Header from Peter Crouch booked their place in next season's Champions League with a 1-0 win at Manchester City

MANCHESTER CITY 0

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
- Crouch 82

**The North London club, so often overshadowed by rivals Arsenal, booked their place in next season's Champions League with a 1-0 win at Manchester City to lock up fourth place in the Premier League. An 82nd minute header from Peter Crouch wrapped up Spurs' Champions League place and left City to ponder their future.

Spurs were close to a spot in Europe's premier competition four years ago, but a dubious case of food poisoning on the last weekend of the season forced several players to the sideline and kept them out of the tournament when they lost on the last day of the year and Arsenal leap-frogged them. Those demons were finally exorcised as Spurs continued their strong run of form against Manchester City - their 11th win in 12 matches with City.

While City is the richest club in the world, entry into the Champions League was seen as a requirement for them to compete for the top talent in the world, nevermind hanging on to the likes of Carlos Tevez. Now the blue half of Manchester will have to settle on the Europa League while Tottenham enter into the qualifying round of the Champions League. They can jump into an automatic qualification spot if Arsenal lose Saturday to Fulham and Spurs beat Burnley in the final weekend of the Premier League season.

City started brightly, with Tevez forcing a string of saves from Heurelho Gomes. Eventually Spurs would take control of the match, and a 1-0 scoreline didn't do their performance justice. Crouch hit the post in the 18th minute, and two minutes later, Ledley King had a goal disallowed for an iffy foul in the box. City had another string of chances late in the half, but Gomes was again on spot to keep Spurs level.

Spurs eventually found more firm footing in the 2nd half and would've had a lead had City's new goalkeeper, Marton Fulop, not made stunning saves on Crouch and Jermain Defoe. Spurs also had Gareth Bale and Luka Modric miss chances wide of the target as the game crept toward full time. It looked as if Spurs would have to wait for the final day of the season to get to the Champions League.

Finally it was Crouch who capitalized. Fulop could only push a cross from Younes Kaboul into the big striker's path, and Crouch headed in. Spurs controlled the last eight minutes of the match, and now they find themselves in the Champions League for the first time.

Squads:

Manchester City: Fulop, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge, Adam Johnson (Wright-Phillips), De Jong, Barry (Vieira '57), Bellamy (Santa Cruz), Tevez, Adebayor.

Tottenham Hotspur: Gomes, Kaboul, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Bentley '71), Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Crouch, Defoe (Pavlyuchenko '81).

City scored twice in two minutes from Adebayor and Bellamy, Tevez penalty inspiring victory.

MANCHESTER CITY 3
- Tevez (pen) 41,
- Adebayor 43,
- Bellamy 89

ASTON VILLA 1
- Carew 16

**Manchester City mengambil langkah besar untuk mengalahkan Aston Villa dan tetap hidup harapan mereka mengklaim posisi keempat di Liga Premier.

John Carew opened the scoring for visitors before Carlos Tevez’s equalizer from the penalty spot was followed up by a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor a minute later and a Craig Bellamy strike late on.

And City enjoyed the bulk of possession after conceding, although they struggled at times to break down Villa's well-drilled defence.

Friedel cleared a cross with Adebayor lurking, while City were frustrated in penalty appeals after Stiliyan Petrov tangled with Pablo Zabaleta and Stephen Warnock appeared to handle a shot from Tevez.

But the match turned on its head late in the opening half as City scored twice in two minutes.

Squads:

Manchester City: Fulop, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge, Adam Johnson (Wright-Phillips, '78), De Jong, Vieira, Bellamy, Adebayor, Tevez (Richards, '88).

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock (Heskey '74), Downing, Petrov, Milner, Ashley Young, Carew (Delfouneso '74), Agbonlahor.

Scholes made his dramatic goal with only seconds of stoppage time remaining

MANCHESTER CITY 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
- Paul Schole 90

**Manchester United moved within a point of Chelsea in the Premier League title race on Saturday thanks to Paul Scholes' injury time winner in a 1-0 victory at Manchester City and Tottenham's 2-1 triumph over the leader.

"The important thing is to maintain the lead at the top of the league," he said. "It is only one point and only three games [to play] but the title is still in our hands. We don't have to be afraid, we have to stay calm and look for the next game against Stoke."

Both teams missed chances in the Manchester derby at Eastlands before Scholes was left unmarked in the City area to head home a cross from Patrice Evra in the third minute of stoppage time.

