Adebayor strike leads City millionaires to away victory
Adebayor strike leads City millionaires to away victory
Also In The News
|
*THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED*
To mark the next race in the Taxi Grand Prix, inthenews. |  |
Saturday, 15, Aug 2009 08:20
By Darren Estwick.
A third-minute debut goal from £25 million signing Emmanuel Adebayor and a Stephen Ireland strike gave wealthy Manchester City an opening day win away at Blackburn Rovers.
Adebayor fired City into the lead at Ewood Park in a breathless opening to the 2009/10 season before Ireland's late clincher took the Eastlands side to an opening-day win and their first clean sheet in a year.
The scoreline slightly flattered City however as Shay Given was forced to pull off three saves to maintain his team's lead.
But it was City who came out of the blocks quickest. A slick move in the third minute resulted in Adebayor ghosting past Stephen Warnock and drilling a shot from the edge of the area.
The goal seemed to galvanise Blackburn however as Jason Roberts proceeded to fire over the bar from six yards out five minutes later and a free kick from Benni McCarthy was well saved by Given.
The pressure continued with five successive corners for the home side resulting in part time striker Christopher Samba rising at the far post with a powerful header which Given again kept out.
The second half was a more even affair with a chance for Roberts equalled with an effort by Robinho.
As Blackburn pushed forward looking for the equaliser City began to exploit the open spaces with one effort put over by midfielder Stephen Ireland before he made amends two minutes before the end, finishing off a move orchestrated by Adebayor and substitute Carlos Tevez to bag the points for Mark Hughes' men.