Today’s Starting 11
25. Joe Hart
5. Pablo Zarbaleta
4. Vincent Kompany (c)
5. Joleon Lescott
13. Alexander Kolorov
7. James Milner
42. Yaya Toure
21. David Silva
11. Adam Johnson
45. Mario Balotelli
10. Edin Dzeko
Man of the Match- Yaya Toure
Goal of the Match- Edin Dzeko taking the net off for his first goal
Save of the Match- Joe Hart stretching to save late on
Moment of the Match- Kompany receiving the ball, turning and almost falling over before very competently passing it to the opposition
Bexley Athletic returned to league action after two weeks postponed due to frosty weather. A multi-million pound line up would face familiar opponents in Woodside Celtic Reserves. Manager Roberto Mancini had some selection headaches, in that he only had eleven players. Woodside went one better by starting the game with 10 men. The referee at the Etihad Stadium was Lee Mason.
Kompany lost the toss but immediately tried to redeem himself by calling a huddle. This looked to have the desired effect as Woodside had a dreadful opening 10 minutes finding themselves 2-0 down. Bexley scored within minutes. . David Silva showed supreme skill to pick the ball up and take it round several defenders before finishing in tidy fashion. Question marks over the goalkeeper should have done better but take nothing away from Silva. Silva was involved in the second goal, as he laid the ball of for the misfiring Edin Dzeko. There was nothing misfiring about this strike as it took the net off the goal. 2-0 Bexley.
The game then settled down. Woodside acquire their 11th which bought them into the game. However, the internationals at the back were showing professionalism and competency in their defending. Kolorov when in hard and fair on the right midfielder, signalling his intentions. He would be paid back very soon. Kolorov, caught out of position letting his player in. Joe Hart stood big at his near post to palm the ball away. Communication issues were leaking their way into the Bexley team. Players were going for the same ball. This would cost them as a master class in how not to defend led to Woodside’s goal. Kolorov, Lescott, and Kompany couldn’t clear the ball between them, and then kicked it against each other for it to fall for the pouncing forward to score through Zarbaleta’s legs leaving Hart helpless.
Bexley confidence looked knocked and mistakes looked to creep in. Yaya Toure did his best to keep command of the midfield. Woodside were pushing, Hart saved into the crowd and was swept away by the defence as Bexley looked to get a grip on the game. Balotelli’s movement up front was making space which was not being taken up by his team. Johnson cut inside from the left forcing a save from the goalkeeper, with Milner on the other side supporting the front two well. Bexley got their third 10 minutes before half time, Dzeko with a superb individual finish.
Mancini obviously wanted to bring more of the team into attacking play, and set his team out appropriately in the second half. Weary one goal would bring Woodside back into the contest, Bexley would need to sure up their defending. Kolorov and Zarbaleta kept the flanks tight as Woodside found little success through the middle with Toure always back to help out.
Balotelli looked eager to get in on the goal action. Aware out of favour Carlos Tevez had turned up and was watching on the side-lines, motivation was high. He looked to have his goal as he was in on the keeper and chipped him superbly only to find the ball come back off the bar. Another opportunity passed Bexley as Kompany high up the pitch opted to head instead of strike and saw his attempt spin round the post. Up the other end, Hart was down smartly to turn a poked shot round the post.
With Silva and Toure now dominated the midfield, and Kolorov and Jonson combining well on the left, Bexley now looked in control. They earned themselves a penalty when Balotelli was put through and taken down. Theatrical it may have been, but a penalty it was. With Tevez on the side-lines, the penalty was between Dzeko on a hat trick, Milner, Balotelli or Johnson. The latter was chosen, and he sent the keeper the wrong way staking his claim to be long term spot kick taker. With Tevez having missed 20% of his penalties, and Johnson yet to fail from the spot, Mancini would have a decision to make.
The tempo of the game slowed as both teams were aware the game as a contest was over. Balotelli was showing his fiery side as he continued to dispute the penalty decision with Woodside players, showing little concern when Kompany was down holding his head. Hart’s dodgy kicking was bringing the opposition into attacking positions. Woodside kept pushing and forced another save from Hart from close range as he dived the opposite way. There was enough time for Dzeko to get his hat-trick as he combined with Johnson to slot the ball past the keeper. A last minute mix up between Lescott and Hart proved uneventful as Bexley showed they were Athletic by nature in a dominant win.
Well played Toure, man of the match. Kolorov and Zarbaleta excellent at full back with Edin Dzeko taking home the match ball. Bexley, up to third, having played a game more with 24 points from 14 games. Roberto Mancini, looking forward to the upcoming cup game against local rivals Man Utd said “if we play like that we will beat the easily.