"We deserved to win the match, no question. But I couldn't see a goal coming," Ferguson said. "I decided to put Scholes a bit further forward and it paid off. He was man-of-the-match today. He was wonderful, he's such a skilful player."

Team Line-Ups:

Manchester City: Given; Onuoha, Kompany, Tourem Bridge; Johnson (Vieira 65), Barry, De Jong (Ireland 79), Bellamy, Tevez, Adebayor (Wright-Phillips 75)

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia (Obertan 80), Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson (Nani 59), Giggs, Rooney (Berbatov 74)

Manchester City moved four points clear of an Spurs

**One down and five to go! The glittering prize of Champions League football is a step nearer.

The Blues moved four points clear of an otherwise engaged Spurs and bolstered their goal difference too thanks to another clinical mix of organisation and flair.

Roberto Mancini’s side again managed that heady balance that allows a perfect marriage between rapier attacking thrusts and the broadsword of uncompromising defending.

It is a mix of ingredients that has now served up three successive league wins at a time when all about them are finding the going tougher than they would like.

Victory was not really in doubt from the moment the habitually stubborn Birmingham defence – minus on loan City keeper Joe Hart – was finally breached in the 38th minute.

The previous largely less than inspiring sparring was suddenly rendered irrelevant as the home side landed three telling knockout blows in five minutes.

First Carlos Tevez converted from the spot with aplomb after Emmanuel Adebayor had been felled by Scott Dann, then Nedum Onuoha planted a header – Via Tevez big toe - past Maik Taylor and finally Gareth Barry sent Craig Bellamy to the by-line from where he presented a tap to Adebayor.

In between times, just to add some spice and surrealism to the last seven minutes of the half, Cameron Jerome benefitted from some poor marking to nod one back for Birmingham.

It is not often that a manager sees his side win on the road 6-1 and then changes the eleven but that is what happened here as Mancini’s hand was forced by a calf injury to Brazilian defender Sylvinho and then a problem in the warm up with Patrick Vieira.

Javier Garrido replaced Sylvinho and Nigel De Jong stepped from the bench to take the Frenchman’s role.

The late switch opened the door, too, to another new face, 19-year-old midfielder Scott Kay who hails from Denton and is an FA Youth Cup winner, was amongst the subs.

Indeed statistics, which are creeping more and more into English sport, strongly suggested this would be a home win. Manchester went into the contest in a rich vein of attacking form having scored an average of 2.67 goals per game in their past six matches – one figure they enhanced.

Birmingham, meanwhile, chugged up the M6 having gone five Premier League games without a win, their worst run since May 2008.

For all their decent home record against the top teams and a league position that allows them more a comfortable final month of the season than most, they have only won three matches in the league in 2010.

Alex McLeish’s side’s only clean sheet in their last 13 games came in a 1-0 home win against Wigan in February!

That additional touch of class showed all over the pitch particularly out wide was where the game was won and lost. Once Adam Johnson and Craig Bellamy got their eye in and the after-burners turned on, the home side looked unstoppable and full of menace.

Gareth Barry’s contribution in midfield was brimming with classy touches and clever possession of the ball and some of Adebayor’s footwork was eye-popping. And a bonus was that DeJong came through uncarded and is now free of a tenth yellow bringing a ban.

As far as scoring chances after the break there were several but the keepers came out on top with Taylor denying Tevez with a fine diving effort from a free kick and Given’s legs protecting the home side’s lead when Fahey threatened.

The Blues finally put some gloss on the final score in the 76th minute when Onuoha proved his pedigree in the opposition box sashaying beyond the Birmingham before Adebayor also made it two for the afternoon sliding home a one-on-one fifth three minutes from the end.

Teams :

Manchester City: Shay Given; Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure, Javier Garrido, Nedum Onuoha, Gareth Barry, Nigel De Jong; Craig Bellamy (Phillips 81), Adam Johnson, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez (Cruz 87).

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor; Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, Liam Ridgewell, Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer, Barry Ferguson, James McFadden, Keith Fahey (Phillips 66), Craig Gardner, Cameron Jerome

Carlos Tevez scored a 12-minute hat-trick as Manchester City beat Wigan

MANCHESTER CITY 3
- Tevez 72,
- Tevez 74,
- Tevez 84

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

**Carlos Tevez scored a hat trick to lead Manchester City to a 3-0 win over Wigan on Monday night.

It was not a great start from the home side as they struggled in the first half to create many chances. Defensively, they did not look great but Wigan were unable to capitalize on their chances.

It would remain a scoreless match until a turning point in the 56th minute. Gary Caldwell would get a red card for a challenge on Carlos Tevez. City would take advantage from that point with three goals in the final 30 minutes.

Tevez’s goals came in the 72nd, 74th, and 84th minute of the match. He now has 19 in 28 matches for Man City in EPL matches this season. Man City are two points back of 4th place Tottenham Hotspur. Wigan are in 16th place and four points clear of 18th place.

Team Line-ups :

Manchester City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Garrido (Onouha 88 '), Wright-Phillips (Bellamy 45'), Vieira, De Jong, Adam Johnson, Tevez (Sylvinho 87 '), Adebayor

Wigan Athletic: Stojkovic, Melchiot, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, McCarthy, Diame, Thomas (N'Zogbia 53 '), Scharner, Rodallega (Scotland 81'), Moreno (Gohouri 81 ')

Goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta continued Everton victory in four action.

MANCHESTER CITY 0

EVERTON 2
- Cahill 33,
- Arteta 85

**Everton continued their good run of form to upset Manchester City at Eastlands. Goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta were both on target as fast-finishing Everton snatched a victory that denied City fourth place in the Premier League.

Tim Cahill scored after a neat build-up between Mikel Arteta and Leighton Baines, who provided the cross. Mikel Arteta won a free-kick after being felled by Gareth Barry, and the Spaniard teed up Leighton Baines who’s whipped cross found the head of Cahill with firing narrowly.

Substitute Jack Rodwell burst down the left and turned inside Kompany before pulling back into the box for Cahill, who sensed Arteta rushing behind and dummied for the Spaniard to score.

It was a difficult game because Everton have a good squad but City didn't deserve to lose this game.

Team Line-ups:

Manchester City: Given; Kompany, Toure, Zabaleta, Richards (Vieira 75); Barry, De Jong, Bellamy, Johnson (Santa Cruz 57); Ireland (Wright-Phillips 41); Tevez

Everton: Howard; Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Neville; Heitinga, Arteta (v 90), Pienaar, Osman; Cahill; Saha (Rodwell 72)

Pepe Reina great performance when yellow card day

MANCHESTER CITY 0

LIVERPOOL 0

**Manchester City and Liverpool played out a miserable stalemate at Eastlands as they battled for fourth place in the Premier League.

Roberto Mancini and Rafael Benitez have their sights set on a place in next season's Champions League - but this was a wretched advert for their lofty ambitions in an encounter that plumbed the depths for long periods.

Emmanuel Adebayor had City's best opportunities with a shot that was well saved by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and a header just off target.

Martin Skrtel headed wide from Liverpool's clearest opening late in the first half, but both teams were so poor that it would have been a travesty had either claimed all three points.

Liverpool could at least point to the return of Fernando Torres, who made a 15-minute appearance as a substitute after knee surgery, but there was little else to provide any cheer amid an Eastlands downpour.

Yossi Benayoun, also back after injury, may have had a penalty had he gone down late on and Liverpool are likely to be the happier with a point.

But a DVD of this desperate encounter should be required viewing for the clubs chasing City and Liverpool for a top-four spot - because it would provide ample encouragement that they can be overhauled.

Liverpool were lifted by Torres' comeback on the bench, while City boss Mancini kept Craig Bellamy as a substitute after a difference of opinion between the pair during the week.

There was not much on offer to excite the pair as the opening 45 minutes produced a wretched spectacle, the lack of quality reflected in the increasingly frustrated mood of the Eastlands gallery.

Liverpool were marginally the better side in the opening exchanges, although keeper Reina offered City rare hope when he hesitated over a clearance, but they were unable to take advantage.

Skrtel wasted the game's best chance on the stroke of half-time when he headed Steven Gerrard's corner wide from six yards. City would have been infuriated to fall behind in such fashion as referee Peter Walton missed a deflection off Skrtel to award the corner to Liverpool.

s a heavy downpour rained down on Eastlands, City opened the second half with greater purpose and Liverpool's Ryan Babel was forced to take a lengthy count after he was struck on the head by a vicious cross from Adam Johnson.

Emmanuel Adebayor almost lifted the gloom on and off the pitch with a long-range effort that Reina did well to save low down by his post.

