Manchester City – Charlton Athletic

1. Hello, welcome to Soccernet's converage of Manchester City's clash against Charlton at the City of Manchester Stadium.

2. My name is Alex, and I'm here to guide you through the pulsating action down on the pitch. I'll do my very best for you good folks, be sure of that.

3. City have 17-year-old Micah Richards making his first Premiership start at right-back, with David Sommeil taking up the defensive berth on the left.

4. Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has made one change to the side that beat Liverpool in midweek, bringing in Talal El Karkouri for the injured Chris Perry.

5. City kick off the action. It's a cold, rainy Manchester afternoon. Who'd have thought it?

6. 1'

   Neither side are in great form; Charlton have lost five of their last six away games, while City have lost five of their last eight Premiership matches.

7. 2'

   Sinclair pressurises Spector in to giving away a throw, deep in Charlton territory. Richards takes the throw, but he is penalised for having a foot on the pitch.

8. 3'

   The 17-year-old is having a lot of the ball early on in the match, and is looking quite composed and calm on his first Premiership start.

9. 4'

   Musampa's careless pass out to Reina on the left gives Charlton a throw, but City have made a very positive start to this match.

10. 5'

    BLOCK! Sinclair slides a pass across the face of the goal, which Vassell gets to just before the keeper. He opts to lay the pass back to Cole, but his shot is blocked and deflected out for a corner.

11. 5'

    The corner is half-cleared to Reina, who blasts a first-time volley well wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area.

12. 6'

    City beat Charlton 5-2 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season; we'd be happy for another seven goals this afternoon, wouldn't we readers?

13. 7'

    Barton's pass over the top is too strong for Cole and Vassell and Myhre collects.

14. 7'

    Distin makes a meal of clearing a loose ball in the area, though the City captain eventually wraps his boot around the ball and plays it out for a Charlton throw.

15. 9'

    A swift counter-attack from City sees Barton release Riera down the left, and the home side win their second corner of the match when the ball goes behind off Young.

16. 10'

    Barton's corner from the left is too strong for Dunne at the far post and Charlton earn a goal-kick.

17. 10'

    Good play down the right wing from Sinclair, before another Riera shot from edge of the area deflects behind for a third City corner.

18. 12'

    It has been a good, open start to the game, with both sides willing to committ men in numbers to their attacks. No real chances to speak of yet, however.

19. 13'

    Sommeill gives away a free-kick for a push on Hughes inside the Charlton half.

20. 14'

    A strange piece of defending from Distin as he unexpectedly allows a long free-kick from Myhre to bounce through to James, with bent hovering menacingly.

21. 15'

    Young does well down the right-hand side, breaking in to the area before attempting to cut a ball back to Bent. Distin reads his mind and clears.

22. 16'

    Neither goalkeeper has really been tested in the opening quarter of an hour, though there has been plenty of industry and endeavour from both sides.

23. 17'

    Charlton are beginning to settle down after a good start from the home side; they are seeing a lot more of the ball now, and beginning to put the City defence under a little more pressure.

24. 18'

    A long clearance from Young is chased down by Darren Bent, but James allows the ball to bounce behind for a goal-kick.

25. 19'

    Vassell and Cole are showing signs of beginnning to get in to the game a little more; they link up so well together when they are on form.

26. 20'

    The crowd are a little subdued at the moment; there hasn't really been anything to get them out of their seats in the opening twenty minutes.

27. 21'

    Hughes tracks back and shows good defensive awareness to head a dangerous cross from the left out for another City corner.

28. 21'

    GOAL! Barton's corner is only half-cleared, and Dunne smashes home a volley from just inside the area. Great finish from the big defender.

29. 22'

    It really was an excellent strike by Dunne; he struck his shot hard in to the ground, and it flew past Myhre before the Charlton keeper had a chance to move.

30. 23'

    The goal has finally brought the City crowd to life - and hopefully it can ignite the players, too; it has all been a little subdued so far.

31. 24'

    A few quiet choruses of "Blue Moon" begin to drift around this magnificent stadium.

32. 25'

    Cole is flagged off-side as he tried to sprint on to Riera's flicked pass over the top of the Charlton defence. Replays show it was the correct decision from the linesman.

33. 25'

    Sommeill is forced to make a very important tackle just inside his own half as Bent threatened to break away from the City defence.

34. 27'

    Richards sends a curling cross in to the heart of the Charlton area from a deep position out on the right wing, but Myhre watches it all the way and makes a comfortable catch.

35. 28'

    City seem content just to knock the ball about in midfield, inviting Charlton to come and try and get the ball off them.

36. 29'

    Riera's attempted cross from the left is blocked by Young. City throw. Sommeill hurls it in to the area, but Charlton clear.

37. 30'

    Richards has been very impressive for City at right-back; he seems a very confident young man, and is using the ball intelligently when he has it.

38. 31'

    The game has become very scrappy since the City goal; neither side has been able to forge a good attacking move and put any pressure on the opposing defence.

