Saturday January 26, 2013 4th Round Finished Britannia Stadium

  1. FA Cup - Zabaleta's late strike sees City past Stoke

    FA Cup - Zabaleta's late strike sees City past Stoke

    A Pablo Zabaleta goal five minutes from time was enough to send Manchester City into the fifth round as they beat Stoke. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Stoke City
    • Manchester City
    • FT And there is the final whistle. A mixed performance from Manchester City but they were the better team and deserve their place in the fifth round.
    • 90+4 Sorensen just gets to the ball ahead of Aguero as for a moment it looked as if the Argentine could kill the tie.
    • 90+4 Long throw from Shotton but Zabaleta heads it clear.
    • 90+3 Man City taking their time with everything in the final few moments – looking to kill the clock.
    • 90+1 Ryan Shotton's long throw is flicked back by Crouch to Jerome, he has a chance to shoot but he fires well over. He should have done better.
    • 90' We are going to have five extra minutes!
    • 89' Barry goes down after getting a knock and needs treatment – the home fans suspect he is time-wasting.
    • 88' City scramble away a cross from Walters – they will try and hold on here – Stoke may have a chance before the end.
    • 87' Dzeko rather stupidly booked for barging into Shawcross.
    • 86' On comes Rodwell for Tevez but now City have a lead to defend.
    • 85' GOAL CITY!!! Pablo Zabaleta has surely won it for the visitors!!!! Silva and Aguero were involved in the build up. Aguero's low cross was flicked on by Dzeko and Zabaleta was running in to put in a fine low finish into the near corner for the goal.
    • 84' City may be happy with the replay as Jack Rodwell looks set to come on for Tevez.
    • 82' Aguero makes space for him well inside the box and fires a shot but Shawcross is right there to block the effort.
    • 81' Shotton with a better cross this time as he has time to check onto his favourite right foot – Crouch makes his first real impact since coming on as he gets his head on it but it is high and wide.
    • 80' Glenn Whelan sets up a Stoke attack with a great (clean) tackle but Shotton puts in a poor cross – Stoke still attacking though.
    • 79' Sorensen with a rather unconvincing looking punch but Stoke clear and attack quickly and Milner ends up getting booked for bringing down Etherington as he looked to halt the attack.
    • 78' Aguero's shot hits the side netting – again it was from a tight angle but again it nicks a Stoke boot meaning he at least gets a corner out of it.
    • 77' Jerome with some good defending as he slides in to block a cross out for a corner.
    • 76' City having a spell inside the Stoke half. Can they unlock this well drilled defence though?
    • 74' Dzeko curls a shot just wide from a tough angle – took a nick though and City have a corner.
    • 73' Whitehead and Crouch come on and Wilkinson and Jones come on.
    • 72' Stoke only charged £20 for this game and hoped to get around 24,000 but the crowd is just 19,814 and over 4,000 of them are from Manchester.
    • 72' Aguero is furious as he felt he was pulled back just outside the area. The Argentine just gave up on it expecting the free when he probably could have still got a shot away.
    • 71' Walters loops a header over after a good cross from Wilkinson – just couldn't get any power in the header.
    • 70' Tevez turns off his man after being fed by Aguero but he fires well over the bar.
    • 69' Roberto Mancini unhappy as Milner can't clear the first man with a corner.
    • 68' Pantillimon handles the corner well despite being under pressure from Jones.
    • 67' Cameron Jerome on for Kightly.
    • 67' Rare attack for Stoke and Walters wins a corner.
    • 66' Tevez with a long range effort – poor and straight at Sorensen – there were plenty of blue shirts in support so not the wisest decision.
    • 65' Great ball from Silva deep into the box – Barry controls it but Sorensen dives low and gets the ball. Any slight mistake and that would have been a penalty.
    • 64' City have gone to a 4-4-2 with Aguero and Silva on the wings and Tevez and Dzeko up front.
    • 63' Groans from the home fans as Kightly fires an aimless ball forward.
    • 62' This could liven things up – Sergio Aguero is coming on for Kolarov of all people!
    • 61' Glenn Whelan with a decent low shot from distance – there were bodies in Pantillimon's way so he did well to gather it.
    • 60' Superb run into the box from Kolarov – Dzeko curls in a great cross and the Serb almost gets to the ball ahead of Shotton who was the favourite for it, but Shotton just got enough on it for it to deflect wide.
    • 59' A rare miss-step by Silva as he overhits a through ball for Tevez.
    • 58' Not the most appealing game for the neutral at the moment – very scrappy.
    • 57' Tevez can't control a ball from Silva it comes to Kolarov instead and his shot is still rising.
