Source: Team_Talk
Poznan Pole-axed by hat-trick hero Ade
Emmanuel Adebayor became the first Manchester City player to score a European hat-trick as Lech Poznan were beaten 3-1 at Eastlands.[LNB] Adebayor made a compelling case for a start against his former club Arsenal on Sunday by firing City to a deserved Europa League victory.[LNB]The former Gunners star enjoyed a stormy appearance against the north Londoners last term, scoring, winning, but getting the Arsenal fans upset with his celebration, then picking up a three-match ban for an ill-advised tackle on Robin van Persie.[LNB]It has not been plain sailing for Adebayor since. But on this evidence he would relish an appearance against the club who collected £25million when he left to join City last year.[LNB]Adebayor's show, aided by cameos from David Silva and Adam Johnson, was certainly too much for Lech Poznan and put City in line to tie up a place in the final 32 with plenty to spare.[LNB]Even on a night when Adebayor took centre stage, Wayne Rooney was not far from anyone's thoughts.[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini does not believe he will leave Old Trafford, former strike partner Carlos Tevez is less convinced.[LNB]City officials were unable to confirm, or completely reject, speculation that Tevez had spoken on the phone with owner Sheikh Mansour about Rooney's potential.[LNB]But if the conversation did take place, Tevez would unquestionably have provided a positive reference given they were team-mates in 2008 when Manchester United won both the Premier League and Champions League.[LNB]Where Rooney's arrival would leave Adebayor is open to question.[LNB]The Togo striker has never hidden his dissatisfaction at not being part of Mancini's first-choice line-up and his qualities are such that a background of disruption will not put many suitors off.[LNB]He is certainly capable of igniting a team, as he did against Arsenal last year, and as he did again tonight, three days before his former club head to Eastlands with Arsene Wenger desperate to avoid a repeat of the crushing defeat his old striker inflicted upon him 12 months ago.[LNB]Adebayor's opener required an excellent piece of skill, which took him past Poznan skipper Bartosz Bosacki as he collected Patrick Vieira's pass, before calmly stroking into the bottom corner.[LNB]For a man of such imposing size, it was a reminder of his golden touch, his first goal of the season accompanied by a celebration akin to dusting off the cobwebs, presumably from the number of times he has sat on the bench this term.[LNB]Far more typical was the towering header he applied to Silva's well delivered left-wing cross, which arrowed into the same part of the goal.[LNB]City could have had more before the break, with Silva hugely impressive in a floating role just behind Adebayor, flanked by Shaun Wright-Phillips and Adam Johnson.[LNB]The visitors offered little, although their supporters - who turned up in huge numbers - made a great impression thanks to their noise and amazing backs-to-the-play dance, which their home counterparts mimicked after Adebayor had struck for the first time.[LNB]All that changed within four minutes of the re-start, when Joel Tshibamba struck.[LNB]Joleon Lescott spent so much time pleading his innocence when Slawomir Peszko went down under his challenge that he forgot to complete the clearance.[LNB]Pablo Zabaleta got himself into a tangle too, so somehow the ball was allowed to roll kindly for Marcin Kikut, whose off-target shot fell perfectly for Tshibamba.[LNB]The striker wasted little time in firing past Joe Hart.[LNB]For a time it appeared Poznan were going to complete an impressive rescue act.[LNB]A couple of fortunate ricochets presented Tshibamba with a golden chance to equalise.[LNB]But to the clear frustration of coach Jacek Zielinski, he skied his effort over the bar.[LNB]It was the cue for Silva to deliver the pass of the night, curled delicately around the visitors' back four, perfectly for Adebayor.[LNB]The striker had already failed to convert one excellent chance to complete his three-timer. He was not about to do it again.[LNB]Shortly afterwards, Silva departed to a standing ovation, then an only marginally less impressive Johnson clipped the crossbar.[LNB]Rooney should probably think carefully before committing to coming here. He might not get a game.
