Match Reports

City Embarrass Defeated Burnley

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Manchester City triumphed 6-1 against a relegation beckoned Burnley. A brace from Adebayor as well as strikes from Bellamy, Tevez, Vieira and Kompany ensured City entered the race for the Champions League in the driving seat.

Burnley`s determination and desperate battling for points failed to surface as the games conclusion was all but sealed in a devastating seven first half minutes. The home side epitomised a bedraggled, low on confidence team destined for the Coco Cola Championship .Leaving the pitch with a grimace and a look of complete humiliation, the club were hoping the game would be abandoned during the second half as the heavens opened and the surface was becoming difficult to operate. Fortunately, the playing conditions only spared their blushes with a rampant City easing off and finding it difficult to negotiate their previous slick interchanges. The Blues were pulsating, the chance for fourth had opened with Tottenham dropping points and we capitalised in the most remarkable fashion.

The travelling fans had hoped for a sparkling encounter that would have overshadowed our neighbour`s titanic fixture earlier in the day. An anxious day immediately changed to a landmark occasion. The score-line was 5-0 at the break and the chorus of boos was quieter than expected with some shocked fans leaving midway into the first half. Only four minutes had ticked on the clock when Burnley failed to clear an Adam Johnson corner, the ball fell to Adebayor who clinically struck the ball between Jensen`s legs. This was only the beginning, three unbelievable minutes later and the score was 3-0. The first came from a sumptuous piece of skill from Bellamy after he took the ball in his stride and slotted home, Carlos Tevez then heaped more misery on the home side by tapping home from close range leaving the City fans jubilant.

Burnley were shell-shocked, fans were heading for the exits, this was City at their best and Burnley were futile in resistance. It was enthralling, the travelling fans stood in awe as chances were coming thick and fast. By the time the fourth had been netted on 20 minutes City could have been six ahead. Burnley looked to be playing with 7 men, the space they allowed City was suicidal, one clinical through ball, a swift piece of movement, or even a switched ball would leave us with acres of ground the play our stuff, shadows were all Burnley could be. Vieira was heavily criticised for his own shoddy performance last time out, but was finding time and space and despite Burnley`s best intentions to bring him down he thumped his header home. The first half ebbed and flowed from our point of view and our score-line reached new heights on the stroke of half time, no Premier League side away from home has led 5-0 at the break, so when Adebayor finished from Tevez`s through ball, City could be excused from entering dreamland.

As we entered half time an extraneous variable of the weather was to play a crucial role. The pitch was in a ridiculous state, the grounds men failed to take part in their half time roles begging for the weather to play mercy.

With five goals already scored it wouldn`t be too far-fetched to believe the score-line would enter double figures. However, with the conditions reaching unplayable, City remained calm and showed credentials that are crucial for the top four. The celebrations were well under way, but a rare goal for Kompany allowed City to score six and possibly send their neighbour`s down.

A catalogue of slips, slides and a consolation goal from Fletcher was all the game offered after Kompany`s header but City marched into the Champions League spots rampant.

Despite facing a team clinging onto their slim chance of safety, the result was never in doubt and all who were entertained would be leaving speechless.

All-in-all this was an exceptional performance that only petered out due to the shocking conditions. An astronomical confidence boost and goal difference swing has made this a perfect day.

Player Ratings

Given-7
Did no wrong.

Onuoha-8
Very positive performance which should earn him more game time.

Toure-7
The centre back who has faced correct criticism put in a brilliant performance. It was epitomised by a desperate dive to close down with the score at 6-0.

Kompany-8
Defensively perfect and very aware at the back. Acted as if he had an hour on the ball with strong close control. Good header.

Sylvinho-7
Didn’t disappoint.

Vieira-8
An exceptional performance considering the constant criticism he has faced since joining. Today he was fluent, tackled well and created several chances. Very good goal.

Barry-8
Strong all round performance. Calm in posession, strong in the tackle and fluent assists were characteristics he displayed.

Johnson-9
Very strong performance. Sometimes his final idea wasn’t always correct but made several assists and unfortunate to net.

Bellamy-9
An action packed game was due to the role Bellers played. He was fuelled for a battle and took his goal excellently. The ball was stuck to his foot and he never stopped running. All-round brilliant.

Tevez-8
The usual harrying, close control and constant battling was evident. Another goal.

Adebayor-9
Took his goals extremely well and held up the ball very well. One of his better performances.

Nimely
The pitch affected everything.

Santa Cruz
The pitch affected everything
The pitch affected everything

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