Half time report: Manchester City Vs Arsenal
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium
Score-line: 0-1 (Samir Nasir 22’)
Starting XI for Man City: Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Boyata, Vincent Kompany, Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Toure Yaya, Nigel De Jong, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Carlos Tevez.
Subs: Shay Given, Wayne Bridge, Emmunal Adebayor, Adam Johnson, Jolean Lescott, Patrick Vieira, Mario Balotelli
Starting XI for Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski, Bacary Sagna, Johan Djourou, Sabestian Squillaci, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Song, Denilson, Andrei Arshavin, Marnaoune Chamakh.
Subs: Szczesny, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Emmunal Eboue, Kieran Gibbs, Nicolas Bendtner
In a clash of the current top four, Manchester City hosted Arsenal in this truly exciting encounter. Last time city hosted the North London heavyweights, they registered a memorable 4-2 win.
However, the hosts were given an early set back when centre back Boyata was sent off owing to his harsh tackle on Chamakh. The incident would mean the side would have to play the remaining 85 minutes with 10 men but didn’t slow down their pace. City managed
a shot on target in the 6th minute but was brilliantly saved by Fabianski.
It was the visitors that managed the first goal of the match, when a brilliant move constructed between Arshavin and Fabregas played the Frenchman brilliantly and Nasri managed a beautiful finish from short range. It was a very intense match in terms of
physicality as 4 Arsenal players were booked in the first half.
Arsenal had a wonderful chance of doubling their lead when Vicent Kompany brought down Fabregas in the six yard box. The referee awarded the penalty to the visitors and Fabregas stepped up to take the spot kick. However, Fabregas’s penalty was expertly saved
by English Number 1 Joe Hart, denying the Gunners the chance to be 2 up at half time.
Despite being one man down for most of the first half, City had the fighting spirit and made good opportunities. The forwards put a lot of pressure on the visitors but couldn’t find the equalizing goal.
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