Bellamy double sees City go through
Craig Bellamy was the star man for City
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Thursday, 26, Feb 2009 10:31
Craig Bellamy scored twice for Manchester City as they overcame FC Copenhagen 2-1 to go through to the last-16 of the Uefa Cup.
After grabbing a 2-2 draw in Copenhagen last week, City were in a strong position and dominated the second-leg this evening. They were, however, made to wait until the 70th minute to open the scoring as Bellamy outpaced the Copenhagen defence to score. The striker added a second goal to make the game safe for City.
Martin Vinaard scored a late consolation for Copenhagen, but City comfortably held on to progress to the next round.
Tottenham and Aston Villa may have given very little importance to the Uefa Cup this season by fielding weakened teams in the knockout stages, but that was not the case for City as they started with the likes of Bellamy, Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
City started brightly and the wet conditions allowed the home side to play a smooth style of passing football. Robinho has been criticised recently for his supposed lack of effort in games, but the playmaker was on top form against Copenhagen.
The Brazilian superstar came agonisingly close to giving his side the lead as he saw his header from a deflected Bellamy cross come back off the underside of the bar.
Robinho almost scored again a couple of minutes later as his twinkling feet left to Copenhagen defenders on the floor and it looked like one of the defenders had handled the ball in the penalty area, but the referee allowed play to continue and Robinho saw his shot blocked by Jesper Christiansen.
Robinho and Bellamy then combined to create the best chance of the first-half as the Wales international was put through by Robinho, but Bellamy saw his lifted shot come back off the post.
City continued to enjoy the majority of the possession for the rest of the first half, but Copenhagen made it difficult with their five-man midfield.
The second half was a replica of the first as City continued to attack, but were unable to find the back of the net. For all their dogged defending, Copenhagen knew they would have to score if they were to progress and they showed a little more attacking intent by bringing on former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer.
But it was City who finally put the game beyond the Danish side as the impressive Bellamy first outpaced the Copenhagen defence and fired past Christiansen.
He then grabbed his second five minutes later when Robinho danced his way down the left-wing and then pulled the ball back for Bellamy to fire home.
City conceded a late goal as Vingaard unleashed a late 20-yard effort which beat Shay Given, but it proved to be too late for the Danish side as City deservedly went through.