Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Team Photoshop |
Match Report
It is a thoroughly wet and miserable day here at The Etihad Stadium where Manchester City play host to Arsenal. A crowd of 8,139 fill this 10,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Manchester City are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Arsenal appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Francis Youds.
The pitch is in good condition.
Manchester City are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Arsenal appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Francis Youds.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Manchester City kick off!
8.25
0-0Marin Stoichita advances with the ball. Marin Stoichita runs straight at the defence! Marin Stoichita strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal but somehow Dean Unsworth manages to keep it out.
9.15
0-0Francois Maqua clumsily knocks into Graham Bellamy. Francois Maqua is given a warning by the referee! Graham Bellamy stretches but gets up unharmed.
10.54
0-0Gavin Jackson threads the ball through to Oleg Mendez. Oleg Mendez threads the ball through to Dominic Ferguson. Dominic Ferguson tries a spectacular long range effort. It smacks hard against the advertising boards behind the goal. Just wide!
12.16
0-0Adolfo Delgado comes in with a late challenge on Matthew Lineker. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Matthew Lineker stretches but gets up unharmed.
18.57
Greg Lawton runs straight at the opposition's defence. Greg Lawton sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. Magnificent save by Dean Unsworth!
20.12
0-1Adolfo Delgado deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Greg Lawton. Greg Lawton flicks a high pass forward. Sol Wallwork holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Sol Wallwork shoots from long range. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
24.40
Oleg Mendez takes it forward alone. Oleg Mendez whips in a cross ball towards Cesare Tommasi. With a superhuman jump, Cesare Tommasi connects with the ball and heads it goalwards but Lars Lindner is on top of it.
26.31
0-1Greg Lawton threads the ball through to Jon Etherington. Jon Etherington knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Gavin Jackson.
34.13
Gavin Jackson plays the ball forward to Oleg Mendez. With a delightful solo run, Oleg Mendez stretches the opposition's defence. Oleg Mendez knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Ian Yáñez.
36.44
Carl Mustoe flicks a high pass forward. Jon Etherington holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Jon Etherington rushes past Dennis Wright! Some good footwork from Jon Etherington provides some space. He shoots at goal but it goes wide for a goal kick.
39.42
Graham Bellamy hits a low pass to Matthew Lineker. Matthew Lineker knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Lars Lindner who gathers it comfortably.
40.23
Graham Bellamy brings the ball forward. Graham Bellamy knocks in a cross ball towards Cesare Tommasi. Cesare Tommasi is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal but it's well over the bar!
42.05
With great vision, Marin Stoichita plays the ball forward to Jon Etherington. Jon Etherington lofts in a cross ball towards Danny Butt. Danny Butt outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
45.00
Graham Bellamy deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Cesare Tommasi. Cesare Tommasi shoots from 25 yards but it's a woeful effort!
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Manchester City appear unchanged since the first half. Arsenal also appear unchanged since the first half. The Manchester City players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
The second half starts with Arsenal kicking off!
48.41
0-1Adolfo Delgado passes the ball forward to Leon Harley. Leon Harley kicks a strong pass forward to Jon Etherington. Jon Etherington threads the ball through to Danny Butt but he's offside!
49.49
Peter Pearce chips the ball to his team mate, Matthew Lineker. Matthew Lineker knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Lars Lindner who gathers it comfortably.
57.03
Gavin Jackson deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Oleg Mendez. Without breaking stride, Oleg Mendez plays the ball forward to Cesare Tommasi. Cesare Tommasi knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
60.56
Marin Stoichita knocks the ball forward to Jon Etherington. Jon Etherington tries a spectacular long range effort. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
69.46
Marin Stoichita kicks a strong pass forward to Sol Wallwork. Sol Wallwork lofts in a cross ball towards Danny Butt. Danny Butt knocks the ball goalwards with his head. Dean Unsworth didn't know what hit him as the ball comes off him at close range. The loose ball is scrambled clear by the defence.
75.43
Adolfo Delgado threads a neat ball through to Marin Stoichita. Marin Stoichita surges forward with the ball. Marin Stoichita knocks in a cross ball towards Sol Wallwork. Sol Wallwork outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
77.41
0-1Manchester City have made 3 substitutions with Robert Craddock replacing Cesare Tommasi, Emile Carter replacing Graham Bellamy and Mick Craddock replacing Gavin Jackson .Arsenal have made 3 substitutions with Isaiah Godber replacing Ian Yáñez, Jose Javier Martinez replacing Leon Harley and Dean Owen replacing Sol Wallwork .
78.50
Francois Maqua takes a long throw-in. Isaiah Godber kicks a strong pass forward to Marin Stoichita. Marin Stoichita kicks a strong pass forward to Dean Owen. Dean Owen plays a one-two with Jon Etherington and rushes in on goal... Some superb footwork from Dean Owen provides some space. He stabs the ball goalward. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
79.43
Jose Javier Martinez flicks a high pass forward. Dean Owen controls it well on his chest. Dean Owen shoots from long range but Dean Unsworth is on top of it.
81.45
Marin Stoichita passes the ball forward to Jon Etherington. Jon Etherington controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but it slams into the crowd!
83.05
Peter Pearce passes the ball forward to Robert Craddock. Robert Craddock knocks in a cross ball towards Matthew Lineker. With a superhuman jump, Matthew Lineker connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. Lars Lindner is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
87.52
Oleg Mendez flicks a high pass forward. Dominic Ferguson holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Dominic Ferguson lofts in a cross ball towards Robert Craddock. Robert Craddock is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Excellent keeping!
90.00
The referee whistles full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
1
1
Shots on Target
3
5
Shots off Target
3
6
Offsides
0
1
Fouls
0
2
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
50%
50%
Play Area
29.5%
42.3%
28.2%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Marin Stoichita of Arsenal |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Dean Unsworth (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Gary Hendry (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Ernesto Carcedo (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Gavin Jackson (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Dennis Wright (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Oleg Mendez (MID) | 8 | |
| 7. | Peter Pearce (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Graham Bellamy (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Matthew Lineker (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 10. | Dominic Ferguson (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Cesare Tommasi (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Robert Craddock (ATT) | 7 | |
| 13. | Emile Carter (ATT) | 6 | |
| 14. | Mick Craddock (GK) | 6 | |
| 1. | Lars Lindner (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Francois Maqua (DEF) | 5 | |
| 3. | Adolfo Delgado (DEF) |  | 6 |
| 4. | Ian Yáñez (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Carl Mustoe (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Leon Harley (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Marin Stoichita (MID) | 9 | |
| 8. | Greg Lawton (MID) | 8 | |
| 9. | Sol Wallwork (ATT) | | 8 |
| 10. | Danny Butt (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Jon Etherington (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Isaiah Godber (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Jose Javier Martinez (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Dean Owen (ATT) | 6 | |