Benitez made a change after 62 minutes, introducing fit-again Benayoun for the disappointing Maxi Rodriguez as Liverpool pushed for the crucial breakthrough.

Mancini swiftly followed suit, introducing Bellamy for Shaun Wright-Phillips to a huge ovation from City's fans delighted to see the Welshman enter the action.

The mediocrity continued unabated and Liverpool supporters were able to finally greet the return of Torres with 15 minutes left when he came on for Babel, while City took the opportunity to send on Abdisalam Ibrahim for Stephen Ireland.

Adebayor was in position to break the deadlock with 11 minutes left, but he was halted by Skrtel's vital interception - and then headed narrowly over from the resulting corner as a dreadful game drifted to its predictable conclusion.

Time Lineup :

Manchester City : Given, Bridge, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Ireland (Ibrahim 75), Wright-Phillips (Bellamy 68), A Johnson, Barry, De Jong, Adebayor

Liverpool : Reina, Agger, Insua, Carragher, Skrtel, Gerrardy, Maxi (Benayoun 63), Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt(Aquilani 86), Babel (Torres 75 yellow card)

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk

Shaun Wright-Phillips & Ricardo Fuller scored views Capello

Manchester City 1
- Wright-Phillips 11

Stoke City 1
- Fuller 57

**England boss Fabio Capello watched one of the Premier League's most destructive attacking weapons wreak more havoc as Stoke salvaged an FA Cup fifth-round draw at Manchester City.

The chapter titled 'Long Throws' is probably not very extensive in the Italian soccer manual, but Capello and fellow countryman Roberto Mancini now understand what Rory Delap can do after his throw was powered home by Ricardo Fuller to give Tony Pulis' men a deserved replay.

Prior to that 57th-minute effort, Capello's trip to Eastlands looked more like being memorable for a defensive howler from England hopeful Ryan Shawcross, a goal for Shaun Wright-Phillips and a decent performance by man-of-the-moment Wayne Bridge.

With less than four months to England's opening World Cup game against the USA in Rustenburg and a fortnight until the squad is named for the friendly against Egypt - the last before a provisional squad is named in mid-May - any chance to impress Capello in person needs to be taken.

For Bridge, gaining selection is not so much the issue. Capello also needs to know the defender is willing to share a dressing room with one-time team-mate John Terry.

However, the Italian would have been impressed by Bridge's forceful bursts, the type that England would miss so badly if Ashley Cole's recovery from a broken ankle takes longer than the projected three months.

Bridge also made a brave block to deny Liam Lawrence at the other end, although he had turned his back on the Stoke man's fierce goalbound shot, so credit is only partially due.

At the moment, Wright-Phillips falls foul of Capello's insistence that he needs players who play.

This was only the little winger's third start in 12 matches since Mancini took charge.

That is not the return Wright-Phillips needs as he looks to exploit Theo Walcott's poor form and nick one of those right-sided midfield berths that David Beckham and Aaron Lennon are also out to claim.

Wright-Phillips' dribbling ability has never been in question, nor the likelihood that he will occasionally pop up with an explosive finish.

But too often he fails to do the nuts and bolts of his job, so he must have been particularly pleased with the scrappy manner of his first-half opener, even if Shawcross has nightmares about it.

Sent racing clear of the Stoke defence by Stephen Ireland, Wright-Phillips lifted the ball over the advancing Thomas Sorensen.

Shawcross galloped back and appeared to have taken control of the situation, only to first miss his kick completely, then, after tumbling over, headed a ball that would have bounced out for a corner straight into Wright-Phillips' path for the easiest of one-yard finishes.

Who knows what Capello made of it but it presumably did not involve making a mental note to reserve Shawcross a place in his 23-man World Cup squad, which has been suggested in some quarters.

In addition to their self-inflicted damage, Stoke lost Matthew Etherington and his replacement Lawrence to serious-looking injuries sustained in innocuous incidents before the break.
When Andy Wilkinson was forced off within 10 minutes of the restart, it seemed the visitors were destined to endure a miserable afternoon.

Then Delap hurled in one of his bombs and the whole contest changed.

Shay Given has received many plaudits over the course of his illustrious career. Yet he remains reluctant to come off his line to help his defenders out in the six-yard box.

That is exactly where Delap aimed his missiles and the Irishman remained rooted to his line as Fuller powered a header past him.

