Title Challenge Still On

Posted Monday, October 18, 2010 by Goal.com

Blackpool 2-3 Manchester City: Mancini’s Side Triumph After Second Half Goal Fest As Tevez Brace And David Silva Solo Strike Narrow Chelsea’s Lead To Two Points

In a game in which Manchester City were made to toil for the points, Blackpool and Ian Holloway proved there are a tough nut to crack in what turned out to be a thrilling encounter by the sea.

In a game that was a clear example of the modern state of the English game. The haves against the have nots doesn’t really illustrate the gulf in the respective financial backing of both these teams. It has been said in the lead up to this game that some individual members of the City squad earn more in a year than the entire Blackpool squad combined.

A stark indication of the shifting sands both of these teams have experienced in the last few years is the fact that the last league meeting between them was in the third tier in January 1999 which ended in a 0-0 draw.

In the opening exchanges City focused much of their attacking intentions down the right utilising the skills of Adam Johnson to torment the left back Stephen Crainey. This paid dividends as the first attempt on goal was in the first 60 seconds as the ex-Middlesbrough man fed a ball inside to James Milner, who’s shot was high and left of Matthew Gilks’ goal.

Shortly after Johnson had an effort himself which never really troubled Gilks.

After eight minutes Blackpool’s first foray into City territory came with a through ball to DJ Campbell, who’s strong run only produced a shot from outside the penalty box which went right of Joe Hart’s net.

Blackpool continued to attack and when Luke Varney found himself with the ball out on the
right he took on Wayne Bridge and beat him but his low cross was parried by Hart for the City defence to clear.

Ian Holloway, who watched the game from stands, set out his men in a sensible fashion. Rigidity at the back, and an emphasis on tight, but not defensive play. They were keen to exploit any breakdown in play to launch a counter attack.

Roberto Mancini kept his team playing in the usual fashion, by passing the ball to all parts and on 25 minutes Johnson continued to be the fulcrum of the City attacks and his cross from the right found the head of Emmanuel Adebayor who couldn’t direct it goalwards. It wouldn’t have
counted as he was caught offside.

An interesting statistic seemed relevant in the first half. The City squad was assembled for a sum 70 times that of Blackpool, but on the showing it was difficult to see the value of that figure.

The application of City’s superstars had to be questioned when on 39 minutes, David Vaughan
chased down, spaniel-like, a loose backpass from Joleon Lescott. His tenacity almost paid off were it not for the alertness of Hart who cleared.

City had a great opportunity to take the lead on halftime with a cross from the right was headed back by Jerome Boateng. It continued it’s path via the heads of Gareth Barry, Lescott, Adebayor and before reaching Carlos Tevez who could only tamely chest the ball towards Gilks.

As the teams returned to the dressing room, Blackpool showed that they refuse to lie down for anyone at Bloomfield Road and they would have been pleased their 45 minutes work.

City started the second half in a similar fashion to the first with an early opportunity to take the lead. A corner from the left was aimed for Vincent Kompany who’s header was fluffed and sailed harmlessly wide of the net.

With the game delicately balanced, Mancini always had the advantage with the depth of quality of his subs compared to those of Blackpool. Ian Holloway can only dream of having the likes of Shay Given, Micah Richards, and David Silva to call upon should things not be going to plan.

Blackpool squandered what was a terrific chance to open the scoring when after 53 minutes a long ball from deep was threaded to Vaughan who passed inside to DJ Campbell who slotted the ball low under Hart only to see it slide painfully wide of the left hand post.

The Tangerines continued to forge ahead, once more from long ball which was centred to Gary Taylor-Fletcher who put the ball beyond Hart into the net only to turn and see the referee’s assistant with his flag in the air. A close call indeed.

Holloway’s words at halftime had a more positive effect than those of his counterpart Mancini as City looked nervous and rattled as Blackpool continued to apply the pressure.
That pressure manifested another attempt on the City goal as just after the hour, Charlie Adam let rip from 20 yards which forced Hart to parry the ball up and over his bar.

Both managers made their first changes shortly after with Blackpool replacing Elliot Grandin with Marlon Harewood and City taking off Adebayor for the Spaniard David Silva. Silva’s impact was immediate as Milner found himself in space to roll the ball across the box to find Tevez who flicked the ball in with the merest of touches. It was a cruel blow to the industry of Blackpool.

City could have doubled their lead shortly after as James Milner fired in a powerful drive from the edge of the box which smashed against the crossbar above the stranded Gilks.

Mancini made another substitution this time bringing on defender Micah Richards for Jerome Boateng. Blackpool followed suit bringing off Neal Eardley for Matthew Philips.

Blackpool’s substitute Marlon Harewood had a similarly crucial impact on the game as a Wayne Bridge foul was heavily punished as the resulting free kick was floated in and Harewood rose to direct the ball past Hart to give the Seasiders well deserved parity.

The game didn’t stay level for long as tireless and dogged effort from Tevez was rewarded as he picked up on the mistake of Ian Evatt on the edge of the area to fire City back in to the lead.

The game continued at break neck speed with both James Milner and David Vaughan coming together violently which left both sprawled out on the turf.

Mancini made his final sub in a effort to slow the pace and seal the victory by bringing on Patrick Viera for Adam Johnson.

City continued to show the dominance and when David Silva found himself with time and space in the box he stroked the ball home to secure the third goal for the Sky Blues.

Blackpool were not done yet however as another corner was awarded and Gary Taylor-Fletcher made amends for his previous effort by nodding in at the far post, but the miss by DJ Campbell and the disallowed effort proved the difference in what was a close affair.