Mario Balotelli scored a brace to help Manchester City claim a place in the next stage of the Europa League with a 3-0 win over Salzburg.
And they emphasised their credentials in the process as the double was completed against the Austrian champions, meaning City qualified for the last 32 in February with a game to spare.
Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, who arrived in the summer for £24million, scored either side of half-time with Adam Johnson also finding the target.
It was almost like a training session for City given their possession and they should have been more than one goal to the good at the interval.
EPL Today
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Ispwich Town spoils the party for West Brom 1-0
Under-fire Roy Keane guided npower Championship side Ipswich into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 win over top-flight West Brom in front of only a 11,300 crowd at Portman Road.
The former Manchester United midfielder has endured a difficult relationship with Town supporters following a dire run of form which saw them slip to 16th in the npower Championship following Sunday's 4-1 defeat to East Anglia rivals Norwich.
However, Keane's battling team - hit by injuries and unavailable loan players - secured their place in the last four through a second-half penalty from Grant Leadbitter.
West Brom made nine changes for the trip to a freezing Suffolk, with youngster James Hurst, 18, making his debut at right-back, as defender Marek Cech and midfielder Graham Dorrans were the only survivors from the 4-1 Barclays Premier League win at Everton.
The former Manchester United midfielder has endured a difficult relationship with Town supporters following a dire run of form which saw them slip to 16th in the npower Championship following Sunday's 4-1 defeat to East Anglia rivals Norwich.
However, Keane's battling team - hit by injuries and unavailable loan players - secured their place in the last four through a second-half penalty from Grant Leadbitter.
West Brom made nine changes for the trip to a freezing Suffolk, with youngster James Hurst, 18, making his debut at right-back, as defender Marek Cech and midfielder Graham Dorrans were the only survivors from the 4-1 Barclays Premier League win at Everton.
Birmingham advances in game marred by fan violence.
Nikola Zigic put Birmingham through to their first Carling Cup semi-final for nine years with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in a hard-fought derby marred by ugly scenes at the end.
Thousands of Blues fans charged towards the Villa supporters and dozens of missiles and some flares were thrown before order was restored and City can expect to face Football Association action.
Zigic's deflected shot five minutes from time settled the tie after Gabriel Agbonlahor had cancelled out Sebastian Larsson's early penalty, as Villa were unable to deny City their first win over their local rivals for five-and-a-half years.
Thousands of Blues fans charged towards the Villa supporters and dozens of missiles and some flares were thrown before order was restored and City can expect to face Football Association action.
Zigic's deflected shot five minutes from time settled the tie after Gabriel Agbonlahor had cancelled out Sebastian Larsson's early penalty, as Villa were unable to deny City their first win over their local rivals for five-and-a-half years.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Arsenal joins West Ham in the Carling Cup Semi-finals
Arsenal moved into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with victory over Wigan at a freezing Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners missed several good chances before they took the lead on the stroke of half-time through an own goal from Latics skipper Antolin Alcaraz.
Wigan lost Victor Moses to a suspected broken wrist and Nicklas Bendtner's close-range effort on 67 minutes kept Arsene Wenger's men on the road to Wembley.
Earlier, Bendtner - recalled to the starting XI alongside Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott - missed a great chance to take an early lead when Bendtner failed to connect with his free header at the far post from Van Persie's deep free-kick.
Wigan tried to knock the ball around crispy as Moses darted down the left and cut back inside to the Arsenal penalty area before drilling a low shot into the side netting.
The Gunners missed several good chances before they took the lead on the stroke of half-time through an own goal from Latics skipper Antolin Alcaraz.
Wigan lost Victor Moses to a suspected broken wrist and Nicklas Bendtner's close-range effort on 67 minutes kept Arsene Wenger's men on the road to Wembley.
Earlier, Bendtner - recalled to the starting XI alongside Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott - missed a great chance to take an early lead when Bendtner failed to connect with his free header at the far post from Van Persie's deep free-kick.
Wigan tried to knock the ball around crispy as Moses darted down the left and cut back inside to the Arsenal penalty area before drilling a low shot into the side netting.
Carling Cup holders bounced from tourney.
West Ham dumped holders Manchester United out of the Carling Cup with a stunning victory inspired by Jonathan Spector's first goals in English football.
Spector had never scored during his six seasons in the Premier League but tonight the USA defender struck twice to begin a rout that sent Hammers fans delirious.
Further damage was done by Carlton Cole after the interval with the England marksman pouncing twice to bring feeble United crashing back down to earth after their 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn.
Spector and Cole were brilliantly supported by Victor Obinna with the Nigerian forward, on loan from Inter Milan, having a hand in each goal.
Spector had never scored during his six seasons in the Premier League but tonight the USA defender struck twice to begin a rout that sent Hammers fans delirious.
Further damage was done by Carlton Cole after the interval with the England marksman pouncing twice to bring feeble United crashing back down to earth after their 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn.
Spector and Cole were brilliantly supported by Victor Obinna with the Nigerian forward, on loan from Inter Milan, having a hand in each goal.
Europa League Manchester City Preview
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the month of December could go a long way to defining his side's season.
The Italian's side host Austrian outfit Salzburg at Eastlands tomorrow with a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League in sight.
It is the start of a hectic schedule for a club anxious to compete in the Champions League next season.
The Italian's side host Austrian outfit Salzburg at Eastlands tomorrow with a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League in sight.
It is the start of a hectic schedule for a club anxious to compete in the Champions League next season.
Carling Cup Action
11/30/2010-- Arsenal plays host to Wigan and West Ham plays host to Manchester United.
- Wigan Athletic @ Arsenal
- Manchester United @ West Ham United
- Aston Villa @ Birmingham
- West Bromwich Albion @ Ipswich Town
Monday, November 29, 2010
ESPN Team of the week
For the first time in Premier League history all 20 teams found the net this weekend, and given the bumper crop of netbusters, we make no apologies for including nine players who scored in our Team of the Week. Of course, the goal glut was bad news for the top flight's custodians, as no-one managed a clean sheet.
New Leader in the Clubhouse
After another disappointing weekend for Chelsea, hated rival Manchester United has taken over the pole position in the table. The top 5 are starting to pull away ever so slightly as the only team within 5 points of the top 5 is Bolton who are 2 points out.
Right now the top 5 looks like this:
Right now the top 5 looks like this:
- Manchester United 31 points
- Chelsea 29 points
- Arsenal 29 points
- Manchester City 26 points
- Tottenham 25 points
Van Der Vaart out for a month.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart could be set for a month on the sidelines after he tore his hamstring muscle against Liverpool.
Van der Vaart has been one of the Premier League's best players so far this season, but has struggled with injury niggles since his move to Spurs from Real Madrid this summer. The Dutchman lasted just 12 minutes of Sunday's 2-1 win at White Hart Lane and manager Harry Redknapp believes his exploits at the 2010 World Cup may have had an impact on the midfielder's fitness.
GettyImages
Van der Vaart has been one of the Premier League's best players so far this season, but has struggled with injury niggles since his move to Spurs from Real Madrid this summer. The Dutchman lasted just 12 minutes of Sunday's 2-1 win at White Hart Lane and manager Harry Redknapp believes his exploits at the 2010 World Cup may have had an impact on the midfielder's fitness.
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