Neville under FA scanner over Tevez gesture

January 20, 2010

Gary Neville could face disciplinary action for directing a one-fingered gesture at former team-mate Carlos Tevez after the Football Association confirmed they were looking into an incident in Tuesday night’s League Cup semi-final.

Neville made the gesture from the touchline as Tevez celebrated the first of his two goals in Manchester City’s 2-1 first leg win over Manchester United at Eastlands.

The Argentina striker’s celebrations had included a ’stop talking’ gesture to Neville and appeared to be a response to the United defender’s pre-match comment that the club had made the right decision in allowing Tevez to leave the club at the end of last season rather than find the 25 million pounds it would have cost to sign him permanently.

Neville is effectively on probation with the FA having been warned about his conduct earlier in the season following provocative celebrations of Michael Owen’s late winner for United in the Manchester derby match at Old Trafford in September.

Tevez celebrated his second goal in similar fashion, running in front of the United dugout and cupping his hands behind his ears.

But he failed to get a reaction from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who has also expressed the opinion that the striker is not worth 25 million pounds.

“It is just the way these things happen,” Ferguson said. “Football can be like that. It can bite you. We have had a few players leave the club and score against us. There is no issue. I am happy with the players we have got.”

Tevez has now scored 17 goals for City this season and his team-mate Pablo Zabaleta believes he was fuelled by a desire to make a point to Ferguson and Neville.

“One Manchester United player talked about Carlos before the game so he showed he is top class, a top player,” Zabaleta said.

“He is amazing, everyone knows Carlos is a great player. Everyone loves him. This was a special game for him, one he has been dreaming about.

“I am aware of his qualities and think he can give a repeat performance against United next week.”

United took an early lead on Tuesday evening through Ryan Giggs, but Tevez equalised from the spot after Rafael pulled back Craig Bellamy and then headed in the winner.

Zabaleta added: “Our reaction was fantastic after we lost the goal. It was a good performance from the team, we played well and showed strong mentality.

“It is a great result for us and an important one for the next leg. It was unbelievable near the end. United kept coming and had many chances but we never stopped working.

“We want to please our supporters and get to the final. There was a lot of satisfaction after the game but we have to show this commitment again next week. You can see we have great players and a strong character.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Argentina, Carlos, carlos tevez, CITY, disciplinary action, dugout, Eastlands, football association, former team, gary neville, london, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united player, michael owen, Neville, nex, old trafford, Pablo Zabaleta, Rafael, repeat performance, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, special game, team mate, touchline

Zabaleta: ‘Neville’s words fired up Tevez’

January 20, 2010

Carlos Tevez performed excellent in the League Cup encounter with Manchester United. The Manchester City striker scored twice against his former club.

Tevez was fired up by Gary Neville’s pre-match words, according to City defender Pablo Zabaleta.

Before the game Neville was quoted as saying United were right to let the Argentine go last summer, paving the way for his move across the city to Eastlands.

“Carlos was fired up because of what was said. United fans know he was a big loss because he was a great player for them.”

Zabaleta stressed Tevez’ importance for City. “Every team wants Carlos Tevez, and we have a great opportunity to enjoy him at this club.

“I am sure that Carlos will try to take Manchester City right to the top.

“He’s a very passionate player, and it was a very difficult decision to change to a team in the same city.

“This game was a dream for him, a special game. He showed he is top class.”

Zabaleta was clear about City’s chances in the second leg of the semi-final, next week. “”We know that it will be difficult at United, but we have a chance.

“Old Trafford is a great stadium, and there will be a lot of pressure on us, but we have players with strong character.”

Tags: Argentine, Carlos, carlos tevez, CITY, city defender, difficult decision, Eastlands, encounter, gary neville, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, match, Neville, old trafford, Pablo Zabaleta, paving the way, special game

Two-goal Tevez back to haunt United in League Cup

January 20, 2010

Carlos Tevez, whose move across Manchester was the source of so much controversy, made the difference as City claimed a 2-1 win over United in the rivals’ League Cup semi-final first leg here on Tuesday.

Ryan Giggs’s first derby goal since 1996 handed United the lead but Tevez, whose decision to reject United and sign for their wealthy neighbours in the close season was accompanied by such ill feeling, scored twice, taking his tally to 13 goals from his last 11 games.

Tevez was always destined to play a pivotal role in this semi-final, one way or another.

Sure enough, when Craig Bellamy was held back by badly beaten United full-back Fabio five minutes before the interval, it was the Argentinian forward who was handed the responsibility of converting from the penalty spot, one he gleefully accepted with an emphatic finish.

