City sweep Reds aside

Barry opener followed up by Tevez brace

Last updated: 24th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

CarlosTevezvLiverpool

Tevez wheels away in delight after his role in City's second goal

James Milner and Glen Johnson tussle for the ball during Man Citys game with Liverpool

Milner tussles with Johnson on his City debut

Man City celebrate after first goal v Liverpool

City celebrate Barry's opening goal
Man of the match: Adam Johnson was a constant menace down the right for City, terrorising Daniel Agger and Milan Jovanovic, and was felled for the penalty. James Milner also had a fine game.

Goal of the match: City's first was a nice move as new signing James Milner got to the by-line and pulled it back for Gareth Barry, who coolly slotted home.

Save of the match: Joe Hart didn't have much to do but at 2-0 he produced an excellent double save to deny David Ngog and then Fernando Torres.

Moment of the match: The loss of Javier Mascherano before the game was a killer blow, as Lucas and Gerrard were unable to plug the gaps in midfield that the Argentinian does so well.

Talking point: Many thought City would take a while to gel at the start of the campaign, but Roberto Mancini's team sent out a warning with a comfortable victory.

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James Milner enjoyed an influential debut for Manchester City by creating two goals in a convincing 3-0 home victory over Liverpool.

The midfielder made an immediate repayment on the fee City paid Aston Villa last week by teeing up Gareth Barry to score the opening goal before curling in the corner which led to the second.

Carlos Tevez, who was credited with City's second goal, made certain of his team's first Premier League win of the season with a penalty against a Liverpool side which posed only a sporadic threat.

City were in front on 13 minutes when Milner was played into the area and he pulled the ball back for his old Villa team-mate, and former Liverpool target, Barry to side-foot beyond Jose Reina.

Despite the open nature of the game, clear-cut chances were scarce with neither keeper seriously tested until City extended their lead on 52 minutes.

Milner's corner was directed goalwards by Micah Richards and the merest of touches from Tevez was enough to take the ball past Reina.

Liverpool were denied a route back into the game five minutes later by a combination of the post and excellent goalkeeping as, after Steven Gerrard's shot came back off the upright, David Ngog and then Fernando Torres were denied by superb saves from Joe Hart.

The third goal arrived midway through the second half when Tevez sent Reina the wrong way from the penalty spot after Adam Johnson had gone down under a rash challenge from Martin Skrtel.

City's professional performance, under the watchful gaze of owner Sheikh Mansour, provided evidence of their ability to mount a title challenge this season, while a campaign of rebuilding appears to lie in store for Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson.

Mascherano absence

Liverpool started the match without Javier Mascherano after Hodgson confirmed the midfielder was 'not in the right mind' to play after a bid from Barcelona had been rejected.

The visitors were also quickly on the back foot during the game as Johnson drove wide on nine minutes before playing a role in the opener four minutes later.

Johnson spotted Milner advancing just beyond Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and found him with a smart pass.

Milner delivered the perfect cut-back into an area he hoped a team-mate had filled. Barry obliged and did the business from 10 yards with a neat side-footed finish.

Tevez and Johnson both found the side-netting from an acute angle later in the half, while Milner's running was intelligent and incisive.

Hodgson's men struggled to retain any source of possession, which just confirmed the gaping hole Mascherano will leave should he get his wish to start another phase of his career away from Anfield.

Liverpool appear too deficient in too many areas for Hodgson to waste much time persuading someone intent on leaving that his future remains on Merseyside.

In a meagre first half, the visitors created just a single chance, which the returning Torres set up for Gerrard, who wasted it.

Explosive effort

The only time Liverpool got any nearer after half-time was in the flurry of activity that followed Gerrard's explosive effort that thudded against the post.

Hart was beaten on that occasion, but not when Ngog had a go. England's new No.1 palmed that away, straight into Torres' path. It seemed a certain goal, but Hart stood firm again, repelling the Spain striker with a magnificent save with his left hand.

That this all came after a second City goal, which Tevez claimed even though any touch to a Richards header from Milner's corner was so faint as to render it impossible to spot.

Reina could not keep it out anyway and nor did the goalkeeper do any better when Tevez sent him the wrong way from the spot after Johnson had been fouled by Skrtel.

All summer, the football talk around these two clubs has centred around breaking into that top four.

On this evidence, only City are capable of that. And, thanks to Sheikh Mansour's largesse, they are capable of much more besides too.

Manchester CityTeam StatisticsLiverpool
3Goals0
11st Half Goals0
3Shots on Target5
5Shots off Target8
4Blocked Shots5
5Corners4
13Fouls13
1Offsides3
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
82.5Passing Success80.8
29Tackles18
89.7Tackles Success77.8
54.7Possession45.3
51.6Territorial Advantage48.4
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Comments (60)

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Mick Collins (oldham fan) says...