Stoke threatened to win the tie through Glenn Whelan and were fully deserving of their draw, even though Sorensen brilliantly tipped Barry's near-post header over and Wright-Phillips drove a shot into the side-netting before Shawcross turned away a Roque Santa Cruz effort that was going wide anyway.

Teams :

Manchester City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Barry, De Jong, Petrov (Santa Cruz '62), Ireland (Vieira '72), Adebayor

Stoke City: Sorensen, Wilkinson (Colins '55), Huth, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Etherington (Lawrence '14) (Delap '45), Diao, Whelan, Sanli, Sidibe, Fuller.


Source : http://www.rte.ie

Adebayor & Tevez scored again, Johnson's surprise

Manchester City 2
- Tevez (pen) 31,
- Adebayor 73

Bolton Wanderers 0

**The Citizens achieve victory in February, expressed as months of the determination step forward. This success is a crucial moment after a previous defeat to causing failure in the position occupied four large.

Goals from Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor sealed a workmanlike victory for Manchester City, who put defeat at Hull behind them with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Strike duo Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor might have scored the goals that leave City trailing fourth-placed Liverpool on goal difference, but there was no doubt Johnson was the real star.

While Vieira required no introduction on his home debut, Johnson remained a bit of an unknown in these parts. A new Manchester City star was born in winger Adam Johnson as the Blues nudged up towards the top four with victory over Bolton Wanderers.

It was Johnson who won the penalty that Tevez converted to put City ahead. And although fellow new-boy Patrick Vieira set up Adebayor to seal victory, it was Johnson who kept Bolton on the back foot and ensured good position.

Mancini was the right decision, Adam Johnson who recruited The Citizens at the last day of the transfer market in January from Middlesbrough to be the brains behind the first goal City.

The result means City only trail fourth-placed Liverpool on goal difference, while Bolton continue to dangle precariously over the drop zone.

Teams :

Manchester City: Given; Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure (Lescott 55), Bridge (Wright-Phillips 68), De Jong, Vieira, Barry; Tevez, Adebayor, Johnson (Sylvinho 85)

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Ricketts, Knight, Robinson; Chung-yong, Muamba, Wilshere (Taylor 78), Cohen (M. Davies 74); Elmander, K. Davies

Adebayor back scored again, when beat Portsmouth

Manchester City 2
-Emmanuel Adebayor (40)
-Vincent Kompany (45)

Portsmouth 0

City are an oasis of calm despite the midweek Carling Cup exit at Manchester United and Emmanuel Adebayor returned to start a game for Roberto Mancini for the first time as the Blues looked to edge closer to a top-four place.

Zabaleta was taken away for treatment with blood streaming down his nose after being caught flush in the face by an elbow from Kevin-Prince Boateng and was replaced by Nedum Onuoha for the rest of the match.

After initially asking for two minutes to try to patch Zabaleta up, the City medical staff then informed Mancini the defender would not be able to continue.

Manchester City closed the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham following a win over Portsmouth, whose problems on and off the field continue to mount.The hosts took the lead in the 39th minute when Stephen Ireland's pass found Emmanuel Adebayor, who rifled a 20-yard strike beyond David James.

There was no joyous celebration as Adebayor rattled his 40th-minute effort past David James.

But as City returned for the second half, the former Arsenal star looked quietly but pointedly to the sky in honour of his fallen colleagues.

Having gained no response from referee Martin Atkinson, Kompany effectively wrapped up victory in stoppage time, simply shrugging the Israeli aside as they ran to meet Martin Petrov's corner, before powering home his first goal of the season.

Teams :

Manhester City: Given, Zabaleta (Onuoha 38'), Toure, Kompany (Boyata 58'), Garrido, De Jong, Ireland, Barry, Petrov (Bellamy 73'), Tevez, Adebayor.

Portsmouth: James, Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson (Finnan 27'), Mullins (Quincy 85'), Basinas, O'Hara, Webber (Piquionne 77'), Utaka, Boateng.

Robinho | Maybe his last game for the club

Scunthorpe United 2
-Paul Hayes (29)
-Dedryck Boyata (og 69)

Manchester City 4
-Martin Petrov (3)
-Nedum Onuoha (45)
-Sylvinho (57)
-Robinho (84)
In action at Glanford Park on Monday (25/1/2010) morning, the City had received strict opposition from Scunthorpe. But Citizens finally able to show his class as an elite club of Scunthorpe who played in the FA Cup.

