Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers (01/09/2012)
Manchester City 3 - 1 Queens Park Rangers
Toure 16', Dzeko 61', Tevez 92' Zamora 59'
Attendance:
Line-Up: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov, Nasri, Rodwell, Y Toure, Silva, Dzeko, Tevez
Subs: Pantilimon, Milner, Sinclair, Clichy, K Toure, Balotelli, Razak
Review
It wasn't the thriller we witnessed last year, but it was another three points to add to the Blues tally this season. Clichy returned to the bench, but only one of City's new signings (Scott Sinclair) accompanied him.
City dominated the first half with some intricate play from the attacking trio of Tevez, Silva and Toure and it didn't take us long to net our first. On 15 minutes, Yaya Toure fired home from a Bobby Zamora clearance and the Blues looked as if they'd push on for more.
City continued to dominate the game without any clear cut chances. The first half fizzled out and Mancini's men went into the break comfortably ahead.
The Citzens started the second half as they began the first; Pablo Zabaleta hitting the bar with a tremendous curled effort with his left foot. But QPR weren't giving up yet and began to frustrate City, pressurising the Blues and attacking in numbers. They're persistence was rewarded after 59 minutes when Bobby Zamora headed home following a fine reaction save from Joe Hart.
It was an unexpected equaliser, but City were making a hash of their chances and becoming sloppy. Still, the amount of class in the ranks showed and a delightful cross from Carlos Tevez was nodded in by Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko on 61 minutes. It only took the Blues a minute and a half to answer back.
More sluggish play earned City the jeers of the crowd as QPR continued to take advantage of and assault City's lack-lustre back four. It all looked fairly dangerous up until injury time when a scuffed shot from Dzeko was guided in by the left boot of Tevez.
Another so-so performance from City but possession was encouraging. It'll be good to see them at their best soon.
MCFC Ratings
Joe Hart: 7
Not a lot to do, once again. Made an outstanding save from Johnson and was unlucky to palm it to the head of Zamora. Always assured between the sticks.
Pablo Zabaleta: 7
Got up the wings well again today and nearly scored an absolute beauty. Looks solid at right back and will definitely be pushing Micah and Maicon for places.
Vincent Kompany: 7
More assured than previous performances. Commanded the back four.
Joleon Lescott: 5
Not great today. Misplaced passes and a lack of concentration could have rewarded QPR with a few goals.
Aleksander Kolarov: 5
Marginally better than he was at Anfield, but still our poorest player. Could have been red carded and was out of position for Zamora's goal.
David Silva: 8
Showed magic at times, including a great maradona. Through balls were coming off and he ran the show in midfield. Looks to be on form again.
Yaya Toure: 7
Yet another goal for the Ivorian who is proving to be a vital part of the team once again. Will be sorely missed when he departs for the African Nations.
Jack Rodwell: 7
Another solid performance from the new boy. Some quality tackles and an overall assured game for him. Nearly scored a wonder own goal, too!
Samir Nasri: 6
Started well but faded as he so often does.
Edin Dzeko: 7
Held the ball up well and grabbed another goal. Always reliable in front of goal but his touch was off.
Carlos Tevez: 8
Quietly brilliant. Didn't touch the ball much but was instrumental in all of City's attacks. An assist and a goal.
Subs
Kolo Toure: 5
Slow and found himself chasing the QPR attack for the few minutes he was on.
James Milner: 6
Got himself involved in the late City attacks. Delivery a little bit off.
Abdul Razak: N/A
Too late to mark.
Toure 16', Dzeko 61', Tevez 92' Zamora 59'
Attendance:
Line-Up: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov, Nasri, Rodwell, Y Toure, Silva, Dzeko, Tevez
Subs: Pantilimon, Milner, Sinclair, Clichy, K Toure, Balotelli, Razak
Review
It wasn't the thriller we witnessed last year, but it was another three points to add to the Blues tally this season. Clichy returned to the bench, but only one of City's new signings (Scott Sinclair) accompanied him.
City dominated the first half with some intricate play from the attacking trio of Tevez, Silva and Toure and it didn't take us long to net our first. On 15 minutes, Yaya Toure fired home from a Bobby Zamora clearance and the Blues looked as if they'd push on for more.
City continued to dominate the game without any clear cut chances. The first half fizzled out and Mancini's men went into the break comfortably ahead.
The Citzens started the second half as they began the first; Pablo Zabaleta hitting the bar with a tremendous curled effort with his left foot. But QPR weren't giving up yet and began to frustrate City, pressurising the Blues and attacking in numbers. They're persistence was rewarded after 59 minutes when Bobby Zamora headed home following a fine reaction save from Joe Hart.
It was an unexpected equaliser, but City were making a hash of their chances and becoming sloppy. Still, the amount of class in the ranks showed and a delightful cross from Carlos Tevez was nodded in by Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko on 61 minutes. It only took the Blues a minute and a half to answer back.
More sluggish play earned City the jeers of the crowd as QPR continued to take advantage of and assault City's lack-lustre back four. It all looked fairly dangerous up until injury time when a scuffed shot from Dzeko was guided in by the left boot of Tevez.
Another so-so performance from City but possession was encouraging. It'll be good to see them at their best soon.
MCFC Ratings
Joe Hart: 7
Not a lot to do, once again. Made an outstanding save from Johnson and was unlucky to palm it to the head of Zamora. Always assured between the sticks.
Pablo Zabaleta: 7
Got up the wings well again today and nearly scored an absolute beauty. Looks solid at right back and will definitely be pushing Micah and Maicon for places.
Vincent Kompany: 7
More assured than previous performances. Commanded the back four.
Joleon Lescott: 5
Not great today. Misplaced passes and a lack of concentration could have rewarded QPR with a few goals.
Aleksander Kolarov: 5
Marginally better than he was at Anfield, but still our poorest player. Could have been red carded and was out of position for Zamora's goal.
David Silva: 8
Showed magic at times, including a great maradona. Through balls were coming off and he ran the show in midfield. Looks to be on form again.
Yaya Toure: 7
Yet another goal for the Ivorian who is proving to be a vital part of the team once again. Will be sorely missed when he departs for the African Nations.
Jack Rodwell: 7
Another solid performance from the new boy. Some quality tackles and an overall assured game for him. Nearly scored a wonder own goal, too!
Samir Nasri: 6
Started well but faded as he so often does.
Edin Dzeko: 7
Held the ball up well and grabbed another goal. Always reliable in front of goal but his touch was off.
Carlos Tevez: 8
Quietly brilliant. Didn't touch the ball much but was instrumental in all of City's attacks. An assist and a goal.
Subs
Kolo Toure: 5
Slow and found himself chasing the QPR attack for the few minutes he was on.
James Milner: 6
Got himself involved in the late City attacks. Delivery a little bit off.
Abdul Razak: N/A
Too late to mark.
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