City
1 Arsenal 0
Aug 26th 2006 att. 40,699
At
5-15pm City were bottom of the league. By the end of this game City were in 8th
position! This was the reverse of the game against Portsmouth midweek. It was
exciting to watch particularly in the first half . An open game in which Arsenal
missed many chances and it was often backs- to- the- wall defending by City.
It
was way back in Dec 1991 when City last beat Arsenal at home.David White scored
the winner and in the Arsenal team that day figured David Seaman, Lee Dixon, O'Leary,
Adams, Rocastle, Wright, Merson to name a few. The City team was Coton, Hill,
Pointon, Reid, Curle, Redmond, White, Heath,Quinn, Brightwell and Hughes.
City
had Jordan in for Thatcher and Dabo was preferred to Reyna. Corradi sent off at
Chelsea, replaced Samaras.
Arsenal,
for whom Rosicky made his debut and Henry returned, had this unusual hugging ritual
before the game. Walcott was on the bench.
Henry
obviously didn't trust Richard Dunne's call of heads.
The
war of words began soon after the start with referee Rennie having to calm things
down.
Was
there a case here of a 'Rooney ' near miss by Gilberto on Corradi!
Paul
Dickov claimed a penalty after 8 minutes when he went down under a challenge by
Djourou. No luck this time.
After
14 minutes Henry beat Dunne but his final shot was well blocked by Weaver's legs
A good save by Nicky Weaver.
That
friendliest of German keepers - Jens Lehmann accidentally bumped into one of his
own defenders - Toure. He then carefully checks Toure for signs of life!
Weaver
thwarted Van Persie by diving on the ball
Moments
later Sinclair broke down the right and crossed for Barton to shoot but his effort
went wide when a Barton special was needed.
After
19 minutes Henry missed another chance shooting wide
Dickov
was proving a real hornet at corners buzzing around Lehmann and defenders keeping
them on their toes. The ref had to step in on several occasions.
Weaver
punches a corner clear.
Barton
goes in to tackle Alexander Hleb
Fabregas
fails to break through the attentions of Vassell and Dabo
Richards
trying to get on top of things at a City corner
A
good ball from Dickov found Corradi and his downward header looked like finding
the net but a save at the foot of the post by Lehmann foiled the Italian.
City
had to defend in depth as Arsenal had a lot of the play and their passing to the
edge of the area was excellent but the City defenders did their job well and as
Arsenal delayed their final shot City were able to cover each other well
City
were fortunate in the 39th minute when Van Persie hit the post with Weaver beaten.
A
minute later Corradi found Sinclair with a long pass from the right. The City
player was brought down by Hoyte who had been having a tough time against Sinclair.
Arsenal did try a few protests but the referee was adamant and City had a chance
to take the lead
Barton
took the kick and crashed the ball past Lehmann via the underneath of the crossbar
and City were leading 1-0. Arsenal had only themselves to blame as they had missed
numerous chances previously.
On
came a 'streaker' of sorts who was swiftly dealt with by a stewards and later
the police.
A
few minutes later van Piersie was bundled over in the box by Dunne and he was
so annoyed about not getting a penalty that he got booked for his trouble.
Just
before half time Arsenal forced a corner and they hit he bar again.
Barton
gave Dickov a chance in the second half but his shot lacked power and direction
and was saved by Lehmann.
Goodness
me - has umpire Rennie spotted some ball tampering!
Arsenal
continued to waste chances as van Piersie beat defenders then shot wide and Hleb
didn't make best use of a situation
Sinclair
crossed well but there was nobody there to tuck the ball home.
Richards
marks young Walcott who had come on for Rosicky after 66 minutes.
Dickov
continued to worry the Arsenal defence. What a worker
Richards
makes a great tackle on Walcott
Arsenal
continued to dominate play and it was hard work for the City players to hold on
to their slender lead.
The
second half was perhaps not a good a watch as the first half but as a difficult
week for City came to an end this was a superb team effort. It would be difficult
to pick out a man-of-the-match as they were all heroes in this tough game. Full
marks to Weaver who has taken his chance well and the new signing Isaksson will
find it difficult to take over when he is fit. Dabo and Corradi,the new players
are starting to fit in better and are getting used to the Premiership. Where is
Hamann going to play? Richards is really coming of age and Dunne is proving an
excellent captain. Sinclair exploited the Arsenal weakness on the left well and
Dickov was - just Dickov - please score though ! Vassell worked hard and helped
Jordan who has come in for the hapless Thatcher who we will not see for a while.