Tevez’s gesture to former team mate Gary Neville, sat in his customary position on the United bench, told the defender to be silent and was sweet revenge for the City man having endured a half of baiting and abuse from visiting supporters.

The penalty cancelled out Giggs’s early opening goal, which came from United?s first attack of note.

Patrice Evra found Antonio Valencia on the right wing. Bellamy appeared to have stifled the danger with a challenge on the winger but Valencia slipped past the City man and took advantage of Vincent Kompany?s failure to cut out the cross.

A near-post touch from Wayne Rooney took the ball away from City keeper Shay Given and Giggs was well placed to convert into an open net from practically on the goalline.

The second half winner was vintage Tevez although it was again the result of poor defending from United, something that has happened with alarming regularity for Sir Alex Ferguson?s team this season.

Bellamy?s 64th minute cross from the left-wing caused panic in the visiting defence following a weak punched clearance from Edwin van der Sar.

Pablo Zabaleta did a good job of keeping the ball live, chipping back into the area for Kompany to cross and find Tevez who headed in from close range.

The overwrought pre-match build-up from City was perhaps understandable.

Since they last appeared in a major semi-final, of the 1981 FA Cup, a total of 54 different league clubs have reached the last four of one or other of the two major domestic knockout competitions.

United seemed in the mood to ruin City?s planned party but City’s response to falling behind was spirited with Shaun Wright-Phillips steaming to the right-hand by-line, delivering a perfect cross with which Tevez failed to connect from six yards.

United started the second half the brighter, looking to regain control of the tie, but their failure to deal with City’s corners was increasingly apparent, starting, in the 57th minute, when Evra had to make a timely block to stop Micah Richards shooting in following a Bellamy flag kick.

United responded, with Rooney crossing for Giggs whose header drew an amazing save from Shay Given, falling backwards and almost in his own net, and the England forward then sending a dipping shot rising over the bar from distance.

But, after conceding the second, things might have got worse for United with van der Sar being forced into a solid, diving save to keep out a Wright-Phillips blast following a neat pass into the area from Bellamy.

United would dominate the closing proceedings however and Rooney?s one-two with substitute Michael Owen in the 77th minute played him clean in on goal where Given made a fantastic block, Owen then steering the loose ball goalwards where Nedum Onuoha made a simple clearance.

Two minutes later Rooney was again City?s tormentor with a twisting run into the area and an audacious shot which Given tipped over. United pressed until the end with Valencia missing a far post volley from an Evra cross and Given saving well once again to deny Rooney.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: alarming regularity, alex ferguson, carlos tevez, city man, craig bellamy, edwin van der sar, former team, gary neville, goalline, Pablo Zabaleta, patrice evra, pivotal role, sir alex ferguson, sweet revenge, team mate, van der sar, vincent kompany, wayne rooney, winger

Hughes on brink at City despite thrilling win

December 19, 2009

Roque Santa Cruz settled a seven-goal thriller as Manchester City beat Sunderland 4-3 at Eastlands here on Saturday, but the victory might not be enough to keep Mark Hughes in a job.

Hughes’s future as City manager has been the subject of intense debate since Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at Tottenham, which meant that the club had won only once in 10 Premier League matches.

And even during Saturday’s amazing game the speculation continued, with reports coming out of Italy that the former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini is close to a deal to replace the Welshman.

During the match, City announced that they would be calling a news conference for 1930GMT on Saturday.

Hughes took the City job in June 2008 and last week said he was targeting Liverpool’s place in the top four.

But despite only seeing his side lose twice on the Premier League stage this season, it appears time is running out for him.

Hughes, who left out Emmanuel Adebayor and Robinho from his line up, has been here before.

After being held 1-1 by Hull City three weeks ago, City’s seventh successive draw in the league, there was widespread speculation about his future.

Yet back-to-back victories over Arsenal in the League Cup and Chelsea appeared to silence the doubters before the tame surrender at Tottenham turned the visit of Sunderland into a must-win match for the manager.

And for the first 15 minutes events appeared to be going well for Hughes as his side raced into a 2-0 lead.

The hosts went ahead in the fourth minute, Santa Cruz netting his first league goal in a City shirt following a sweeping move involving Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy.

Hughes, who spent the entire game standing in his technical area, expressed no emotion whatsoever and he again had a blank look when Tevez doubled the lead from the penalty spot nine minutes later after Nyron Nosworthy clipped Bellamy just inside the area.