Man City failed to capitalize on the early advantage given to them however, and Scunthorpe started putting pressure on them and should have got back into the game on 15 minutes.

Despite Martin Petrov's third minute opener the home side hit back to equalise through Paul Hayes

City snatched the lead back just before the interval when a clever ball into the box by Stephen Ireland produced a good side-foot finish from defender Nedum Onuoha.

The pick of the bunch came from Sylvinho, who lashed in a 30-yard effort that effectively sealed City's victory in the 57th minute.

Cliff Byrne gave Scunthorpe hope when his shot was deflected in off Dedryck Boyata in the 69th minute.

Robinho signed off in what could be his last appearance for Manchester City with the goal that finally secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup as Roberto Mancini's side beat Scunthorpe United 4-2.

Tevez scoring against his former employers

Manchester City 2
- Tevez (pen) 42,
- Tevez 65

Manchester United 1
- Giggs 17



The match, all the same, held other ­stories that the victors will rejoice in retelling. They had, after all, come back from a goal down to attain this joy. It is much too soon to tell whether City have been transformed but Tevez is certainly in the midst of an astonishing spell.

Tevez, who controversially joined City last year in a move that has heightened the rivalry between the two clubs, wiped out United's early lead when he smashed home a 42nd-minute penalty.

Making a point: Carlos Tevez gestures towards the Manchester United bench after scoring against his former employers

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was delighted with Carlos Tevez after his brace saw off neighbours United in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.The Blues take a 2-1 lead to Old Trafford after the former Reds striker levelled from the spot before nodding in a second-half winner at Eastlands.

United dominated much of the half after that but City, whose Italian manager Roberto Mancini was experiencing his first Manchester derby, equalised after a controversial call by referee Mike Dean.

Mancini acknowledged that United had "three or four good chances" to equalise and there was an element of good fortune attached to the penalty that was given against Rafael da Silva for ­pulling Craig Bellamy's arm. The first contact was outside the penalty area and Ferguson said: "It's there for everyone to see.

The victory has left Manchester City as "51% favourites" to reach the final, according to their manager, Roberto Mancini, but Ferguson was not too disconsolate as he reflected on his team's performance.

Until September 20, 2009, two teams have met 152 times. Manchester United recorded a higher advantage over Manchester City, which is 62 victories, 49 series and 41 loses.

Teams:

Manchester City:
Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boyata, Garrido, De Jong, Kompany, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Tevez, Bellamy


Manchester United:
Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Brown, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney, Giggs

Everton 2-0 Manchester City : Mancini said Everton played better than us

Everton 2
- Pienaar (36)
- Saha (45 pen.)

Manchester City 0
Goals from Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha (penalty) gave Everton a deserved victory and reason to be optimistic for the remainder of the campaign

Everton inflicted Roberto Mancini's first defeat as Manchester City manager, with an outstanding 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Manchester City were in good form themselves going into the game and had won their previous four games since Roberto Mancini took over at Eastlands.

The home side were in full control for much of an open encounter, producing a display that continues their recent resurgence. City had no answer to the clever passing and movement of a five-man midfield that never allowed the visitors to settle.

Mancini said during the game, I had to change the situation because I can't play with five strikers. For me, it was no penalty, 2-0 at half time it changes the situation. Everton played better than us. I think we can play better, tonight we were so-so, but we have a problem with injuries.

Teams
Everton: Howard Neville, Distin (Coleman 70), Heitinga, Baines; Fellaini, Pienaar; Bilyaletdinov, Donovan (Baxter 90); Saha (Vaughan 85), Cahill

City: Given; Zabaleta, Kompany, Richards, Garrido; Petrov (Benjani 46), De Jong, Barry, Bellamy; Santa Cruz (9 Robinho, Wright-Phillips 61), Tevez

Carlos Tevez hat-trick led Manchester City to an easy win

Manchester City
-Tevez (7)
-Richards (39)
-Tevez (49)&(90)

Blackburn
- Pedersen (71)
Manchester City striker, Carlos Tevez, scored a hat-trick to lead 4-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League duel continued, in the City of Manchester, on Monday (1/11/2010). With a collection of 38 points, City had the right up to the big four.

