City Near Perfect In Birmingham Demolition

City remain in pole position for Fourth Spot with another breathtaking victory. Unlikely hero Onuoha(2), Adebayor(2) and Tevez compounded misery on Birmingham City with a 5-1 home victory.

Despite sitting pretty in fourth spot City were still finding it hard to convince pundits that we are the "real deal". After last week`s hammering of Burnley, a similar outcome would have been greatly appreciated.

However, Birmingham have proved sturdy and resolute opposition this season and even though Joe Hart wouldn`t feature, breaking them down and earning another home victory wasn`t easily achievable.

The match began slowly with Birmingham nullifying any opportunities and creating few themselves. The forward quartet was finding it difficult to test Taylor in goal and despite the odd breakaway, Alex Mcleish`s side were expectedly well drilled and gutsy.

As the first half progressed the chances were still few and far between, Adebayor was proving difficult to cope with but he couldn`t put the Blues ahead. The fans weren`t strangers to the slow build-up but an increased amount of frustration was evident with Birmingham not allowing us our creative space and freedom. Birmingham continued in the same vein and the opening goal would have to wait.

Suddenly the match burst into life. We were absolutely scintillating, Birmingham had proved very sturdy opposition for the first 35 minutes, but all involved were blown away. A pleasant sign was the link up play between Adebayor and Tevez and something had to give. Adebayor strode gracefully into the oppositions box only to be brought down by Johnson. With confidence streaming down the blood vessels of Tevez, there was only one outcome- sending Taylor the wrong way and scoring his 21st Premier League goal of the campaign. City now sensed blood and had the impetus largely with them. With little time to digest the first goal, the second arrived. The unlikely defender Nedum Onuoha crashed home his header after Johnson spiralled in a deep corner.

Without testing Given all afternoon it was now the away side who had to attack and they did so with great affect. Slack defending allowed Mcfadden to cross deep for Jerome who halved the deficit with a header of his own. Despite the setback, City were unfazed, after slicing their opposition open twice it was only expected a third would come along. The half had turned on its head, the opening exchanges provided only a lacklustre affair, these 5 minutes were certainly not expected. Adebayor allowed City to reminisce on last week`s thumping scoring his first of the afternoon, making it 3-1 and four goals in ten minutes.

City now had a definite stranglehold in the game and the second half was to be opened up very nicely. Birmingham knew the onus was now on them if they were to take anything away from a difficult fixture. This allowed City the opportunity to counter attack with regularity, the quartet were now proving unstoppable, Johnson`s dazzling runs coupled with the artistry and intelligence of the front two was admirable.

The chances were coming in abundance, the free-flowing attacking play was simply irresistible, Tevez came close on several occasions and Bellamy was desperately unlucky not to add a goal of his own. As the score line looked fixed and settled a rampaging run from Nedum Onuoha added City their fourth. Desperate to earn a permanent spot in the City line-up Nedum was immense, his determination and battling earned applause from the tremendous atmosphere.

As the crowd were filtering out of the ground more entertainment was to follow, Adebayor had one of his terrific outings and netted his second goal after a through ball timed to perfection.

The game was complete, 5-1 and a confident eye-catching display at home was exactly what was needed and fourth spot is growing ever closer. City were again clinical and did brilliantly to break down a very strong bunch of characters from St Andrews.

An all round great outing.

Adebayor- Hold up play was excellent. He linked up very well with Tevez and deserved his two goals.
Made 1 great save at 3-1. other than that a quiet afternoon. Really staked a claim in starting. A great performance, defensively strong and powerful. Two suprise goals. Strong, tough and determined. Toure gave the opposition very few chances. The defensive stalwart was again unbeatable. His awareness, composure and overall ability was evident once again. Nothing of note. Played reasonably well. Another dazzling performance. Johnson twisted the oppostion inside and out and should surely be on the plane to South Africa. Battled well, had little to do otherwise. A terrific all round performance. Defended very well and provided several opportunities for the front men. Speed, skill and determination, Bellers had it all. A very pleasing performance, very unlucky not to score himself. Hold up play was excellent. He linked up very well with Tevez and deserved his two goals. Definately one goal possibly two Tevez was again excellent. He has excelled this season and deserves the appluase. Had little influence in a game that was already over. Not enough time

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