    • 56' The referee's whistle is working overtime in this second half. Garcia charged for putting his hand into Jones' face challenging for a header. City defend the potentially dangerous free-kick.
    • 55' Crossing has been poor today and James Milner has just produced the worst of the lot!
    • 54' Shotton booked for a foul on Tevez – just went in a little too aggressively for Howard Webb's liking.
    • 53' Little spell of pressure from Stoke – ball eventually comes out to Kightly on the edge of the area but the ball gets stuck under his feet and he can get no power on his shot.
    • 52' Very poor cross from Clichy straight into the arms of Sorensen.
    • 51' Jones has a chance to put Walters clear on goal but Lescott sticks a leg out and blocks it.
    • 50' Clash of heads between Kolarov and Walters but both players look okay.
    • 49' Barry with a free header over from the corner – should have done better.
    • 48' Tevez puts Kolarov free down the left – he finds Dzeko with a low cross. The Bosnian has no real angle to shoot but wins a corner.
    • 47' STOKE SHOULD BE DOWN TO 10!!! Glenn Whelan very lucky to stay on the pitch as he jumps in with both feet on Javi Garcia – he doesn't even get booked!!!! Howard Webb must have missed it.
    • 47' Hearing it is a calf injury for City not his ankle as first suspected.
    • 46' Stoke kick-off – back underway – no changes.
    • HT And there is the half-time whistle – Manchester City have been the better side, should probably be in front but losing Vincent Kompany who seemed to turn his ankle could have ramifications beyond today.
    • 45' One extra minute.
    • 44' Silva has been the outstanding player on the pitch in this first half. He looks to be right back in form.
    • 43' The classy Silva sets up another attack – Kolarov with another low cross but it is little behind Dzeko – the Bosnian does get a little flick on it but Tevez can only hit into the side netting from a tough angle.
    • 42' The classy Silva sets up another attack – Kolarov with another low cross but it is little behind Dzeko – the Bosnian does get a little flick on it but Tevez can only hit into the side netting from a tough angle.
    • 40' Finally Clichy comes on for Kompany….City playing three at the back for now – Zabaleta, Lescott and Clichy.
    • 40' Kolarov whips in a lovely low cross across the face of the goal – a little too much on it for Dzeko though.
    • 39' Javi Garcia playing centre-back at the moment but Gael Clichy will come on. City certainly taking their time though.
    • 38' Shotton leaves the boot in as he gets the ball and Tevez. The Argentine goes down but should be okay.
    • 37' Dzeko plays the role of centre back as he clears the corner.
    • 37' City have still not brought on a replacement for Kompany – they are dancing with the devil here as Stoke have a corner.
    • 36' Silva slips Tevez free down the left but it is wrongly flagged for offside.
    • 35' Whelan tries a cheeky shot in the end but it is straight at Pantillimon – poor decision.
    • 34' Kolarov holds off Walters illegally when trying to deal with a long ball. He's booked and Whelan can put in a cross with the free.
    • 33' Nastasic has a slight knock which is why he is not on the bench.
    • 33' VERY BAD NEWS FOR CITY!!!! Vincent Kompany has gone down and as soon as he gets to feet he waves to the bench saying his afternoon is done – no centre-back on the bench for City either.
    • 32' Decent defensive header from Kompany – but it falls to Whelan just beyond the D – he gets a decent, clean contact on the ball with a first-time volley but it goes wide of the target.
    • 30' Great little interplay between Tevez and Silva. The former gets a shot away but it is blocked by Huth just before it reaches Sorensen's goal.
    • 29' Carlos Tevez falls on his backside looking to make a sharp move. The home fans take understandable delight in the whole thing.
    • 28' BALL IN THE NET FROM STOKE!!! But it won't count…City fail to deal with Etherington's free kick into the box and it comes to Shawcross right in front of the goal and he fires in. He was offside though but very nearly a typical Stoke goal
    • 27' More ironic cheers as Howard Webb gives Stoke a free. The home fans must not be happy with Webb but I can't remember him getting anything wrong in this game so far.
    • 26' Kolarov heads away Shotton's latest bomb.
    • 25' Stoke earn an attacking long throw – these are almost like corners.
    • 24' Zabaleta with a good overlap run but the ball just runs out before he can cross. You feel a goal is coming.
    • 22' A ball pops up to Tevez in a great position after some nice build-up play but he slices it wide. Dzeko had initially found Tevez with a great ball to set up the attack. City starting to turn the screw – just need a goal.
    • 20' OFF THE POST FROM SILVA – Milner takes a quick free to the Spaniard - he is free inside the box on the right side and tries a superb curling effort towards the other side of the goal and it cannons off the post. Stoke caught napping again but great stuff from Silva. Sorensen didn't even move.
