February 2009
Manchester City 2 v FC Copenhagen 1
February 26th 2009 UEFA Cup att. 26,018
This was the Bellamy Robinho show as City went through to the next round of the UEFA Cup with a 2-1 comfortable win to play another Danish team Aalburg in the last 16. Craig Bellamy hit two goals and might have had a couple more and Robinho had his best game for a while making one goal and missing at least one good chance. Bellamy has now scored four goals in his 7 games and as he will be playing against one of his old clubs this Sunday I would not bet against him scoring again! The visitors scored in added time again - just as I was leaving - so sorry no pics of that. Both Dunne and Richards are getting better again so the defence is improving with Neddy Onuoha still deserving of his place. We still need some height in attack as it is almost pointless to boot the ball forward in the air but there were signs that Robinho and Bellamy are blending together so as long as we keep the ball on the floor and up the temp in the opposition last third then prospects look good for a future in the UEFA cup. Another poor crowd on a wet night with the game on the telly.
City were unchanged from the first leg - playing their strongest side
There is a Bridge in there somewhere!
City were first on the attack and after a series of offsides Robinho started to show his trickery and the visiting keeper was first to be tested
A cross from Bridge is saved by Christiansen
On 20 minutes a cross by Bellamy went towards the far post........
...... where Robinho's header was pushed out from underneath the bar and eventually cleared
Robinho was proving a handful for the Copenhagen defence
Neddy tries to add to his goal tally after his effort in the first leg
Brazilian Almeida about to shoot
Kompany explains to the ref he that has not actually knocked the head off the opposing player!
City had an escape when Dunne appeared to trip N'Doye near the goal line.
The ever industrious Zabaleta but his deflected shot is saved.
Both Richards and Dunne shown here battling at City corners are getting near last seasons form.
After 35 minutes Robinho had a go from the edge of the penalty area but his shot went straight at the keeper who did not fumble !
Not long before half time and the visitors had a let-off when a Bellamy shot hit the foot of the post........
......so Christiansen was glad to get hold of the rebound before any City player could pounce
No score at half time and the visitors were pretty noisy though small in numbers
Early in the second half Richard Dunne took an accidental knock and had to have some treatment
After 53 minutes City should have scored. SWP broke away beating the offside trap but his final shot cum pass.........
.......went agonizingly wide with Ireland making a last ditch effort to put it in
SWP broke through in the 63rd minute but his effort was blocked
The deadlock was broken after 72 minutes when Bellamy beat a defender and shot past Christiansen to score an excellent goal
Bellamy pointed his fingers into the sky dedicating the goal to his close friend and cousin who passed away yesterday.
Zabaleta once again proves a more than useful forceful midfielder
After 78 minutes Robinho put the ball just wide when really well placed. Should have been number 2
But we should not have worried. In the very next attack Robinho went down the goal line and passed the ball back to Bellamy who cracked it past the keeper for number 2
A two goal lead and Bellamy went straight across to thank Robinho for the clinching pass!
Bellamy in action again - at the other end heading off the line
Given had little to do but here he has to stop a cross from the right
With a minute or so to go and Robinho was at it again -breaking down the goal line and cutting the ball back......
for Bellamy once again but this time the Welshman's shot was blocked
A good team performance with Robinho and Bellamy the stars on the night.
Team
Given 7: Richards 7.5, Dunne 7.5, Onuoha 7, Bridge 6.5: Kompany 7, Zabaleta 7, Ireland 7, Wright Phillips 7 Robinho 8, Bellamy 9
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