Charlton Athletic – Manchester City

1. Hello, I'm Alex, and I'm here to commentate on Manchester City's trip to Charlton. It might be a beauty. It might be a stinker. Who knows?

2. Some team news: Manchester City have made five changes, with manager Stuart Pearce turning to experience in a bid to get City's season rolling again.

3. Charlton go in to the match on the back of five successive home defeats.

4. Charlton kick off the action at The Valley.

5. Charlton are playing in their usual red strip with white shorts, while City are wearing their away kit of dark blue.

6. 1'

   Vassell goes down under a Perry challenge as he tried to get away down the right wing. Free-kick.

7. 2'

   WIDE! Sun Jihai curls a good cross in from the left wing, but Vassell can only direct his header a couple of yards wide of the far post. He perhaps should have done better there.

8. 3'

   City are playing with a regular 4-4-2 formation, with the home side lining up with a 4-3-3.

9. 4'

   Perry gets just enough weight on a back-pass back to Kiely, with Vassell attempting to hunt it down.

10. 4'

    The City fans are in good voice early on in this match, though there isn't much of a response from the home fans.

11. 5'

    City register another shot as Barton clips a pass over the top for Sinclair to chase; the former England winger scuffing a shot across goal which Kiely collects easily.

12. 6'

    BRAVE SAVE! Kiely is injured as he dives at Vassell's feet as the City striker ran on to Cole's excellent through-ball. Vassell's first touch was poor; he should have at least got a shot away.

13. 7'

    Kiely needs some treatment on his arm from the Charlton physio, but he's a brave lad and is soon up on his feet.

14. 7'

    City have had all of the ball and play in these early minutes, and have already created a couple of chances for Vassell. They had made much the brighter start.

15. 8'

    City win another free-kick in a dangerous spot when Sinclair is brought down by Spector on the right wing. Barton stands over the ball as Dunne and Distin go forward...

16. 9'

    ...Barton fires the ball in low, Dunne reads it well and clips a shot away, but it flies a yard or so past the near post. Good effort from the big centre-back.

17. 10'

    Sinclair ensures City keep up the pressure on the home side as he breaks down the right and wins a corner off Spector.

18. 11'

    Sun Jihai puts the ball in to the middle, but Ambrose is able to clear.

19. 11'

    City are putting good pressure on the Charlton midfield, with Barton and Ryena getting through a lot of woek in the middle.

20. 12'

    OOOH! Sun Jihai sends over a tempting cross from the left, and Hreidarsson is forced to put the ball behind for their second corner of the match.

21. 13'

    OVER! Dunne plants a header a couple of yards over the bar as he ran on to Jihai's cross from the right. Another good chance for the visitors.

22. 14'

    City will be very disappointed not to have translated this promising start in to a goal; they might be made to rue it later on in the match.

23. 15'

    Dunne smashes a volley over the bar from 30 yards out. An ambitious effort from the Irish defender.

24. 16'

    City maintain the pressure on the home goal as they win a succession of corners down the right. Sinclair is seeing a lot of the ball on his return to the team.

25. 17'

    Charlton are really struggling to get their forwards in to the match; Johansson and Ambrose have barely touched the ball in the opening quarter of an hour.

26. 18'

    The referee awards City a free-kick as Distin and Bent chase down a long ball over the top and in to the City penalty area.

27. 19'

    Charlton are playing very narrow as their wide front players come inside to try and search for the ball. Their system is playing right in to the visitors' hands.

28. 20'

    The pace of the game has slowed a little as Charlton gradually claw their way back in to it; they are starting to scrap for the loose balls a lot more now.

29. 20'

    Reyna puts the ball out as Ambrose lies on the turf in the City half. The Charlton youngster is holding his face, and needs a little attention from the physio.

30. 21'

    City's right-back this afternoon, David Sommeil, is playing with a face mask on to protect a broken cheekbone.

31. 22'

    This is Alan Curbishley's 700th game in charge at Charlton; he is one of the longest-serving managers in the league.

32. 23'

    City try to take a quick free-kick as Barton looks to release Vassell over the top, but the City striker is flagged off-side.

33. 24'

    GOAL! Cole and Vassell link up brilliantly as they combine to hunt down Distin's long header. Cole sprints on to the ball on the edge of the area and places a shot past Kiely inside the far post.

34. 25'

    City deserve to be in front after dominating the early exchanges, and it was a super finish from the veteran Cole - his 6th league goal of the season.

35. 26'

    Charlton look to have made a change to their system, reverting back to a traditional 4-4-2, with Murphy moving out to the right of midfield.

36. 27'

    Cole and Vassell are starting to link up very well now, with the older player slipping some excellent passes through to his lively partner up front.

37. 28'

    Alan Curbishley has recognised that his side are being out-played, and the change to a 4-4-2 should make his side more competitive in midfield.

38. 29'

    CHANCE! Murphy fires a pass in to Bent, who does well to chest the ball down to Ambrise on the edge of the area. The youngster takes a good touch, but blasts high over the bar with only James to beat.

