Man City 3 - 0 Liverpool
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By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Eastlands |
Manchester City celebrated owner Sheikh Mansour's first visit to Eastlands by delivering an impressive performance to cruise to victory against Liverpool.
Sheikh Mansour has changed the face of Manchester City since his takeover two years ago - and this latest expensively reconstructed version of Roberto Mancini's squad provided evidence that they may be able to meet the expectations that will accompany his huge financial outlay.
After a £130m summer spending spree, City needed to deliver a swift statement of intent and they duly obliged against a Liverpool team showing the extent of the work required by new boss Roy Hodgson.
James Milner marked his debut by setting up Gareth Barry for an early goal, and Carlos Tevez gave City breathing space from close range just after half-time, although Micah Richards may claim his colleague did not actually apply the crucial touch from his header.
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606: DEBATE
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Liverpool's reaction was a shot from captain Steven Gerrard that struck the post, with City keeper Joe Hart saving superbly from David Ngog and Fernando Torres in the resulting scramble.
And City wrapped up a convincing win when Tevez scored from the penalty spot after Martin Skrtel hauled down the outstanding Adam Johnson.
Mancini will understandably keep the lid on expectations, but the way in which City mastered and out-muscled Liverpool in all areas, even with David Silva and Emmanuel Adebayor on the bench and Mario Balotelli out injured, will give him huge cause for optimism - and will have delighted the watching Abu Dhabi powerbrokers.
Sheikh Mansour received a predictably ecstatic reception from City's fans as they expressed their gratitude for his lavish refurbishment of the club's playing resources since his takeover.
And he was able to watch two of his most recent investments combine impressively as City took a well-merited lead through Barry after 13 minutes.
Yaya Toure made light of his giant frame with some fancy footwork to start a move that ended with Milner sliding a cross into the path of his former Aston Villa team-mate Barry, who passed the ball into the bottom corner out of the reach of Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.
Johnson was a constant threat on City's right flank, giving Daniel Agger a torrid time under the watchful eye of England coach Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini. He fired narrowly off target early on and pulled another effort just wide as the interval approached.
Liverpool, with Torres clearly working his way back towards full fitness, threatened only rarely, with Hart saving comfortably from Ngog and Gerrard demonstrating an uncharacteristic lack of accuracy when presented with two good shooting opportunities.
Boss Hodgson will no doubt have demanded greater urgency from his team after the break - but their hopes of a revival were effectively snuffed out as City doubled their advantage seven minutes after the restart.
Richards headed Johnson's header towards goal, and even though Tevez wheeled away in celebration after appearing to get the final touch past Reina, it looked as if he was more of a crucial distraction than the actual goalscorer.
Hart's elevation to City's number one keeper ahead of Shay Given has been a source of debate, but he demonstrated why he is rated so highly by Mancini as Liverpool attempted to mount a swift response.
Gerrard rattled the post from 20 yards, and as Liverpool tried to take advantage of confusion in the City penalty area Hart saved magnificently from Ngog and Torres in quick succession.
And the value of those saves was underlined as City swept forward to add a third from the spot after 67 minutes. Skrtel's rash challenge felled Johnson and Tevez completed the formalities from the spot.
Liverpool striker Torres, a summer target for City, was replaced to the ironic jeers of Eastlands with 15 minutes left - and City were able to see out time in comfort to record their first Premier League win of the season.
Live text and stats
Monday, 23 August 2010
Premier League
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | 3-0 | Liverpool | FT |
| (HT 1-0) | |||
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Man City
- 25 Hart
- 02 Richards yellow card
- 04 Kompany
- 19 Lescott
- 28 Kolo Toure
- 07 Milner
- 11 A Johnson
- 18 Barry
- 34 De Jong
- 42 Yaya Toure (Zabaleta 84)
- 32 Tevez (Jo 84)
Substitutes
Liverpool
- 25 Reina
- 02 G Johnson
- 05 Agger
- 23 Carragher
- 37 Skrtel yellow card
- 08 Gerrard
- 21 Lucas
- 09 Torres (Babel 78)
- 14 Jovanovic (Pacheco 85)
- 18 Kuyt
- 24 Ngog
Substitutes
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+2:02 The final whistle is blown by the referee.
