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{ Dzeko's expert finish salvaged a draw for City

Edin Dzeko marked his FA Cup debut with a vital equaliser to deny Notts County a famous victory at Meadow Lane.

After an even first half of few clear chances, Neal Bishop eluded the City defence at the near post to glance an Alan Gow corner into the top corner.

But Micah Richards escaped down the right and sent a fine cross for Bosnian Dzeko, who volleyed into the roof of the net left-footed from close range.

Both sides had chances in the closing stages but a fine match finished level.

The meeting of England's oldest club against perhaps the world's wealthiest always promised an intriguing encounter, but it almost produced the shock of the 2010-11 competition.

Nottingham Rugby Club share the famous ground with County and the consequence has been a pudding-like pitch, reminiscent of the surface at Edgar Street where Ronnie Radford scored one of the great FA Cup goals as Hereford stunned Newcastle in 1972.

Featuring immense physical specimens Richards, Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira, City were never likely to be muscled out of things, but they were matched for commitment from the outset by County seeking a triumph of similar prominence.

Gow curled a free-kick just wide of the post, having been brought down in the opening moments.

Bishop's header had given County a shock lead approaching the hour

But City's slick passing soon cut through the home side's spirited pressing as Richards raced clear on the overlap to collect Dzeko's neat pass and sent an inviting low cross for Toure, whose sliding goal-bound effort was diverted over the bar by keeper Stuart Nelson with his legs.

Dzeko's first attempt on goal was a speculative shot from 25 yards which went almost the same distance high and wide, much to the delight of a vociferous home crowd, who were quick to let him know their thoughts about the value of his £27m move from Wolfsburg.

As the match continued in cut-and-thrust fashion at a frantic pace, Dzeko almost seized on a loose ball on the edge of the six-yard box but Krystian Pearce produced a vital intervention and County were content with life at the break.

City boss Roberto Mancini had been exasperated by his side's failings and the six-time Italian Cup winner clearly had some strong words for them during the interval.

But it was County who struck the first blow as Bishop ghosted clear to glance in his first goal since February 2010.

The visitors urgently sought a response but Pablo Zabaleta's cross was headed narrowly over by Dzeko and Nelson tipped over Gareth Barry's 25-yard strike that was destined for the roof of the net.

However, eventually a moment of high quality brought City level.

David Silva, who had replaced the ineffective Jo, threaded an intricate crossfield pass to release the athletic Richards sprinting into space down the right flank again and Dzeko applied the composed first-time finish on the volley stretching with his left foot.

Veteran striker Lee Hughes, 34, headed wide in the final moments for County who now look forward to a replay at Eastlands.