39. 30'

    Distin fires his side up; he is forced to make a good challenge on Johansson as the pacy striker looked to cut in to the area. Corner.

40. 31'

    The corner is sent in to the middle, but Hreidarsson, under pressure from Dunne, heads wide from six yards out.

41. 32'

    Charlton are looking very dangerous; going a goal down has really sparked them in to life. Dunne and Distin are being forced in to some desperate blocks and challenges at the back.

42. 32'

    The home side win their second corner when Distin is forced to put the ball behind as Johansson ran down the right channel.

43. 33'

    Cole mis-cues as he attempts a first-time shot from Sinclair's pass in to his feet on the edge of the penalty area.

44. 34'

    Smertin is pushed by Barton as he tried to pass him, 45 yards out. Free-kick, central, for Charlton.

45. 34'

    There are signs of a recovery from the home side; they are managing to cause a few moments of concern in the City defence after changing to 4-4-2.

46. 35'

    GOAL! Bent latches on to a long pass over the top from Young, holding off Dunne before firing a low shot in to the bottom corner.

47. 36'

    GOAL! Sinclair fires City back in front, just seconds after Bent's equaliser! Cole slid lovely pass in to the winger, who fires a low shot under Kiely from a tight angle.

48. 37'

    A remarkable couple of minutes here at The Valley; Charlton just switched off for a second, and Sinclair restored City's lead.

49. 38'

    City's front two of Cole and Vassell have caused problems for the Charlton defence all afternoon; Cole's pass in to Sinclair for City's second was superbly weighted.

50. 39'

    Cole flicks on a long free-kick from Distin, but it has just too much on it and Kiely gets to it before Vassell.

51. 40'

    I think both sides will be keen to get to half-time for a breather and the chance to regroup.

52. 41'

    Spector's cross from deep on the left takes a deflection, and Dunne does well to get his head on the high ball and flick it back to his goalkeeper.

53. 42'

    The game has slowed a little since City's second goal; both teams are struggling to put any passes together.

54. 43'

    Ambrose does well to spread the play out to Young on the right, but the move eventually breaks down after Bent's mis-placed pass.

55. 44'

    Vassell does well to hold off Young and send over a left-footed cross, but it's just too long for Cole and Sinclair.

56. 45'

    HALF-TIME: A good half from City, who go in at the break with a deserved 2-1 lead. I think they'll be more goals in this game; it has been quite open.

57. 45'

    HALF-TIME SUB: Holland is replaced by Thomas. Charlton look to be trying to get some width in to their game.

58. 45'

    City kick off the second half.

59. 46'

    The Charlton home fans were getting a little restless at the end of the first half; they are desperate to see their side win here at The Valley.

60. 47'

    Thomas heads on Kiely's long clearance, but bent is adjudged off-side as he tried to get on to the flick.

61. 47'

    Sinclair wins his side a free-kick on the right-edge of the Charlton penalty area. Dangerous spot. Barton stands over the ball...

62. 48'

    ...The midfielder whips in a great cross, but Cole heads over the crossbar from six yards out. He should have done better with that.

63. 48'

    Hreidarsson wins a header from another long pass in to the penalty area, but James collects comfortably.

64. 49'

    Sommeil does well to cover as Thomas and Smertin team up against him on the Charlton left. He could be set for a long run in the side, with Danny Mills currently injured.

65. 50'

    Barton is showing some good composure on the ball in the centre of midfield; he has had a good game this afternoon.

66. 51'

    WIDE! Barton flashes a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area after a one-two with Renya. He should have worked the keeper, at the very least.

67. 52'

    Thomas almost slides a good pass in to Bent, but the ball is slightly over-hit and James collects on the edge of the area.

68. 53'

    BLOCK! Vassell finds some space in the penalty area, turns and shoots, although his effort is blocked on the six yard box.

69. 53'

    City are all over Charlton at the moment, and the home side are not defending very well at all.

70. 54'

    SUB: Johansson is replaced by Bothroyd. Curbishey changes a striker for another striker as he searches for this equaliser.

71. 55'

    Charlton win a free-kick as Thatcher attempts to plough through four players. 35 yards out, but Murphy is eyeing the shot...

72. 56'

    ...Murphy strikes it well, but his shot flies a couple of yards over James' crossbar.

73. 56'

    Good defending from Distin as he manages to clear under pressure from Thomas.

74. 56'

    Perry earns a booking with the referee after bringing down Vassell on the edge of the Charlton penalty area. Barton looks interested in the set-piece...

75. 56'

    ...but then so do four or five other City players...

76. 57'

    ...The City man drives a low shot in, but his effort is blocked inside a crowded penalty area. Corner to City.

77. 58'

    Sun Jihai curls the ball in to the area; Sommeil wins the header, but Vassell can't turn the shot in from four yards out.

78. 59'

    Another good block from Distin as he blocks Young's low cross from a good overlapping run down the right.

79. 59'

    Sun Jihai is booked for sliding in on Spector on the half-way line. The Charlton man needs some treatment, but he's soon on his feet.

