MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 WEST BROM, CHRIS WHEELER: Tempting though it was to think that the world of football had suddenly stopped turning in Manchester on Monday, one team in town still hope to make headlines with their achievements on the pitch in what is left of the season.
Tempting though it was to think the world of football had stopped turning in Manchester on Monday, one team in town still believe they have something to play for this season.
It is only a faint hope. Manchester City are still relying largely on second-placed Chelsea winning at Anfield on Sunday to throw the title race wide open again.
But victory at the Etihad last night closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points with a game in hand.
It did not come without a cost.
David Silva was carried off on a stretcher in the second half when he fell awkwardly after tangling with Morgan Amalfitano, aggravating an injury to his right ankle that has been troubling the Spaniard in recent weeks.
Manuel Pellegrini is anxiously waiting for news on his playmaker.
Back on track: Manchester City defeated West Brom at the Etihad to get back to winning ways
MATCH FACTS
Man City: Hart 6, Zabaleta 7, Kompany 6.5, Demichelis 6, Clichy 5, Fernandinho 6.5, Javi Garcia 5.5, Silva 7 (Milner 70, 6), Nasri 7, Dzeko 6 (Kolarov 89), Aguero 8 (Jovetic 64, 6).
Subs not used: Richards, Lescott, Negredo, Pantilimon.
Goals: Zabaleta 3, Aguero 10, Demichelis 36.
Booked: Demichelis.
West Brom: Foster 5, Billy Jones 6, Dawson 5, Olsson 5.5, Ridgewell 6, Mulumbu 6.5 (Morrison 84), Brunt 6, Amalfitano 6, Sessegnon 7 (Berahino 76), Dorrans 7, Vydra 6 (Anichebe 60, 6).
Subs not used: Reid, Yacob, Myhill, Lugano.
Goals: Dorrans 16.
Booked: Dawson.
Referee: Phil Dowd 7 (Staffordshire).
Ratings by CHRIS WHEELER at the Etihad
‘It’s hard to tell without the doctors giving their assessment but hopefully it will be a short-term injury,’ said the City boss.
‘It’s the same ankle. He’s been playing with pain in it. We will see tomorrow what the doctor says about him.’
After surrendering their advantage in the title race by dropping five points in their last two fixtures against teams at the top and bottom of the table, this was a game City simply had to win and duly did against a spirited West Bromwich side fighting for survival.
All
the goals came before half-time and the first of them arrived inside
three minutes. Samir Nasri teased Youssouf Mulumbu on the right flank
and crossed to the edge of the six-yard box.
Liam Ridgewell’s poor clearance went only as far as Sergio Aguero 15 yards out, and when Ben Foster could only palm his stinging half volley into the air, Pablo Zabaleta scored with a diving header.
Aguero looked particularly lively on his second start since missing a month with a hamstring injury and claimed City’s second, his 27th goal of the season.
Heading for glory: Pablo Zabaleta gave City the lead inside three minutes at the Etihad
Perfect start: Zabaleta headed into an empty net after Ben Foster spilled the ball
Delight: The Argentine full back celebrates after giving City the perfect start
On target: Sergio Aguero was back on the score sheet for Manchester City after his injury absence
Out of reach: Aguero curled his shot from outside the penalty area past Foster into the far corner
Fist pump: Aguero celebrates his goal with Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho
Silva slipped the ball to the Argentine on the left and Amalfitano’s slip gave Aguero a clear sight of goal from 25 yards.
He didn’t hesitate, curling the ball into the bottom corner. At that stage you would have backed City to score a hatful, so vulnerable did their opponents look. But West Brom had other ideas and replied with a wonderful breakaway goal.
Silva may have missed training while having treatment on that ankle injury, but that does not explain the free-kick routine that he and Fernandinho messed up close to the Albion box.
City looked to have recovered the situation until Ridgewell dispossessed Zabaleta and broke upfield. He played the ball into Stephane Sessegnon who in turn fed Matej Vydra on the right. He played in Graham Dorrans who flicked the ball up with his first touch, knocked it over Gael Clichy with his second and volleyed past Joe Hart.
Martin Demichelis has not always been a reassuring presence for City this season, but he was on top form last night and his goal in the 36th minute helped settle some nerves.
Nasri was involved again, sending over a corner from the right. Vincent Kompany got the slightest flick and Demichelis escaped the attentions of Jonas Olsson, turning the ball in from five yards out.
The second half was a less eventful affair, substitute Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko firing City’s best chances wide, leaving Pellegrini in philosophical mood.
‘It’s exactly the same as last week,’ he said. ‘When we lost the game against Liverpool we knew it no longer depended on what we do. We have a duty to win our games.’
Defeat left West Brom three points above the drop zone as they prepare for a more winnable game at home to West Ham on Saturday. ‘It really was a very difficult game for us because we were two down in 10 minutes,’ said manager Pepe Mel. ‘We had to change everything we worked on in the week. Now we have to look forward to Saturday’s game, which is absolutely vital.’
Response: Graham Dorrans smashed West Brom back into the match his his goal in the 17th minute
Thunderbolt: Dorrans rounded off an excellent counter attack by firing past Joe Hart
Pear shaped: Dorrans' goal came after David Silva and Fernandinho made a mess of their short free-kick
Breathing space: Martin Demichelis restored Manchester City's two-goal lead from a corner
Free: The defender was left unmarked and had a simple tap in at the far post
Regular: The goal was Demichelis' second in a Manchester City shirt after he scored against Fulham
Worry: David Silva was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like an ankle injury
Fearful: City will hope Silva returns for their remaining four games in the Premier League title race
Mock: A Manchester City fan holds up a banner aimed at Premier League leaders Liverpool
Plea: Manchester City fans hold up a banner in the stands which reads 'Dont Sack Moyes'
Football genius: A Manchester City fan holds up a David Moyes sign at the Etihad
Mock: Moyes' is on the verge of being sacked by Manchester United after a terrible season
Post a Comment