Playing at home, demonstrating a direct City offensive game since the early minutes. Almost without resistance, they also managed to lead through Carlos Tevez in the seventh minute. Utilizing wild ball in the penalty box, Tevez strikes the ball into the middle of the goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The next minute, Blackburn could improve coordination midfield. Besides reducing barrage City, they are also able to provide pressure. Unfortunately, before able to equalize, they are forced to see their goal burglarized by City defender Micah Richards incredible run in the 39th minute. Utilizing a ball threw up the shot that hit the pole Benjani, Richards sent a ball into the Blackburn goal.

Do not want to give your opponent the opportunity to rise as before, City improve ball control in a fast tempo. Unfortunately, although it managed to push Blackburn reduce agresivitasnya, City failed to add goals to come down to drink.



In the second half, again, Tevez became inspired attacks on the City through a goal 49 minutes. Utilizing feedback Benjani, Tevez sent the ball into the bottom left corner of Blackburn's goal.

City 3-0 advantage could make a careless and missed goals scored Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen at minute 71. Got shot outside the penalty box, Pedersen sent the ball into the bottom right corner of goalkeeper Shay Given.

However, the same goal that made the motivation City back hardest and try to score the fourth goal. Lust City finally satisfied, following the creation of a third goal Tevez in the 90th minute. After receiving feedback Robinho, Tevez pass the ball into the bottom left corner of Robinson's goal.

Lineup:

Manchester City: Given; Garrido, Kompany, Richards, Zabaleta; Bellamy (Robinho 69), Barry, De Jong, Petrov (Boyata 87); Tevez, Mwaruwari (Santa Cruz 81)

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson; Givet, Nelson, Samba, Jacobsen; Pedersen, Nzonzi, Andrews (Hoilett 45), Emerton; Dunn (Olsson 66); Di Santo (Kalinic 45)

Manchester City's forgotten man Benjani scored his first goal

A goal from Benjani was enough to see a depleted Manchester City side progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

Benjani pounced on the stroke of half time after good work from Martin Petrov to earn his side the victory in a hard-fought encounter.

On a bitterly cold afternoon at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough named the same side that lost to Barnsley.

All the while Mancini was looking on with a knowing eye, not afraid to back his judgement or make tactical switches as necessary

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini made several changes for his first taste of FA Cup football. Youngsters Vladimir Weiss and Dedryck Boyata were named in the starting eleven along with Benjani.

Some City fans didn’t make it over the treacherous M62 but those who did saw boss Roberto Mancini clock up a third straight win in charge and a third clean sheet.

Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy were all named among the substitutes but were all brought on in the second half.

Martin Petrov played a one-two with Benjani on the edge of the box but his effort failed to trouble Danny Coyne in the Boro goal.

On the stroke of half time City got themselves ahead with Petrov and Benjani combining again.

The Bulgarian raced through the Middlesbrough midfield and played in Benjani on the right hand side of the box, who fired his effort into the corner of the net to give his side the lead.

Manchester City were much more comfortable in the second half than they were in the first. The in-form Tevez was a threat throughout racing past a couple of Boro defenders before firing straight at Coyne from the edge of the box.

The home side had a great chance to equalize after 63 minutes. Tony McMahon crossed from the left but Rhys Williams could only loop his header onto the roof of the net.

City almost sealed the game from the resulting goal-kick. Chris Riggott failed to deal with the long ball and Carlos Tevez pounced, rounding the keeper but failing to hit the target, when it looked a certainty to score.

In a frantic end to the game Petrov, Tevez and Bellamy all had chances to score late on but somehow failed to hit the back of the net.

With almost the last kick of the game, the ball fell to Jonathan Franks in the box but his shot was blocked and scrambled away by the City defence and they held on to their lead.

It was a tough game for Mancini's side but they will be happy to see their name in the hat for the next round.

City to Thevez : Fantastic The Argentinian

Two goals from Carlos Tevez and a Javier Garrido free-kick earned Manchester City their first away win in four months - and their second victory in three days under new boss Roberto Mancini - against Wolves at Molineux.
Carlos Tevez scored twice as Manchester City strolled to a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium this evening.
City boss Roberto Mancini changed his tactics to try and counteract Wolves, matching up to Mick McCarthy's 4-4-2 formation and pushing Bellamy up top alongside Tevez.
Minutes later the combination resulted in the first goal of the game. Bellamy made a good run into the left channel and was slipped through, he pulled the ball back to Tevez, who had checked his run – standing near the penalty spot. The Argentinian struck the ball first time with his left foot, his shot took a fortunate deflection off Craddock, squirming beyond Marcus Hahnemann into the Wolves goal: 1-0 to Manchester City.
City extended their lead in the 69th minute with a stunning effort, substitute Javier Garrido stepped up to take a free-kick with 25 yards on the left. Striking the ball with his left-foot, the Spaniard curled the ball around the blind side of the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net: 2-0 to Manchester City.
City scored a third in the 86th minute, with Tevez scoring his second of the game. Robinho came off the bench to assist, crossing the ball from the right, Tevez collected the ball on the edge of the box and moved to his left. He then smashed the ball back across goal into the bottom right-hand corner: 3-0 to Manchester City, as the Argentinian scored his eighth goal in seven games.