Liverpool will struggle to compete against the top 4 teams for several reasons. Firstly, a lack of pace, especially with Torres still carrying an injury - you can see what Adam Johnson and Carlos Tevez can do when they run past defenders. Secondly, a structure that gets blown up when Gerrard wanders and Lucas hides. And thirdly, a defense that is clearly lacking confidence. Give Hodgson some time to figure out his best eleven. However, this season might be time to sell Gerrard, who is possibly holding the team back, and inject some fresh legs in midfield.

Posted 12:28 24th August 2010

Maureen Tucker (Manchester City fan) says...

Oh dear ! What about when we bring out our first team !!!!!!

Posted 12:16 24th August 2010

Charalambos Zinonos (Liverpool fan) says...

I believe the scoreline did not fully reflect the match. Ok City had the possession in the first half but were not so fearce up front with not much chances to show off. Lucas was in no way able to replace Mascerano and also Gerrard in the first half defensively did not seem to bother much. Nevertheless Gerrard improved performance in the second hald and was really good in getting the them forward and opening the game up front. I believe the team had a very avarage performance with no passion in the game. Roy Hobson is on the right track i think but i would like him a bit more responsive in the game to ignite the team and also make the changes required when a player is not performing in the game. Lucas, Jovanovic, N Gog did not look in any way to be able to respond to the game. They could have been replaced at half time or mayde a bit later on (50-60th minute) with Pulsen, Babel, Pacheco on the bench. To sit back and wait to see what happens through the game i do not believe is the way. The puprose of the subs for the second half is to change your game around and win the match.Alright someone might say that the subs that i ve mentioned are not better than those who were playing ( i think the subs were much better) but you wont know if you don t try to change the game around. Also everyone said about Torres that his was not sharp and did not perform well but i believe the were others far worse than torres. All good things in attack came firstly from Gerrard and then Torres.

Posted 12:06 24th August 2010

Kevin Branch (Chelsea fan) says...

I watched the game last night and Man City looked more up for it than Liverpool.If City maintain that sort of form throughout the season thay will give a lot of teams problems at the Eastlands ...still have 38 more games to go....

Posted 11:43 24th August 2010

Gareth Dickenson says...

City were by far the better team on the night. They dominated the midfield and scored at the right times. I don''t see much change from last season, we''re slow to start and don''t take our chances. Roy Hodgson has got one hell of a job to get us into the top four again! To all the city fans out there, well done, I think you have a fantastic season ahead of you and a bright future! To all the Reds out there, remember two things: firstly its taken them 5 years to beat us and it cost them 1 Billion pounds, secondly, they still have to come to ANFIELD! YNWA

Posted 11:22 24th August 2010

Ally Merriott (Manchester City fan) says...

I think city are a joke, we have ruined football like chelsea did 6yeras ago. Not just that but we are ruining players too, sending bellamy on loan to the championship and selling young talented players like ireland. It''s only a matter of time until our stupid players realise there is no loyalty to players. When we are chasing a game we will have to wait and see which players are there for the club/fans and who are there to collect a big wage.

Posted 11:07 24th August 2010

Andy Kershaw (Liverpool fan) says...

I thought this might be a hard game for us ( liverpool) Knowing that city have a point to prove ..just another club trying to buy the title .But on another point i really dont think that roy is the man for liverpool this showed in are last game in the europa playing at home and just getting a 1 nil win playing the team he did you want to get get a good score to go away with ..I think hes a third rate manager and a yes man...I hate to say this but he will only turn us into third rate club..

Posted 11:03 24th August 2010

Simon Cooper (Arsenal fan) says...

Watched the game last night and was wondering where Aquilani was, gone to Juve on loan - whats with that? Can 20million pound worth of player really be let go ?. I think the reds could have used him against city, sorry to say but there was absolutely no creative spark. Come on liverpool, I might be a through and through Gooner but I''m old enough and sensible enough to know that Liverpool should be a great team and a team that ''proper'' football fans should enjoy and respect. I didn''t think City were particularly good last night but Liverpool made it so easy maybe they didn''t have to be. Man of the match Barry...hmm, I had Adam Johnson all the way on that one.

Posted 10:56 24th August 2010

Yuveer Popat (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool were absolutely disgraceful last night. They really had no ideas on how to create oppurtunities against City. No creativity or decent crosses into the box. Glen Johnson was useless giving away the ball many times. Jovanovich also needs to learn how to pass a ball. Ngog belongs in the championship with his scrawny legs. He,s just too weak for the premier league, he needs to bulk up and make use of some protein shakes. The liverpool defence made a great goalkeeper like Pepe Reina look bad. Skrtel needs to be more careful. We wont make top 4 if we carry on like this. The money will prevail

Posted 10:39 24th August 2010

Anthony Babiolakis says...

Rafa''s legacy, is too many poor players, and a negative, defensive attitude. Apart from Carra, not one of the other back four can man mark. Johnson, Skrtl, Agger, Lucas, Ngog, should be in the 2nd division, whilst players who have got some class and can possibly compete at the highest level (Babel, Kuyt) are played out of position. Gerrard has the attitude to shoot from anywhere even when there are clearly players in better areas. Roy you have a lot of work to do. Good luck, but I hope you have a large broom.

