Tevez is back to hunt Fergie

Match Report by ILIAS

 

(title of the blog belongs to Gary Lineker's quote, right after the end of this match)

 

 

In a match that is the biggest advertisement for English football, Manchester City came from behind to win Manchester United 2-1 in the 1st leg of this season's Carling Cup semi-final.

 

1st half analysis

Buzzing atmosphere at City of Manchester. The match started in fury with tackles all over the place with most of the game played in City’s half. Things spiced up for the first time at 11’. City appealed for a penalty as the ball seemed to hit to a United’s defender hand, but the referee waved play on (in fact the ball hit to Barry’s hand). Right after that, Evra battled with Wright-Phillips down to United’s left, the Frenchman’s cross in the very heart of City’s box found Rooney but his shot was blocked.

 

But at 17’ United’s pressure got rewarded. With an extra player in midfield, United outnumbered City and naturally got the advantage and possession. Valencia made the cross for the right, Rooney tried to tap into the net but not effectively as Given saved it with an outstretched hand. Still, the ball landed into Ryan Giggs feet that had no problem to score his derby goal since 1996!!! With United showing more composure so far, their goal was pretty much deserved.

At 23’ Wright-Phillips made the cross from the right flank but Tevez didn’t get the header properly. The Argentinean should have buried that. City definitely decided to come out and play more, take a little more risks and United staying a bit more at the back. At 37’ City threatened Van Der Sar again, but De Jong’s missile from long distance was saved in style by the Dutch goalkeeper.

 

A moment of discussion arose at 40’. Craig Bellamy marched on from the left flank with tremendous pace, Rafael definitely grabbed him outside the box., Bellamy continued and fell inside the box. Penalty? According to the referee yes, but personally I don’t think it was and there’s no need to see the replay. Carlos Tevez stepped up and blasted it to the back of the net of Van Der Sar. Tevez celebrated as if he had never played for ManUtd, as if he wanted to prove something. I swear I saw some City fans jumping into the pitch to celebrate. The game was level again…

2nd half analysis

The 2nd half started with United missing a good chance with Rooney, but his effort from close range was saved by Given. City answered to that with Kompany’s header from a set piece at 52’ but the ball went wide.

Double chance for City’s at 57’. Bellamy’s corner kick from the right seemed to be going straight in but Van Der Sar was alerted and parried the ball. Still ball landed to Micah Richards who tried an ambitious effort but the ball was turned wide by Evra. Straight to the next minute, Rooney crossed the ball nicely inside the ball to Giggs, but Given said no once again. What a game!

 

City of Manchester erupted at 65’ as Carlos Tevez beat Van Der Sar and made it 2-1 for City. The corner kick was pushed away by the Dutch goalkeeper, but the ball fell to Zabaleta on the edge of the box, who hit it into the deep right of the area, where Kompany hooked it in more to find Tevez’s header. It was Tevez’s moment again to celebrate the way he knows better and knows why. This time I’m sure I heard the ManCity fans cheering “Fergie Fergie sign him on”…

 

City nearly made it 3-1 at 70’ but Van Der Sar was there again to stop Wright-Phillips’s effort from close. A double chance for United this time at 77’ as Rooney was beaten by Given, while Owen’s shot got cleared off the line by Onuoha. United kept up the pressure and it was Given’s fingertips at 79’ to deny Rooney’s great move and shot. The Red Devils missed the biggest chance of the game in 87’ with Evra making the corss to the far post, finding Valencia completely unmarked and just 2 yards off the posts but he incredibly blasted it wide. However this wasn’t the last chance for United as Given turned away another shot from the penalty box by Rooney at 92’.


Everything remains open and will be decided in 8 days, not very far from where the 1st leg was played tonight.

 

Man of the Match : Carlos Tevez

Man City: Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boyata (69’ Onuoha), Garrido, De Jong, Kompany, Barry, Wright-Phillips (84’ Sylvinho), Tevez (79’ Benjani), Bellamy

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (90’ Diouf), Brown, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Anderson (72’ Owen), Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia (87’ Scholes), Rooney, Giggs