- 90:00+1:27 Defending throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 90:00+0:43 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) to centre, clearance by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 90:00+0:27 Foul by Joleon Lescott (Man City) on David Ngog (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Glen Johnson (Liverpool) from right wing, passed.
- 89:43 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 89:27 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 88:38 Adam Johnson challenges Glen Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Glen Johnson takes the free kick.
- 87:21 Leiva Lucas concedes a free kick for a foul on Joao Alves Jo. James Milner restarts play with the free kick.
- 87:02 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 86:58 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 86:35 Defending throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 84:41 Substitution Liverpool substitution: Milan Jovanovic replaced by Daniel Pacheco (tactical).
- 83:51 Substitution Joao Alves Jo replaces Carlos Tevez.
- 83:51 Substitution (Man City) makes a substitution, with Pablo Zabaleta coming on for Gnegneri Toure Yaya.
- 81:35 Foul by Leiva Lucas (Liverpool) on Gnegneri Toure Yaya (Man City). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Joleon Lescott (Man City) from left wing, passed.
- 79:58 Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 78:10 Ryan Babel takes a shot. Save made by Joe Hart. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line to the near post, Gareth Barry manages to make a clearance. Effort on goal by Glen Johnson from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
- 77:19 Substitution Liverpool substitution: Fernando Torres replaced by Ryan Babel (tactical).
- 76:21 Foul by Milan Jovanovic (Liverpool) on James Milner (Man City). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Milner (Man City) from right wing, passed.
- 75:58 Corner taken by Adam Johnson, clearance made by Daniel Agger.
- 75:00 Attacking throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
- 73:42 Free kick awarded for a foul by Milan Jovanovic on Adam Johnson. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Gnegneri Toure Yaya, save by Jose Reina.
- 73:23 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 72:05 Shot by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Man City).
- 69:54 Defending throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 69:10 Foul by Joleon Lescott (Man City) on Glen Johnson (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jose Reina (Liverpool) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 68:21 Foul by Leiva Lucas (Liverpool) on Carlos Tevez (Man City). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Joleon Lescott (Man City) from own half, passed.
- 67:02 Adam Johnson provided the assist for the goal.
- 67:02 GOAL - Carlos Tevez:Man City 3 - 0 Liverpool Placed penalty scored by Carlos Tevez. Man City 3-0 Liverpool.
- 66:09 Unfair challenge on Adam Johnson by Martin Skrtel results in a Penalty.
- 64:10 Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 63:02 Corner from the right by-line taken by James Milner, Leiva Lucas makes a clearance.
- 60:47 Foul by Dirk Kuyt on Gareth Barry, free kick awarded. Vincent Kompany restarts play with the free kick.
- 59:27 Unfair challenge on Dirk Kuyt by Joleon Lescott results in a free kick. Jose Reina takes the indirect free kick.
- 57:47 Direct free kick taken by Steven Gerrard. The offside flag is raised against Dirk Kuyt. Joe Hart takes the indirect free kick.
- 57:47 Booking Micah Richards is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
- 57:44 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Micah Richards.
- 56:42 Shot by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), hit post. Shot by David Ngog (Liverpool) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Joe Hart (Man City). Shot by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (tipped round post) by Joe Hart (Man City). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) to centre, clearance by Kolo Toure (Man City).
- 55:46 Foul by Micah Richards (Man City) on Fernando Torres (Liverpool). Free kick drilled right-footed by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) from left channel (30 yards), hit wall.
- 53:49 Shot by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Gareth Barry (Man City). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) to centre, resulting in open play.
- 51:49 Assist on the goal came from Micah Richards.
- 51:49 GOAL - Carlos Tevez:Man City 2 - 0 Liverpool Goal scored by Carlos Tevez from close range low into the middle of the goal. Man City 2-0 Liverpool.
