Premier League - Bellamy strikes as City win

Eurosport - Thu, 29 Jan 11:41:00 2009

Craig Bellamy scored on his debut as Manchester City beat struggling Newcastle United 2-1 at Eastlands.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Manchester City Man City-Newcastle Bellamy - 0

Shaun Wright-Phillips put the hosts ahead before Bellamy doubled the lead, while Andy Carroll scored a late consolation for Toon.

Manchester City handed debuts to Bellamy and Nigel De Jong, while City target Shay Given became the latest addition to a long injury list after going down with a knee problem amidst rumours that he demanded an exit from St James' Park.

Bellamy, who seemed to be slightly off the pace at times, opened his City account after 77 minutes, receiving a ball from Pablo Zabaleta on the edge of the Newcastle area before turning and shooting past helpless stand-in goalkeeper Steve Harper.

After dominating the early exchanges, City took a deserved lead on 17 minutes when Robinho calmly controlled Wayne Bridge's cross before turning and slipping the ball through to Wright-Phillips, who finished confidently from close range.

Andrew Carroll scored late on for Newcastle, but it was little more than a consolation for Joe Kinnear's men who were second best for most of the night.

While City started confidently enough, Newcastle spent most of the first half chasing shadows as the home side passed the ball about confidently.

Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland pulled most of the strings while Robinho showed his obvious class with some cheeky flicks and deft touches despite allegations of a serious sexual assault in a Leeds nightclub.

Newcastle's chances of getting back into the game took a huge dent when Michael Owen limped off after 19 minutes to be replaced by Jonas Gutierrez.

The last thing Kinnear's side needed was another injury and such was their lack of penetration that they only managed one strike at goal, which failed to trouble Joe Hart, who was a spectator for most of the first 45 minutes.

The second-half was more lively, with both sides having decent penalty appeals turned down.

First, Steven Taylor went to ground under strong pressure from Micah Richards, before Wright-Phillips was bundled over after typically skilful work on the right touchline, although on both occasions referee Mike Jones waved away the appeals.

City climb into the top half of the table after a performance that would have left manager Mark Hughes purring at times. Although their level dropped as full-time approached, for the most part the home side moved the ball quickly and slickly and fully deserved the three points.

Conversely, Newcastle looked lacklustre throughout and to make matters worse, Joey Barton hobbled off after a collision with Bellamy, while Sebastien Bassong also picked up a knock late on.

Oliver Rolland-Jones / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. As a Leeds fan, i knew it was all downhill for the toon­ army when you took that little s**t wise off our hands.­ Useless little P***k will not aid your cause.
    Feel for­ the fans, as you are as loyal as ourselves even when­ the powers that be are shafting you. Hope you stay­ up-the fans deserve it!

    From rob, on Thu 29 Jan 1:55PM

  2. I only saw the first half but Barton seemed by far­ NUFC's best man on the pitch. Yes, as a person he­ is the bottom of the barrel, but as #10 commenter says,­ he is the type of player Newcastle need to stay up. He­ dragged City up by the seat of our pants a few years­ ago and though I got tired of his antics, he always­ cared on the pitch. The Toon army deserve better than­ what they have.

    From Jeremy, on Thu 29 Jan 2:42AM

  3. I had no interest in watching the games at present....I­ found a hot place, you guys should try it ___Wealthy­ beauty co m_____a great place for rich people to meet­ their soul mates....

    From zjmdj003, on Thu 29 Jan 1:02AM

  4. Promised signings in Transfer Window have not been­ made.Ashley,Wise Kinnear and the players seem to be­ content to slide our club into the Championship.The­ wonderful supporters deserve so much better!!­ Dave---more years of hurt.

    From davidspeker, on Thu 29 Jan 12:15AM

  5. I hear what you are saying, Sue - it got late for me,­ goodnight & God bless.

    Up The Bluuuuuueeeeeessss!

    From Anthony, on Wed 28 Jan 11:33PM

  6. Owen will be lucky to get another deal the way it is­ going. No comment on Barton. One thug whacked another­ on the pitch and the Welsh boyo came out on top. Mind­ you he is a moron as well

    From taff, on Wed 28 Jan 11:33PM

  7. owen out for 6 weeks and barton for 10wks both with­ broken bones u down to barebones of squad well loan u­ mcshane and nos if u want

    From heslop448, on Wed 28 Jan 11:16PM

  8. I agree that Barton is a good player however he seems­ unable to focus ALL his energy on playing football and­ lets outside influences take over the cool head we­ often see on the pitch for example putting a cigar out­ on a 16 year old's eye, punching an everton fan in­ Thailand and biting Richard Dunnes finger, as far as I­ am concerned the name of the game in football is­ teamwork and assaulting a team mate isn't going to­ win matches its just going to draw bad media attention­ to himself and the clubs he plays for

    From Sue, on Wed 28 Jan 10:56PM

  9. Is Bali B a moron? This is a Man City report and he­ carps on about Man U and Liverpool jealousy. Learn to­ read you idiot and stop talking about teams that have­ nothing to do with the match report.

    From Allen H, on Wed 28 Jan 10:45PM

  10. Sue Shaw, Joey Barton is just the sort of player­ Newcastle are going to need if they want to stay in the­ Premiership - he's a visceral kind of a player who­ had a rapport with the City fans when he was here­ because he was prepared to sweat blood for the cause.­ Something sadly lacking amongst todays over-payed,­ cosseted multimillionaire 'playboys', I feel­ sure you will agree.

    From Anthony, on Wed 28 Jan 10:41PM

  11. As a City fan I would like to see Newcastle stay up if­ possible but you need to get rid of Barton and the­ Cockney maffia, I'd rather City be owned by Arabs­ than them. Barton and Wise say no more

    From Sue, on Wed 28 Jan 10:38PM

  12. Search "SoTube" in Google to see Goals and­ Highlights The Match

    From popzit, on Wed 28 Jan 10:31PM

  13. Well done City! now lets get the show on the road with­ a wining run !! next up Stoke & up to 7th

    From simmons_martin, on Wed 28 Jan 10:28PM

  14. Barton was being his usual provocative, controversial­ and immature self. Showing no respect whatsoever to the­ fans and club who stood by him through thick and thin.­ Proving what most city fans have known for years. He­ and his equally loathsome yard dog familly are total­ losers...! Bloody Good Riddance to him!!

    From citydave356, on Wed 28 Jan 10:28PM

  15. Well it looks like my beloved toon are going to be­ playing championship football next season unless that­ fat cockney owner gives us some money to rebuild the­ team from back to front.
    Joe kinnear your having a­ laugh were @#$% and were sick of it

    From m1vht, on Wed 28 Jan 10:27PM

  16. Eurosport,you'r reports on games are very poor,not­ much idea from your reporters about the game of­ football.

    From ARTHUR R, on Wed 28 Jan 10:17PM

  17. sore knee given eh.wot a coincidence.more asset­ stripping,sell,sell,sell but buy nobody a new contract­ 4 joke kinnear wot a laugh.

    From TERENCE, on Wed 28 Jan 10:16PM

  18. Newcastle would have got a point if they had a world­ class keeper whoops they have but he is coming to City.­ What was Barton doing clapping the City fans???

    From Sue, on Wed 28 Jan 10:10PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Well done Mr. Hughes,
    now quick stick a bid on Stokes­ best player to stop him from playing.

    Cheating @#$%s­ !!!!!!

    From stephen, on Wed 28 Jan 9:52PM
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