Stoke City ‘v’ Man City – Review

Result: Stoke City 1 – 0 Man City

After a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, and following two successive victories, one might have expected City to be full of confidence, commitment and enthusiasm coming into this fixture against a relegation-threatened Stoke side. Yet the reality could not have been more different from the desired. The Blues lacked any sort of spark needed to win the game, and in the end, didn’t do enough to even warrant a point from the match. To borrow the idea from the M&S adverts; this wasn’t just bad, this was Man City bad!!!

Team News

City manager Mark Hughes had pre-match doubts over the fitness of both Pablo Zabaleta and Shaun Wright-Phillips, but fortunately they both recovered in time to take their places in an unchanged line-up. 

Stoke were also able to field a near full-strength side, with right-back Andy Wilkinson surprisingly taking his place despite fears over an injury. Ricardo Fuller was recalled to the team for the first time since his now infamous captain-slapping incident, replacing Richard Cresswell.

City

                                   Hart

Richards     Kompany          Onuoha      Bridge

                  Zabaleta            de Jong

SWP                         Ireland                  Robinho

                              Bellamy

Subs: Schemichel, Garrido, Fer******, Vassell, Caicedo, Elano, Jo

Wilkinson recovered from injury to start the game

Report

The match started scrappily, with the windy conditions clearly hampering any hopes of good football. The first chance of the game fell to City, with Stephen Ireland failing to connect properly with his shot from the edge of the area. Stoke were trying to use their physical power to their advantage, and Rory Delap was causing some alarms for City with his ridiculously long throws. Former Manchester United centre-back Ryan Shawcross saw a header loop over and had a clever back-flick saved by Joe Hart as City looked Sheikhy!! Brazilian superstar Robinho seemed to have left his shooting boots at home, opting for the eye-catching bright yellow variety, as he fluffed City’s best opportunity of the half following a quick break by Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland, scuffing his shot towards goal from 20 yards.

After a less than exciting opening 35 minutes, the game sprang into life following an incident involving Shaun Wright-Phillips and Rory Delap. The Blues’ winger challenged for a 50-50 ball, seemingly with a raised foot, only for referee Martin Atkinson not to deem the tackle worthy of a free-kick. If he had done so, then surely SWP would have had to be sent-off. Clearly incensed by the referee’s (lack of) decision, Stoke winger Rory Delap charged after SWP, committing a nasty tackle when challenging from behind. Then, as the City midfielder lay on the floor as a result of the foul, Delap proceeded to lash out at him with his foot; an action which provoked both Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards, who stormed to the scene and started jostling with Delap. Whilst Atkinson and his fellow officials attempted to diffuse the situation, SWP seemed to take a swipe at the Stoke winger with his foot, which fortunately went unseen by the referee. After finally managing to control the situation, Atkinson showed Delap a straight red card for his violent conduct, whilst SWP walked off free from punishment. Even from a slightly biased City perspective, I personally thought Wright-Phillips should have seen red for his lunging tackle, whilst Delap acted in a childish manner by retaliating and he got his just rewards.

Both sets of players react to Rory Delap’s moment of madness

From this moment on, the atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium reached fever-pitch. Every City touch was greeted by a crescendo of boos, with Wright-Phillips coming in for particularly harsh treatment. Following a nasty clash of heads between Nedum Onuoha and Amdy Faye, the latter of whom required paramedics to treat him, there were five minutes of added time, and it was in the last of these when Stoke scored the goal that proved to be the winner. Two January signings for the Potters combined, with Matthew Etherington producing a delightful cross straight onto the head of James Beattie, who expertly powered his header into the bottom corner, leaving Joe Hart with no chance. The half-time whistle blew, and despite the one man advantage, it was City boss Mark Hughes who faced the trickier team talk.

As the teams emerged for the second period, it was clear that Stoke would be intent to sit on their lead, defend in numbers, and cling to their slender advantage. Richard Cresswell replaced the largely anonymous Ricardo Fuller, which meant that Stoke now lined up in a 4-4-1 formation, leaving Beattie to lead the forward line on his own.

City started strongly again, albeit failing to create any clear-cut chances. Hughes had seen enough, and after only eight minutes of the half, brought on Brazilian international Elano to replace the hitherto ineffective Pablo Zabaleta. This substitution seemed to spur City on, with Elano at the fore of everything. Yet despite nearly 80% of the possession, the Blues created nothing. A wayward Elano shot apart, the away side were devoid of creativity and ingenuity, and were crying out for a physical presence up front.

Elano sparked City into life but couldn’t find the breakthrough

Ecuadorian battering ram and ridiculous hair-style wearing striker Felipe Caicedo was brought on to find a goal, but Stoke still defended resolutely. The final whistle blew and Stoke had pulled off a fantastic victory. City didn’t do anywhere near enough for a side with European aspirations, and the result only reinforces the belief that it will take a lot more than just money to turn us into a top-six side.

Key Battles

Matthew Etherington ‘v’ Micah Richards

The Stoke winger supplied the cross from which Beattie scored and was generally impressive throughout, whilst Richards looked lazy and uninterested – Winner = Etherington

Andy Griffin ‘v’ Robinho

Well since Griffin didn’t start the game and only came on as a late sub, it renders this contest unwinnable

Thomas Sorensen ‘v’ Joe Hart

City were unable to force Sorensen into any saves, managing just one shot on target. Hart was faultless for Beattie’s goal, and handled Delap’s throws well – No Winner

Player Ratings

Hart – Wasn’t tested a great deal, and couldn’t be blamed for the goal – 6

Richards – Very unconvincing and lethargic looking. Needs a kick up the backside. Offered nothing going forward and should have got tighter to Etherington for the cross that led to the goal – 4

Kompany – Captain in the absence of Richard Dunne and generally did OK. Looks assured and calm on the ball, although maybe his distribution could be improved – 6

Onuoha – The best defender on the day for City. Handled Beattie and Fuller well throughout and should be given an extended run in the side – 6.5

Bridge – Got forward very well, giving us width on the left, although too easily beaten for the goal. Still not match-fit – 6

Zabaleta – Had been a revelation in new midfield role for the last two games, but looked unfit and slow in this match. Needs to return to right-back – 5.5

de Jong – Following Delap’s sending off, had very little to do, although he looked accomplished on the ball – 6

Wright-Phillips –Involved in sending-off controversy, and for me he should have been sent off himself. Failed to attack his full-back as he usually does – 6

Ireland – Not one of his better games this season. Wasn’t involved in play as much as he would liked to have been  – 6

Robinho – Went AWOL as City pushed for equaliser. Looked uninterested and ruffled by Stoke’s physical approach – 4

Bellamy –Seemed lively, running the channels well, although he would massively benefit from playing alongside someone – 6

Subs:

Elano – By far City’s best player. Changed the momentum when he came on, supplying a succession of delightful long-range passes. Brightened us up and should start the next match – 7.5

Caicedo – Brought on to add strength and height to the attack and produced a couple of decent moments – 6

Man of the Match – Elano