From City we had a much more promising display than that last Wednesday against
Portsmouth
Team
Weaver
8: Richards 7.5, Dunne 8.5, Distin 7.5, Jordan 7,5: Sinclair 7.5, Barton 8, Dabo
7.5, Vassell 7.5 ( Mills): Corradi 7.5(Miller), Dickov 7.5 (Samaras)
City
2 West Ham 0
Sept 23rd 2006 att. 41,073
It
was crunch time at COMS today after three bad results including an exit at Chesterfield
from the Carling Cup and there was plenty of talk about the future of Stuart Pearce.
However under a hot sun City gave an improved display albeit against a rather
inept lack lustre West Ham side. However football's a funny old game and the confidence
regained in this win should pay dividends in the future.
Before
the game we were entertained by a troupe of dancers who went through their routines
with skill and enthusiasm
The
only speculation in the City side concerned the left midfield position and which
two strikers. For this game Dickov was on the bench and Miller started for the
first time
It
was unusual to see City playing towards the North Stand in the first half and
early attacks from Corradi and Samaras kept the West Ham defence busy in the sizzling
heat.
Barton
almost scored from a free kick with five minutes to go after a foul on Samaras.
Carroll managed to save by the post.
Early
signs from Samaras were promising but the best was yet to come.
A
Samaras run down the left caused some problems for the visitors - his shot going
just wide - and as a result of this attack Ferdinand had to go off injured - a
blow for the West Ham defence
Spotted
in the Directors box was Sam Allardyce the Bolton manager in the news following
the Panorama programme. Was he checking his solicitors bills I wonder!
Corradi
fails to connect at this City corner
A
Richards effort goes wide of the target
Notice
the raised elbow of Christian Dailly as he jumped to head the ball in this City
attack. He did it on several occasions.
Generally
the City defence held firm against the odd West Ham attack.
Weaver
in the City goal was called into rare action here.
Ishmael
Miller continued to threaten down the left flank and Pearces' selection decision
looked to be paying dividends
A
Samaras centre-cum shot spun towards the corner of the goal at the last minute
and Carroll was glad to push it for a corner
Miller
had a chance at this corner but the ball came off his shoulder rather than his
head and sailed over the bar!
Just
before half time City should have taken the lead. Richards broke through down
the right and with only the keeper to beat he unselfishly passed inside.........
......
only for Corradi to have his indecisive finish saved by Carroll
I
am sure our honored guest Shawn Goater would have put that one away.
Just
4 minutes after the restart City took the lead. Miller picked up the ball at the
edge of his own penalty area and went on a great run down the left leaving defenders
in his wake and shot for goal. Dailly blocked the shot..... but
...
the clearance dropped to Samaras who controlled it well and smashed a volley past
the helpless keeper into the net City 1-0 - but the run by Miller made the goal
Now
Miller was getting more attention from the West Ham defenders
After
62 minutes Samaras struck again. A long kick by Weaver reached Corradi and the
Italian found Samaras in plenty of space ......
With
Konchesky putting him onside, Samaras waited for Carroll to come out and curled
it past him for number 2.
New
Argentinean striker Tevez came on with Carlton Cole for West Ham to retrieve the
situation but Nicky Weaver had little to do apart from the odd catch.
The
emergence of young Ishmael Miller on the left flank may help City no end - giving
Beasley more time to get match fit. Not so sure about Hamann who looks a little
ponderous at times. Richards was great at right back following his outburst at
being subbed recently. The signing of Trabelsi has given Richards food for thought.
I wish Nicky Weaver would be more dominant in the box. With the injury to Isaksson
he has a chance to keep his place.
Team
Weaver
6: Richards 7.5, Dunne 7, Distin 7, Jordan 7: Sinclair 7, Barton 7.5, Hamann 6.5,
Miller 8 (Reyna 6) :Samaras 8.5, Corradi 7 (Dickov 6)
