2:1, and we should have win more easily if not for the Dudek fumble. First half we were a bit slack, but still we control the game well. Unfortunately there were not any real chance, and James was playing well except from 1 fumble, but Dunne covered him well. Cisse has one counter attack chance and you can see how quick his pace is, unfortunately I think he should pass the ball instead of trying to take a shot himself, which, for Jame's habit of coming out too easily, make James easily to clear the ball. Baros almost did nothing except for trying to win penalties. I think he should not fall down too easily (like Diouf or Sinama-Pongolle) as once you earn an image of dive, it's more difficult to earn other's respect.
When first half was approaching an all-square, City took the lead. Wright-Phillips took the ball and had a well diagonal pass into the box, Carragher was unable to clear it and it felt to the 6 yard box. Dudek should have catch it easily, but he fumbled and let Anelka rounded him and put the ball into the net. Carra tried his best to do a last man save but failed. HT 0-1, and it was a shook.
2nd half we were more aggressive and soon we equalized. As usual it was the result of our mighty captain. Stevie G has an inch-perfect pass and the ball pass through 3 defenders, and Baros was one-on-one with James and put the ball calmly into the net. 1-1, and the fans were happy.
From this point on there will only be one winner of the game, but James was againsty superb and denied us several times. Then Josemi was injuried from a bad tackle and Diao took his place, the defense then take a resuffle and Carra moved to right back, with Diao taking the center back post and done a fine job. He knows he need to perform to keep his place, and he did no harm to himself. Finally the long awaited goal comes. A long pass from the back and Baros was one on one with James again, this time James blocked the ball away, but Gerrard was spot on and put the ball into the net. 2-1.
After that City was pressured for an equalized, but then Dunne pushed Cisse and earned a 2nd yellow card and was sent off. The other moment of the game was deep in the injuried time and Cisse was holding the ball at the corner flag, and a quick back pass and he rushed to the ball and crossed it, unfortunately Warnock was not spot on and can't score.
Pluses from the game: We are very confident even though we were 1 down at HT, and the timing of the goal was the worst, but we were never trouble and in 3 minutes we were already equalized. Besides Kewell was against very lively, doing all the tricks and was unlucky not to score. The corner kicks were improved a lot, Kewell takes all the right corners and Gerrard the left corners. They were more dangerous than the Spurs game.
Minus from the game: Dudek has now became the weakest link and I think as soon as Kirkland recovered he should take the first team place (and England's # 1 as well). Baros was not that good in 1st half, but he scored a goal and played much better. He just need to be more consistent. We seems to be unable to keep a good performance for the whole 90 minutes, but luckily this time 1H was not good but 2H much better and we won the game. But we need to be work on this very soon. Fortunately the next few games should not be too hard and we should build a good run on it before we play MU in mid September. The other concern I had is that the Kop was really quiet - even out-voiced by the City fans. But after we took the lead the atmosphere becomes better. Hope in the future the Kop will do their job fine.
Player Rating:
Dudek: 5 Fault on the City goal. I think he should not be the first choice anymore, sorry.
Josemi: 6.5 Solid game, unfortunately he was injured and was substituted. Hope it is not too serious.
Carragher: 7 Partly responsible for the City goal, but even so I think Dudek should have catch the ball. Apart from that he had another good game.
Hyypia: 7.5 Definitely much better than last season. His gem with Carragher is better game after game.
Riise: 7.5 Another good game from Riise. His attacking sense is getter better and better. Had one free-kick chance but was blocked by Fowler.
Finnan: 7 Solid game, but with Alonso and Garcia arrived next game may be his final game...
Gerrard: 10 1 goal 1 assist. What more can you ask for him? Teammates need to play better to make him happy though.
Hamann: 7 Typical Hamann performance. But as Alonso comes I don't know if he will still be starting next week...
Kewell: 8.5 We have not seem him so lively for a long time! Too bad he didn't score in the game.
Baros: 8.5 1st half was poor, but 2nd half much better. Keep it up, Milan! You can do it!
Cisse: 7.5 Unfortunately did not score on his home debut, but it was a very good performance.
Diao: 7 A good performance coming up from the bench. I think we should keep him.
Warnock 6.5: A well deserved home debut. Should have scored in the injury time if he was more alert. I hope he can get more playing chances (as Kewell may not play the whole season well)... So be prepared.
Biscan: Only used to kill time, he had one scoring chance but totally wasted.
Kop: 6.5 Very quiet until we took the lead. Please do your jobs!
Rafa: 7 A nice teamtalk during half time that works! Well done man!
Man City: 6 I think they should be able to surivive this season, but Keegan need to do something to the defense.
Man of the Match: Gerrard.
No comments:
Post a Comment