Manchester City vs Liverpool; 1-0 at half time
It was all action at the city of Manchester in the first leg of battle for 4th place in the English Premier League. Manchester City went in at half time with a 1-0 lead over Liverpool. It was the Aston Villa duo of James Milner and Gareth Barry combining to get the match opener. Liverpool did have few moments in the first 45 minutes, but it was Manchester City who dominated the first half by a long way.
There was an early glimpse of Fernando Torres as he dashed on to a ball over the top of the Manchester City defence, but the Spaniard was flagged offside.
Liverpool got on the ball well nice and early, and it took a smart defensive tackle from Vincent Kompany to clear from Fernando Torres inside the City area. The hosts broke and Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel earned himself the game's first booking for a clumsy foul on Adam Johnson.
City lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Adam Johnson and James Milner working the flanks, while Liverpool went for the classic 4-4-2 line-up.
David N’Gog swept the game's first proper effort at goal from range, but it was low and tame and Joe Hart could throw his hat on it by the time it reached the City goal.
City were looking to get numbers behind the ball in defence - but it paid dividends when they broke down a Liverpool attack and burst up the pitch in attack. The hosts' best chance till then ended with a cracking long-range effort from Adam Johnson, the ball flew inches past the post.
Manchester City continued to dominate and got their just reward; it was a move and goal of real quality. Yaya Toure and Adam Johnson worked it well wide to set James Milner clear in the box, and the debutant laid it back to his former Aston Villa team-mate Gareth Barry to side-foot into the corner. The goal had been coming a long time.
Following the goal, Manchester City looked vibrant in attack every time they piled forward now. James Milner and Adam Johnson, in particular, were looking a threat.
Liverpool, who were more than holding their own in this tie until the goal, looked like they could do with a bit of a breather, however City certainly have their tails up.
Then there was a spot of welcome possession for Liverpool in the City half but, again, the home defence held firm and Dirk Kuyt headed behind to end some promising build-up play.
City continued to dart forward, and Daniel Agger was forced to head Joleon Lescott's centre behind with Yaya Toure looming large. Pepe Reina came out to clean up from the resulting set piece. Liverpool were just struggling to pick the locks of a solid home defence till then.
Few minutes later there was a promising Liverpool move again it came to nothing and City burst once more; Adam Johnson lashed a fine left-foot shot at goal that Pepe Reina tipped around his post on the stretch.
Manchester City were threatening time and again from the right wing, and had he not wanted so much time on the ball in the box, Carlos Tevez might have had a free shot on goal just before the break.
Liverpool continued to break but with no final product, while Manchester City had numerous attacks that threatened to double the lead.
The half time whistle may have come as a relief for the visitors and Roy Hodgson may welcome some time with his team to form a new strategy for the 2nd half of the game.
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