Mancini's first touch

Roberto Mancini made a winning start as Manchester City manager as the Blues put a rocky few days behind them by beating Stoke.

Martin Petrov and Carlos Tevez supplied the first-half goals that marked Mancini's coronation.

Yet the Italian would also have been aware it took two brilliant Shay Given saves, the first to deny Tuncay when the sides were still deadlocked, and another to turn away a ferocious James Beattie effort when the visitors were enjoying their best spell, for City to consolidate their place in the top six - and edge to within three points of third.

Even for a club as well versed in shooting themselves in the foot as City, it has been a pretty torrid week.

Manchester City Big Four Seasons Here, Champion Next Year

Manchester - Roberto Mancini has set high targets after he officially appointed as the new coach Manchester City. Sign in four major positions in a goal this season, and aiming champion title next year.

After officially appointed as successor Mark Hughes this weekend, Mancini was officially introduced to the public and journalists on Monday (21/12/2009) afternoon local time. In that occasion indulgence Mancio high targets into four major groups at the end of 2009/10 season.

"My goal is to get in the big four. That's my goal, and I think it might have happened. Next year we want to win the English League," Mancini said, as reported by Skysports.

Mancini became coach of the 17th City in the last 20 years. He replaces Hughes surprisingly dismissed from his post after the lead the Citizens 4-3 win over Sunderland.

"I think, I hope, can survive here for long term and I want to win many trophies. City has great fans and I hope we can work well for them. My job is to work very hard every day to develop the game, for victory. " ( a2s )

Manchester City 4-3 Sunderland: Hughes farewell

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been sacked after the club's super-rich Arab owners lost patience with an erratic English Premier League campaign.

The axe fell after the Welshman had overseen a 4-3 home win over Sunderland, leaving the pitch with a wave to all four sides of the Eastlands ground.

Italian Roberto Mancini was immediately named his successor.

Former Inter Milan coach Mancini, who watched the victory from the stands at the City of Manchester Stadium, will be expected to produce a title challenge by next season at the latest after taking over from Hughes, who replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson at the world's richest club last year.

City, whose victory was only their second in their last 11 league matches, are sixth in the standings and still firmly in the hunt for a top four finish this term.

They are also in the League Cup semi-finals where they will play Manchester United over two legs.




'Not in line'

"A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement on Saturday.

"(Owner) Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change.

"A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set"

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak
"This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career."

Hughes enjoyed a glittering playing career as a striker with Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea before moving into coaching by taking charge of Wales and narrowly missing out on qualification for the Euro 2004 finals.

He furthered his reputation at Blackburn Rovers where in his four years at Ewood Park they regularly challenged for European qualification and reached three FA Cup semi-finals.

City finished 10th in Hughes' first season at the helm but after spending $186.4 million on six big signings in the close season, fuelled by the petro-dollars of the club's Abu Dhabi owner, expectations went through the roof.

With the likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure added to the squad, City were tipped as top-four contenders.

Even the dream of a first league title since 1968 seemed possible when they began the campaign with four consecutive wins, including a 4-2 home victory over Arsenal.

Source: http://english.aljazeera.net/sport/2009/12/20091219202917151660.html

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: Projected Finish For Big Four

London - Tottenham Hotspur have a valuable moral injection of a large victory over Manchester City. Manager Harry Redknapp increasingly confident his team can compete at the top.

Spurs managed to stifle Manchester City 3-0 at White Hart Lane on Thursday (17/12/2009) morning pm. Niko Kranjčar became a star with a two-goal victory is printed next to a donation from Jermain Defoe.

Spurs and City are two teams in the pre-season and will be able to disturb the reported dominance of the Big Four in the last four. There was nothing in his journey so far, appears Aston Villa are surging into positions emat to 'replace' the Liverpool who appear sluggish.