Four-star Dzeko demolishes Spurs

Manchester City register third successive Premier League victory.


Afp August 28, 2011

LONDON: Edin Dzeko scored four times as Manchester City demolished Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane to underline their credentials as serious challengers for the Premier League title.

Roberto Mancini’s side produced a free-flowing performance that was a stark contrast to their more dour approach last year. They have already scored 12 goals this season in three successive victories.

Dzeko struck twice in seven minutes before half-time as he converted a cross from debutant Samir Nasri and then looped a header over Brad Friedel after another Nasri delivery unhinged the Spurs defence.

The Bosnian striker completed his treble in the 55th minute when he slammed Yaya Toure’s cross past Friedel.

Sergio Aguero added the fourth – his third City goal following his club record £38 million move from Atletico Madrid – just five minutes later as the Argentina forward twisted past Michael Dawson before firing home.

Younes Kaboul headed home for Spurs in the 68th minute, but the hosts, who started with unsettled Chelsea target Luka Modric, conceded a fifth when Dzeko curled into the top corner in stoppage time and Harry Redknapp’s side sit bottom of the table after losing their opening two league games.

Nasri ended up with three assists, already treble his total from the whole of last season.

Mancini pleased

“We played a really good game against what is a fantastic team,” said Mancini. “I was always sure Dzeko would score a lot of goals for us, he always scored in Wolfsburg. This is a very long season and it’s important that we started well.

“The next games will be very hard because now everyone thinks we will score three or four goals, but that is impossible.”

Best leads Newcastle’s charge

Elsewhere, Newcastle striker Leon Best bagged a clinical double to fire his side to a 2-1 victory over Fulham. Best displayed predatory instincts that have been missing for much of his time on Tyneside as he struck twice in the second half to give Alan Pardew’s side’s their second win of the season. Clint Dempsey got one back for Fulham late on but, three games into Martin Jol’s reign, the west London outfit have only one point. Elsewhere, Stoke registered a 1-0 victory over West Brom.

Rampant Reds too strong for Bolton

Earlier, Liverpool registered an emphatic 3-1 win over Bolton at Anfield. Kenny Dalglish’s investments of over £100million in transforming the club since returning to the manager’s office last January, seem to be paying off, as new signings Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam scored important goals. Dalglish was full of praise for his side after they proved far too good for Bolton.

“It was a pleasure to watch,” he said. “We got the result because we worked hard, played together and played for each other.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th,  2011.

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