Manchester City overcome resilient Blackpool
Manchester City defeated Premier League newcomers Blackpool on Sunday, 17 October, to move within two points of leaders Chelsea at the top of the league table.
Two goals from Carlos Tevez, City's captain, and one strike from new signing David Silva was enough to help Roberto Mancini's team overcome Blackpool's stubborn performance at Bloomfield Road. Marlon Harewood
and Gary Taylor-Fletcher's goals were not enough to contain the resilient City side.
The home side turned in an inspired performance in the first half, as Dudley Campbell and David Vaughan showed the alertness necessary to get the better of City's defence, but neither managed to beat Joe
Hart.
Campbell also came close in the 53rd minute, while Taylor-Fletcher had a goal ruled out shortly after, to manager Ian Holloway's frustration.
Silva's introduction key
City managed to withstand Blackpool's pressure, and Mancini's team eventually got in front midway through the second half. James Milner and Silva combined on the edge of the Blackpool box, with the former
releasing the Spaniard with a back-heeled pass.
Silva, who had just come on for Emmanuel Adebayor, advanced down the left and picked out Tevez who, from a suspected offside position, stole half a yard in front of goal and sent the ball into the far
corner with a deft flick. Regardless of the offside appeals, Blackpool suffered the kind of punishment associated with leaving the Premier League's top scorer unmarked in the box.
In the 79th minute, Charlie Adam swung in a free kick from the right flank that Harewood latched onto, steering a neat flick into the far corner of the net to claim his first goal for the club and instill
hopes of securing at least a point in the game.
But the home fans' euphoria was short-lived, as City reclaimed the lead within a minute. The tireless Tevez chased down the ball on the edge of the Blackpool box and made space for a shot before hitting
a hard, low strike that took a crucial deflection to find the net behind Matthew Gilks in the Blackpool goal.
Two goals late on
Silva seemed to put the game beyond doubt in the 90th minute. The left-footed wizard received a short free kick in the corner of the box and dummied two Blackpool defenders before curling the ball into
the far corner.
In stoppaged time, Adam hit a low corner from the right, Blackpool's third of the game, and Luke Varney's effort found the feet of Taylor-Fletcher, who steered the ball home from close range. With only seconds
left the goal, the goal could only provide consolation.
WIth eight games played, City have 17 points, two less than leaders Chelsea and three more than Arsenal in third place. Blackpool, who have made a promising start to their season in the top flight, are
in 10th place with 10 points.
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