Football Focus Highlight

Manchester City, Martin Petrov and Carlos Tevez, each scored a goal that took his team winning 2-0 over Stoke City at the end of the first round of Premier League duel continued, the City of Manchester Stadium, Saturday (26/12/2009). This could be a good sign in debut City coach Roberto Mancini.

Playing on home turf, City actually had a chance to overcome the inconvenience stoke militancy. At least during the first 25 minutes, city often deal with the inconvenience for the game midfield solidity and Stoke ahead. As the fight entered the 20th minute, goalkeeper City almost conceded by Tuncay Sanli.



Despite difficulties and had threatened, City managed to break away from the visitors and the pressure surpasses Stoke, thanks to Martin Petrov scored at minute 28.
Goals stems from the movement of Carlos Tevez on the right side Stoke defense. Once inside the penalty box, he removed the bait to Robinho who was in front of the right pole Stoke goal. With a smart, straight forward Robinho ball to Petrov who was in front of the left pole Stoke goal, which easily passed the ball into the net.

After the goal, the City play more confident and more often launch strikes into the enemy lair. Besides Stoke able to dictate the game, they also managed to release a number of serious threats to Thomas Sorensen's goal. City had managed to double the advantage through Carlos Tevez in the injury time. Utilizing feedback Garreth Barry, Tevez kicked the ball into the middle of the Stoke goal. Sorensen's hand had brushed off the ball, but it just makes the ball rolled into the top right corner of the net.

Not long ago, halftime whistle sounded. Armed with 2-0 advantage, City ready to welcome the second half.

Lineup:

City: Given; Kompany, Toure, Sylvinho, Zabaleta; Barry, De Jong, Petrov, Robinho; Ireland; Tevez
Stoke: Sorensen; Collins, Faye, Higginbotham, Wilkinson; Whelan, Diao, Etherington, Whitehead; Sanli, Sidibe

source: kompas.com