Man City 3 - 0 Arsenal
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By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Eastlands |
Manchester City deservedly sealed a place in the Carling Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Manchester United after beating a youthful Arsenal side at vibrant Eastlands.
Carlos Tevez's spectacular strike five minutes after half-time put City on the path into the last four and a stunning angled drive from Shaun Wright-Phillips sealed the victory for Mark Hughes' side.
Substitute Vladimir Weiss wrapped up City's triumph with an emphatic finish a minute from time and rounded off a miserable night for Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger.
City had the better of an encounter that failed to touch the heights - but their jubilant fans were in no mood to complain as they celebrated a win that moves them a step closer to a first Wembley cup final in 28 years.
For Arsenal boss Wenger, it was more disappointment as his traditionally revamped Carling Cup side crashed to defeat just days after his more familiar line-up was dismantled by Chelsea at the Emirates.
And his disappointment was demonstrated when he pointedly refused to shake hands with opposite number Hughes at the final whistle - an action that left the City boss accusing his Arsenal counterpart of being ungracious in defeat.
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606: DEBATE
Bout da Bling Bong Billbong Song
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Wenger, without a trophy since the FA Cup win against Manchester United in Cardiff in 2005, saw his much-heralded youngsters eventually overpowered by City as the opportunity to advance to a major final was sacrificed in favour of giving experience to his emerging talent.
It was a game that had little of the bitterness and recrimination that scarred the Premier League collision between the pair earlier this season, but one that was always destined to have the same outcome once Tevez put City in front.
City attempted to add drama to an already charged atmosphere by dimming the floodlights at Eastlands and beaming a giant "Blue Moon" on to the darkened stands as the club anthem reverberated around the stadium.
Sadly, the early action itself did little to illuminate Eastlands as City dominated a scrappy first half that was predictably frantic but bereft of serious quality from either side.
Emmanuel Adebayor, inevitably, received a fierce reception from Arsenal's fans after he ran the length of the ground to celebrate a goal in front of them - and stamped on Robin van Persie - when Manchester City won 4-2 against the Gunners at Eastlands earlier this season.
But he almost silenced the taunts as early as the sixth minute when he rose unmarked to meet Gareth Barry's corner, only to head straight at Arsenal's stand-in keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal, normally so fluid, were creating little although Jack Wilshere fashioned an opening for Carlos Vela which the striker lifted over the top.
Tevez went alone to create an opening after 33 minutes, but his effort was blocked by Fabianski as he drove deep into the Arsenal penalty area, while Emmanuel Eboue could only shoot straight at Shay Given after he escaped the attentions of the City defence.
 Arsenal's Jack Wilshere tussles for possession on a difficult night
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Arsenal's last anxious moment of the first period came when Alex Song headed Barry's free-kick just over his own bar.
It looked like only a mistake or a moment of magic would unlock the stalemate - and Tevez provided the latter to give City a lead they deserved on the balance of play after 50 minutes.
Tomas Rosicky carelessly conceded possession to a combination of Tevez and Craig Bellamy in a dangerous area, and the Argentine cut inside Eboue and Song before curling a perfect finish high beyond the reach of Fabianski to send Eastlands into ecstasy.
As Arsenal rocked, Bellamy almost set up a second for Adebayor, but he could only shoot off target on the stretch as he came under pressure from Fabianski.
Arsenal needed to deliver a response, and Aaron Ramsey wasted a good chance to put Wenger's side level when he got under Fran Merida's cross and headed over.
Wenger made a change after 67 minutes, sending on Sanchez Watt for Craig Eastmond in an attempt to force the equaliser Arsenal needed, but the plan was foiled as City doubled their lead within seconds.
Wright-Phillips broke down the right flank in the face of a challenge from the sluggish Mikael Silvestre before lashing a rising drive past the helpless Fabianski.
The lively Bellamy saw a close-range shot blocked by Fabianski as City went in search of third goal, and it arrived in the dying moments when the Wales striker crossed for Weiss to arrive unmarked and power home his finish off the underside of the bar.
There was still time for Fran Merida to strike the bar for a subdued Arsenal - but this was Manchester City's night and Eastlands revelled in the victory at the final whistle.