    • 19' Super run forward from Carlos Tevez who just charges past a couple of players like a computer game character – he checks a ball back to the edge of the area – Dzeko fires but probably takes a bit too long to set himself and the shot is blocked.
    • 18' Game going through a scrappy spell at the moment – you would suspect that suits Stoke.
    • 17' Poor with the feet from both goalkeepers so far – Sorensen has rather cheaply given City an attacking throw this time.
    • 16' Etherington fouls Zabaleta on the touchline – Stoke fans complain but a clear free – chance for Kolarov to whip a free-kick in. But that free is straight into the arms of Sorensen.
    • 15' Dangerous corner curled in, Huth gets his head on it but flashes it over. Warning sign for City.
    • 15' Great work from Glenn Whelan – first he blocks a shot from Javi Garcia to set up a counter attack. The ball comes back to him and his half volley is deflected out for a corner.
    • 14' Better from the Romanian who punches clear straight to Silva who can run up the other end.
    • 13' Another poor clearance from Pantillimon out for a throw – he looks nervy so far. Chance for Shotton to pump in a long throw.
    • 12' City have been the better side in these opening stages – they've had a couple of attacks and are dominating possession as you might expect. The long-ball from Stoke being dealt with by the Premier League champions thus far.
    • 11' Pitch looks in decent nick despite snow in Stoke-on-Trent overnight.
    • 10' City odds-on favourites to win this tie here today but have not won at Stoke in almost14 years!
    • 9' City now have a free-kick about 35 yards out – pretty central but Kolarov curls it miles over the bar. Ironic cheers from the home fans.
    • 8' Silva finds Tevez in space inside the box. The Argentine striker tries a powerful low strike towards the near post but Sorensen gets down and pushes it away for a corner.
    • 7' Etherington does well to control and loop over a cross right on the end line – Jones gets his head on it but nobody is there to get on the end of it. It was awkward for the big striker who couldn't get any control or power on the header.
    • 6' Wilkinson does well to shepherd out a long cross-field ball aimed at Milner.
    • 5' First Stoke attack sees the ball played down to Shotton on the right – it sits up for him though and he overhits his cross.
    • 3' Well we were told to expect 24,000 – looks less than that to me – plenty of empty seats.
    • 2' Pantillimon's first action is a rather unconvincing clearance.
    • 1' Two early chances for City – first Dzeko has a shot deflected out for a corner. Stoke's are asleep for the corner it is played to Silva on the edge of the box and he fires over. All that comes with less than a minute on the clock.
    • 1' City get us underway - they will attack their fans in the second half.
    • 12:40 Tony Pulis: : “I will name the strongest possible team available to me at the weekend – because this is a game we really want to win. We have seen what this competition can do for a football club, and we are desperate to progress through to the next round if we can. We take the FA Cup incredibly seriously here, and that is reflected in the fact that we have lost just three of the last 18 games where have played in the competition; and even they were against Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool"
    • 12:35 Not quite a sell-out today. Stoke are expecting around 24,000 (the ground holds just under 28,000). City have sold out their allocation of 4,500.
    • 12:30 Roberto Mancini: "It will be difficult to win because away at Stoke is a strong game. At home they are very strong because they have the support – it’s a different team. Every team that goes to the Britannia has a problem because at home they play well, they are strong, they play physically, set pieces – everything is a problem."
    • 12:25 Stoke make five changes from the side that lost to Swansea last weekend. Asmir Begovic is traditionally rested for Cup games – Sorensen comes in. Shotton, Wilkinson, Kightly and Jones also start in place of Cameron, Whithead, Adam and Crouch
    • 12:20 So the most interesting piece of team news is probably in the Manchester City goal where there is a rare start for Costel Pantilimon. The 6' 8" Romanian giant comes in for the rested Joe Hart. Also no sign of the in-form Matija Nastasic either in the team or on the bench – will have to check out what is the issue there.
    • 12:15 TEAMS: Stoke City: Sorensen; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; N'Zonzi, Whelan, Kightly, Etherington; Walters, Jones. Subs: Nash, Owen, Crouch, Adam, Whitehead, Upson, Jerome. /// Manchester City: Pantillimon; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Garcia, Barry, Milner; Silva, Tevez, Dzeko. Subs Hart, Clichy, Rodwell, Sinclair, Aguero, Rekik, Lopes.
    • 12:10 Hello and welcome to our live comments from this interesting looking FA Cup fourth round tie at the Britannia Stadium

