City Advance in Europa League

Goals from from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dedryck Boyata staked Manchester City to a 2-0 victory in the 2nd leg of City’s Europa League qualifier against Timisoara of Romania. City win the tie 3-0 on aggregate and advance to the group stage.

It was an assured first half performance with the visitors reduced to occasional shots from distance. Pressure on the offensive end from City slowly built up over the course of the half, culminating in the goal by SWP in the 42nd minute.

The goal came on a terrific pass cutting up on the defense right down the middle from Patrick Vieira. SWP ran on to it from the left, then finished with his right foot sharply on the ground in to the corner of the net.

Roberto Mancini has changed the lineup around from the team that beat Liverpool Monday. Playing for City are Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Boyata, Richards, De Jong, Vieira, Silva, SWP, Jo and Adebayor. By my count that’s 7 changes from the other night.

City grabbed a second after SWP won a free kick down the right in about the 58th minute. Silva delivered the ball to the back post, and Boyata calmly nodded it home from 3 yards. That seemed to break the visitors’ resistance, as City had three near-misses in the following minutes (from Adebayor, Silva, and Jo).

Unfortunately from an entertainment perspective, the match fizzled out the rest of the way with not much meaningful goalmouth action on either end. City made one sub, bringing on youngster Greg Cunningham for De Jong.

Still, a very good day at the office for City. With 4 straight clean sheets to start the season, Hart and his defense have now gone over 6 hours without conceding, which seemed impossible in the opening half hour against Tottenham a fortnight ago. City are also of course guaranteed six more European games this fall, which is good news (to the extent it matters) for the club’s coffers, and for the chances of players like Boyata, Jo, and Vieira seeing significant first team action this season.

There were several good performances tonight in the field, and no one played badly for City. Deserving special mention are Boyata (solid at back plus a goal), Vieira, and David Silva (tireless). But my man-of-the match goes to Shaun Wright-Phillips, who had a role in both City goals.

Next up is a trip to Sunderland on Sunday as City try to continue this good start to the season.

Category: Team News