Prior to this game it was Manchester City who were making all the headlines whose owners are apparently planning anther January transfer window splurge, not only this but Mancini’s time at City is hanging by a tread as City’s owners are getting increasingly frustrated by his sides stop start season and are even more annoyed seeing as they have given Mancini in excess of 120million pounds to spend in under a year.
However, today’s match was all about two football teams with vastly contrasting styles, fortunes and form. Going into this match Stoke had won three of their last four outings in the league including an impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool. City on the other hand has had a very poor November. Following a battering by Polish side Lech Poznan in the Europa league with two home draws in the league against United and Birmingham respectively, many bookies suspended bets on Mancini being the first manager to lose the his job, only for a good 4-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage to temporarily save him. The first half started brightly for Stoke who nearly broke the deadlock with eight minutes on the clock after Delap’s long-throw into the box was headed on by Huth and Fuller was narrowly wide with his volley. Hart had to make a quick double save from Etherington later on and Jones fired a weak shot straight at Hart after a slick one-two with Fuller on the edge of the box. The Stoke keeper was never even tested in the first half as both sides failed to break the deadlock.
The second half started much the same as the first with Stoke again going close, this time through after Shawcross headed narrowly wide from Tuncay’s corner. Both City strikers had poor games as neither Tevez nor Ballotelli managed any decent efforts during the game. Ballotelli managed to miss from close range as Silva’s delightful cross went to the far post and Ballotelli failed to get any contact on the ball even though he was unmarked. Of all people it took a fullback to break the deadlock on 80 minutes when Richards expertly turned his man on the edge of the box before slotting home low and hard into Begovic’s left-hand corner. But Stoke’s pressure paid off in the final minutes when Etherington latched onto Tuncay’s clever back heel to equalize in dramatic fashion and place more pressure on Mancini’s head.
Man of the match was arguably Tuncay. He showed great awareness to provide Etherington with the equalizer and his all-round general play was good. He had a fairly good impact since he came on for Pennant in the 45th minute. In all honesty the only other player he played if reasonably well for either side was Silva who was calm and controlling on the ball without making a huge impact.
The game turned out exactly as people expected with Stoke launching the ball down field to the tall strikers Jones and Fuller and City were happy to sit back in their half and not be adventurous which is what they are known for under Mancini’s reign. City have got to change their formation if they ever want to win this league, all their results prove that three defence minded midfielders doesn’t work unless you are trying to hold onto a game. Given how much money City have spent on the last three seasons you would expect them to be winning nearly every game instead of holding on for much of them. I can’t see Mancini lasting much longer there. He just doesn’t know how to handle the EPL or how to handle top players like great mangers like Ferguson, Mourinho or Hiddink can. Until Mancini releases his team’s defensive shackles they will win no silverware for man seasons to come.
It was another poor display from City but all credit should go to Stoke, they didn’t give their illustrious opponents any room today and went at them all game and fully deserved the draw. They have done well this season and have earned their spot in the top half of the table and I fully hope they stay there.
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