Given – A critical error in coming out and failing to connect for the second goal. Everything else was ok, but in that moment our chance went. 5
Richards – A whole-hearted display where it was good to see him getting forward after the sending off. Unfortunately Micah’s ability in the final third didn’t match the enthusiasm to get there. 6
For anyone who isn’t aware, tonight’s FA Cup replay is being shown live on:
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/facup/livevideo/default.html
Teams:
Stoke: Sorensen, Whitehead, Shawcross, Huth, Collins, Lawrence, Whelan, Diao, Delap, Sidibe, Fuller.
Subs: Simonsen, Beattie, Kitson, Pugh, Amdy Faye, Sanli, Davies.
Man City: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Lescott, Bridge, Zabaleta, Ireland, Kompany, Barry, Bellamy, Adebayor.
Subs: Taylor, Wright-Phillips, Santa Cruz, Garrido, Sylvinho, De Jong, Boyata.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
A game that had threatened to be tempestuous didn’t disappoint, with City fortunate to come away with a point after going behind to 10 men for the second season running at the Britannia Stadium. Last season this fixture saw a desperate City performance and this wasn’t any easier for those blues who witnessed it.
Here we go again, only this time on a smaller pitch tailored to Rory Delap’s long throws and with a vociferous home crowd against us. Can City do any better than the much cricised performance on Saturday?
Stoke came from behind to force a replay after comical defending had enabled Shaun Wright-Phillips to give City a first half lead in an FA Cup tie that left many City supporters frustrated.
Given – Mancini may have exonerated him for staying on his line for the Stoke goal, but it was still a poor clearance that gave Delap the opportunity to hurl the ball in. 6
Zabaleta – Some wayward distribution let the Argentinian down, despite some strong tackles that had Fuller complaining. 6
City begin a double-header against Stoke hoping to progress in the FA Cup and push the Carling Cup defeat by United further into the distance. Tony Pulis’ side will be no pushovers after defeating Arsenal in the previous round, and the match promises to be more of a full-blooded spectacle than our last two league games at Eastlands.
Given – A vital save with the game goalless set the tone. Good to see him coming off his line for crosses. Shay now has another fan in Mancini who called him “the best”. 8
Zabaleta – Pablo has always looked like the kind of defender who would do well in Serie A, and he was at ease in this new-look defence. 7
The Roberto Mancini regime got off to a winning start with two goals and, more significantly, the first clean sheet at home since August.
Boxing Day sees Roberto Mancini’s first game as the new Manchester City manager and the anticipation is huge. The Italian has ramped up the expectation with his stated aim of finishing in the top four this season. The players have been put through double training sessions this week in a bid to reshape the team.
