Manchester City: Big spenders, big losers

Chelsea atop table, Arsenal snatch late win in English Premier League.

LONDON: Roberto Mancini endured another sobering experience in charge of Manchester City after Wolverhampton’s David Edwards condemned the super-spenders to their second successive defeat at 2-0. City went ahead through an Emmanuel Adebayor penalty on 23 minutes, the Togolese international making no mistake from the spot after Richard Stearman had brought down David Silva. But Wolves fought back bravely, hitting the post before Serbian midfielder Nenad Milijas levelled for Mick McCarthy’s men on 30 minutes. David Edwards then rifled in the second on 57 minutes and Wolves were able to keep their big-spending opponents at bay for a deserved win. It was a dismal setback for City, who badly missed the presence of injured captain Carlos Tevez. The result is also certain to cast fresh scrutiny on City’s players, who were criticised by coach Roberto Mancini prior to the match for their drinking habits.

Chelsea atop league tables

Chelsea maintained their five-point gap at the top of the English Premier League after coming from behind to defeat Blackburn. Branislav Ivanovic headed a late winner as league leaders Chelsea put up an exhilarating contest at Ewood Park. Ivanovic rose to power in a delightful Yuri Zhirkov cross to cruelly deny Rovers with only six minutes remaining. The hosts dominated the first half and deservedly led when Benjani nodded home El-Hadji Diouf’s teasing cross. But Nicolas Anelka’s fine finish after a sweeping move drew Chelsea level and Ivanovic’s downward header settled it.

The result, which leaves Sam Allardyce’s men only one place above the relegation zone, was particularly tough on Rovers, who could have been 3-0 ahead by the time the Blues drew level. Chelsea started confidently enough early on, zipping the ball around in the midfield and looking every bit a side who had scored 27 goals in their nine league games.

Arsenal snatch a dramatic victory

Arsenal also left it late to snatch a 1-0 win over West Ham at the Emirates, finally breaking the Hammers’ resistance in the 88th minute with a goal from Alex Song to see the Gunners keep pace at the top. Arsenal now have 20 points from 10 matches, five behind Chelsea. While Arsenal and Chelsea celebrated wins, fourth-placed Manchester City capped a miserable week by crashing to a shock 2-1 defeat at Wolves. City, beaten 3-0 at home by Arsenal last Sunday, slumped to a second consecutive loss that put a big dent in their nascent title aspirations.

Everton march up the table

Elsewhere, Everton continued their march up the table with a 1-0 victory over Stoke at Goodison Park, Nigeria’s Ayegbeni Yakubu scoring his first league goal for six months as the Toffees extended their unbeaten run to five matches.

Fulham satisfied after win

At Craven Cottage, two goals from Fulham striker Clint Dempsey set up a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Cottagers against Wigan. Dempsey struck in the 30th and 44th minutes to give the Londoners a valuable three points, which take Mark Hughes’s side into eighth position. AGENCIES

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2010.