Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City 3 Liverpool 0: Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry punish Roy Hodgson's sorry Reds
For Roberto Mancini and his players there were major Brownie points as well as the three that come with every win in the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]Because this was the night when they needed to impress the boss. The night when Sheik Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to give him his full title, finally showed up to see what you get for £350million in transfer fees these days. [LNB]That it took him the best part of two years to make it here from Abu Dhabi when he has his own fleet of private jets is something only Manchester City's owner can explain. But he picked a good night to take a first look at his football team, witnessing a thumping defeat of a club even he probably recognises as one of the giants of the global game.[LNB]Warm welcome: Barry celebrates his strike with debutant James Milner[LNB]It took roughly half the fortune he has so far spent to condemn a disappointing Liverpool to a crushing defeat, goals from Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez proving enough to follow a decent draw at Tottenham with a win that will do much for the confidence of this hastilyassembled team. [LNB]James Milner, selected alongside five other England internationals, enjoyed an excellent debut. He not only delivered the final ball for the first two goals but combined brilliantly with the excellent Adam Johnson in providing a real threat down the flanks.[LNB]For Fabio Capello's deputy, Franco Baldini, there was much that must have impressed him, including another outstanding display from Joe Hart as well as a composed, confident night's work from Barry. [LNB]All too easy: An unmarked Barry slots home City's first goal from close range[LNB]City are shaping up much as Chelsea do and with Barry joined by Yaya Toure and Nigel De Jong, they dominated midfield in a manner familiar to those who regularly attend Stamford Bridge, although the late withdrawal of Javier Mascherano clearly weakened the opposition. The little Argentine was excellent against Arsenal nine days ago and his ball-winning ability was certainly missed. [LNB]For Roy Hodgson it was most disappointing. He must have been encouraged by that opening encounter with Arsenal. But the abject failure of his side to put Hart under pressure until the first two goals were scored would have worried him, however positive he seemed in his post-match press conference, especially when there is meant to be a burning desire in the side to put right the wrongs of the last campaign and start challenging for the big prizes again. [LNB]Judging by the way they have started this season, those big prizes would now appear to be within City's reach. Last night the top four comprised Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and City and, while it remains ridiculously early to make such predictions, it would not be a surprise to see those sides claiming the Champions League places come May. [LNB]Poacher: A grounded Carlos Tevez scores his side's second goal[LNB]When Mancini opted for the same slightly defensive approach he employed on opening day at Tottenham, there was a sense here at Eastlands that the Italian was being too cautious. [LNB]But those hoping to see a touch more adventure were not disappointed for long, a goal very much made in England lifting their spirits - and marking the arrival of Milner - after 13 minutes. [LNB]It was a fine example of fluent, passing football, sparked by a super pass from Johnson that was delivered between Daniel Agger and Milan Jovanovic and continued with an intelligent cut-back from Milner that was met by a well-executed first time shot from Barry. A smiling Sheik Mansour looked most impressed. [LNB] Delight: Argentina striker Tevez celebrates his first strike[LNB]By then Johnson had already sent a powerful drive whistling past Pepe Reina's right-hand post and the sight of Tevez smashing a shot into the side-netting would have only added to an animated Hodgson's anxiety. [LNB]His side were struggling in the absence of the combative Mascherano and he was not amused, almost losing his footing at one stage so angry was he with David Ngog. [LNB]Seven minutes after the break Hodgson's mood worsened, City increasing their lead thanks this time to an excellent Milner corner. If Liverpool's defending was poor for Barry's strike, Agger will wince at being beaten in the air by Micah Richards, whose header bounced past Reina. [LNB] Spot on: Tevez rounds off the scoring with a penalty[LNB]In fairness to the goalkeeper, he did have the additional distraction ofTevez making a nuisance of himself in front of him, and the Argentina striker was awarded the goal even though it wasn't clear if he got the final touch.[LNB]MATCH FACTS MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-2-1): Hart 7;Richards 7, K Toure 6, Kompany 7, Lescott 6; De Jong 7, Y Toure 7 (Zabaleta 85min), Barry 7; A Johnson 8, Milner 8; Tevez 7 (Jo 85). Subs not used: Given, Wright-Phillips, Adebayor, Silva, Vieira. Booked: Richards.LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina 6; Johnson 5, Carragher 6, Skrtel 4, Agger 4; Kuyt 6, Gerrard 6, Lucas 5, Jovanovic 5 (Pacheco 86); Ngog 5, Torres 6 (Babel 78). Subs not used: Jones, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Rodriguez, Poulsen. Booked: Skrtel.Man of the match: Adam Johnson.Referee: Phil Dowd 7. [LNB]Only then did Liverpool muster any kind of response, but when a shot from Steven Gerrard rebounded off a post, Hart then produced a magnificent double save to deny first Ngog and then a quiet Fernando Torres. Further vindication of Mancini's decision to select Hart ahead of Shay Given. [LNB]Completing a fine night's work, Johnson earned the penalty that enabled Tevez to score the third goal with a jinking run that finally ended with a clumsy challenge from Martin Skrtel. [LNB]Tevez stepped up and made no mistake, again to the delight of a City owner who was even treated to something as rare as his appearance at Eastlands. Shortly before the end, Jo stepped off the bench. [LNB]The South American, at least, is not a player on whom Sheik Mansour was persuaded to splash out. No, last night he would have quite rightly felt that the fortune he has so far invested in this City revolution is starting to look like money well spent.[LNB] Likes what he sees: Manchester City owner Sheik Mansour was in attendance[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Manchester City 3 Liverpool 0 - all the action from Eastlands as it happenedJavier Mascherano pulled out of Liverpool squad as Barcelona make £12m move for unsettled starPAUL CONNOLLY: Why Manchester City are good for footballMARTIN SAMUEL: Don't mock Manchester City, they may not be as silly as you think...Liverpool versus Manchester City? 'It's King Kong versus Mickey Mouse' [LNB]