Live text and stats
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Carling Cup
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | 3-0 | Arsenal | R |
| (HT 0-0) | |||
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|
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Man City
- 01 Given
- 02 Richards
- 03 Bridge
- 19 Lescott
- 28 Toure
- 07 Ireland
- 08 Wright-Phillips (Weiss 77)
- 18 Barry
- 25 Adebayor
- 32 Tevez (Kompany 74 yellow card)
- 39 Bellamy yellow card
Substitutes
Arsenal
- 21 Fabianski
- 18 Silvestre yellow card
- 27 Eboue
- 30 Traore yellow card
- 37 Eastmond yellow card (Watt 68)
- 07 Rosicky
- 16 Ramsey yellow card
- 17 Song Billong yellow card
- 19 Wilshere yellow card
- 32 Merida
- 12 Vela
Substitutes
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+4:14 The referee blows for the end of the match.
- 90:00+3:43 Unfair challenge on Gareth Barry by Emmanuel Eboue results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Shay Given.
- 90:00+1:56 Fran Merida takes a shot.
- 90:00+1:15 Stephen Ireland concedes a free kick for a foul on Fran Merida. Direct free kick taken by Jack Wilshere.
- 88:53 Assist on the goal came from Craig Bellamy.
- 88:53 GOAL - Vladimir Weiss:Man City 3 - 0 Arsenal A goal is scored by Vladimir Weiss from close range high into the middle of the goal. Man City 3-0 Arsenal.
- 87:46 Craig Bellamy takes a shot. Save made by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 84:04 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Fran Merida, clearance by Gareth Barry.
- Correction - 82:39 Free kick crossed by Fran Merida, clearance made by Emmanuel Adebayor.
- 82:39 Free kick taken by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 82:39 Booking Craig Bellamy is booked.
- Correction - 82:33 Craig Bellamy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emmanuel Eboue.
- 82:33 Unfair challenge on Emmanuel Eboue by Craig Bellamy results in a free kick.
- 81:52 Gareth Barry takes the direct free kick.
- 81:52 Booking Booking for Aaron Ramsey.
- 81:23 Micah Richards fouled by Aaron Ramsey, the ref awards a free kick.
- 81:04 Aaron Ramsey takes the direct free kick.
- 81:04 Booking Vincent Kompany booked.
- 80:42 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tomas Rosicky by Vincent Kompany.
- 79:54 Corner taken by Vladimir Weiss.
- 79:40 Craig Bellamy has an effort at goal. Save by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 78:32 Craig Bellamy has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.
- 78:32 Booking Alexandre Song Billong receives a caution.
- 78:09 Foul by Alexandre Song Billong on Stephen Ireland, free kick awarded.
- 77:37 Vincent Kompany gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tomas Rosicky. Direct free kick taken by Tomas Rosicky.
- 76:29 Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.
- 76:29 Substitution Vladimir Weiss is brought on as a substitute for Shaun Wright-Phillips.
- 76:29 Booking Jack Wilshere is cautioned.
- 76:19 Jack Wilshere challenges Vincent Kompany unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 74:46 Craig Bellamy fouled by Jack Wilshere, the ref awards a free kick. Wayne Bridge delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing.
- 74:18 Armand Traore has an effort at goal from long distance that goes wide left.
- 73:29 Substitution Vincent Kompany is brought on as a substitute for Carlos Tevez.
- 73:05 Corner taken by Tomas Rosicky played to the near post.
- 72:26 Carlos Alberto Vela takes a shot. Blocked by Joleon Lescott.
- 68:55 The assist for the goal came from Kolo Toure.
- 68:55 GOAL - Shaun Wright-Phillips:Man City 2 - 0 Arsenal A goal is scored by Shaun Wright-Phillips from the edge of the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Man City 2-0 Arsenal.
- 68:01 Carlos Alberto Vela takes a short corner.
- 67:12 Substitution Craig Eastmond leaves the field to be replaced by Sanchez Watt.
- 65:32 Craig Bellamy is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Mikael Silvestre.
- 62:40 Headed effort from inside the area by Aaron Ramsey misses to the left of the goal.
