Saturday, 14 May 2011

FA Cup Final: Man City 1 vs. 0 Stoke City



Before today's game Mancini's side had the chance to prove many people wrong by clinching their first piece of silverware since the new owners revolutionized the club.

Stoke are a team who have great support and their fans will have been right behind them for today's Cup Final at Wembley.

Man City had the better of the first half with great chances for Silva and Balotelli. Silva's shot was drilled into the ground and bounced over the bar. Balotelli's attempt drew a brilliant save from Sorensen.

Stoke struggled and couldn't create any chances where they'd look like scoring. They had to defend well to keep Man City at bay. Huth was lucky to stay on the pitch after an off the ball incident which involved him elbowing Balotelli in the face.

The second half started at a high tempo with Stoke putting pressure on the Man City defence. Wasteful isn't a word you'd use to describe David Silva, but he was when City countered. Stoke were caught short at the back when Tevez slid Silva through, but he wanted to shift the ball to his stronger left foot, giving the Stoke defenders time to get back and clear.

Joe Hart made a good save from Kenwyne Jones. The Stoke striker was one on one but couldn't get to the ball quick enough.

Good play by Silva and Balotelli led to a chance for Yaya Toure. The ball fell kindly to him and he thumped it into the back of the net to give City the victory.


Manchester City win their first trophy since Tony Book from Bath guided a City side who won the League Cup in 1976. Book also captained City when they won the FA Cup in 1969 once said; "..it would be great to talk about the modern-day heroes rather than always harking back to my day." 
Maybe now the players of today will go on and fulfill their potential.

No comments: