Source: Man_City
City 5 Birmingham 1
Vincent Kompany (left) Nedum Onuoha (centre) and Emmanuel Adebayor celebrate City's second goalGoal hungry Manchester City brushed aside the challenge of Birmingham at Eastlands to take another step towards fourth spot in the Premier League. The Blues, playing with a smile and a swagger, took the lead when Carlos Tevez stroked a penalty home after Emmanuel Adebayor was fouled in the box. City were soon two up when Nedum Onuoha crashed in a header that took the slightest of deflections off Tevez's toe before going in. Roberto Mancini's men were briefly pegged back when slack defending allowed Cameron Jerome to nod home a close range header, but a swift break away move saw Craig Bellamy set up Adebayor for City's third. Onuoha added a fourth with a fine sole effort - albeit with the aid of a few friendly bounces - and Adebayor rounded off the win with a smartly taken fifth. City are now four points clear of fifth placed Tottenham having played a game more. Sunday's win, on top of last week's 6-1 victory at Burnley, means the Blues now also have a superior goal difference to Spurs. And they go into next week's derby with great confidence. Guest of honour at the game was former City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, 86, who broke his neck in the victory against Birmingham in the 1956 FA Cup final. He saw City dominate the first half and Adebayor found the side netting after being released by Tevez, who was looking for the return pass. Birmingham again found themselves on the back foot after 14 minutes with Tevez firing wide following good link up play involving Craig Bellamy and Adebayor. The visitors then got themselves in a muddle at the back but Adebayor could not take advantage and failed to test Maik Taylor. City maintained the momentum and Adebayor turned quickly in the area after 33 minutes only to see Roger Johnson and Taylor combine to block his shot. Five minutes later Tevez made the breakthrough with his 27th goal of a remarkable first season at the club. Tevez penalty The Argentina striker scored from the penalty spot after Scott Dann was adjudged to have bundled over Adebayor. Tevez stepped up and sent Taylor the wrong way with his effort to put City in the driving seat. They went 2-0 ahead in the 40th minute when Onuoha was left unmarked as Adam Johnson swung in a corner. The full-back thought he scored with a firm downward header and wheeled away in delight but Tevez got the last touch before the ball crossed the line. However, Birmingham pulled a goal back two minutes later with Cameron Jerome heading home following a cross from James McFadden. City responded immediately with Adebayor making it 3-1 in the 43rd minute when he got on the end of Bellamy?s delivery with Taylor out of position. They almost extended their lead in the 50th minute after Onuoha got on the end of a free-kick from Bellamy but saw his header go over the bar. Play switched back down the other end and Keith Fahey should have scored when Shay Given failed to deal with a cross but the striker headed wide. Tevez then squandered a good opportunity in the 60th minute after Bellamy had put Roger Johnson under pressure. The ball broke to the City striker and he raced on only to get a heavy touch and Taylor was able to gather it up. Birmingham were making a decent fist of it, however, and Fahey rattled in a shot that was blocked by Given?s legs. Then Tevez thought he had scored in the 64th minute only for Taylor to claw away his excellent free-kick from 20 yards. Tevez saw his close range effort parried by Taylor in the 71st minute but Bellamy spooned the rebound into the crowd. City went further ahead in the 74th minute with Onouha shrugging off a couple of half-hearted challenges before sending a shot beyond the despairing Taylor. Birmingham were being stretched and Adebayor secured his brace two minutes from time after running from deep before beating Taylor. What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.
