We Are Top Of The League!

Blackburn v City

The new season has finally arrived and the named City team (see below) certainly gives us reasons to be optimistic ahead of the season opener.

This is a game we really need to win in order to show our intent and to banish the memory of last season’s poor away form. Mark Hughes is in bullish mood ahead of proceedings. In his pre-match notes he boldly states “we aim to win trophies”. Bring it on.

7,000 City fans are here bellowing ‘Bluemoon’ in unison from the Darwen End as kick off approaches. Respect to the late Sir Bobby Robson is paid pre-match with a minute of cheer.

The match begins and what a start! Adebayor scores within 3 minutes after a flowing move starting from an excellent goal line clearance by Dunne. The game then ebbs and flows with Blackburn giving as good as they get. Ireland and Barry in midfield look slightly off the pace, though Adebayor continues to impress with good touches and endeavour.

Fat Sam’s team produce their best chance from a corner as Samba is denied by a great save by Given. Hopeful early crosses and long throw-ins by Pedersen are for the most part being efficiently dealt with by City’s rearguard.

City start to show some creativity in midfield resulting with Robinho testing Robinson from range and SWP almost getting a close range shot in, but for a fine defensive challenge.

The home side end the half applying pressure on City, but fail to produce any clear cut chances.

Half time : Blackburn 0 – City 1

City’s passing continues to improve in the 2nd half with Blackburn increasingly resorting to a long ball strategy. Robinho is having a mixed game. Quiet periods are interspersed with some good moments and he duly tests the Blackburn keeper with a curling shot which is tipped round the post. Barry is finally becoming influential.

Ireland is then frustrated as he balloons a shot over the bar after being tee’d up by Adebayor. Ireland is not quite at it today. More Clark Kent than Superman.

Tevez replaces Robinho with 20 minutes to go and makes an instant impact with his tenacity. City’s back four continue to hold firm with the Dunne and Toure partnership looking promising.

The win is sealed in injury time with Ireland’s good control and composure as he slots home in style.

If you’re a follower of this blog you’ll know that Hughes is quite adept at break-dancing. Approaching Fat Sam for the after-match handshake he pulls of some kind of funky celebratory slide. Anyway, that’s what he’ll probably say in the post match interviews. In fact he slipped and nearly made a right prat of himself in front of the cameras, only to recover and just avoid landing on his derriere. Nice on Hughsey, a true entertainer.

Full time : Blackburn 0 – City 2

At 5pm City stand atop of the league, ahead of Stoke, West Ham and Wigan on alphabetical order. We’ll take that for starters!

By the way, check out the Match Day Centre on the official site for live commentary, manager notes, team sheets, match stats, player stats & photo gallery. Very nice.

Teams:
Given
Richards, Dunne(c), Toure, Bridge
Swp, Ireland, Barry, Robinho
Bellamy, Adebayor
Bench: NDJ, Tevez, Onouha, Zab, Petrov, Weiss, Taylor

Robinson
Jacobsen, Givet, Samba, Warnock
Diouf, Andrews, N’Zonzi, Pedersen
McCarthy, Roberts
Bench: Gallacher, Browm, Khizanishvili, Di Santo, Grella, Hoilett, Olsson

Bring on Barca (Wednesday friendly) and Wolves (next Saturday)!

ManTwitty.