csconstantine.com

{

Manchester City's expensively-assembled squad of stars were indebted to 34-year-old free transfer signing Patrick Vieira for getting them past game League One side Notts County in their FA Cup fourth round replay.

• Mancini: An important win
• Jolly: Vieira's know-how eases City through

Vieira, however, does have form in this competition, winning the famous trophy four times with Arsenal and scoring the decisive goal in a penalty shoot-out on the last of those occasions in 2005.

But with City's ?50million strikeforce of Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko struggling to trouble a team 59 places below them it was left to the veteran Vieira to score with headers either side of half-time.

That gave Roberto Mancini's side the breathing space they needed, having weathered an early storm, and substitute Carlos Tevez, Dzeko and Micah Richards all scored in the final six minutes to distort the scoreline somewhat.

City now face a delayed fifth round tie at home to Aston Villa.

Despite appearances there was no shame in the defeat for County who, as they did in the first meeting at Meadow Lane three weeks ago, took the attack to their more illustrious opponents.

Had they enjoyed more fortune they would have had much more to show for opening 25 minutes of domination than Karl Hawley's shot which rebounded back off the post.

From the off they attacked City and almost took advantage of an early error from Joe Hart when he flapped at deep free-kick and only the considerable frame of Yaya Toure getting in the way of Neil Bishop's shot spared the goalkeeper's blushes.

Krystian Pearce headed over the corner while Hart took no risks with Alan Gow's dipping free-kick, opting to tip it around the post.

County's best chance came midway through the first half when Hawley cut in from the left to curl a right-footed shot beyond Hart only to be denied by the far post with the ball agonisingly rolling back across the face of the goal.

But the tide began to turn just before the half-hour, starting when Nelson saved brilliantly from Dzeko's close-range header.

Aleksander Kolarov tested the goalkeeper from outside the penalty area, Dzeko failed to connect with a free header, Balotelli thought he should have had a penalty when he crashed to the floor in the area under a challenge from Craig Westcarr and Micah Richards wastefully headed over.

Balotelli also had a low shot from David Silva's cross turned behind by Nelson but even his resistance had to break some time, although City's opener was not without some luck.

David Silva's corner was met by the head of Vieira but it was the touch off Pearce which ultimately beat the County goalkeeper.

County came out after the break with renewed determination but their fire was quickly extinguished 13 minutes after the restart when Vieira met Kolarov's corner to power home his second header of the game.

But a clash of heads between Balotelli and Pearce at the set-piece ended the Italian's participation as Tevez came on to replace him.

However, before the temperamental striker, unhappy about his substitution, departed down the tunnel he directed a few words in Mancini's direction.

The visitors pressed on gamely and Gow produced a superb two-handed tip-over from Hart with his shot from range.

But their valiant fight was ended six minutes from time when Tevez outsprinted the defence to round Nelson and roll the ball into an empty net.

County undeservedly conceded two further late goals when Tevez crossed for Dzeko to head in from close range and Richards blasted home from a corner.

There was still time left for Dzeko to shoot straight at Nelson with only the goalkeeper to beat as County's defence was torn apart again. Mancini: An important win Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was pleased with the way his side stuck to their task and came through a difficult first half-hour. "In the first half an hour Notts County played very well,'' admitted Mancini, who felt the club's Europa League trip to Greece on Tuesday affected their performance. "It was an important win. I think for us it (the FA Cup) is important. We started the game so slowly because when you play every three days it is difficult to play 100% in every game. "But after we scored it changed the game. We had more chances in the second half and it was important we scored those goals.'' The majority of Vieira's appearances have been in cup competitions but his two headers doubled his tally of goals for the season. Mancini was pleased to see the 34-year-old making important contributions, while he was also happy with the progress of ?27 million January signing Dzeko - who should have scored a second in second-half injury-time but hit his shot too close to goalkeeper Stuart Nelson. So far the former Wolfsburg striker has only scored against Notts County, he got the equaliser in the first meeting at Meadow Lane, but Mancini is happy to give the Bosnian time. "Patrick played well, he scored two goals and I am happy for him as I am for Dzeko, because it is important for strikers to score,'' he added. "Dzeko had three or four chances to score but I think Edin needs time as all players who play for the first time in England need time.'' Mancini also dismissed speculation that summer signing David Silva was homesick and looking to move back to Spain. ''I didn't read these stories but someone told me this," he said. "Today he played very well but he has never spoken to me about this.'' Meanwhile, Shay Given will discover this week if he needs to undergo surgery after the Manchester City goalkeeper suffered a shoulder injury. Given, who has played second fiddle to Joe Hart all season, was not on the bench for the 5-0 FA Cup victory over Notts County. "He has a shoulder problem and next week he will go to the doctor in London to see if he needs surgery,'' City manager Roberto Mancini said. Notts County boss Paul Ince felt his side were unlucky not to be ahead before City scored but admitted they needed to take their opportunities to have a chance of beating their Premier League opponents. "I thought we did ever so well and with a bit of luck we could have been 1-0 in front,'' he said. "That is what you need when you come to places like this. We started well and at times it felt like a home game. "We were ready for it but when you get your chances you need to take advantage and but for the width of a post it didn't happen because that would have set us off nicely. "I'm disappointed for the players. We worked very hard over the last few days on stopping City and I thought we dealt with that very well but to lose two goals from set-pieces was disappointing, especially the timing of them. "This is the wealthiest team in the world and we have matched them for an hour. In the last game we were ten minutes from knocking them out so we have to take positives from that. A score of 5-0 doesn't justify how well we played as a team. "You know you are going to get tired and we needed that goal while at 2-0 to keep us in the game.''


Agences de presses

Labels: County, Manchester, Notts

{ 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.

Agences de presses

Labels: County, Notts

{

ESPN

Notts County 1-1 Man City BBC News 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 ... FT: Notts County 1 Man City 1SkySports "We have lost Adam Johnson for three months," said Mancini.Sportinglife.com Ince will have another chance to pit his wits against Roberto ManciniBBC Sport Clubcall -ESPN -EatSleepSport all 724 news articles »

Agences de presses

Labels: County, Notts