39. 32'

    WIDE! Sloppy play from City in midfield gifts possession back to Charlton. Smertin finds Bent on the edge of the area, but his low shot is dragged a yard wide of James' far post.

40. 33'

    City haven't shown any real ambition or creativity since they scored; they seem content just to try and keep the ball, without pushing too far forward.

41. 34'

    City win a free-kick in a great position, on the right-side of the penalty area. Musampa stands over the ball...

42. 35'

    WIDE! Musampa drifts a cross in left-footed, and Myhre is forced to push the ball around his far post after it had skipped dangerously off the greasy turf.

43. 36'

    SCUFFED! Talal El Karkouri curls a Charlton free-kick in to a crowded City penalty area. Dunne's clearing header falls to Marcus Bent, but his volley is poorly-struck and bobbles wide of James' post.

44. 38'

    Thomas makes an important challenge just inside his own half after Cole and Vassell almost pressured El Karkouri in to a mistake.

45. 39'

    Richards shows good adventure and ambition as he cuts inside from the right wing and attempts a left-footed strike on goal; unfortunately, he skies it high and wide.

46. 40'

    There has been only one strike on target so far this half - and City scored from it. Neither goalkeeper has been troubled at all.

47. 41'

    Thomas gives away his third free-kick in quick succession. Referee Dean has a quiet word in the youngster's ear, but keeps his cards in his pockets.

48. 42'

    Young attempts to cut inside in to the City penalty area, but he over-runs the ball and Distin calmly shepherds it back to his goalkeeper.

49. 43'

    Thomas is adjudged to have backed in to Richards as the two competed for a bouncing ball on the touchline. A soft free-kick, really.

50. 44'

    Musampa is pulled back by Smertin as the dreadlocked Dutchman attempted to pass him, 30 yards out from the Charton goal. Barton stands over the free-kick...

51. 44'

    ...but blasts his shot high over Myhre's crossbar.

52. 45'

    Smertin does well to break free from Barton's tackle and advance in to the City half, but his attempted through-ball to Bent is truly dreadful.

53. 45'

    The fourth official mercifully rules there should be only one additional minute of stoppage time.

54. 46'

    HALF-TIME: A dreadful half of 'football'. City somehow have a one-goal lead through Dunne's volley. Better to come in the second half? I certainly hope so, readers.

55. 45'

    SUB: Samaras comes on to replace Sinclair. City's new £6million signing replaces the injured winger.

56. 45'

    Charlton kick off the second half. It looks like Vassell has been moved out to the right-hand side, with Samaras taking his place up-front.

57. 46'

    The news from the City camp is that Sinclair fractured his cheekbone sometime in the first half. An unfortunate way for the former England winger to celebrate his 600th career appearance.

58. 47'

    Samaras is a 6ft 4in Greek striker, and he will add a real physical presence to the City front-line. He shows a couple of good early touches in a City attack.

59. 48'

    Charlton have a three-on-three, but Bent takes too long to make up his mind and Richards steals the ball off the young striker.

60. 48'

    Riera shows good pace to get down the left wing and fire over a low cross, but it is just behind the two City strikers and Hermann Hreidarsson clears.

61. 49'

    BLOCK! Dunne makes a crucial block just inside his own penalty area from Smertin's low shot. It has been a much better start to the half from both sides.

62. 50'

    GOAL! Talal El Karkouri feeds a superb low cross in to the penalty area, and Darren Bent steals in behind Dunne to fire past James.

63. 51'

    It was a fantastic low ball in to the penalty area by the Charlton defender, and Bent's finish from eight yards out was equal to it. We've got a game on now, readers...

64. 52'

    Samaras is penalised for a push on Young as he challenged for Sommeill's long throw in to the penalty area.

65. 53'

    GOAL! Samaras powers home a superb header from 12 yards, burying Barton's cross from the right wing.

66. 54'

    It is Samaras' first goal for City since his signing from Heerenveen during the transfer window - and what a goal. Great header, and the City fans are delighted.

67. 55'

    There were just three minutes between Charlton drawing level and City going back in front, and we've already had more action in the first ten minutes of the second half than in the entire first 45.

68. 56'

    Richards is penalised for a slight push on Thomas as the Charlton winger attempted to pass him on the touchline.

69. 57'

    It is real end-to-end stuff at the moment; City break after a moment of panic in their own penalty area, and Hermann Hreidarsson is forced to make a crucial defensive header at the back post from Riera's cross.

70. 58'

    City win a free-kick, 25 yards out, slightly right-of-centre. Musampa stands over the ball...

71. 58'

    SAVE! Musampa's left-foot shot is heading for the top corner, but Myhre tips over the crossbar for a corner.

72. 59'

    It has been a fantastic start to the second half, from both sides; it is so open now, with plenty of space in midfield and everything is being done at a much higher tempo than in the first period.

73. 60'

    Samaras looks a real threat in the air; he is winning everything and is causing plenty of problems for the Charlton defence.

