Pearce claims first City win
Stuart Pearce earned his first win as Manchester City manager against Liverpool.
Stuart Pearce earned his first win as Manchester City manager as Kiki Musampa's injury-time volley sunk Liverpool at The City of Manchester Stadium.
Musampa struck in the last minute of a dreadful encounter to enhance Pearce's claims of landing the Eastlands post on a permanent basis.
Liverpool appeared to have left their legs, and minds, at Anfield as they failed to recapture the sparkle which had illuminated their UEFA Champions League win over Juventus in midweek.
Pearce had demanded a high tempo to City's game but this was sadly lacking after a five-minute spurt in an open start to an otherwise drab first half.
Fernando Morientes was thankful for the raising of the offside flag after making a hash of his shot from Steven Gerrard's early free kick.
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While at the opposite end, Antoine Sibierski and Mauricio Pellegrino tangled as the Frenchman looked to surge towards goal. The City player fell to the ground but referee Mike Riley got it right in waving play on.
Scott Carson took the blame for Juventus' goal in midweek but the rookie keeper proved himself a promising recruit in the 12th minute. Joey Barton whipped in a free kick which was headed downwards by Sylvain Distin but the Reds shot-stopper reacted smartly to hold the ball.
Barton was City's driving force and his cross saw Kiki Musampa slice a volley wide before Liverpool created their best chance of the half midway through the opening period.
John Arne Riise was a threat on the occasions he received a ball and he played in a deliciously inviting cross for Anthony Le Tallec but the French youngster made an awkward attempt to shoot, contriving only to steer the ball over the bar.
Another Riise cross from the left prompted Richard Dunne to take evasive action before David James almost gifted his old club the lead, only to retrieve the mess himself.
Igor Biscan curled a shot from the edge of the area which James spilled but the City keeper reacted quickly to kick the ball off the toes of Le Tallec.
City closed the half in buoyant mood as former Red, Robbie Fowler, slipped a pass through to Sibierski but he was unable to prod the ball beyond the onrushing Carson, while Barton was booked as the half time whistle blew for rashly kicking Le Tallec.
The second half was even worse with the game becoming increasingly scrappy with neither goalkeeper seriously tested as Carson comfortably claimed a Musampa shot from the edge of the box.
Referee Riley was not hoodwinked by Fowler's attempt to win a penalty as the striker slumped to the turf after Pellegrino had a slight tug at his opponent's shirt. Fowler's theatrical fall probably provided enough reason for the official to err on the side of caution and shy away from awarding what would have been a dubious foul.
Most of City's shooting seemed to emanate from Musampa's left foot and a stinging volley from an acute angle, from Nedum Onouha's cross, ricocheted off the post.
With less then 10 minutes left on the clock, Liverpool's talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard had a chance to grab a winner but, after bursting into the area, he carelessly shot into the side-netting.
City grabbed a dramatic winner in injury time and, predictably, it arrived from the left foot of Musampa. Substitute Gary Croft raced down the right flank and played in a cross to the edge of the area which Musampa caught cleanly on the volley to leave Carson with no chance.
Another substitute - Bradley Wright-Phillips - could have doubled the lead after cutting into the penalty area but he dragged his shot wide.
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| Manchester City | Team Name | Liverpool |
| 1 | Goals | 0 |
| 3 | Shots on target ( Inc Goals ) | 1 |
| 5 | Shots off Target (inc woodwork) | 5 |
| 4 | Blocked Shots | 0 |
| 5 | Corners Won | 2 |
| 8 | Total Fouls Conceded | 11 |
| 5 | Offsides | 6 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 56% | Possession | 44% |
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