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Silva goal helps City defeat Gunners

Comment: 0 December 19th, 2011 by: admin

A GOAL by midfielder David Silva during the early part of the second half was enough to help City fend off Arsenal Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

Silva’s successful attempt was the lone goal throughout the whole match, which featured frantic plays and high-level physicality from both sides.

The win would lift City back up to first place in the Premier League table which rivals Manchester United briefly topped after an afternoon win over Queens Park Rangers.

The City lineup featured three changes from the army that lost to Chelsea last Monday night.  Team manager Roberto Mancini sent in former Arsenal players Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure, plus Micah Richards who was reinstated after recovering from injury.  Aside from a number of replacements later on in the game, the Arsenal primary lineup that won against Everton last Sunday remained unchanged.

A clear chance for City came in the 9^th minute as Sergio Aguero received a cross from Pablo Zabaleta.  Aguero maintained exceptional control only to rocket the ball over the net and into the crowd.

Two minutes after the ball found Silva, who took a shot which was held by Wojciech Szczesny.

It was then Arsenal’s turn to gain wind, as Gervinho took a low attempt that met a close save by Joe Hart, who also blocked an effort by Aaron Ramsey.

City then came back with a vengeance as Mario Balotelli with an exemplary exhibition of ball control, only to be denied by Szczesny.  The Gunners’ goalkeeper was again put to the test as Aguero, after a back-and-forth pass with Silva, ran diagonally toward the box and fired a low attempt.

The high-intensity second half began with the determining moment on the 53^rd minute.  Balotelli makes a goal shot blocked by Szczesny, the ball rebounded and Silva converted.

Arsenal attempted to come back as Theo Walcott took a shot that did not go past Hart.  Gunners captain Robin van Persie smashed a goal into the net but was ruled offside by officials.

City had a chance to double their lead during the 63^rd minute had Nasri not fouled up a simple pass to Balotelli who was inside waiting to launch an open goal.

After a blocked attempt by Van Persie, Zabaleta came back with a powerful shot that zoomed past Szczesny but hit the post.  Aguero launched another try that was also met by Szczesny.

A few more attempts came Arsenal’s way, but eventually it was City who ended the game triumphant, and back on top of the Premier League.

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