  • Summary

    • 90+1 Ryan Shotton's long throw is flicked back by Crouch to Jerome, he has a chance to shoot but he fires well over. He should have done better.
    • 85' GOAL CITY!!! Pablo Zabaleta has surely won it for the visitors!!!! Silva and Aguero were involved in the build up. Aguero's low cross was flicked on by Dzeko and Zabaleta was running in to put in a fine low finish into the near corner for the goal.
    • 81' Shotton with a better cross this time as he has time to check onto his favourite right foot – Crouch makes his first real impact since coming on as he gets his head on it but it is high and wide.
    • 65' Great ball from Silva deep into the box – Barry controls it but Sorensen dives low and gets the ball. Any slight mistake and that would have been a penalty.
    • 47' STOKE SHOULD BE DOWN TO 10!!! Glenn Whelan very lucky to stay on the pitch as he jumps in with both feet on Javi Garcia – he doesn't even get booked!!!! Howard Webb must have missed it.
    • 33' VERY BAD NEWS FOR CITY!!!! Vincent Kompany has gone down and as soon as he gets to feet he waves to the bench saying his afternoon is done – no centre-back on the bench for City either.
    • 28' BALL IN THE NET FROM STOKE!!! But it won't count…City fail to deal with Etherington's free kick into the box and it comes to Shawcross right in front of the goal and he fires in. He was offside though but very nearly a typical Stoke goal
    • 22' A ball pops up to Tevez in a great position after some nice build-up play but he slices it wide. Dzeko had initially found Tevez with a great ball to set up the attack. City starting to turn the screw – just need a goal.
    • 20' OFF THE POST FROM SILVA – Milner takes a quick free to the Spaniard - he is free inside the box on the right side and tries a superb curling effort towards the other side of the goal and it cannons off the post. Stoke caught napping again but great stuff from Silva. Sorensen didn't even move.
    • 15' Dangerous corner curled in, Huth gets his head on it but flashes it over. Warning sign for City.
    • 8' Silva finds Tevez in space inside the box. The Argentine striker tries a powerful low strike towards the near post but Sorensen gets down and pushes it away for a corner.
    • 1' Two early chances for City – first Dzeko has a shot deflected out for a corner. Stoke's are asleep for the corner it is played to Silva on the edge of the box and he fires over. All that comes with less than a minute on the clock.
    • 12:15 TEAMS: Stoke City: Sorensen; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; N'Zonzi, Whelan, Kightly, Etherington; Walters, Jones. Subs: Nash, Owen, Crouch, Adam, Whitehead, Upson, Jerome. /// Manchester City: Pantillimon; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Garcia, Barry, Milner; Silva, Tevez, Dzeko. Subs Hart, Clichy, Rodwell, Sinclair, Aguero, Rekik, Lopes.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.8 -
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 6.6 -
      5.8 -
      5.9 -
      Substitution Out73′ 5.7 -
      Midfielders
      5.7 -
      5.5 -
      Substitution Out67′ 6 -
      5.8 -
      Strikers
      6.8 -
      Substitution Out73′ 5.8 -
      Subs
      Substitution In73′ 7.1 -
      Substitution In73′ 6.9 -
      Substitution In67′ 6.9 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.9 -
      Defenders
      Goal 5.4 -
      Substitution Out40′ 5.1 -
      5 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out63′ 5.4 -
      Midfielders
      4.9 -
      6.5 -
      Yellow Card 5.2 -
      5 -
      Substitution Out86′ 5.5 -
      Strikers
      Yellow Card 6.1 -
      Subs
      Substitution In40′ 4.6 -
      Substitution In63′ 5.3 -
      Substitution In86′ 5.8 -

