Stoke City v Man City Review

Stoke City v Man City Review

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Result: Stoke City 1 0 Man CityAfter a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, and following two succe sive victories, one might have expected City to be full of confidence, commitmentand enthusiasm coming into this fixture against a relegation-threatened Stoke side. Yet the reality could not have been more different from the desired. The Blues lacked any sort of spark needed to win the game, and in the end, didnt do enough to even warrant a point from the match.Toborrow the idea from the M&S adverts; this wasnt just bad, this was Man City bad!!!Team NewsCity manager Mark Hughes had pre-match doubts over the fitne s of both Pablo Zabaleta and Shaun Wright-Phillips, but fortunately they both recovered in time to take their places in an unchanged line-up.Stoke were also able to field a near full- Scott Darling Women Jersey strength side, with right-back Andy Wilkinson surprisingly taking his place despite fears over an injury. Ricardo Fuller was recalled to theteam for thefirst time since his now infamous captain-slapping incident, replacing Richard Cre swell.City HartRichards Kompany Onuoha Bridge Zabaletade JongSWPIreland Robinho BellamySubs: Schemichel, Garrido, Fer******, Va sell, Caicedo, Elano, JoWilkinson recovered from injury to start the gameReportThe match started scrappily, with the windy conditions clearly hampering any hopes of good football. The first chance of the game fell to City, with Stephen Ireland failing to connect properly with his shot from the edge of the area. Stoke were trying to use their physical power to their advantage, and Rory Delap was causing some alarms for City with his ridiculously long throws. Former Manchester United centre-back Ryan Shawcro s saw a header loop over and had a clever back-flick saved by Joe Hart as City looked Sheikhy!!Brazilian superstar Robinho seemed to have left his shooting boots at home, opting for the eye-catching bright yellow variety, as he fluffed Citys best opportunity of the half following a quick break by Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland, scuffing his shot towards goal from 20 yards.After a le s than exciting opening 35 minutes, the game sprang into life following an incident involving Shaun Wright-Phillips and Rory Delap. The Blues winger challenged for a 50-50 ball, seemingly with a raised foot, only for referee Martin Atkinson not to deem the tackle worthy of a free-kick. If he had done so, then surely SWP would have had to be sent-off. Clearly incensed by the referees (lack of) decision, Stoke winger Rory Delap charged after SWP, committing a nasty tackle when challenging from behind. Then, as the City midfielder lay on the floor as a result of the foul, Delap proceeded to lash out at him with his foot; an action which provoked both Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards, who stormed to the scene and started jostling with Delap. Whilst Atkinson and his fellow officials attempted to diffuse the situation, SWP seemed to take a swipe at the Stoke winger with his foot, which fortunately went unseen by the referee. After finally managing to control the situation, Atkinson showed Delap a straight red card for his violent conduct, whilstSWP walked off free from punishment. Even from a slightly biased City perspective, I personally thought Wright-Phillips should have seen red for his lunging tackle, whilst Delap acted in a childish manner by retaliating and he got his just rewards.Both sets of players react to Rory Delaps moment of madne sFrom this moment on, the atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium reached fever-pitch. Every City touch was greeted by a crescendo of boos, with Wright-Phillips coming in for particularly harsh treatment. Followinga nasty clash of heads between Nedum Onuoha and Amdy Faye, the latter of whom required paramedics to treat him, there were five minutes of added time, and it was in the last of these when Stoke scored the goal that proved to be the winner. Two January signings for the Potters combined, with Matthew Etherington producing a delightful cro s straight onto the head of James Beattie, who expertly powered his header into the bottom corner, leaving Joe Hartwith no chance. The half-time whistle blew, and despite the one man advantage, it was City bo s Mark Hughes who faced the trickier team talk.As the teams emerged for the second period, it was clear that Stoke would be intent to sit on their lead, defend in numbers, and cling to their slender advantage. Richard Cre swell replaced the largely anonymous Ricardo Fuller, which meant that Stoke now lined up in a 4-4-1 formation, leaving Beattie to lead the forward line on his own.City started strongly again, albeit failing to create any clear-cut chances. Hughes had seen enough, and after only eight minutes of the half, brought on Brazilian international Elano to replace the hitherto ineffective Pablo Zabaleta. This substitution seemed to spur City on, with Elano at the fore of everything. Yet despite nearly 80% of the Victor Rask Men Jersey po se sion, the Blues created nothing. A wayward Elano shot apart, the away side were devoid of creativity andingenuity, and were crying out for a physical presence up front.Elano sparked City into life but couldnt find the breakthroughEcuadorian battering ram and ridiculous hair-style wearing striker Felipe Caicedo was brought on to find a goal, but Stoke still defended resolutely. The final whistle blew and Stoke had pulled off a fantastic victory. City didnt do anywhere near enough for a side with European aspirations, and the result only reinforces the belief that it will take a lot more than just money to turn us into a top-six side.Key BattlesMatthew Etherington v Micah RichardsThe Stoke winger supplied the cro s from which Beattie scored and was generally impre sive throughout, whilst Richards looked lazy and uninterested Winner = EtheringtonAndy Griffin v RobinhoWell since Griffindidnt start the game and only came on as a late sub, it renders this contest unwinnableThomas Sorensen v Joe HartCity were unable to force Sorensen into any saves, managing just one shot on target. Hart was faultle s for Beatties goal, and handled Delap Greg McKegg Jersey s throws well No WinnerPlayer RatingsHart Wasnt tested a great deal, and couldnt be blamed for the goal 6Richards Very unconvincing and lethargic looking. Needs a kick up the backside.Offered nothing going forward and should have got tighter to Etherington for the cro s that led to the goal 4Kompany Captain in the absence of Richard Dunne and generally did OK. Looks a sured and calm on the ball, although maybe his distribution could be improved 6Onuoha The best defender on the day for City. Handled Beattie and Fuller well throughout and should be given an extended run in the side 6.5Bridge Got forward very well, giving us width on the left, although too easily beaten for the goal. Still not match-fit 6Zabaleta Had been a revelation in new midfield role for the last two games, but looked unfit and slow in this match. Needs to return to right-back 5.5de Jong Following Delaps sending off, had very little to do, although he looked accomplished on the ball 6Wright-Phillips Involved in sending-off controversy, and for me he should have been sent off himself. Failed to attack his full-back as he usually does 6Ireland Not one of his better games this season. Wasnt involved in play as much as he would liked to have been 6Robinho Went AWOL as City pushed for equaliser. Looked uninterested and ruffled by Stokes physical approach 4Bellamy Seemed lively, running the channels well, although he would ma sively benefit from playing alongside someone 6Subs:Elano By far Citys best player. Changed the momentum when he came on, supplying a succe sion of delightful long-range pa ses. Brightened us up and should start the next match 7.5Caicedo Brought on to add strength and height to the attack and produced a couple of decent moments 6Man of the Match Elano
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