Tevez Celebrates His Birthday In Style

Carlos Tevez scored a birthday hat-trick as City defeated West Brom 3-0 at Eastlands.

A stunning first-half performance from City and Tevez keep our extremely slim title hopes alive as well as adding to the great spectacle of next week`s highly anticipated Manchester derby.

Despite Roberto Mancini promising a more cautious and defensive approach due to the continuous leaking of goals, City`s pulsating start, where Tevez, Aleskander Kolarov and in particular David Silva were instrumental, proved too difficult for the away side to control.

Since his arrival from Valencia, Silva has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. His breath-taking skill, committed attitude and sensational passing have provided the spark we were desperate for.

With Tevez demonstrating his unbelievable talent over the past 18 months, he has needed someone of similar ability to share the responsibility and talent, and Silva has complimented him superbly.

Their astute link-up and telepathic nature has contributed to the majority of City`s goals and our second today, illustrated their brilliance. As Tevez strode effortlessly, Silva was alert, the one-two to follow was majestic and Tevez finished clinically.
If his second was brilliant his first and third owed much to Kolarov`s tenacity and the mindlessness of Jerome Thomas.

Tevez`s previous two penalties have been missed, but on his birthday, with two penalties won, there was no doubt that he would be hoping to add to his goal tally.

His first, won by Aleskander Kolarov, was a nerve settler that had City fans hoping the floodgates would open. His confidence is admirable and as he stepped up, the outcome was inevitable, for Tevez his day was just beginning.

The second, which completed the first-half birthday treat, all came from Thomas`s lack of concentration. As a deep cross failed to excite any front man, Thomas looked in control but allowed the ball to slip onto his left hand. With it on a plate, Tevez wasn`t going to miss.

City`s dominance was telling, but West Brom`s attacking play was added to a compelling first half. With Joe Hart coming under criticism over recent weeks, his first-half shot stopping earned a desperate clean sheet.

Kolarov`s recent goals and entertaining displays have showcased his talent and from 35 yards out he could have been celebrating goal of the season, but a spectacular save from Boaz Myhill thumped the ball onto the crossbar.

Our fluency continued with Tevez and Silva coming close, but it was the win that was desperately needed and hat-trick and clean sheet were two great bonuses.

With United next week, the battle is yet to begin, but can we still win this title? Who knows.

A much better display with some crucial saves. Decent all-round display. Doesn't instill the same confidence as VK, but still a good display. Again the stalwart. Some vry well timed tackles and again 100% Much better in the central of midfield. Inspirational. He was worshipped at Valencia and he wll leave a similar legacy here. Reasonable. Is proving to be lethal. Very unlucky not to score that screamer. Happy Birthday Carlos. Could have had even more, but what a day. Good for him to get a run-out. Didn't have much to feed on.

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