Sunday, August 24, 2008

Manchester City were monitoring the progress of Micah Richards after their comfortable 3-0 victory against 10-man West Ham United at Eastlands.

While Elano scored a brace following the opening goal from Daniel Sturridge, the mood of delight was tempered by the injury to the young England defender.

Richards, watched by national team manager Fabio Capello, was left in some distress a minute into the second half after being poleaxed following a collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim.

He was treated on the pitch for eight minutes before being carried unconscious to the dressing room by a bank of medics.

However he later came round in the dressing room and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for further checks.

City regrouped and went on to make their advantage pay after West Ham midfielder Mark Noble was sent off in the 39th minute for two yellow cards.

City dominated the match from the off and came close to making the breakthrough in the 13th minute when Stephen Ireland's shot was cleared off the line by Valon Behrami.

Then the Swiss international almost scored an own goal, deflecting Ben Haim's effort on to the bar.

This was a promising start by City and they looked to be playing with renewed confidence after that defeat by Aston Villa on the opening day.

Martin Petrov came inches away from making the breakthrough in the 22nd minute, his superb 25-yard free-kick hitting the outside of the post.

Then Sturridge sliced a shot wide in a good spell of pressure by the home side.

City had the momentum and Ireland picked out Elano in the 37th minute but his first touch let him down.

A minute later the Hammers suffered another blow when they were reduced to 10 men. Noble was sent off by referee Howard Webb after getting a second yellow card for a stiff challenge on Michael Johnson.

City poured forward and Petrov skipped away down the right in the 43rd minute and delivered a good cross to the back post.

However, Matthew Upson stood firm and made a crucial clearance under pressure with Ireland waiting to pounce on any mistake.

Goalkeeper Robert Green then made a superb save from Johnson in stoppage time.

City regrouped after Richards was carried off and Elano sent a shot into Green's body from the edge of the area after 59 minutes.

They made the breakthrough seven minutes later after a mistake by Hammers defender Upson. He lost his concentration following a cross from Petrov and his clearance landed at the feet of Sturridge.

The striker took full advantage, hammering a shot beyond Green to put his side in the driving seat.

City went 2-0 ahead in the 70th minute with a cool finish from Elano after he had been set up by Ireland and it was no more than they deserved.

They kept the momentum going and made it 3-0 in the 76th minute thanks to Elano's second goal of the match.

The Brazil playmaker scored with a superb half-volley after again being set up by Ireland to seal a comfortable victory.

  read more »