Tevez had pleaded with the club’s owners before the game to keep faith with Hughes, the Argentina international insisting he is “100 percent” behind the manager.

And, after a short delay, the striker did his bit by keeping his composure to beat keeper Marlon Fulop, Tevez’s ninth goal for the club.

Seemingly cruising towards three points, City saw goalkeeper Shay Given fishing the ball out of his net after John Mensah’s header went unchallenged following a 16th minute cross by Andy Reid.

Suddenly, the confidence seeped from City and Sunderland drew level in the 24th minute.

Once again City only had themselves to blame after a mistake by Kolo Toure allowed Jordan Henderson to rifle in an equaliser.

Hughes was furious and even Bellamy’s sixth goal for his club this season, which made it 3-2 in the 35th minute, failed to change his mood.

Bellamy, one of Hughes’s most loyal lieutenants, restored the lead with a crisp shot after a low cross by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

City piled forward in an attempt to kill the game but another chaotic piece of defending allowed Sunderland to make it 3-3 in the 62nd minute.

Substitute Kenwyne Jones was allowed to ghost in and head past Given from close range from Henderson’s cross.

Fortunately for the hosts Sunderland’s defence was as porous as City’s and in a crazy game, played amid falling snow, Santa Cruz stabbed home after good work by substitute Pablo Zabaleta and Gareth Barry.

Sunderland finished with 10 men after Michael Turner was shown a straight red card for elbowing Barry in stoppage time.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: andy reid, Argentina, carlos tevez, city job, craig bellamy, Eastlands, emmanuel adebayor, Gareth Barry, goal thriller, hull city, intense debate, inter milan, john mensah, jordan, league goal, league stage, Liverpool, manchester city, manchester england, Mark Hughes, Marlon Fulop, Michael Turner, nosworthy, Pablo Zabaleta, premier league, roberto mancini, roque santa cruz, santa cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Sunderland, welshman

Big four are starting to crack: Man City´s Hughes

October 19, 2009

Mark Hughes believes Manchester City’s impressive start to the season proves the Premier League’s big-four are no longer invincible.

City are showing signs of being able to compete with the best in England and they are now in fifth place, five points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand, after grinding out a 1-1 draw with 10 men at Wigan on Sunday.

Hughes’s 120-million-pounds spending spree during the close-season has laid the foundations for City to break the monopoly on the Champions League places enjoyed for so long by United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

With Tottenham and Aston Villa also strong and Liverpool and Chelsea both losing this weekend, Hughes senses the Premier League’s elite are starting to get twitchy.

“There are some good teams in the Premier League this year,” the Manchester City boss said. “There is a focus on ourselves because we have the ambition to have a good season.

“But the fact there is a threat to the teams who have had those top four places is adding extra pressure.

“You just sense maybe that feeling of invincibility is no longer there. Other teams think they can take points off them.

“There are two or three teams who quietly think they can get into the top four.

“They don’t broadcast it so they keep themselves under the radar. We can’t help but be one of the teams people think should be in the top four.

“We have to deal with that anyway. I just think this year has the potential to be as open as it has ever been because the top four teams will drop points.

“That has been evident at the beginning of the season and I think it will continue. It is good for the Premier League.”

But for City defender Pablo Zabaleta’s second half dismissal it is likely Hughes’s side would have taken three points at the DW Stadium.

Hughes felt Zabaleta’s first-half caution for a foul on Maynor Figueroa was harsh. However, his second tackle on Jason Scotland left referee Alan Wiley with little alternative other than to show the red card.

It was Wiley’s first appearance since Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s attack on his fitness, for which the Scot has since apologised.

Hughes didn’t complain about the dismissal but he did claim that Figueroa’s tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips in the closing stages should have been a penalty.

“He was in an excellent position – he had kept up with play very well,” Hughes said.

“He made a wrong call but his positioning was excellent. Well done Mr Wiley.”

Charles N’Zogbia had given Wigan the lead in first half stoppage time before Martin Petrov lashed City level two minutes into the second half.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez took heart from the way his side out-played City in the first half and said: “I would say the performance was well worth a victory.

“Manchester City are an outstanding team with a fabulous group of players but our performance deserved the three points.”

WIGAN, England (AFP)

Tags: alan wiley, arsenal, aston villa, champions league, CHELSEA, city defender, dw, DW Stadium, England, extra pressure, figueroa, five points, invincibility, Liverpool, man city, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, Mark Hughes, Pablo Zabaleta, premier league, referee, Scot, sir alex ferguson, spending spree, tottenham, Wigan

City sweat on Bellamy

October 17, 2009

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will give Craig Bellamy as much time as he needs to prove his fitness ahead of the Barclays Premier League match against Wigan on Sunday.

The Wales striker has not trained for the past two days because of the discomfort of a groin strain.

With Robinho absent with a stress fracture of the ankle, Bellamy has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks to become an influential player.

He secured a point with the equaliser in the draw against Aston Villa before heading off on international duty.

Hughes said: “Craig is a bit of a doubt but we will give everyone maximum time to help their chances of playing. There is still time before the game for these things to be resolved.

“He has been outstanding and you want two outstanding players for every position. In most positions we have the quality we need.

“If Craig is not available it means someone else will have to step up and be an influence on the game.”

Hughes could be down on numbers at the DW Stadium with Kolo Toure (heel), Joleon Lescott (calf), Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring), Martin Petrov (knee) and Nigel De Jong (knock) are all struggling with injury.

City have already taken seven points on the road this season after amassing only 11 in the whole of last campaign.

Hughes said: “We have more more players with Premier League experience, who have an understanding of what is needed to win games at this level.

“We look more solid. Sometimes you have to dig in more when you are away in the Premier League and we have been able to do that. We are pleased at how this are going in that respect. It is a marked improvement.”

Meanwhile the City boss is adamant that Robinho will stay part of the club after the Brazilian was linked with a move to Barcelona.

Hughes said: “There is always speculation and noise surrounding Robinho. That has been the case since he came to the club.

“He is a great guy. We are not in the process of taking outstanding players out of the team.

“We want to complement the outstanding players at the club. We are looking to build not dismantle.”

Robinho could make his comeback in the Carling Cup match with Scunthorpe in a fortnight.

Hughes said Robinho is anxious to return and added: “The only frustration he has at the moment is that he is not fit and well.

“Hopefully that will be resolved in the next week to 10 days and he will be back on the pitch.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: Barcelona, barclays, barclays premier league, Carling Cup, CITY, city boss, Craig, craig bellamy, DW Stadium, equaliser, groin strain, joleon lescott, kolo toure, last campaign, league experience, manchester city, Mark Hughes, martin petrov, maximum time, nigel de jong, Pablo Zabaleta, premier league, Robinho, seven points, stress fracture, striker, Wales, Wigan

Maradona talks of quitting as Argentina coach

October 8, 2009

Under-pressure Argentina coach Diego Maradona has announced that he might quit after must-win World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay.

“After the qualifiers, I will talk to (Argentine football federation chariman) Julio (Grondona),” Maradona told reporters Tuesday.

“I’ll see if I carry on, and it will be on my conditions,” he said.

“When Julio offered me this job, I was the happiest man in the world, but since there have been things that I have not liked,” Maradona said, without further explanation.

Relations between Maradona and general manager Carlos Bilardo, his coach for the 1986 World Cup triumph in Mexico, have become increasingly fraught ahead of Saturday’s match against lowly Peru, hence the hint he might walk away once the programme of matches is over.

He was appointed in November last year but recent poor form, including back-to-back losses at home to Brazil and in Paraguay, has left Argentina fifth in the regional standings.

That would only be enough to send them into the playoffs against the fourth-placed Central American zone team.

Argentina, World Cup champions in 1978 as well as 1986, last failed to make the finals in 1970.

Maradona is battling to find the right formula with morale having sagged following four losses in five games – including a 6-1 hiding in Bolivia.

Argentina face Peru in Buenos Aires on Saturday and travel to Montevideo four days later. Uruguay will have every incentive to win as they can still grab fourth spot in the group and an automatic finals berth.

Without mentioning Bilardo, Maradona has implied that the general manager should have tried harder to persuade Manchester City to release Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta to join the squad early.

“Somebody should have gone over there and asked and brought them back,” Maradona complained.

Compounding his frustration was the fact that Zabaleta picked up a hamstring injury in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa and so will be unavailable anyway.

Both he and Tevez said they felt they had an obligation to turn out for City in an important league match.

Meanwhile, the Peruvian Football Federation on Wednesday denied rumours in the media that their players had received cash to go out an make an extra effort to beat Argentina.

“I absolutely don’t believe it,” said Federation president Manuel Burga.

“To give money to win or lose is to be condemned either way,” he added.

Federation committee official Jose Antonio Rios also denied that Peru had received any incentive to beat Uruguay 1-0 in a recent encounter, that result keeping the Uruguayans behind Argentina.

