Premier League Full Time Report: Manchester City vs Stoke City – Part 1
Manchester City played host to Stoke City at Eastland’s, in what was a Premier League clash between the two teams. What was interesting about this game was the fact that the two sides met over this past weekend, in the FA Cup final, which saw City beat Stoke
by a goal to nil.
City were however going into the game looking to pick up another three points, which would see them leapfrog http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 and take the third spot in the League. Nonetheless, Stoke were looking to end the season on a high and winning the game would see them sit
in the 8th spot in the league.
Prior to the game, City were being regarded as the clear favourites to come out on top at the end of the game. This was because of the fact that the home-side had won eight of their last nine home games. On the other hand, Stoke had managed to take only
two points from their last nine away games in the league.
Stoke City got the game underway, with both teams taking to the field in their traditional colours. City were wearing their sky blue and white strips, while Stoke were running the pitch in red and white.
City tried to take the game to Stoke early on and there were clear signs of this intent from City, as in just the 3rd minute of the game http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Silva-c10601 tried an early pop at goal. The Spaniards effort managed to sail well wide of the mark, but showed
the confidence that City were riding on.
On the counter from the goal kick, Stoke looked to create a promising move with a number of Stoke players linking up. However, just when it looked like something would develop for the visiting team, Pugh was caught off-side and hence the move died down before
developing into anything dangerous.
The fact that Stoke had failed to score in six of their last eight matches in the league was looking to be more than apparent, as the team was clearly lacking a sense of direction and creativity in the attacking third. Nonetheless, the visitors were looking
to try and get some sort of revenge on the Citizens, after failing to beat them in the FA Cup.
Continued in Part 2
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