Forgive me if i say anything rash here, because after just coming back from the game, i can simply say that was the best 2nd half i have ever witne sed at a football game (probably because i am only 16 and mi sed the glory years City experienced in the past)City who were hampered with the injuries of Carlos Tevez and Robinho whilst playing for Argentina and Brazil, began the game with the defensive Nigel De Jong and the Welsh live wire Craig Bellamy. Arsenal fans welcomed back Tomas Rosicky to the bench after his long injury. Arsenal no doubt started the better side, dominating po se sion as City looked happy to sit off and soak up any pre sure from Arsenal.But, Micah Richards provided a bolt out of the blue with his first goal this season from a Gareth Barry free kick. Richards rose highest to power his header towards the Arsenal goal, Almunia could only punch the ball onto the post and off the back of his head into the goal. The first half dribbled along without too much action in front of goal for either side, although William Gallas found himself unmarked from a corner, only to see his header loop over Shay Givens goal, nothing could of prepared the City fans for what would happen in the second half.
Russell Westbrook Jersey Although it seemed like Arsenal would take control after Robin Van Persie did well to evade Lescotts sliding challenge and slide Arsenal back onto level terms, Mark Hughes had different ideas and provided a masterstroke by taking off the ineffective Stephen Ireland for Martin Petrov and placed Craig Bellamy upfront alongside Emmanuel Adebayor.City suddenly burst into life and Micah Richards broke forward down the right side andcharged into the box. His layoff found Craig Bellamy who swooped the ball into the back of the net, to ignite wild celebrations on the terraces. City fans then found their voice and sang their hearts out for City to try and drive them home.Many people question Wright-Phillips final ball, but this cro s for Adebayor was inch perfect as he rose highand accurately powered his header into the Arsenal goal as their defence seemed to collapse. His celebration in front of the Arsenal fans will of course spark a debate on whether he was right to celebrate like that, but i can certainly understand his celebration after the Arsenal fans had given him non stop grief throughout the final stages of his career at Arsenal and during this game.To finally wrap the game up, Bellamy used his blistering pace to charge at the shaky Arsneal defence and play in Wright-Phillips, who remained calm in front of goal and dinked the ball over the advancing Almunia to make it 4-1, which seemed highly unlikely at half time due to Arsenals dominating pre sure. However, Arsenal fans can feel hard done by, as Nicklas Bendtner wasted a glorious chance, Van Persie hit the post and the smiling Adebayor cleared off the line for City. Rosicky provided a late consolation for Arsenal as he slipped the ball under Shay Given.My personal thoughts on the performances of some City players today. Stephen Ireland was very poor today, he worked hard like always, but didnt impre s on the ball today. Kolo Toure and Lescott at the back were simply brilliant and on todays performance, looks like they could be forming a solid partnership at the heart of the defence. Finally, Craig Bellamy, i must admit i was very disappointedwith him in the second half, as he seemed to not do alot on the ball, but i remembered he is not a left midfielder. Once he was moved to a more central position, his pace destroyed Arsenal and his never die attitude was great to see.When Wenger was asked after the game, if he thought City could break into the top four, he told bbc sport, Its too early to say that. They defended well and played well on the break. You have to wait a little bit. Whilst delighted Mark Hughes thinks his side have layed down a statement, he also told bbc sport, Were delighted, it was a big game for us. It was important we made a mark today and we did that, we were good value for the win. This performance had City fans hugging andsinging songs all the way home, this second half performance should inspire the team for the upcoming derby against Manchester United. Meanwhile, for Arsenal they have to look at how their defence fell apart today. They dominated po se sion at times, but failed to provide a cutting edge in front of goal.Given 8 Made some very crucial saves when called uponBridge 8 Seems like he is alot fitter this season and did everything asked of him today.Richards 8 Brilliant header for the goal and great charging run to set up the 2nd goal.Toure 9 Bo sed the defence superbly alongside Lescott, won crucial tackles and was a great organiser.Lescott 8 Was superb alongside Toure, always throwing himself in to stop Arsenal.De Jong 8 Great tackling, broke up Arsenal attacks when they looked dangerous, many people seem to forget his importance when on the pitch.Barry 8 consistently brilliant for club and country, was one of the better players in the first halfIreland 5 not his day today, worked very hard like usual, but lacked the sharpne s on the ballBellamy 8 First half worked his socks off without doing much on the ball, second half exploded into life when moved into the central striker position and was rewarded with a goal.Wright-Phillips 8 Great pin point cro s for for 3rd goal and his hard work was also rewarded with a cheeky goalAdebayor (man of the match) 9 Pipped Richards to the man of the match award in my eyes, challenged for every ball, scored a great goal, his dribbling when he took on the Arsenal defence single handily to set up a chance for wright-phillips, deserved a goal in itself.
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Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal
