Source: Daily_Mail
Man City 1 Sunderland 0: Richards gets right back on the rampage
Micah Richards has some way to go before he can once more claim to be a member of England's elite band of defenders. But afternoons like this will help.[LNB]It was a difficult day for a malfunctioning City team, who were clearly feeling the effects of last Thursday's UEFA Cup efforts in Denmark.[LNB] Head boy: Micah Richards (second right) scores past Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop[LNB][LNB] Manchester City 1 Sunderland 0: As it happened[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]SUNDERLAND FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB]Playing against 10 men after the early dismissal of Sunderland left back George McCartney, City missed a first-half penalty - Robinho guilty of a shocking attempt - and struggled to impose themselves.[LNB]Richards, however, was a definite bright spot, scoring the winning goal and contributing the type of athletic, rampaging performance from right back that was his trademark until the crisis of confidence that all but ruined the first half of this season.[LNB]Playing now in his preferred position, the 20-year-old has slowly improved since City manager Mark Hughes broke up what was becoming a calamitous central pairing with Richard Dunne and this was perhaps his best performance for a year.[LNB] Centre of attention: Richards is mobbed by team-mates after his goal[LNB][LNB]It will not be enough to get Richards back in the England squad yet. He has lost too much ground on the likes of Portsmouth's Glen Johnson and coach Fabio Capello has made it clear in private he is not a fan of the City player.[LNB]Hughes said: 'There was real determination in Micah's play and he had a positive impact. He has had some confidence problems but he is coming good at the right time. Remember, he is still a young man.'[LNB]Richards' defining contribution came in the 56th minute of a game that City were threatening to make a mess of. A simple, training-ground goal it was, too.[LNB]A free-kick from the right was delivered to the far post by Elano and Richards climbed impressively to head the ball back across exposed Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop and into the far corner.[LNB]Soon after, a bullish run down the right saw Richards set up Elano for a second goal that would have finished the game, but the Brazilian poked his shot wide. It would have been one of the goals of the season at Eastlands.[LNB]Ultimately one goal was enough and Hughes carried the look of a relieved man as he headed down the tunnel. The home team really should have made it easier for themselves after McCartney's sending- off in the 15th minute.[LNB] Taking the lead: Man City boss Mark Hughes barks the orders as his Sunderland counterpart Ricky Sbragia looks on [LNB][LNB]Dismissed for a tug at Shaun Wright-Phillips' shirt, it was a marginal call and one that referee Steve Tanner made on the advice of a linesman.[LNB]Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia said: 'There was contact but their player was never going to get the ball. The goalkeeper had it in his hands. I don't think it was a sending-off and it changed the game. We may look to get it rescinded.'[LNB]If the dismissal was contentious then the penalty decision four minutes later was not, as Steed Malbranque lost his mind and hacked down Richards. Robinho - usually quite effective at home - attempted one of those ridiculous, staggered run-ups and was left looking foolish when Fulop dropped to his left to save what transpired to be a very weak shot.[LNB]Anyone can miss a penalty, of course, but that effort was indicative of another poor afternoon by Robinho. His recent form suggests he now deserves to be dropped and, with Martin Petrov on the verge of fitness, he soon will be.[LNB] Manchester City 1 Sunderland 0: As it happened[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]SUNDERLAND FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]
