We’re just a day away from the Capital One Cup Semi-Final against Everton…
It’s set to be a special atmosphere at the Etihad, will you be there to help create a special atmosphere? Tickets for the game are available here.
We’re down to the final two now, but which game makes the #2 on our countdown?
City 1-0 Spurs, 10 May 2011
A season after Spurs secured Champions League qualification at the Etihad, the roles were reversed as City qualified for Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in over 40 years.
Both teams exchanged chances in the opening period of the game with Edin Dzeko denied by Carlo Cudicini and Spurs’ Luka Modric firing wide from the edge of the area.
The pivotal moment in the game occurred in the 30th minute when Peter Crouch put into his own net to give City the lead.
The away side came firing out of the blocks in the second half and Joe Hart was in fine form to prevent Steven Pienaar scoring just two minutes after the restart.
City had chances to seal the win late on but Patrick Vieira’s chipped effort was cleared off the line by William Gallas and Cudicini saved from Carlos Tevez with the last kick of the game.
The Etihad was rocking at the final whistle as City secured their place in the 2011/12 Champions League and more success was to follow four days later when the Blues beat Stoke in the FA Cup final.
Match highlights
Starting XIs
City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta (Kolarov 57), DeJong, Milner, Yaya Toure, Silva (Tevez 83), A Johnson (Vieira 66), Dzeko
Unused subs: Given, Boyata, Wright-Phillips, Balotelli.
Spurs: Cudicini, Corluka, Gallas (Kaboul 87), Dawson, Rose, Sandro, Palacios (Pienaar 31), Lennon, Modric, Van der Vaart, Crouch (Defoe 76),
Unused subs: Pletikosa, Kranjcar, Bassong, Pavlyuchenko
Key moments
11’ – Carlo Cudicini denies Edin Dzeko from ten yards out after the Bosnian was set up by David Silva.
27’ – Luka Modric fires wide from the edge of the area after being teed up by Aaron Lennon.
30 – GOAL! Peter Crouch diverts James Milner’s cross into his own goal to give City the lead.
37’ – David Silva fires narrowly over Cudicini’s crossbar.
47’ – Wonderful save from Joe Hart to prevent Steven Pienaar’s header hitting the back of the net.
83’ – Carlos Tevez returns to action after missing four games due to injury.
86’ – William Gallas somehow manages to clear Patrick Vieira’s chipped shot off the line.
90+6’ – Tevez is denied in a one-on-one situation by Cudicini in what is the last kick of the game.
Man of the Match
Joe Hart
Reaction
“So it is goodbye to agony and hello and a big warm welcome to ecstasy. More than forty years after the club’s last outing in Europe’s premier club competition the Blues are back.
“In an ironic twist of fate City’s place in the top four was secured by Peter Crouch who put through his own goal, the ball finding the same netting that captured his winning effort for Spurs last season.” Chris Bailey, Manchester City
“Manchester City can look forward to the prospect of Champions League football next season after gaining revenge over Tottenham at Eastlands.
“The Blues have secured at least fourth place in the Premier League after the win, which ironically came via the boot of Peter Crouch.
“This time last season Crouch scored the goal that sealed Spurs’ passage into Europe’s elite club competition, but a year on and it was his own goal that boosted City.” Stuart Brennan, Manchester Evening News
“Manchester City ground their way to glamour. The Champions League lies before them although they will have to negotiate a qualifying round unless they can overtake Arsenal and come third on the domestic front.” Kevin McCarra, Guardian
City face Everton in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday 27 January, in what’s set to be a thrilling night of cup football at the Etihad.
Tickets are available to buy online at mcfc.co.uk/tickets by telephone on +44 (0)161 444 1894 (option 1, option 1, option 2)* and in person at the Ticket Office on the first floor of the City Store at the Etihad Stadium.
