Man City v Newcastle 2007/08

A match report by Bob Yule first published on Newcastle Online On 29 Sep 2007

United slipped to a disappointing defeat, albeit to a talented Man City side who regularly opened us up with some neat passing movements.

We played the expected 4-3-3, with Viduka central, and Milner and Martins supporting. Given, after his performance against Arsenal, was restored to goal, behind N’Zogbia, Beye, Taylor and Rozenhal. The usual trio of Geremi, Butt and Smith formed the midfield.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, and the pattern of a good, open game was established. City looked good in possession, particularly on the break, but fortunately they also had a tendency to give the ball away. There were chances for both sides, but the best one fell to City, after Mpenza charged down a hesitant clearance from Given in the 5th minute. Shay somewhat redeemed himself a few minutes later with a great diving save from Elano.

At the other end, Viduka was doing a fine job holding up the ball and linking the attack. Smith got forward regularly in support and the shape of the side looked good. The difference between the sides was how quickly City were able to get the ball forward when in possession, whereas our build-up was that bit slower.

Martins and Viduka had decent chances before Milner was set tumbling by Richards in the 21st minute. It was a hard spot for the ref, who was unsighted by a number of players, but the TV replay showed that it was a clear penalty.

City were creating a lot down our left hand side, where Zoggy looked distinctly unsure of his positioning. In the 15th minute, Taylor, who had a somewhat shaky game throughout, nearly gave a goal away with a weak back header.

In the 28th minute, we took the lead. Geremi, near the half way line on the right looped a diagonal ball into the penalty area for Martins to run on to. Oba took the ball down very neatly and lobbed the ball past Hart as he charged forward to close him down. A simple, but well executed goal.

Three minutes later, United nearly went 2-0 up. Hart allowed a back pass to run across him and he only just cleared the ball before it could cross his goal line.

However, it was no surprise when City equalised in the 37th minute. The ever dangerous Elano set Ireland free down the right in acres of space. Ireland had time to pick a pass across the area where Petrov converted an easy chance at the far post.

At half time, it felt like anybody’s game, but City got their breakthrough after only a minute of the second half. N’Zogbia, on the half way line, tried to head the ball to Taylor, but Petrov intercepted. Taylor did his best to cover back, but Petrov had that bit too much pace, getting to the by-line and crossing for the unmarked Mpenza to convert with a low header.

This changed the complexion of the game, with City then content to defend their lead and hit us on the break. We had a lot of possession, but didn’t really show enough class in the final third to break them down. Our best chance fell to Martins in the 66th minute. He burst into the area, having been set up by Smith, but smashed the ball into the side netting when a shot across the keeper would have been the better option.

On the 76th minute, Enrique came on for Geremi, and we reverted to a 4-4-2, with Zoggy pushed into the midfield and Martins moved infield to support Viduka. However, City began to look more and more dangerous on the break as our midfield tired and we began surrendering possession when committed upfield.

There were good chances for Richards and Mpenza before City sealed the match in the 86th minute. Butt gave the ball away near the half way line, chased his man down, but in frustration gave away a needless foul ten yards outside the penalty area. From the free kick, Elano arrowed an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of Given’s goal.

Emre came on for the limping Viduka directly after the goal, but we looked a beaten and dispirited side at that point, and City strolled their way to the final whistle.

My ratings –

Given 6.5 – Made some fine saves, but also had a couple of dodgy moments.
Beye 6.5 – Looked comfortable on the ball, and put in a good stint in attack and defence.
N’Zogbia 5 – His defensive frailties were exposed this time. City seemed to find acres of space down his side.
Taylor 5 – Looked nervous.
Rozenhal 7 – Didn’t do much wrong. It’d be nice to see him getting forward more though.
Smith 7.5 – Battled well, got forward on several occasions and was the best passer in the midfield.
Geremi 6.5 – A good, all round game.
Butt 5 – Did his usual harrying job, but poor in possession.
Milner 6.5 – Worked hard and caused the City defence a few problems.
Viduka 8 – Did an excellent job as target man, and created some good chances with some incisive passes.
Martins 5.5 – Pity to mark him down after a well-taken goal, but he also wasted quite a few good situations.

Enrique and Emre weren’t really on long enough to rate. Enrique does look fast though, I must say.

Allardyce 6.5 – He’ll get some criticism, but this is pretty close to the best side that he can field at the moment. City were just better.

City Team Statistics United

10 Shots on Target 5
5 Shots off Target 6
4 Blocked Shots 3
3 Corners 9
7 Fouls 11
2 Offsides 4
52.2 Possession 47.8
44.3 Territory 55.7