Posted 10:33 24th August 2010

Joakim Löf (Arsenal fan) says...

As many have said it was the wrong combination of players but I think Hodgson is a smart guy and will do something with this team. He needs some more players who are comfortable in possession though. He should convince Hleb to come to Liverpool and play him in his best position which is left wing midfield, he won''t score a lot but will hold the ball and provide many assists. Gerrard could play deep if he has Poulsen instead of the weak Lucas beside him and Joe Cole playing in the hole behind Torres or on the right wing. Gerrard and Torres alone as offensive forces can too easily be isolated and Hodgson is searching for solutions.

Posted 10:31 24th August 2010

Cara Lewis (Chelsea fan) says...

Well done City. Mancini got it spot on from the word go. Playng english players and playing players thta know what a drby means. Shame Liverpool didnt turn. That was the worst football I have ever seen.......looks like they shouldnt be counting on ickle Stevie and Torres after all

Posted 10:00 24th August 2010

Ken Davies says...

I think Liverpool underestimated City and paid the price. Torres is still not fit and playing a 4-4-2 away from home against a strong side is a little naive. The youngsters need to be given a chance as already we can see this side is unlikely to win anything major this season. Also the sooner the ownership problem is sorted out the better and some much needed investment added

Posted 10:00 24th August 2010

Clare Cox (Manchester City fan) says...

City dominated the game form start to finish, really happy with the whole team performance. CTID

Posted 09:45 24th August 2010

Guruprasad Ks says...

Why all these talk about history and not about football. Liverpool has a great history but it doesnt mean all the focus should be on them. Other teams are here to create history. Talk about football. As for as money is considered L''pool has spent lot of money under Benitez. It''s thr mistake that they''vnt spent on good players. Give some respect for other teams too

Posted 09:23 24th August 2010

Ryan James (Liverpool fan) says...

I didn''t think City were 3 goals better than us, all the goals were sloppy defending, the first goal should of been dealt with by Agger and Javanovic on the wing, the second was a routine corner which should of been cleared and the 3rd was an uneccessary challenge. My only gripe is unless Aureilio is injured, he should of started LB, even Kelly is a more natural full back than Agger, Agger is miles better than Skerjtel in the middle. Out wide is our main problem though, there''s absolutely no pace, no outlet, Kyut and Javanovic are not wingers, they cut in side and Johnson failed to get forward on the overlap, Babel and Maxi should of started or come on earlier to give the team a better balance, City''s strength is in the middle, Spurs showed the Richards isn''t a great defender but we didn''t attack him once. Kyut was poor, Agger is a good player but had a bad night, Johnson was poor, Lucas doesn''t do enough and although he is still settling in I wasnt impressed with Javanovic. We need some more players and we need to make better use of the players we do have, as for 12 Milion for Macsherano, unless that includes a player (a good player) thats an insult.

Posted 09:15 24th August 2010

Adam F (Liverpool fan) says...

Wow. I hope you the majority of the LFC "supporters" who comment on this site dont actually turn up at anfield. Your negativity is unbareable. This is only our second game in the permier league this, the 2 teams being Arsenal and Man City and already you are writing Roy and the team off. As well as that, there is still some unsettlement in the camp as Masc is being awkward. Once he leaves, Torres gets fit and Roy finds HIS best eleven, we will start picking it up. We have no right to start the season expecting 6 points from Arsenal and City... this is not the 80''s. How about some positivity for once?

Posted 09:13 24th August 2010

Darren Gilmore (Manchester City fan) says...

There is an old quote and it could have been written for Sralex, Mickey Thomas, Tony Cascarino and in fact all those who have had plenty to say or who have written their many column inches sticking the knife in Man City at every opportunity. Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt!!

Posted 09:11 24th August 2010

Rory Martin (Manchester City fan) says...

Up until the 1990''s City had won far more than Chelsea ever had, check wiki if you don''t know your history. Our history means we deserve our day on the pitch. It was a great game and it''s going to be a great season. And SIX English players starting in the line up, which can only be good. CTID.

Posted 09:07 24th August 2010

Mike Stanton (Manchester City fan) says...

Tactically spot on by Mancini last night. De Jong seems to like playing against Liverpool and bossed the midfield. If it was not Milner''s debut he would have been man of the match. I was unsure about the formation last night. Tevez up front on his own does not sound appealing as he likes to come deep and connect the play and against Spurs it did not work. It work well last night becasue Yaya was constantly up there, always in space, always the out ball. He did so much without seeming to do anything?? Kompany once again was emmence and Kolo had a good game but as stated by a few Liverpool fans, this game was eventually won on the wings. Agger looked like he wanted to deck Adam Johnson and it refreshing to see a player like Milner who is skillfull but also strong and determined and he looked like he has played for us for years! But to be fair to Liverpool. They played well at times and though we bossed most of the game and deserved the win i think 3-0 was a little flattering for us.

Posted 08:26 24th August 2010
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