74. 61'

    Samaras wins his side a free-kick when Hreidarsson fouls him as the challenged for a high-ball.

75. 62'

    GOAL! Barton smashes a sensational drive in to the top corner from 30 yards out. An absolute stunner from the young midfielder.

76. 63'

    It's the sixth goal of the season from Barton; he celebrates in front of the City fans, who go wild. He has truly been redeemed.

77. 64'

    Thomas earns his side a free-kick as he cuts in from the left and is brought down by Distin. A good chance to get a shot in on goal. Talal El Karkouri lines up a shot...

78. 65'

    ...but he blasts a right-foot effort high over James' crossbar.

79. 66'

    Three goals in twelve minutes has really brought the game to life; the atmosphere is much better than it was, and there is a real sense that there are more goals in this match.

80. 66'

    GOAL! Marcus Bent plants a header past James as he gets on the end of Young's superb cross from the right wing.

81. 67'

    Charlton are right back in the match now; it has been a quite incredible second half, and there are no signs that either side are going to shut-up shop from here on in.

82. 68'

    SUB: Vassell is replaced by Sibierski. The Frenchman becomes the third player to play on the right-side of City's midfield. Pearce has spotted a problem for his side on that flank.

83. 69'

    City win a free-kick in a very dangerous spot, 30 yards out, dead-centre. Sibierski strikes the shot, but he finds only the Charlton wall.

84. 70'

    A slick City move almost sees Riera slide Samaras in through the middle, but Karkouri has tracked his run and robs him of the ball.

85. 71'

    WHAT? Samaras is through on goal; he has Cole up in support, but instead opts to shoot - and somehow contrives to screw the ball wide of the post with the outside of his right-foot. Absolutely rubbish.

86. 72'

    Distin gets lucky as bent almost capitalises on a wild swing as the City captain attempted to clear his lines on the edge of the penalty area.

87. 73'

    Sibierski's rash challenge from behind gives Charlton a free-kick, and the midfielder is lucky not to see yellow.

88. 74'

    CHARLTON SUB: Hughes, Thomas and Smertin are replaced by Euell, Bothroyd and Ambrose. A trio of attacking changes from Curbishley as he searches for an equaliser.

89. 75'

    WIDE! Hreidarsson flashes a header just wide of the far post as he gets on the end of a free-kick, drifted in from the left wing.

90. 76'

    This game could still go either way; both sides have looked very shakey at the back since the break, and there are plenty of attacking players who could make them pay.

91. 77'

    WHAT A SAVE! Barton sends a free-kick in towards the back post, and Sibierski meets it with a firm header. Myhre denies him with a flying save. Corner.

92. 77'

    City win three corners in rapid succession, though Riera's delivery from the left is poor and Charlton are able to deal with the threat.

93. 78'

    Samaras does well to control a Sibierski throw on his chest and fire over a great low cross, though Cole doesn't read the near post ball and Myhre saves.

94. 79'

    CITY SUB: Cole pulls up with some sort of calf injury, and is replaced by Ireland. Pearce opts to shore up his midfield by bringing on his impressive young playmaker.

95. 80'

    Barton just can't take advantage of a ridiculous little flick inside his own penalty area by Young.

96. 81'

    Riera seems to have been asked to play up front alongside Samaras for the final few minutes of the game, with Ireland playing just behind the front two.

97. 82'

    A strong run by Samaras wins his side a free-kick when he is brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Talal El Karkouri.

98. 83'

    Musampa takes the free-kick, but his shot is poor and hit straight at the Charlton wall. City's free-kicks have been dreadful all afternoon.

99. 84'

    It is pouring down with rain at the moment, and a few players are finding it difficult to keep their feet.

100. 85'

     Kisichev blocks Riera's cross from the left, and City win a corner. The ball ends at the feet of Sibierski inside the area, but his left-foot shot is high and wide.

101. 86'

     A loose pass from Riera puts his side under pressure, and Dunne is forced to make a crucial interception to keep the ball from reaching Bent on the edge of the penalty area.

102. 87'

     Young is adjudged to have fouled Riera as the two tussled for the ball as the City man broke down the right; the Charlton man is furious with the decision.

103. 88'

     Charlton are pressing for a late equaliser, but City are showing great committment and determination to keep their lead and take the points.

104. 89'

     A Dunne clearing header drifts behind for a late Charlton corner...

105. 89'

     James comes through a crowd and punches clear to relieve some of the pressure building on his defence.

106. 89'

     A fantastic left-foot pass from Ireland out to Samaras, in space on the right wing. The linesman correctly flags for off-side.

107. 90'

     INCREDIBLE SAVE! James makes a quite superb save, low down to his right as he keeps out Talal El Karkouri's powerful volley at his near post. Great save.

108. 91'

     City try and waste some time as they keep the ball near the corner flag.

109. 92'

     FULL-TIME: Woeful first half, stunning second half. City edge out their visitors, but it could have gone either way. 45 minutes that had everything - great goals, contentious decisions, awful defending. Gee whizz.

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