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Manchester
City v West Bromwich Albion
Maine Road, Manchester.
1st February 2003, 3.00pm. |
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What a difference a
few days makes. After the low point of Charlton, the Baggies went
to Maine Road with no-one (including me) giving them a chance and
fought their way to a well-earned victory. A marvellous defensive
performance saw the "dream" City front-line of Anelka and Fowler
subdued, and it was apt that two defenders got the Albion goals.
Lee Hughes, mysteriously absent from the last two matches, was handed
a starting place alongside Roberts. Clement was re-called in place
of Udeze, and McInnes came in to replace the suspended Andy Johnson,
although Gregan retained the captain's armband. An attacking bench
included Dobie, Dichio and Jordao.
From the first whistle, Albion took the game to the home side. The
introduction of Hughes made a marked difference as his movement
provided far more options for the midfielders. Clement had obviously
learned from watching Udeze on Wednesday night as he defended higher
up the field like a wing-back should.
City looked shell-shocked as the Albion players gave them no time
on the ball, harrying and harassing, and then producing some useful
passing moves when in possession. The first chance came on 9 minutes.
A corner from Koumas was met by Clement just six yards out, but
his firm downward header was amazingly saved by the left boot of
Carlo Nash.
But Albion continued to play in the same vein, and a good move saw
Gregan blaze a half-chance over the bar. On 16 minutes, a neat passing
combination release Lee Hughes on the left side of the penalty area,
but his cross-shot was deflected just wide by Steve Howey. The resulting
corner once again found CLEMENT unmarked, and this time he beat
Nash with a firm header to give the Baggies a deserved lead.
The goal woke City up and they started to exert some pressure, but
the Albion kept them to long range shots. One from Horlock was wide,
but his second was deflected for a corner. With the Albion defence
half asleep, City took a short corner with the ball moving out to
Benarbia. His cross was aimed at the far post where Foe failed to
connect, but the ball came off GILCHRIST and went just beyond the
reach of Hoult's dive and into the net. City were level, but undeservedly
so.
But Albion regrouped and continued to play good football, although
City were revived by the equaliser and also threatened. Roberts
curled a shot just over before City had a goal disallowed for off-side.
Hoult was also forced into a good save from Anelka just before the
break.
Keegan brought on Wright-Phillips for Dunne at right-wing back,
which certainly made City a little more potent. But Clement rose
to the challenge, and continued his excellent performance into the
second half.
On 53 minutes, Koumas went on a trademark mazy run through the City
defence, but his final shot was tame and easily gathered by Nash.
City then had their best spell of the match. Fowler was denied a
debut goal by a last ditch challenge by Gregan, Wallwork deflected
a Fowler cross just past the post and Anelka had a shot that was
saved comfortably by Hoult.
On 65 minutes, a tired-looking Hughes was replaced by Dichio in
attempt to retain possession up front, and Dichio then put in a
superb demonstration of how to hold up the ball.
After another wild shot by Anelka, Albion won a corner on 70 minutes.
Koumas's corner fell at the back post where Roberts and Benarbia
fought for the ball before it fell to MOORE, who passed the ball
left-footed into the net. Albion were in the lead having scored
two goals for only the third time in the Premiership.
Albion coped well with a minor City onslaught before Roberts was
sent off nine minutes from time. Having won a free-kick, Roberts
tussled with Sommeil and the linesman judged that an elbow had been
used.
With the Albion down to ten men, Dichio came into his own. Alone
up front, he did a great job of controlling and holding up the ball,
finding the corners and generally wasting time. For once, an Albion
side under pressure kept the ball well although Neale Barry gave
City a few dubious decisions as Albion players tried to keep the
ball in the corners.
City did try hard for an equaliser but their only real chance fell
to Goater, who headed over from six yards. The final whistle brought
great celebrations as Albion recorded only their second away victory
of the season.
This was a fantastic result and moved Albion into 18th place, back
in with a shout. The Great Escape is back on as attention turns
to a huge game at home to Bolton next week.
RESULT - MANCHESTER CITY 1 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 2
Marks
Hoult - 8 - Excellent performance, although kicking was occasionally
dodgy.
A Chambers - 7 - Intelligent, hard-working performance.
Clement - 9 - MOM. This was the player we remember, awesome.
Gregan - 8 - Top drawer.
Moore - 9 - A rock in the defence, close to Clem for MOM.
Gilchrist - 7 - Unlucky with the own-goal, but a solid performance.
Koumas - 7 - A couple of good moments, worked hard.
Wallwork - 7 - A solid performance with flashes of inspiration -
why can't he play like this every week?
McInnes - 6 - Poorest Albion player on the field, but did OK.
Hughes - 8 - Made a huge difference in terms of providing options,
but needs match fitness.
Roberts - 7 - A better performance from Roberts, but a stupid, stupid
dismissal.
Dichio - 8 - Did exactly what was needed, almost Tayor-like as he
held up the ball time and time again.
Sigurdsson - 7 - Solid five minutes.
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Manchester
City (3-5-2):
Nash; Sommeil, Howey, Distin; Dunne (Wright-Phillips 45), Benarbia
(Belmadi 67), Foe, Horlock, N Jensen (Goater 80); Anelka, Fowler.
Subs not used: Weaver (GK), Sun. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Moore, Gilchrist; A Chambers, McInnes, Wallwork,
Koumas (Sigurdsson 85), Clement; Hughes (Dichio 65), Roberts. Subs
not used: Murphy (GK), Dobie, Jordao.
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Scoring: Clement (17)
0-1, Gilchrist (o.g. 22) 1-1, Moore (71) 1-2.
Bookings: Manchester City - Distin (unsporting behaviour 60). West
Bromwich Albion - Wallwork (foul 39), Gregan (foul 79).
Sending Off: West Bromwich Albion - Roberts (elbow 81).
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)
Attendance: 34,765 |
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