Blackburn 0 – 2 MAN CITY – Match Review, Player Ratings and Chant of the Day

With all the hype and pressure that surrounded Manchester City before this match, it was imperative that the Blues started in winning ways against a typically competitive Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Goals from new signing Emmanuel Adebayor and last season’s player of the year, Stephen Ireland, clinched the victory for the expensively assembled City side, whilst the reaction of the players to all the expectations was equally pleasing.

Although we are just one match into the new campaign, it is already clear that Mark Hughes’s new signings have added a winning mentality to the squad. In previous years, this would be a match in which, after coming under pressure from an impressive Blackburn side, we would have capitulated and lost. However, the new-found experience and mental toughness which City now possess was already evident in the manner of our performance.

This win is City’s first away clean sheet since August of last year, when the Blues defeated Sunderland 3-0, and it signals an early improvement in our away record. Having been victorious in just two matches on the road last campaign, we have already notched our first win on our travels this time around. The Blues now lie second in the Premier League table, albeit due to alphabetical order. Overall, this represents a solid start to the season and we have responded well to all the critics, who doubted whether our team would gel together.

Mark Hughes had good reason to be smiling at the end of the game

With almost £95 million worth of talent added in the summer, there was a plethora of options for Mark Hughes to choose from for this encounter. Summer signing Roque Santa Cruz, formerly of Blackburn, was injured, as were Vincent Kompany and Michael Johnson. Surprisingly, Sparky left out robust Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong and opted to play a 4-4-2 formation, with Gareth Barry and Stephen Ireland occupying the central midfield roles. Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips supplied the width, whilst, with Carlos Tevéz only deemed fit enough for the bench, Craig Bellamy partnered Emmanuel Adebayor up-front. In defence, Micah Richards got the nod over the tough-tackling Pablo Zabaleta, whilst Nedum Onuoha would have been disappointed to be overlooked in favour of Richard Dunne, who partnered new signing Kolo Touré in central defence.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce was without influential captain Ryan Nelson, so French defender Gaël Givet, whose loan move was made permanent in the summer, lined up alongside the giant Christopher Samba. David Dunn, who in midweek had threatened to kick lumps out of City, was ruled out through injury, so new signing Steven N’Zonzi, acquired from SC Amiens, made his debut in midfield.

Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Adefeelofhisear started for City for the first time

As with every Premier League match over the weekend, there was a special minute’s applause in remembrance of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson. A rousing rendition of ‘There’s Only One Bobby Robson’ emanated from the City faithful as fans reminisced about the former Barcelona, England and Newcastle manager. It was a truly moving and inspirational start to the season and it looked as if City’s players seized this moment as they took the lead just three minutes into the game. After Adebayor dispossessed Samba on the halfway line, the Togo striker sprayed the ball out wide for Shaun Wright-Phillips whose trickery caused Stephen Warnock to slip. With time and space to pick a pass, SWP waited for Adebayor to arrive just outside the box before laying the ball back towards the former Arsenal forward. Adebayor then hammered the ball into the back of the net to send the travelling City contingent, all 7000 of them, into delirious celebrations. It was the perfect start to the campaign for the Blues, and if only I could upload a video from my phone onto here, then I could try and convey the sense of madness that greeted the goal.

 
The applause for Sir Bobby Robson was observed impeccably by everyone, before Adebayor scored early on his debut

Despite the early goal and the influx of players, City never truly settled and it was the home side who were the more impressive. Their physical approach was working and although City were defending admirably, an equaliser didn’t look far off. Shay Given made numerous saves from Roberts and McCarthy, but the best of the lot was his diving effort to deny the Leviathan Samba from a header. Dunne and Touré were throwing their bodies in the way of everything and it was certainly a different City here than last season.

Jason Roberts fired over from inside the penalty area and Keith Andrews felt he should have been awarded a penalty when his shot seemed to strike the arm of City captain Richard Dunne in the box. Fortunately for the Blues, referee Mike Dean made the correct decision and waved play on. City were just about coping with the onslaught from the home side and mercurial Brazilian Robinho went close at the other end with a rasping right-footed shot which forced Paul Robinson into a full-length diving stop.