Comment 79 - 99 of 99

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  1. Man city were no better than Stoke, they took their­ chance and Stoke didnt. Yes Whelen should have been­ sent off for a Poor tackle........but this should be­ punished by a sin bin NOT a red card. If we were­ not going to play our route 1 football why didnt we­ play Owen and Jerome up front....cant understand­ Playing tall HEADERS and not play to their­ strengths........Owen with ball at feet would have­ scared Kompany more than Kenwyne Jones in the air. ­ RS4 Stoke... come on Tony give Owen more pitch time

    From , on Mon 28 Jan 13:32
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Stoke pre match team talk, 'kick all Man City­ players at will and try to score on the break'.

    From Cully, on Sat 26 Jan 16:42

  3. Awesome, Zaba is the best. always on the right time and­ right place.

    From Rahim H, on Sat 26 Jan 15:01

  4. Man."we score when we want" City. 1 shot on­ target to score.

    From Rodthemod, on Sat 26 Jan 15:00

  5. And Sharky. Your life is so boring and pitiful, you­ have to go on a Man City/ Stoke City thread to­ assumably make a point (that clearly i'm missing) .­ If i were you, i'd feel a bit silly for looking­ quite so sad....

    From Darlo, on Sat 26 Jan 14:58
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Ha Ha Pulis . Glad you and your donkeys are out.­ Instead of trying to get the FA to ban players from­ other teams.You should look at your own. Terrible­ tackle from Whelan should have got a red.

    From jake, on Sat 26 Jan 14:55

  7. Haha, apparently Stoke played better than us according­ to the ratings. Is this website meant for people who­ know what they're talking about? Er, clearly not!

    From Darlo, on Sat 26 Jan 14:54
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Stoke city is not a football club, They belong with­ proffesional wrestling.

    From a, on Sat 26 Jan 14:54

  9. CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS

    From WEEEZY FC, on Sat 26 Jan 14:51
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Lucky blue slags

    From , on Sat 26 Jan 14:46
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Webbs maurauders get through another biased match lol.

    From Victor Meldew lol, on Sat 26 Jan 14:42
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    manc cheats

    From ANDREW, on Sat 26 Jan 14:36

  13. 5 mins fergie time, or is it webb time in this game ?

    From Stuart, on Sat 26 Jan 14:36

  14. POOR STOKE :(

    From PETE, on Sat 26 Jan 14:36

  15. POOR STOKE :(

    From PETE, on Sat 26 Jan 14:35
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    dirty manc #$%$ lucky -lucky- lucky , how much the ref­ win again today

    From ANDREW, on Sat 26 Jan 14:32

  17. Citeh Citeh Citeh !!!!

    From B4ts, on Sat 26 Jan 14:32

  18. champions

    From WEEEZY FC, on Sat 26 Jan 14:31

  19. SHARKEY, you'll come to realize that they're­ obssessed with Utd. Every time they play, they post­ about the reds.

    From VT5060, on Sat 26 Jan 14:28

  20. GANGSTER Howard webb - Stoke's BEST player by FAR­ !!!!!

    From Istina Boli, on Sat 26 Jan 14:27
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