Taylor – A lot better than his last first team appearance in Abu Dhabi. This time the early rush off the line brought about an important save rather than a penalty. A great tip over in the second half was the pick of the rest. 7
Onuoha – Typical peformance of a centre-half doing a job at right-back. Solid defensively, little to offer going forward – with the honourable exception of a very coolly taken goal at an important time. 7
Roberto Mancini rang the changes but kept the balance right to see City avoid a potential upset thanks to four sumptuous goals. Sylvinho outshone his compratiot with a stunning strike, though Robinho managed to put all the speculation aside and displayed his skills in a good performance. Just don’t expect the press pack to acknowledge it.
City take on Scunthorpe in a cup competition for the second time this season and will be hoping for a repeat of the 5-1 victory at Eastlands. It promises to be a closer affair at Glanford Park with Roberto Mancini likely to rest several players prior to Wednesday’s trip to Old Trafford.
Given – An early save tested his alertness. From then on there was little for Shay to do. No chance for the goal, and Scunthorpe’s other big chance was straight at him fortunately. 6
Zabaleta – Unusually he looked better going forward than defending in the first half. Nearly cost us a second goal with an uncharacteristic failure to win a 50-50, but made up for it with a peach of a cross for our crucial second goal. 6
City finally cut loose for the first time this season and overwhelmed a Scunthorpe side with five goals after the Iron had tested City’s nerves with a first half equaliser to Steven Ireland’s opener. Roque Santa Cruz, Joleon Lescott, Carlos Tevez and Michael Johnson all got on the scoresheet as Mark Hughes rotated his squad for the first time.
Wayne Bridge, Kolo Toure, Martin Petrov and Emmanuel Adebayor were all missing with minor injuries, while Craig Bellamy was rested. Pablo Zabaleta returned for Micah Richards at right-back. Sylvinho finally got to make his debut – his last competitive fixture involved defeating Manchester United to pick up a Champions League winners medal!
City will be without the injured Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov as Mark Hughes looks to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup. A Scunthorpe side who are holding their own in the Championship this season will come to Eastlands with plenty of backing from over 3,000 travelling fans.
The Cup gods smiled on City this lunchtime, granting us a home tie against Championship side Scunthorpe in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The game will take place on the week beginning 26th October.
City did well to avoid any of the 12 other Premier League sides left in the compeition, and Mark Hughes will doubtless be confident of progressing to the quarter finals.
The Iron are holding their own in the Championship after getting promoted via the play-offs last …