Sunday, 30 January 2011

The FA Cup

Final Result Full Time 90:00+3:20 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle. 90:00+2:18 David Silva is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Stuart Nelson. 90:00+2:08 The ball is sent over by Aleksandar Kolarov, Jon Harley makes a clearance. 90:00+0:51 Edin Dzeko gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Krystian Pearce. Free kick taken by Stephen Darby. 89:58 The ball is crossed by Karl Hawley, Lee Hughes has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target. 87:14 Substitution Micah Richards goes off and Vincent Kompany comes on. 85:23 Shot by Aleksandar Kolarov. Neal Bishop gets a block in. Patrick Vieira takes a shot. Jon Harley gets a block in. 82:56 Edin Dzeko challenges Krystian Pearce unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by David Martin from right channel. 82:36 Stephen Darby produces a cross, clearance by Patrick Vieira. 80:30 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov by Lee Hughes. Aleksandar Kolarov takes the direct free kick. Correction - 79:39 The assist for the goal came from Micah Richards. 79:39 Assist on the goal came from Micah Richards. 79:39 GOAL - Edin Dzeko:Notts County 1 - 1 Man City Edin Dzeko grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Notts County 1-1 Man City. 78:12 Free kick awarded for a foul by Gareth Barry on Richard Ravenhill. Stuart Nelson takes the direct free kick. 77:41 Lee Hughes is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jerome Boateng. 76:19 Substitution Pablo Zabaleta goes off and Aleksandar Kolarov comes on. 75:48 Corner taken left-footed by David Silva, Close range header by Edin Dzeko goes over the bar. 75:42 A cross is delivered by Pablo Zabaleta, Neal Bishop gets a block in. 73:41 The assistant referee signals for offside against Lee Hughes. Joleon Lescott takes the free kick. 72:51 The assistant referee signals for offside against Craig Westcarr. Pablo Zabaleta takes the free kick. 71:22 James Milner challenges David Martin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stuart Nelson. 71:22 Booking James Milner is cautioned. 70:14 Corner taken right-footed by Karl Hawley from the left by-line, clearance by Patrick Vieira. David Martin takes a shot. Blocked by Jerome Boateng. 69:45 Substitution Karl Hawley is brought on as a substitute for Alan Gow. 69:11 James Milner crosses the ball, clearance by Lee Hughes. 69:01 Corner taken short by James Milner. 68:21 Micah Richards takes a shot. Jon Harley gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by James Milner, clearance by Neal Bishop. Gareth Barry takes a shot. Stuart Nelson makes a save. 67:01 Jon Harley delivers the ball, Header from close in by Lee Hughes misses to the right of the target. 64:40 Craig Westcarr is penalised for a handball. Patrick Vieira restarts play with the free kick. 63:44 A cross is delivered by Pablo Zabaleta, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Edin Dzeko goes harmlessly over the crossbar. 62:37 The official flags Edin Dzeko offside. Stuart Nelson takes the indirect free kick. 61:45 Lee Hughes is caught offside. Jerome Boateng restarts play with the free kick. 61:45 Substitution David Silva replaces Joao Alves Jo. 61:02 Craig Westcarr takes a shot. Save made by Joe Hart. 60:10 Foul by Joleon Lescott on Stephen Darby, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Alan Gow from right wing, clearance by Pablo Zabaleta. 59:13 Booking Neal Bishop is booked. 58:19 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Alan Gow from the right by-line to the near post, the assist for the goal came from Alan Gow. 58:19 GOAL - Neal Bishop:Notts County 1 - 0 Man City Neal Bishop finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Notts County 1-0 Man City. 57:47 Jon Harley sends in a cross, Pablo Zabaleta manages to make a clearance. 57:10 Edin Dzeko concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Ravenhill. Direct free kick taken by Richard Ravenhill. 56:59 Free kick awarded for a foul by Alan Gow on Jerome Boateng. Free kick taken by Gareth Barry. 55:55 Corner taken by James Milner from the left by-line. 53:51 Craig Westcarr takes a shot. Joe Hart makes a save. 52:31 The ball is sent over by Micah Richards, Shot on goal by Edin Dzeko from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target. 51:50 A cross is delivered by Gnegneri Toure Yaya, Edin Dzeko takes a shot. Save made by Stuart Nelson. 51:19 The ball is crossed by Neal Bishop, Jerome Boateng makes a clearance. Craig Westcarr gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jerome Boateng. Jerome Boateng restarts play with the free kick. 50:49 Foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya on Jon Harley, free kick awarded. Jon Harley restarts play with the free kick. 49:09 James Milner takes the outswinging corner, Mike Edwards makes a clearance. 48:44 Mike Edwards crosses the ball, clearance by Pablo Zabaleta. 46:09 The ball is swung over by Pablo Zabaleta, Mike Edwards manages to make a clearance. 45:01 The referee starts the second half. Half Time 45:00+1:12 The ref blows to signal half-time. 45:00+0:25 Unfair challenge on Alan Gow by Patrick Vieira results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Jon Harley. 44:55 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gnegneri Toure Yaya by Richard Ravenhill. Gareth Barry takes the free kick. 44:07 Lee Hughes takes a shot. Joe Hart makes a comfortable save. 41:39 Centre by James Milner. 41:25 The ball is sent over by James Milner, Jon Harley makes a clearance. 41:03 Craig Westcarr sends in a cross, save made by Joe Hart. 39:31 The ball is crossed by Joao Alves Jo, Mike Edwards manages to make a clearance. Effort on goal by Joao Alves Jo from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target. 37:47 Patrick Vieira challenges Richard Ravenhill unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mike Edwards takes the direct free kick. 35:36 Unfair challenge on Jerome Boateng by Richard Ravenhill results in a free kick. Gareth Barry takes the direct free kick. 34:11 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jon Harley by James Milner. Stuart Nelson restarts play with the free kick. 33:16 A cross is delivered by Alan Gow, clearance by Micah Richards. 33:01 Centre by Craig Westcarr, clearance by Jerome Boateng. 31:45 A cross is delivered by Pablo Zabaleta. 29:30 Unfair challenge on Stephen Darby by Pablo Zabaleta results in a free kick. Craig Westcarr crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Gareth Barry. 28:44 Micah Richards challenges David Martin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jon Harley takes the direct free kick. 28:30 James Milner crosses the ball, Krystian Pearce makes a clearance. 27:27 Pablo Zabaleta fouled by David Martin, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Joleon Lescott. 26:27 The official flags Alan Gow offside. Joe Hart takes the free kick. 26:00 Unfair challenge on Stephen Darby by Edin Dzeko results in a free kick. Richard Ravenhill takes the direct free kick. 25:23 Jerome Boateng gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Gow. Stephen Darby restarts play with the free kick. 22:01 Centre by James Milner. 20:05 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Martin on James Milner. Gareth Barry restarts play with the free kick. 18:24 David Martin takes a shot. Blocked by Pablo Zabaleta. Inswinging corner taken by Alan Gow, Micah Richards makes a clearance. 17:50 The referee blows for offside against Edin Dzeko. Free kick taken by Stuart Nelson. 17:24 Centre by Gnegneri Toure Yaya, blocked by Stephen Darby. 16:09 James Milner sends in a cross, Joao Alves Jo has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target. 15:39 James Milner sends in a cross, Stephen Darby manages to make a clearance. 15:11 Jerome Boateng produces a cross, clearance by Lee Hughes. 14:19 Unfair challenge on James Milner by Jon Harley results in a free kick. Free kick taken by James Milner. 14:19 Booking Mike Edwards receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. 12:27 Effort from outside the area by Edin Dzeko goes wide right of the goal. 12:08 A cross is delivered by Neal Bishop, Joleon Lescott makes a clearance. 7:50 Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes a shot. Save by Stuart Nelson. Corner from right by-line taken by James Milner. 6:52 Gnegneri Toure Yaya challenges Stephen Darby unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Darby. 5:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richard Ravenhill by Patrick Vieira. Free kick taken by Neal Bishop. The referee blows for offside. Jerome Boateng restarts play with the free kick. 1:17 Unfair challenge on Alan Gow by Jerome Boateng results in a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Alan Gow. 0:00 The referee gets the game underway. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

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Labels: County, Notts