Source: Telegraph
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Manchester City 3: match report
After all the rage against the machinations at Manchester City, the players have responded calmly and professionally, particularly Carlos Tévez and Craig Bellamy, who are leading the way forward in every sense. Tevez struck twice, Javier Garrido added another and Bellamy was everywhere as Roberto Mancini enjoyed his second successive victory. [LNB]If the eventual scoreline was tough on Wolves, who had energy but no finish and certainly no sympathy from the referee, City's victory was rooted in the industry of Tevez and Bellamy and particularly a vital tactical alteration by Mark Hughes's replacement as manager. City will face tougher tests than this but in the freezing cold, against pumped-up hosts, this was an important hurdle cleared by Mancini and a reminder that 4-4-2 is the way ahead. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League actionPremier League tableTelegraph player raterPremier League fixturesTransfer TalkSport on televisionStill lacking a target man with Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor injured, Mancini set City up in 4-1-4-1 formation until his successful decision to switch to 4-4-2, pushing the outstanding Bellamy closer to Tevez, bringing the 34th-minute goal. The pace and persistence of the new-look strike-force, short of size but big of heart, thoroughly alarmed Wolves defence, combining for the breakthrough. Bellamy looked as liberated in the middle as Robinho looked forlorn and frozen on the City bench.[LNB]Mancini needs strong characters such as Bellamy. Martin Petrov was impressing, having shifted from right to left. With the Bulgarian breaking at speed, City had a far better tempo and sharper attacking edge. It was an important switch by Mancini as his team were outmuscled and outmanoeuvred for the first half-hour.[LNB]Wolves really went for the visitors early on, sensing the initial vulnerability. Nigel de Jong, sitting deep, was working over-time, seeking to stop Wolves getting the ball to the wide acres from where McCarthy's men hoisted crosses to Kevin Doyle and Chris Iwelumo. Such is De Jong's importance to City that Michael Mancienne gave him an early compliment of a very late tackle.[LNB]Mancienne also showed his creative streak, lifting in a cross from the right that Iwelumo headed down and Andrew Surman fired wastefully over. Then the lively Doyle twice nipped in to nick the ball from Gareth Barry.[LNB]Confidence began filling Old-Gold veins, Karl Henry testing Shay Given with a low drive.[LNB]City knew they were in a scrap. They needed someone to take responsibility. Mancini, resplendent in his City scarf again, acted, shaking up his attack with the hugely significant Bellamy move. And so the visitors began to build a forward platform. When Petrov crossed, Tevez just failed to make contact.[LNB]They were getting closer. Released by Barry, Petrov sped forward again, sweeping over a cross that Wolves should have dealt with. Tevez turned George Elokobi, drove the ball back in and Bellamy somehow shot over from six yards.[LNB]No matter. Mancini's tactical tweak was paying off. When Petrov slid the ball down the inside-left channel, Bellamy cleverly let it run through his legs and then darted after it. Wolves were cut open, unable to deal with the escalating danger. Bellamy laid the ball back for Tevez, whose 10-yard shot deflected off Christophe Berra and wrongfooted Marcus Hahnemann.[LNB]Once again, Tevez had delivered for City when they needed a spark.[LNB]Having netted his seventh goal in seven games, Tevez then rushed back to re-direct Elokobi's header to safety.[LNB]Although the Wolves fans took great delight in baiting Bellamy, even chanting the name of Kevin Muscat who once sliced open the Welshman's knee, Molineux had good reason to be grateful to Bellamy. When Berra, leaping over Bellamy, landed with a sickening thud, hitting the frosty ground on the side of his face, and his neck snapping back, Bellamy shouted for the game to stop. The medics sprinted on, and Berra eventually clambered to his feet but was unable to continue.[LNB]Bellamy could have made it a more relaxing second half but snaked a shot just wide. Wolves refused to go quietly. Their main player of real quality, Doyle, kept Toure and Kompany on their toes. Escaping Toure, Doyle arrowed in on goal and only a fine stop from Given rescued City.[LNB]Determined to kill off Wolves, Mancini elected to shake up his team again, withdrawing the quiet Ireland, introducing Javier Garrido at left-back and pushing Pablo Zabaleta into midfield. Once again, the move worked. When Barry was fouled by Mancienne, Garrido elegantly bent the free-kick around the wall and past Hahnemann.[LNB]As City celebrated, Wolves were enraged, believing it had been the cheapest of awards as Bellamy was offside before the Mancienne challenge.[LNB]'Two-nil to the referee,'' chanted four-fifths of Molineux. McCarthy delivered a few pithy observations to the linesman.[LNB]As the boos intensified for Bellamy and the referee, City fans enjoyed themselves by chanting 'ole'' at a long, meandering move.[LNB]Tevez crowned an excellent personal performance with a neat second, giving Hahnemann no chance with his shot. When Tevez departed in the final minute he was given a standing ovation by the 3,500 City fans, celebrating their first away win since August. [LNB]
