Man City 1 Wigan 0: Zabaleta secures win for Kaka chasing City

18 January 2009 23:23
Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta hit the winner against Wigan Athletic ‘We have to try to do what is best for the club so that we can keep climbing the table,’ said the Argentine defender. ‘The club has some very beautiful plans and has money to buy important players.   More... We won't replace Kaka if he goes to Manchester City, insists AC Milan's Galliani Kaka could be Manchester City's Ronaldo, says Micah Richards Man City v Wigan: How the game unfolded 'That is a good thing. It is good because we hope that in a short space of time Manchester City will be fighting for the League and playing in the Champions League.’ Hughes was keen to temper expectations. ‘It’s not going to happen overnight,’ insisted the City boss. ‘You have to commit on a long-term basis and if a player such as Kaka understands and wants to be part of it, then it will be a long-term commitment.’ City skipper Richard Dunne was sent off in the win over Wigan But for a wayward finish and a goal-line block from Titus Bramble, Robinho should have put his side two ahead inside 25 minutes, so Zabaleta’s first goal for the club seven minutes after the restart was just what was required. But Dunne’s loss of control swung the balance back in Wigan’s favour moments later. Jumping with Amr Zaki, the City skipper felt he was elbowed but had to go after kicking out at the Egyptian. Wigan threw everything at City, but when Zaki missed an open goal with a header with five minutes to go, their chances evaporated. MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Hart 7; Richards 6, Dunne 5, Onuoha 6, Bridge 6; Zabaleta 8, Kompany 8; Wright-Phillips 6, Elano 6,Robinho 6; Sturridge 6 (Garrido 62, 6). Sent off: Dunne 54. Booked: Robinho. WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland 7; Melchiot 6, Bramble 7 (Camara 87), Scharner 6,Figueroa 7 (Kapo 74, 6); Valencia 7,Palacios 6, Cattermole 6, Taylor 6 (DeRidder 58, 6); Heskey 7, Zaki 6. Booked: Cattermole, Bramble, Palacios, Kirkland. Man of the match: Pablo Zabaleta. Referee: Lee Mason.   More... We won't replace Kaka if he goes to Manchester City, insists AC Milan's Galliani Kaka could be Manchester City's Ronaldo, says Micah Richards Man City v Wigan: How the game unfolded  

Source: Daily_Mail