Match Report - Manchester City 0-0 WBA
By Danny Deeming
September 13 2005
Match Report From The City Of Machester Stadium - Manchester City Football Club VS West Bromwich Albion Football Club
The exploits of Manchester City keeper David James and his West Brom counterpart Chris Kirkland ensured both teams had to settle for a draw. Kirkland was first to be called upon when he had to dive low to his left to save a well-struck Claudio Reyna shot. At the other end, Zolton Gera was wide with a free header before James rescued his side when he came out on top in a one-on-one duel with Kevin Campbell. City's Joey Barton almost stole it late on but Kirkland again saved. There had been little to choose between the two sides in the early stages before City started to force West Brom onto the backfoot after the initial sparring. Striker Andy Cole had a glancing header saved by Kirkland before flashing an angled shot just wide for the home side. A deft piece of skill by Kanu almost unlocked City's defence but David Sommeil was alert to the danger and got in enough of a challenge to force the Baggies hitman to scuff his shot. But City were spraying the ball around with some authority as they probed for an opening and they came close after 26 minutes. Right winger Trevor Sinclair crossed for Barton only for his goalbound volley from the edge of the area to parried wide by keeper Kirkland. City's pressing when not in possession was impressive and they had a determination about them which embodied manager Stuart Pearce in his playing days. But the Baggies were typifying the battling qualities of their boss Bryan Robson and the pendulum began to swing their way as the first half wore on. Gera had a great chance to give the visitors the lead only to head against the outside of the post with a free header from a Jonathan Greening cross. As the two teams grappled for the lead, City were denied by another excellent save by Kirkland when denied Reyna. James proved his worth for City when his quick reflexes helped him save from Campbell immediately after the break. At the other end, Baggies defender Thomas Gaardsoe was left breathing a sigh of relief after his backpass found Cole who could not capitalise and saw his shot saved. City were incensed when the referee blew for a foul instead of awarding an advantage when it seemed they may have broken through the Baggies rearguard. Barton was again denied by Kirkland in the latter stages as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce: "There has been a change in Joey Barton. He is a better balanced person.But this is an ongoing thing. I don't think we can shut the door and say that episode of his life is finished. That would not be the right thing to do. He will continue to speak to the people concerned as often as it is deemed necessary. Joey has to come out the other end, whether that is at 35, 45 or 55, and not get into the kind of scrapes he has been in during recent times."
West Brom boss Bryan Robson: "The quality in the Premiership is a lot higher than the Championship but we feel Nathan has the pace and power to contribute goals in this division, said Robson about the imminent arrival of striker Nathan Ellington.
By improving our defence last season, we gave ourselves a platform to go out and win games.To win them, we need to score goals and Nathan's arrival will give us more options in that department."
Attendance: 42,983
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
Kirkland
Albrechtsen
Gaardsoe
Clement
Robinson
Greening (Watson 80)
Wallwork (Chaplow 90)
Inamoto
Gera
Campbell
Kanu (Kamara 60).
James
Sommeil
Thatcher
Mills
Jordan
Sinclair (Croft 85)
Barton
Reyna
Musampa (Sibierski 90)
Cole
Vassell (Wright-Phillips 70).
Manchester City West Bromwich Albion
0 Goals 0 Goals
8 Shots on target 3 Shots on target
5 Shots off Target 7 Shots off Target
2 Blocked Shots 2 Blocked Shots
3 Corners Won 6 Corners Won
15 Total Fouls Conceded 12 Total Fouls Conceded
5 Offsides 5 Offsides
2 Yellow Cards 3 Yellow Cards
0 Red Cards 0 Red Cards
59% Possession 41% Possession