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FT: Man City 3-2 Sporting (3-3 agg) – Sporting advance on away goals
Right, that’s it from me. Thanks, as always, for your comments, and for reading.
Here’s one more chance to see that dramatic last-minute Joe Hart chance:
Mancini calls the game “strange,” and says they “didn’t play as a team in the second half”. He says he was “disappointed” with Balotelli for conceding the free kick that led to the first goal, but says it’s “not Mario’s fault”.
All in all, it has been a spirited but error-strewn display from City. Individual errors have ultimately cost them dearly.
Sporting, meanwhile, will breathe a sigh of relief, after their plan to park the bus in the second half backfired somewhat.
Joe Hart admits to ESPN that he thought his chance at the end was in, and blames City’s loss on their below-par first half performance.
Asked whether he should’ve kept the first goal out, he evades the question somewhat, saying: “I wanted to keep it out.”
Incredible stuff at the end – Joe Hart was up from a corner and headed it a mere inch or two wide.
Sergio Aguero has been given the man-of-the-match award. But it looks like it’ll only be a consolation for City.
The number of Sporting players who have gone down ‘injured’ in the last few minutes is quite alarming.
Aguero scores from close range, after a City corner is headed on by Savic. Game on!
Pereirinha falls to the ground dramatically after being fouled, and Nigel De Jong tries to pick him up off his feet. “Pathetic,” is the verdict of Craig Burley, who considers him to be play acting.
Balotelli confidently slots it into the corner, after Neto tripped Aguero. It was definitely a foul, but whether it was inside or outside the area is debatable.
Sporting invariably have every player in their own half whenever City are attacking. And with less than 20 minutes remaining, City now need a miracle to advance.
City substitution: Nasri has replaced Silva, who has been carrying an injury lately.
Here’s another look at that Fernandez goal from earlier:
Kolarov’s free kick fails to trouble Patricio.
I wouldn’t write City off entirely just yet.
Great through ball from Toure to find an unmarked Aguero, who confidently smashes it into the corner of the net. One down, three to go.
A last-ditch tackle from Savic prevents Capel from bursting through on goal. City are still looking vulnerable on the counter-attack.
As I said…
Nigel De Jong has replaced Adam Johnson for this second half. Hardly the most positive substitution from Mancini.
“City are going to go out against a team in a Mickey Mouse league,” according to ESPN’s Robbie Savage. A bit harsh, surely.
This is quite a bizarre result, considering how comfortably Man City beat Porto, but Mancini’s side have played relatively poorly over the course of this game, perhaps suffering from a lack of confidence in light of their loss to Swansea at the weekend. They have failed to really catch fire in attack, in addition to committing some sloppy errors at the back, which have been punished by Sporting’s highly effective counter-attack.
Van Wolfswinkel taps into the empty net after a cross from a conspicuously unmarked Izmailov. City now need to score four in order to advance to the next round.
Following the goal, Mancini pointed his finger accusingly at Balotelli, after the Italian gave away a cheap free kick in the lead up. I’d like to imagine he replied: “Why always me?”.
Joe Hart can only parry a stunning Fernandez free kick into the net. 1-0 to Sporting.
Controversial. Fernandez is booked for diving inside the City box, but replays show there was contact, even if the Chilean did exaggerate his fall.
Chance for Balotelli, courtesy of a great through ball from Aguero, but he takes too much time to shoot, consequently allowing the defender to make a recovery tackle. The Italian then petulantly boots the ball away in frustration after it has gone out of play.
City have started brightly, playing the majority of the game in the opposition’s half, without really testing their goalkeeper yet.
Here’s at least partially what caused the problem with those fans earlier (Dave Thompson/PA Wire/Press Association Images):
There seems to be a bit of trouble in the area of the stadium where the 1,000 or so Sporting supporters are congregated. City stewards have moved in seemingly to keep an eye on things. Watch this space…
Here are the line-ups for this evening’s game:
Man City: Hart, Richards, Toure, Savic, Kolarov, Pizarro, Toure Yaya, Johnson, Silva, Balotelli, Aguero. Subs: Pantilimon, Milner, Dzeko, Nasri, Clichy, De Jong, Roman.
Sporting: Rui Patricio, Daniel Carrico, Xandao, Anderson Polga, Insua, Bruno Pereirinha, Fernandez, Schaars, Diego Capel, Izmailov, van Wolfswinkel. Subs: Marcelo, Evaldo, Jeffren, Carrillo, Andre Santos, Neto, Rubio.
Jeez it’s looking like Leicester might actually do this. Unbelievable! Really hope they can keep it going.
Who the fck is late to a 4pm game?? Jeez Man Utd have become really unprofessional since Fergie left….
Your right Notthatguy they should have foreseen the serious car crash that held up traffic. Shame on them. It’s not like they hadn’t been making the same trip for years
They left it late to start with, thats the issue…. Others made it.
