Premier League Full time time report - Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool
Manchester City completed a resounding 3-0 win over Liverpool in their 2nd match of the new Premier League season. It was all one way traffic at eastlands, as the multi-million pounds worth City team ran all over the reds. Ever since the Aston Villa duo combined to give City the lead in the first half, Liverpool were on the back foot trying desperately to keep the blue wave of attacks out.
The first half saw City dominate the possession and with Johnson on the right wing and Milner on the left, the attacks just kept on coming. Tevez upfront was energetic and causing constant problems to the Liverpool backline. Yaya Toure in the centre of midfield definitely justified the heavy price tag by dictating the proceedings. James Milner on his debut often switched wings with Jonhson to cause more problems for the Liverpool full backs. It was Milner and Johnson’s combination on the right flank that made way for the first goal. Milner overlapped Johnson and after doing a fine job of holding off Yaya Toure, laid it off to Johnson and he slid it through to Milner. The former Aston Villa man teed it up for his mate from Birmingham, and Gareth Barry made no mistake in slotting it home in the corner. Rest of the first half saw pretty much the same pattern and Liverpool tried hard to keep City out. The first half ended at 1-0, but there were ominous signs for the reds.
The 2nd half did not start too differently, Manchester City were immediately on to the front foot again, and once again an attack came from the right wing. It ended in a tame shot from Tevez however.
Liverpool finally enjoyed a good spell of possession, Joe Hart did well to come out and claim Daniel Agger's low cross.
Carlos Tevez and then Adam Johnson both lined up a shot from the right, and the latter's was deflected behind for a corner.
Adam Johnson swung over the corner, Micah Richards rose high and headed goal-wards as there was Carlos Tevez a yard out to get the slightest of nicks on it to steer it in.
2-0 it was and it was looking like a mountain to climb for Liverpool from then on.
Liverpool replied by stepping on the gas and City defender, Micah Richards went into the book for a foul on Fernando Torres.
Liverpool looked a bit more determined after the goal. Glen Johnson got down Liverpool's right well and laid it back perfectly for Dirk Kuyt to cross - but the Dutchman's centre was poor and it landed safely in the hands of Jones.
Moments later it was pretty much game over. The excellent Adam Johnson was scythed down in the box by Martin Skrtel, it looked a definite penalty, and Carlos Tevez stepped to make no mistake from the spot. It was 3-0 and the game was set and match almost.
Still Liverpool continued to look for at least one goal to get them started. There was the first real glimpse of the Fernando Torres of old, as the Spaniard spun Micah Richards in the box and lashed a left-foot shot across goal; it flew narrowly past Joe Hart's far post.
Soon it started pouring down at Manchester as it normally does. Adam Johnson, continued to torment Liverpool's makeshift left-back Daniel Agger. Subsequently, England coach Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini looked on as Johnson is in line to be part of England’s Euro squad.
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson finally took off Torres with 10 minutes to go and sent on Babel. The change did not do them much good, and the score remained 3-0 as City completed a thumping win and sent out a statement to the rest that it is going to be a tough task keeping them down this season.
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