“That is completely untrue. The only thing which motivates the players is to defend tooth to the end the Peruvian colours and that is what they will do against Argentina.”

On Tuesday, Pevuvian sports daily El Bocon had suggested the Peruvians had been offered a mysttery incentive.

BUENOS AIRES (AFP)

Tags: aires, Argentina, Argentine, argentine football, bolivia, BUENOS AIRES, carlos bilardo, carlos tevez, Central American, chariman, diego maradona, five games, football federation, frustration, happiest man in the world, Jose Antonio, Julio, julio grondona, losses, manchester city, Manuel Burga, Mexico, Montevideo, Pablo Zabaleta, paraguay, peru, regional standings, uruguay, world cup champions, world cup qualifiers, world cup triumph, zone team

Debutant Adebayor fires blank as Man City lose final

July 26, 2009

Emmanuel Adebayor failed to score on his debut as Manchester City fell 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs Saturday in the Vodacom Challenge final.

The 25-million-pound signing from Arsenal came closest early in the second half at Loftus Versfeld when he pounced on a clearance and rounded a defender only to fire over.

Other new strikers Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz were not used by City while ex-Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry was the only player from the big-spending English Premiership outfit to have a first-half shot on target.

Chiefs won a lively match through a 42nd-minute goal from defender Jeffrey Ntuka with some City players claiming he controlled the ball with a hand before firing home.

City manager Mark Hughes gave starting places to goalkeeper Shay Given and defender-cum-captain Richard Dunne for the first time on the eight-day tour to the 2010 FIFA World Cup host nation.

Republic of Ireland international Given was hardly troubled before Ntuka struck while Dunne was substituted by Pablo Zabaleta after 37 minutes on a chilly, clear winter afternoon in the Highveld city.

The first half looked set to end goalless until Chiefs went ahead after Given dived low to his left and pushed away a Nkosinathi Nhleko shot at the expense of a corner.

City failed to clear the third corner forced by the South Africans and the ball took a deflection off a head to Ntuka lurking at the far post and he drove the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

After forcing their only corner of the half a minute before the break, City substitute Ben Haim headed wide while Togolese Adebayor committed a stoppage-time foul when he battled for possession in the goalmouth.

In the second half it took City just two minutes to force a corner as they sought an equaliser and Adebayor should have done better on 55 minutes than blazing over from an acute angle when a rebound fell into his path.

Hughes brought on Brazilian Robinho for Bulgarian Martin Petrov, but Chiefs held their own as they sought to end a Premiership dominance of the trophy after Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur won the last two editions.

Reigning African Footballer of the Year Adebayor had a half chance 12 mintues from full-time when he connected with a deep cross, but his timid header was comfortably held by well positioned Itumeleng Khune.

The Premiership club lost 2-0 to Orlando Pirates in Polokwane and won 1-0 against Chiefs in Durban in earlier matches on their first visit to South Africa in 16 years.

PRETORIA (AFP)

Tags: acute angle, aston villa, Ben Haim, break city, captain richard, captain Richard Dunne, carlos tevez, CITY, Durban, emmanuel adebayor, fifa world cup, Gareth Barry, kaizer chiefs, man city, manchester city, Mark Hughes, martin petrov, minute goal, Orlando, Pablo Zabaleta, pretoria, republic of ireland, richard dunne, roque santa cruz, santa cruz, Shay Given, South Africa, south africans, stoppage time, target, winter afternoon

Manchester United eye historic football record

May 10, 2009

MANCHESTER (AFP) – Manchester United are five games away from an historic season and veteran winger Ryan Giggs feels Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are hitting form at exactly the right time.

With the League Cup and the Club World Cup already won, United can look forward to a Champions League final against Barcelona on May 27 and need seven points from their last four games to secure an 18th English Premier League title.

Sunday’s derby with Manchester City will be their 63rd game of the season but after their back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Fulham in March, United have responded with an impressive run of form.

They have won five matches in a row going into the game with Mark Hughes’ team at Old Trafford.

While United are on course for more silverware, City’s expectations have increased considerably since they were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group in September and they are continuing to battle for a Europa League place.

Despite being well into the 10th month of their campaign, veteran Giggs thinks United’s energy levels are high.

Giggs said: “At this part of the season you want to be involved in big games all the time – and we are.

“We have another one on Sunday against Manchester City but it is not something we should be complaining about.

“We just have to get ourselves ready and on Sunday we will be. I hope we are hitting form at the right time.