- 60:01 Carlos Alberto Vela gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joleon Lescott. Direct free kick taken by Joleon Lescott.
- 58:56 Corner taken by Tomas Rosicky, Gareth Barry manages to make a clearance.
- 57:36 Craig Bellamy produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, save by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 57:36 Booking Mikael Silvestre receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 57:06 Mikael Silvestre concedes a free kick for a foul on Emmanuel Adebayor.
- 55:58 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Micah Richards by Carlos Alberto Vela. Direct free kick taken by Shay Given.
- 55:10 Emmanuel Adebayor produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 54:09 Aaron Ramsey has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
- 52:03 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Fran Merida, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Craig Eastmond goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
- 51:21 Gareth Barry gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fran Merida. Free kick taken by Fran Merida.
- 50:33 Corner taken by Armand Traore, Aaron Ramsey produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.
- 49:12 GOAL - Carlos Tevez:Man City 1 - 0 Arsenal Carlos Tevez gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Man City 1-0 Arsenal.
- 48:08 Carlos Alberto Vela is caught offside. Shay Given takes the free kick.
- 46:04 Gareth Barry concedes a free kick for a foul on Jack Wilshere. Free kick taken by Jack Wilshere.
- 45:08 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Bellamy by Jack Wilshere. Free kick taken by Wayne Bridge.
- 45:01 The second half has started.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:17 The ref blows to signal half-time.
- 42:50 Unfair challenge on Gareth Barry by Alexandre Song Billong results in a free kick. Gareth Barry crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel.
- 41:31 Corner taken right-footed by Gareth Barry from the right by-line, save by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 41:00 Corner taken by Craig Bellamy from the left by-line, clearance made by Alexandre Song Billong.
- 40:22 The referee penalises Mikael Silvestre for handball. Gareth Barry crosses the ball in from the free kick.
- 38:51 Gareth Barry takes the direct free kick.
- 38:51 Booking Craig Eastmond is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 38:42 Free kick awarded for a foul by Craig Eastmond on Shaun Wright-Phillips.
- 38:00 Gareth Barry takes the inswinging corner, save made by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 37:09 The free kick is delivered left-footed by Gareth Barry from right wing, clearance by Alexandre Song Billong.
- 37:09 Booking Armand Traore receives a yellow card.
- 37:00 Free kick awarded for a foul by Armand Traore on Shaun Wright-Phillips.
- 36:15 Carlos Tevez challenges Tomas Rosicky unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lukasz Fabianski restarts play with the free kick.
- 35:28 Unfair challenge on Aaron Ramsey by Gareth Barry results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 33:25 Emmanuel Eboue takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.
- 28:26 Carlos Tevez concedes a free kick for a foul on Jack Wilshere. Direct free kick taken by Jack Wilshere.
- 26:27 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Micah Richards by Carlos Alberto Vela. Shaun Wright-Phillips takes the free kick.
- 24:03 Carlos Tevez takes a shot. Lukasz Fabianski makes a save.
- 21:15 Effort from deep inside the area by Carlos Alberto Vela clears the bar.
- 20:24 Unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere by Carlos Tevez results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Aaron Ramsey.
- 19:31 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jack Wilshere on Gareth Barry. Kolo Toure takes the free kick.
- 18:57 Effort from the edge of the penalty area by Craig Bellamy goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 15:16 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Carlos Alberto Vela by Micah Richards. Free kick crossed by Tomas Rosicky.
- 13:55 Corner taken by Tomas Rosicky from the right by-line to the near post, Kolo Toure manages to make a clearance.
- 13:16 Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Kolo Toure gets a block in.
- 8:00 Gareth Barry fouled by Jack Wilshere, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Joleon Lescott.
- 7:08 Armand Traore gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shaun Wright-Phillips. Free kick crossed right-footed by Gareth Barry from right wing.
- 5:55 Corner taken left-footed by Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 5:21 Foul by Jack Wilshere on Wayne Bridge, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Bridge.
- 4:10 Craig Bellamy is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Lukasz Fabianski.
- 2:32 Carlos Tevez produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
- 0:27 Aaron Ramsey fouled by Emmanuel Adebayor, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Armand Traore.
- 0:00 The match gets underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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