The pouring rain made it difficult for City to play their free-flowing passing game

Half-time came and went and neither manager opted to make any substitutions. The Blues’ faithful were waiting for the arrival of former Manchester United heart-throb Carlos Tevéz and were enjoying a slight tease towards their rivals, with the ironic chant of ‘Fergie, Sign Him Up’ as the Argentine warmed up down the touchline. The hitherto unimpressive Robinho then saw his curling effort saved by a diving Robinson but that was the last action we saw of the enigmatic Brazilian as he was replaced just after the hour mark by Tevéz, who came on to rapturous applause. Craig Bellamy moved out to the left wing, where his pace and running ability were put to good use, and Tevéz formed an exciting forward partnership with Adebayor.

As Blackburn, who had replaced Roberts with on-loan striker Franco Di Santo, pushed for the equaliser, it left spaces at the back for the Blues to exploit and Tevéz nearly crowned his debut with a goal but he was foiled by Robinson. But City’s pressure finally told as, in injury time, SWP fed the ball through to Ireland, who had had until now a subdued game. The Irishman took the ball partially past the ‘keeper, only for Robinson to recover his footing. Last season’s player of the year seemed to have wasted the chance as three our four defenders arrived on the scene but he waited for a gap at the near post before slotting home to seal the victory.

Touré celebrates with Ireland after the midfielder had secured the win for City

Player Ratings

GIVEN – Made a number of fantastic stops, especially his save from Samba’s header. Kicking was astray at times but probably kept us in the game – 7.5

RICHARDS – Chosen ahead of Zabaleta and produced a decent performance. Was out of position too many times, but made a couple of last-ditch saving challenges – 6.5

TOURÉ –  Needed his know-how and experience and formed a decent partnership with Dunne. Surprisingly good in the air and made some good tackles – 7

DUNNE – Picked ahead of Onuoha and just about did enough to justify his selection. Made some valuable blocks, although will be worried about how easily he was beaten for pace on a couple of occasions – 7

BRIDGE – One of those who had not convinced last season, this was a much improved performance from the former Chelsea and Southampton man.  He handled Diouf admirably and supported Robinho fairly well when he got forward – 7.5

SWP – Supplied the pass for Adebayor’s goal and was generally a constant thorn in Blackburn’s side. Will have to improve his distribution though, as too many of his passes found a Blackburn shirt – 7

IRELAND – Played in a much deeper role than last season and was quite subdued. Got forward more in the second half and supplied a calm finish for his goal – 7

BARRY – Distribution, like a couple of others, was poor but his off the ball work and his interceptions in front of the defence were first class. Looks a bargain at £12 million – 7.5

ROBINHO – Disappointing again from the Brazilian. Looks as if he has not learnt a thing since last season and now faces a fight for his place in the side. Hopefully, that will give him a kick up the derriere – 5

ADEBAYOR – Early goal will have settled any nerves he had, and he put in a good shift for the team. Worked hard up front with Bellamy and will hope to continue his early impression – 8

BELLAMY – Worked tirelessly, first up-front and then on the left wing. Used his pace to good effect in the closing stages and caused Blackburn all sorts of problems – 8

Subs:

TEVÉZ – Came on to a wonderful reception from the fans and nearly scored with his first touch. Will look to gain match fitness in midweek against Barcelona and will hope to start at home to Wolves on Saturday – 7

Chant of the Day: ‘Fergie, Sign Him Up’ – In reference to Carlos Tevéz as the former United striker warmed up on the touchline.

Referee Watch: Mike Dean – Controlled the game very well, allowing the match to flow nicely. Not too many cards and dealt with any problems quickly. One of the better referees in the Premier League.

 

Let me know below what you made of the game, the performances of the new signings, my report or any comments. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoyed it.