“The manager always knew we would need a big squad because of all the games we might have to play. Now he is using it.”

United will be without Wes Brown, who has been out since January with a foot injury, for the rest of the season but Gary Neville could return after a short spell on the sidelines with a similar problem.

Ferguson could also call on Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes for the game against their local rivals.

The United manager agrees that his side are peaking when it really matters.

He said: “The team has just come into top form at the right time. I’d like to say it was my preparation, but it’s not. I think the players smell the big games well.

“They like those situations, they’ve proved they can handle them and we’re so close now.”

Hughes thinks his City team are feeling the benefit of their UEFA Cup run ending last month.

Argentinian utility man Pablo Zabaleta could return from a hamstring problem and the England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips may also earn a recall after an ankle injury.

And even though United are on the verge of retaining their Premier League and Champions League trophies, the City manager thinks it is a good time to be facing his former club.

He said: “We’re on a nice little run, four games unbeaten, and as I have said all week you have to go to Old Trafford with a lot of belief and confidence.

“That’s what we have, we’re playing well and winning games. We’re looking forward to Sunday, we’re in decent shape and if ever there was a time for us to go to Old Trafford, it’s now.”

City midfielder Stephen Ireland is adamant that, having won away in the derby last season, Hughes’ team will not be intimidated by visiting their big rivals and are desperate to make up for their 1-0 defeat at Eastlands in November.

He said: “When you think about the build-up to the game all you have to do is go back to last year and think about how positive it was.

“With the performance last season and how we are playing at the moment, we have to be confident.

“I’m really looking forward to it, the derby at our place was a real disappointment, but on Sunday it will be electric and it will be up to us to dictate the tempo.

“We have a better squad than last year, the players on the bench are really hungry to get in.”

Tags: alex ferguson, Barcelona, big games, carlos tevez, CITY, club world cup, dimitar berbatov, England, English Premier League, Ferguson, five games, foot injury, four games, fulham, gary neville, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, Mark Hughes, old trafford, Pablo Zabaleta, paul scholes, ryan giggs, Shaun Wright-Phillips, sir alex ferguson, Stephen Ireland, united group, veteran winger, wes brown

Robinho fires City to rare away win

April 25, 2009

LIVERPOOL (AFP) – Robinho fired Manchester City to only their second away win in the league this season with a 2-1 victory as Everton showed the effects of their recent efforts against Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Brazilian striker scored City’s opener and then set up Stephen Ireland for their second as the visitors claimed their first win at Goodison Park since 1992.

Substitute Dan Gosling claimed an injury-time consolation for Everton but City were always in control against the FA Cup finalists.

A reported training ground bust-up with manager Mark Hughes did not prevent England defender Micah Richards from being included in the City starting XI as a replacement for the injured Pablo Zabaleta.

Everton made four changes from the midweek goalless draw at Chelsea. Defenders Tony Hibbert and Phil Jagielka came in for Lars Jacobsen and Joleon Lescott, Marouane Fellaini replaced Tim Cahill and Louis Saha came in up front for the on-loan Jo, who was ineligible to play against his parent club.

Robinho has been criticised for some lacklustre performances in the club’s away fixtures but City’s Brazilian forward appeared in the mood as he mesmerised Hibbert with multiple stepovers before tumbling in the box.

The referee was unimpressed and it was Everton who registered the first shot on target although Saha’s effort scarcely troubled Shay Given.

At the other end, Tim Howard had to pull off a full-stretch save to keep out Robinho’s strike after Elano’s shot had been blocked by Leighton Baines.

Left-back Baines came to Everton’s rescue once more, snuffing out the danger when Ireland was sent through the middle by Felipe Caicedo.

But the defender was powerless to prevent City from taking the lead in the 35th minute.

Hibbert’s forward punt was headed down by Nedum Onuoha and Elano’s brilliant first-time pass sent Robinho racing down the left and he left Jagielka trailing before slotting his finish through Howard’s legs.

Everton might have equalised just before half-time but Saha’s header from Hibbert’s inviting cross sailed over the bar.

The home side continued to press after the break only to be floored by a rapid counterattack from City nine minutes after the restart.

From wide on the left, Robinho picked out Ireland’s run and the midfielder finished smoothly.

It took another good save from Howard to deny Robinho a second goal and Everton’s afternoon took another turn for the worse when Jagielka was carried off on a stretcher with what appeared to be an injury to his left knee.

Seven minutes of injury time gave Gosling the time to claim his consolation effort but Moyes never looked like he would be able to enjoy his 46th birthday.