Premier League: Blackpool v Manchester City half time report
Blackpool 0 Manchester City 0
Blackpool are level with Manchester City at half time at Bloomfield Road, but they will feel they should be a goal in front based on the way they played.
With only one of their 10 points gained at home this season, Blackpool began the game positively and were intent on scoring the first goal, doing well to reach the final third of the pitch but lacking the killer instinct.
But it was City who could have taken the lead. Adam Johnson came in from the right hand side and forced Blackpool ‘keeper Matthew Gilks into a fine save to divert the ball over the bar on five minutes.
Blackpool’s first effort came three minutes later, as DJ Campbell took on the City defence from the halfway line, but his shot went tamely wide of City ‘keeper Joe Hart’s goal.
Luke Varney a minute later troubled Hart, as his low-drilled shot called the England No.1 into action. Varney breezed past City left-back Wayne Bridge with consummate ease to get his shot away.
Blackpool captain Charlie Adam got in on the act on 12 minutes, but the Scotsman’s half volley wasn’t going to bring the home crowd to their feet. Adam, who has scored five of his last six goals from the penalty spot, was keeping the midfield ticking over and dictating play early on in the game.
He kept on lurking on the edge of the penalty area looking to pick up the loose ball and get his shots away whenever he could.
The home side had plenty of possession, and were leaving City’s multi-million stars struggling to get into the game.
City slowly got themselves into the game. A header from Vincent Kompany on 18 minutes was straight at Gilks, but with a strike partner for Carlos Tévez in the shape of Emmanuel Adebayor, they were unable to muster good chances, although Tévez would have scored just before half time if he got his header on target.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was sitting in the stands serving a one-game touchline ban for abusive behaviour towards the referee in their game against Blackburn last month, and he would have been encouraged with the way he set up his team to counteract City’s play.
City, who are looking to get second spot back in the Premier League, didn’t look like a team who have ambitions of winning the title this year, as Blackpool played well and refused to sit back. The only thing that was missing from Blackpool’s play was a goal.
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