80. 60'

    Jihai spreads a great pass out to Sinclair on the right wing, but the former England man mis-controls and the ball runs away from him.

81. 61'

    Vassell is punished for backing-in to his marker as he attempted to control Sinclair's flicked header.

82. 62'

    There have been no real signs of a Charlton comeback since half-time, although the home side are still only a goal down and will think they are still in this match.

83. 63'

    The home side win a corner when Thatcher is forced to put a long free-kick behind at the far post.

84. 63'

    Murphy sends the ball in, but City win a free-kick when Hreidarsson is seen pushing Dunne at the far post.

85. 64'

    Hreidarsson mis-kicks as he attempts to clear Reyna's cross from the right, but he recovers his composure to eventually clear.

86. 64'

    Thomas is furious when he is adjudged to have pushed Sommeil as they challenged for a bouncing ball in the penalty area.

87. 65'

    Some slick City passing involving Cole, Sinclair and Reyna as they break up a Charlton attack and mount one of their own.

88. 66'

    Smertin nicks the ball away from Barton in midfield, but the covering is excellent in the City defence and they break up the Charlton attack.

89. 67'

    PENALTY! A cross from the right is met by Vassell and strikes Perry's arm. City appeal, the referee turns it down, but then moments later spots Hreidarsson holding Vassell's shirt and points to the spot.

90. 68'

    GOAL! Kiely saves Barton's penalty, but the City midfielder follows up and slots a low shot in to the corner. He got lucky there, but stayed cool to place his shot home.

91. 69'

    SHOT! Ambrose cracks a low volley a foot or so wide of the near post from the edge of the penalty area.

92. 70'

    Bothroyd falls under a tackle from Thatcher; the Charlton man tumbles inside the penaltya area, though the foul was committed outside. Free-kick.

93. 71'

    Charlton were furious that the referee deemed the offence took place outside the penalty area, though replays show the official made the correct decision. He books Young for dissent, and then Reyna for encroaching at the free-kick.

94. 72'

    GOAL! Murphy tees up Bothroyd, who blasts a low shot from the corner of the area inside James' near post.

95. 73'

    We're in for a cracking finish here; Bothroyd's bullet shot should perhaps have been saved by James at his near post, but it has brought the Charlton fans and team alive.

96. 74'

    James is forced to put a shot from Ambrose behind for a corner. Nervous moments for City.

97. 75'

    More panic in the City area, though they eventually clear and mount a great counter attack through Cole and Vassell.

98. 75'

    Dunne is booked for pushing Thomas as they chased a long clearance up field from Kiely.

99. 76'

    This game has really come to life; the fans are roaring on their sides and the play has become really fast and open.

100. 77'

     This is only the second time this season that City have conceded two goals or more in a game, but they look a little nervous at the back as the final minutes approach.

101. 78'

     GOAL! Cole sends his strike partner Vassell through down the left channel, and the England man keeps his cool to place his shot under Kiely and finish the match.

102. 79'

     City boss Pearce celebrated Vassell's goal with a passionate punch of his fist. Surely that should see the points go home with the Blues?

103. 80'

     In contrast, Charlton are facing their sixth home defeat in succession; a terrible record for Curbishley to deal with.

104. 81'

     SUB: Ambrose off, Hughes on. Curbishley uses his final roll of the dice, replacing a midfielder with another midfielder.

105. 82'

     SAVE! Charlton break at pace through Thomas, who rolls the ball to Bent, on the penalty spot. The young striker takes his time, but places his shot too close to the City keeper, who palms over the bar.

106. 83'

     Hughes sends a long cross to Bothroyd at the back post, but his header is weak and straight at James.

107. 83'

     GOAL! Perry's header back is weak, and gives Cole the chance to round Kiely and slot a shot inside the near post.

108. 84'

     This has become a bit of a rout now; despite looking shakey at the back themselves, City have torn the Charlton defence apart all afternoon, with Cole and Vassell excellent.

109. 85'

     The Charlton fans won;t be happy with their team's performance this afternoon, and are making their thoughts heard.

110. 86'

     SUBS: Wright-Phillips, Croft and Ireland replace Sinclair, Cole and Reyna. Pearce brings on three youngsters on for the final minutes to give them a little more experience.

111. 87'

     "Blue Moon" rings around the Valley as the City fans celebrate a great victory.

112. 88'

     Wright-Phillips slides a pass in to Ireland, who allows it to run to Vassell; he turns inside the penalty area, but his left-foot shot is weak and Kiely saves.

113. 89'

     There are some very glum faces around The Valley as they contemplate a sixth successive defeat, in all competitions.

114. 90'

     City boss Pearce made five changes for the game this afternoon, bringing in experience over youth, and the policy ahs clearly paid off; City have been excellent today.

115. 92'

     City win another corner when Croft's cross is deflected behind by Hreidarsson.

116. 93'

     FULL-TIME: A woeful defensive performance from Charlton as they are taken apart by Cole and Vassell. Barton was another who was excellent this afternoon for the visitors.

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.