City Creep Over Line To Defeat Battling Wolves

When Carlos Tevez retracted his earlier transfer request last month, the sense of relief around Eastland`s was undeniably obvious. After 18 months of sensational performances, Tevez`s importance at the club couldn`t be more significant.

Once again, City`s captain fantastic drove a disappointing Manchester City side into first gear with his two goals proving just enough to defeat a resilient Wolves.

On a day where City`s unveiling of new signing Edin Dzeko took centre-stage, it was again the familiar site of an Argentinian hit man who stole the headlines off his strike partner by scoring two of City`s four goals in a dramatic 4-3 victory.

A surprise opener from Nenad Milijas- after City`s recent defensive frailties was again questionable- gave Mick McCarthy`s side brief hope of a double over his old club. After a mini revival including victories over Liverpool and Chelsea, Wolves recent form has improved dramatically.

With City starting the encounter slowly, the chance for the away side to clinch a monumental victory couldn`t have been greater and if it wasn`t for Aleskander Kolarov`s excellent block preventing Matt Jarvis, McCarthy`s side could have been one step closer.

The typical Manchester rain certainly threatened to put a dampener on the occasion, with Wolves looking desperate to battle and challenge City for every ball. Defensive mistakes were becoming more frequent and City`s failure to create any chances was becoming apparent.

However, with a half-time shake up from Roberto Mancini on the horizon, Kolo Toure settled the home fans nerves. The Ivorian defender who isn`t afraid to join City`s attacks, struck powerfully from close-range after Wolves failed to clear Kolarov`s corner.

Whether that goal changed the half-time team talk from Mancini is a moot point, but City`s reaction after the break was nothing short of sensational, with our substandard first half performance soon eradicated with a blistering opening to the second.

Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez were linking more freely and when the latter took the Wolves defence on from 25 yards something very special was witnessed.

After an indifferent first-half Tevez strode majestically, defeating several desperate challenges before demonstrating how clinical he is, slotting home through Wayne Hennessey`s legs.

The two aforementioned strikers again looked like creating an opening with their sublime skill receiving plenty of applause. Debutant Dzeko was physical and magical as he broke through two challenges before releasing a rampaging Yaya Toure to score his first goal in front of the home crowd.

City`s fluent and potent attacking play wasn`t quite finished, as Carlos Tevez headed only our second headed goal of the season after Pablo Zabaleta`s cross found the striker unmarked.

With three goals scored in 15 minutes the City faithful now had the opportunity to celebrate in style with all 47,000 blues joining in with the infamous Poznan dance.

With Wolves fearing and City hoping for further additions to the fourth, the remainder of the encounter was bizarre.

Looking down and out, Wolves managed to clinch a goal back from the penalty spot after ex-Wolves player Joleon Lescott brought down Kevin Doyle. The front man was straight up to slot home and give the fans and players hope of mounting a comeback.

The unlikely comeback looked possible five minutes from time as Ronald Zubar headed passed Joe Hart and a lunging Nigel De-Jong.

Tension and anxiety- a familiar feeling amongst City fans- swept the stadium, but fortunately for The Blues another much-needed victory placed us top of the League…. if only for the night.

Carlos Tevez- He couldn't be more important for this City side. His first goal was perfection.
Distribution needs to improve. 100% as usual and an assist to go with it. Not his strongest performance. Scored his goal but looked shaky at the back. Unfair criticism at times. He dives in too much when defending, but this was possibly his best City performance. Strong and committed as usual. Had a very poor first half as did City. Played very well second half as did City. His importance is sometimes overlooked. One of his better City games. Strong going forward. Second half performance was better, nothing sublime but a good performance At times he looked exceptional. Unfortunate not to cap his performance with a goal, but i'm sure there will be plenty to come. He couldn't be more important for this City side. His first goal was perfection. Didn't perform as he would have liked. Quick burst at the end. Late addition.

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