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City make easy progress
Manchester City have made an easy progress into the League Cup’s fourth term when Roberto Mancini’s side beat Birmingham City 2-0 last night at the Etihad stadium where Hargreaves and Balotelli’s first half goals put the Eastlands side through the next round.
The first chance came from Kolarov whose 18 yarder reached the stands early in the fifth minute. City then mocked yet another one through Balotelli whose poor finish was denied by keeper Doyle, following a great action developed by Zabaleta in the middle. Birmingham’s first shy opportunity came in the 12th minute when Beausejour’s effort brought nothing for Chris Hughton’s side.
Ibanez hindered the hosts of providing an early opener in the 14th minute when the defender cleared the air following a long cross from the right which Bridge failed to convert. Two minutes later Hargreaves put his side into the lead with a superb finish from 20 yards. The former Manchester United player, who joined City this year, thundered the ball past exited Doyle to score his first one for the Blues.
City won their first corner in the 25th minute which Tevez headed goalwards, only to be denied by Birmingham. Manchester, who dominated the game at all facets, as Balotelli got another big chance in the 29th minute. The former Inter striker contacted a perfect cross from the left only to be dismissed by keeper Doyle who parried the ball at the death.
Birmingham then earned a free kick in the 36th minute following Onuoha’s challenge on Redmond. The set piece was delivered inside the box with Davies impressing with an overhead kick which Toure blocked with ease. The second goal came with six minutes left in the first half. A tremendous action saw Bridge pick Kolarov and the latter one pick Balotelli with a perfect cross the Italian converted home from 15 yards or so.
The half time went 2-0 as City were still looking comfortable. Five minutes into the second part Tevez was taken down by N’Daw in what could have been a real danger for the visitors. Roberto Mancini made his first change in the 57th minute, replacing scorer Hargreaves with James Milner. Birmingham got their first notable chance in the 59th minute through N’Daw whose close range shot was denied by Romanian keeper Pantilimon at the death.
City broke back a couple of minutes later through Balotelli who mocked a golden opportunity following Davies’ smart action the finish of which saw the Italian strike it wide. Coach Hughton made a couple of changes in the 67th minute, introducing both Gomis and Zigic for Fahey and Rooney respectively. Manchester won another free kick in the 70th minute which Tevez hit over the wall but just wide of the target.
Birmingham made their last substitution in the 78th minute as Hughton replaced Redmond with King. Mancini also sent on Rekik for Birdge. Doyle saved his side from a third one in the 85th minute when both Tevez and Toure were denied at the death by a great shaped keeper. Newly introduced Rekik spent just ten minutes on the pitch, being replaced by Scapuzzi in the 86th minute following an ugly knock.
Balotelli got a last chance in the 88th minute. Milner picked the Italian inside the box only to be denied by Doyle. City won the game and are through the Carling Cup fourth term.
Said City manager Roberto Mancini after the game: “I am very happy for Owen, for Kolo and for the team. Owen is a fantastic player and he can become an important player for us. He can play often. He had no problems tonight. He’s had no problems for the last two weeks. We said that he would have about 60 minutes before the game, and I’m happy for him.”
Manchester City – C. Pantilimon; N. Onuoha, K. Toure, S. Savic, W. Bridge, O. Hargreaves, A. Razak, P. Zabaleta, A. Kolarov, C. Tevez, M. Balotelli. Reserves: K. Rekik, D. Suarez, J. Milner, G. Clichy, S. Aguero, S. Taylor, L. Scapuzzi.
Birmingham City – C. Doyle; Pablo, J. Spector, C. Davies, D. Murphy, G. N’Daw, K. Fahey, C. Burke, J. Beausejour, N. Redmond, A. Rooney. Reserves: A. Asante, J. Jervis, S. Caldwell, M. Gomis, B. Myhill, M. King, N. Zigic.
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