Ah! The comments of someone who never attends a premier league match. So refreshing.
Ahhh yeah, its hard from Canada, do my best to get to one everytime I get back home, but do not lie about it, or go hiding for a month every time my team loses then pretend that I was at the actual games.
Hiding? Who was hiding? I love the obsession Liverpool fans have with United. Can’t believe Ron moved to Canada!
You will be later, again…..
It took the bus 2 hours to make the 8 miles trip to the stadium from their hotel.
I think they gave themselves ample time in fairness.
Like getting through Lucan Village at lunch time.
Took me an hour to get from newlands cross to the redcow once. Thats after id gotten through the lights. I could have walked it ten times in the hour.
You must be from Liverpool then yea ?
Have not been by Newlands cross in years…. How bad is it now? Worked near Red Cow, was always better to cycle.
There’s a flyover there now. No more lights. It’s like a dream.
GET IN! Alli you little beauty!
Wow, a change from when I used to pass through on the 76, tiny intersection….. On the way to Belgard Inn….
2-0 now, BAHAHAHAHA!
LAMELA!!! 1, 2, 3.
Hooray. The clouds are gone and the sunshine supporters are out!!!!!!
Yeah, where was this eggy fool ten minutes ago?
Obsession? Rivalry ye mean, works both ways always will , pool fan
3-0 Karol, who’s the fool now? Dont be so bitter.
Untill the nass drivers can’t find witch lane to get into for naas , kildare drivers are crap
Eggy, to be honest you look the fool only commenting after the goal. (In my opinion)
You are Eggy, obviously.
I love the obsession Irish fans have of shit talking about English clubs. It is a bit pathetic. Liverpool obsessed with United. United obsessed with Liverpool. Who the F cares? Just watch some decent football
LOL! Nigel I expect bitterness from you, get over yourself man.
LOL!
Meanwhile, Niall did indeed disappear, or his mom slapped his as5 to bed….
United team bus stuck in traffic
Should have stayed in traffic!
Yes you should have , but what did mummy tell you about playing in the traffic
LvG probably took notes about the traffic, nothing getting through, good philosophy…..
LOL! I love bitterness so much.
Have a feeling United will win and Leicester will pretty much have it wrapped up today. Stoke might fancy it today against Skrtel and Kolo at the back, Be good to see Ojo and Stewart play.
Hope ur right.
Spurs will go for it now, nothing to lose, so any kind of result for Man Utd would be a bonus…. Sickens me to say that, but for the fairytale that is happening this year, many fans are embarrassed, sickened but proud at the same time. Hoping to see Man Utd win it controversially at the end, and many people turn against them….. Thats the best I can hope for. As for Liverpool, good to see other given a chance, expect a good performance.
Looks Like MU Afraid Too Turn Up
Don’t ever go with your gut instinct Ciaran do the complete opposite
Talk about getting it wrong ^^^
Jeez I’d really hate to be a Man Utd fan with Van Gaal as boss. He’s hasn’t a clue. Blind is way to slow to play at centre half, Schneiderlin is a liability in midfield, bringing on a winger to play up front with a striker on the wing. Look at Pochettino playing his players in positions where they’re most effective. United should’ve stayed on that bus earlier.
Don’t forget mata on the wing and a useless tool (lingaard) in the no. 10 position. Baffling really, the team selection.
Oh Nigel don’t get me started. Van Gaal reminds me of the famous Trappatoni during his Ireland reign. How can the so called biggest club in the world have so many bad players. Depay, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Young, Lingard, Januzaj, Jones and Valencia should all get shipped out. How much money has Van Gaal wasted on pure deadwood
Getting truly sickening watching Utd under this megalomaniac LVG , he has to go , ferguson and his ego also need to butt out for a while .I think he is too proud to admit he has backed another nag in LVG . They are destroying the club
Hopefully he’s still charge on Wednesday!
Jesus! I think Man Utd are now officially the most hated team in England, Europe, World maybe…. What a collapse….. Terrible!
Lads, it’s Tottenham.
Classic fergie
A Man Utd friend used to call WHL
3 point lane
Because they always won there.
How the tables have turned
Moreno finally scores! Lets hope he can also do defensive duties!
Well, that did not last long…
Set piece strikes again. Must be 5 years or more since we could defend set pieces properly
Never helps that there is never the same back 4……
Nice play there from Oyo.
Ojo!
Big game this for 3 teams! C’mon United!!!
Can united even create a shot on goal! Jaysus!! Yawn.zzzzzzzzz
3-0 to Spurs..
All I want to say is thank God for TG4 for the small bit of motor sport we are allowed. Someday we might get a little bit more
To be fair Alan we were overdosed on motor sport for years.
Hi Jane maybe on UK channels but certainly not on the Irish ones .
RTE used to show all the F1 races for years. It got huge coverage from them.