City
v Arsenal 0-1
Sept 25th 2004 47,015
Well
Arsenal went past the 47 unbeaten game milestone at the City of Manchester Stadium
today but City came out of the game with plenty of pluses and with any luck City
deserved least a point as they dominated the second half giving the Arsenal defence
a hard time. The City defence also did well and Jihai Sun had his best ever game
for City at left back. Where was all this endeavor against Everton? City have
never beaten Arsenal in the Premiership but this was the nearest we have got for
a while though I always had the horrible thought that they could have gone up
another gear should it have been necessary.
City
made several changes from the Barnsley game. Anelka and Dunne returned and Jihai
Sun played at left back a position he has played in for China.
You
could not have heard a pin drop in a wonderfully observed minute silence for the
late Brian Clough. I am sure the late Forest manager would have approved. 'Well
done young man'
David
James had to make an early save with his feet from Freddie Lungberg in the opening
moments when Bergkamp put him through with a good pass.
Lauren
is faced with three City defenders
A
good run down the wing by Shawn Wright-Phillips ended with a shot by Macken just
out of picture that Lehmann had to hold onto with Anelka lurking for the rebound
Bergkamp
the quiet provider
Lehmann
was again in action having to save at the feet of Macken with Campbell in close
attendance. This was Campbell's first game after a long spell out through injury
Mills
and Cole battle for the ball with Distin and Dunne covering
One
annoying aspect of Arsenal was their habit of moaning everytime a decision didn't
go their way
Toure's
shot on goal is blocked by Distin
After
14 minutes Arsenal took the lead. Reyes took the ball down the left slipped the
ball through to Cole who had continued his run. The ball rebounded off Dunne back
to Cole who flicked the ball through the legs of the advancing Distin and to the
right of slightly unsighted David James. Cole did look a fraction offside when
the ball came through initially and Henry is certainly in an offside position
but not interfering when the shot goes in. One nil to the visitors
Lehmann
catching under pressure from Dunne and Sibierski at a corner
Mills
is the target of another session of Arsenal moaning.
Lehmann
continued to moan about being impeded at the corner by Bosvelt and Mills
At
this corner Lehmann manages to punch clear
Anelka
playing against his old club was a constant menace to the visitors and nearly
scored on a couple of occasions.
At
this corner City look to have a good case for a penalty as Lauren can be seen
holding Macken as the ball comes across. This tactic we shall see later was not
an isolated incident.
Anelka
shoots well past the far post of Lehmann. A good chance missed as he scuffed the
shot.
At
the other end Henry just misses from a narrow angle though James had the shot
covered.
It
needed the combined efforts of Toure and Lauren to stop Anelka at the edge of
the area but the ensuing free-kick was blocked.
Lauren
is at it again with Macken being held at this corner. I have seen penalties given
for less.
Henry
shoots but David James was equal to the task and saved
At
half time the possible future players of City paraded their Nike International
trophy around the ground and it was nice to see the visiting Arsenal fans applauding
their success. It will be interesting to see how many of these under 15 youngsters
eventually make the grade.
Cole
has a moan after one of his colleagues receives treatment after a clash with Bosvelt
who got booked.
Macken
was a bit slow to take advantage of this chance
David
James makes a vital save from Henry the ball rebounded out and Jihai Sun blocked
the ball on the line
As
Max Bygraves used to sing 'You need hands'
Lehmann
catches under pressure from Sibierski
Have
you spotted Lauren upto his tricks again. This time he is holding Bosvelt at the
corner. Yet another penalty!!
Shawn
Wright-Phillips tussles with Campbell. Will they be England colleagues shortly?
Anelka
falls but no penalty.
Cole
hits the outside of the post
Anelka
is surrounded by 6 Arsenal players as he tries to break through
Another
two occasions at corners where Lauren is holding Macken. Premiership referees
please note! Mind you I didn't see Macken make any effort to try and escape his
marker . City coaches please note!
An
old fashioned drop ball. I haven't seen one of these for a while. I don't think
Edu relished this meeting with Danny Mills.
For
City's final fling we had the rare sight of David James joining his colleagues
in the box. In the end the Arsenal defence stood firm and they took the three
points and held onto their unbeaten record.
A
spirited display by City that bodes well for the future. The defence looked stronger
and Jihai Sun played really well at left back. hecertainly looked a better prospect
than Thatcher and he might have crowned a great display with a goal when he broke
through but his finish was poor. Mills and Dunne also did well. Anelka worked
his socks off and with luck might have scored three. SWP had his moments but was
well marked. Barton
continued his improvement but Bosvelt tired after 60 minutes.
Team
James
7: Mills 8, Dunne 8 Distin 7 Sun 8: Wright-Phillips 7, Bosvelt 6 (McManaman 6),
Barton 7, Sibierski 7: Macken 7(Flood 6), Anelka 8