- 51:30 Outswinging corner taken by James Milner from the right by-line,
- 50:14 The ball is swung over by Milan Jovanovic, save by Joe Hart.
- 48:52 Foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya (Man City) on Milan Jovanovic (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) from own half, passed.
- 48:05 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 47:06 Foul by Micah Richards on Milan Jovanovic, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Martin Skrtel.
- 46:46 Attacking throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 46:18 Attacking throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 45:44 The assistant referee signals for offside against David Ngog. Joe Hart restarts play with the free kick.
- 45:01 The second half has started.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:32 The whistle is blown to end the first half.
- 45:00+0:48 Foul by Glen Johnson (Liverpool) on James Milner (Man City). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Joe Hart (Man City) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 45:00+0:27 Attacking throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
- 45:00+0:11 Foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya (Man City) on Leiva Lucas (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Leiva Lucas (Liverpool) from own half, passed.
- 44:07 Steven Gerrard has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses right.
- 43:25 Effort on goal by Steven Gerrard from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.
- 42:43 Defending throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 39:36 Shot by Carlos Tevez (Man City) left-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Jamie Carragher (Liverpool). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by James Milner (Man City) to centre, header by Micah Richards (Man City) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 38:30 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 37:53 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
- 37:17 Shot by Adam Johnson (Man City) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 36:59 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson, clearance by Micah Richards.
- 35:32 Defending throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
- 35:01 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 34:35 Attacking throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 33:25 Shot by David Ngog (Liverpool) drilled left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Joe Hart (Man City).
- 32:14 Attacking throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 31:05 Daniel Agger has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the target.
- 30:55 Attacking throw-in by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).
- 30:04 Joleon Lescott produces a cross, Daniel Agger makes a clearance. James Milner takes a short corner. The ball is swung over by Adam Johnson, save by Jose Reina.
- 28:42 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joleon Lescott by Dirk Kuyt. Free kick taken by James Milner.
- 27:42 Gareth Barry concedes a free kick for a foul on Fernando Torres. Steven Gerrard takes the free kick.
- 26:36 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
- 25:56 Attacking throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
- 25:03 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 22:19 Attacking throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 20:53 Foul by Nigel De Jong (Man City) on Fernando Torres (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) from right channel, passed.
- 20:13 Shot by Gareth Barry (Man City) right-footed from left channel (30 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
- 18:49 Attacking throw-in by Micah Richards (Man City).
- 18:10 Foul by Leiva Lucas (Liverpool) on James Milner (Man City). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Milner (Man City) from left channel, passed.
- 15:51 Joleon Lescott is caught offside. Jose Reina takes the indirect free kick.
- 15:31 Attacking throw-in by Joleon Lescott (Man City).
- 14:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Micah Richards on Fernando Torres. Steven Gerrard crosses the ball in from the free kick, Micah Richards makes a clearance.
- 13:38 Effort from deep inside the area by Carlos Tevez misses to the right of the goal.
- 12:08 The assist for the goal came from James Milner.
- 12:08 GOAL - Gareth Barry:Man City 1 - 0 Liverpool Gareth Barry fires in a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Man City 1-0 Liverpool.
- 11:14 Attacking throw-in by Nigel De Jong (Man City).
- 10:20 Defending throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
- 9:40 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
- 8:24 Shot from long range by Adam Johnson goes wide of the left-hand upright.
- 6:26 James Milner concedes a free kick for a foul on Glen Johnson. Dirk Kuyt takes the free kick.
- 5:18 David Ngog takes a shot. Comfortable save by Joe Hart.
- 4:34 Foul by Daniel Agger on James Milner, free kick awarded. Adam Johnson takes the direct free kick.
- 3:31 The free kick is delivered left-footed by Adam Johnson from right wing, clearance made by David Ngog.
- 3:31 Booking Martin Skrtel is given a yellow card.
- 3:07 Martin Skrtel challenges Adam Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 0:58 Fernando Torres is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Vincent Kompany takes the indirect free kick.
- 0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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