was evident. The City defence generally played well with Joe Hart having another good game. He is now easily number one keeper for the club and as he gets more experience he will improve and now one can see the reason why he was signed from Shrewsbury a few years ago. I can see him following in the footsteps of City's great keepers over the years. The signs are there. Ball and Petrov played well together while Richards and Dunne once again proved difficult to beat. Corluka proved how versatile he is by popping back into the right back position. Elano is gradually finding his form and scoring will have done his confidence a lot of good. Castillo will need a lot of settling in before he becomes a force. It is going to be very tough for him.
Only a few days to go and it's West Ham again at home in the league so it will be interesting to see what changes are made in the teams.Then it's Sheffield United in the next round and goodness me did somebody say Keegan is back at Newcastle. No doubt Fowler and McManaman are waiting for a call!

Only one change from the defeat at Everton- Ireland coming in at the expense of Onuoha with Corluka moving to right back

No bubbles but plenty of balloons from the visiting West Ham supporters.

The first clash between the battle of the haircuts

City made the first attack with Richards causing a few problems down the right flank and he forced an early corner

Both keepers had to clear their lines - Green catching a Petrov cross and Joe Hart punching clear at a corner

New signing Nery Castillo making his home debut was not getting much of the ball and he does seem a bit light weight.

Richards and Ashton clash once again.

Good to see our Chairman back again. Could not see Mr Capello in the stand but Franco Baldini (Capello assist.)is next to Stuart Pearce (1) and Gordon Strachan is nearby (2)

Anton Ferdinand blocks a Petrov effort

Corluka goes down after contact with Boa Morte but no free kick was given

Freddie Ljungberg - ex Arsenal player - attempts a centre under pressure from Ball

Keeper Green goes white faced at this corner

"Oh Ref I have a bad pain in my lower back"
Don't worry Fredrik- Its just a touch of Hamannitis!". .

After half an hour City had an escape. Ashton had a golden opportunity from close range but Hart stopped the shot brilliantly with a quick reaction save

West Ham clear a City corner

With Elano lying too deep Castillo was generally out muscled by the West Ham defence nd his day got worse when he fell in a clash with Neill .......

....... and had to be carried off the field. He was replaced with Bianchi. Hamann and skipper Dunne took the opportunity to talk tactics with the manager

Solid chances were few and far between though both keepers had to be alert at corners

After 52 minutes Boa Morte broke down the right and forced a good save from Hart who is rapidly improving every game

City had their best chance after 57 minutes. Elano now playing further forward fed Petrov . The Bulgarian's low cross was just touched by keeper Green to foil the onrushing Bianchi who should have scored.

Despite playing at right back Corluka was able to get forward and help the attack

Ferdinand blocks an Elano shot

Vedran Corluka dashes forward once again but just cannot get a cross in

City were playing a lot better now and put pressure on West Ham as the minutes tickets away towards extra time and penalties

After 72 minutes the break came. Petrov drove down the left - once again .........

........ he crossed and Bianchi hit the bar with the header........

..... then Elano stooped low to head the rebound into the goal to give City the lead.

Bowyer tries to beat Hart and clashes with the City keeper and is injured. Hart checks him out as City go on the counter attack but the referee stops play fearing head injury

Hart punches clear under pressure .......

.....but he ball is not cleared and an Ashton shot .........

....is partially saved by Hart who loses the ball for a moment.......

... before finally falling on the ball despite the legs around him. A brave save.

A final clash between the hair styles of Ashton and Richards before the final whistle goes with City close one nil winners.