City holds off Spurs in opener
Source: Agencies |
August 15, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER City unleashed around 70 million pounds (US$110 million) worth of signings as the English Premier League kicked off yesterday but it was Joe Hart, a keeper who cost nothing, who earned it a point in a 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.
Hart, who played for England against Hungary on Wednesday, made six superb saves to keep City in the game before halftime. His teammates finally woke up to give Tottenham a contest after the interval.
In the end a draw was just about a fair result as City shaded the second half and both sides showed enough to suggest they will be serious contenders to finish in the top four, and possibly even in the mix for the title.
Chelsea, which won the league and FA Cup double, was starting its season later at home to West Brom-wich Albion while Manchester United, runner-up last season, must wait until tomorrow to open its campaign against Newcastle United.
Tottenham and City were involved in an absorbing scrap for fourth place last season, a fight Tottenham finally won thanks to a 1-0 win at Eastlands in May.
Harry Redknapp's side was the more cohesive unit yesterday as it clicked straight into its old rhythm. Spurs could have been out of sight before halftime as Roberto Mancini's rich side played the opening half at half pace.
City, which has spent more than 100 million pounds in the transfer market since finishing fifth last season, gave debuts to Yaya Toure, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov, but it was Hart who kept it in the game.
As late as Friday, Mancini said he had not decided whether Hart or Shay Given would start the season in goal for City. The Italian's eventual decision proved fully justified as Hart denied a rampant Tottenham in the first half.
His first reflex save to block Jermain Defoe's close-range volley was superb and minutes later he tumbled to his right to save a dipping volley from Tom Huddlestone.
With City's big names struggling to make an impact, Hart again produced heroics to claw away Benoit Assou Ekotto's deflected shot.
On the half-hour mark Hart was finally beaten but Gareth Bale's skidding shot thumped the base of the post and Aaron Lennon's follow-up was blocked by Vincent Kompany.
Mancini grimaced on the touchline as his expensive side spluttered on the lush green turf. Whatever he told his players at halftime had an impact and they were greatly improved in the second half. Almost immediately Shaun Wright Phillips was sent clear by a scooped pass from Yaya Toure, but he was denied by a goal-saving tackle by Assou-Ekotto.
Wright Phillips made way for England winger Adam Johnson midway through the second half while Redknapp switched his strikers with Defoe and Peter Crouch replaced by Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Hart, who played for England against Hungary on Wednesday, made six superb saves to keep City in the game before halftime. His teammates finally woke up to give Tottenham a contest after the interval.
In the end a draw was just about a fair result as City shaded the second half and both sides showed enough to suggest they will be serious contenders to finish in the top four, and possibly even in the mix for the title.
Chelsea, which won the league and FA Cup double, was starting its season later at home to West Brom-wich Albion while Manchester United, runner-up last season, must wait until tomorrow to open its campaign against Newcastle United.
Tottenham and City were involved in an absorbing scrap for fourth place last season, a fight Tottenham finally won thanks to a 1-0 win at Eastlands in May.
Harry Redknapp's side was the more cohesive unit yesterday as it clicked straight into its old rhythm. Spurs could have been out of sight before halftime as Roberto Mancini's rich side played the opening half at half pace.
City, which has spent more than 100 million pounds in the transfer market since finishing fifth last season, gave debuts to Yaya Toure, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov, but it was Hart who kept it in the game.
As late as Friday, Mancini said he had not decided whether Hart or Shay Given would start the season in goal for City. The Italian's eventual decision proved fully justified as Hart denied a rampant Tottenham in the first half.
His first reflex save to block Jermain Defoe's close-range volley was superb and minutes later he tumbled to his right to save a dipping volley from Tom Huddlestone.
With City's big names struggling to make an impact, Hart again produced heroics to claw away Benoit Assou Ekotto's deflected shot.
On the half-hour mark Hart was finally beaten but Gareth Bale's skidding shot thumped the base of the post and Aaron Lennon's follow-up was blocked by Vincent Kompany.
Mancini grimaced on the touchline as his expensive side spluttered on the lush green turf. Whatever he told his players at halftime had an impact and they were greatly improved in the second half. Almost immediately Shaun Wright Phillips was sent clear by a scooped pass from Yaya Toure, but he was denied by a goal-saving tackle by Assou-Ekotto.
Wright Phillips made way for England winger Adam Johnson midway through the second half while Redknapp switched his strikers with Defoe and Peter Crouch replaced by Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko.
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