City have had the perfect end to their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Greek champions Olympiacos.
The Blues came from behind after conceding in the first half, all their goals coming in a 15 minute period in the second half. Darius Vassell opened his account with his new club, and Bradley Wright-Phillips notched two after coming on from the bench.
Match report
3 mins: An accurate long pass from Onuoha nearly finds Mills coming in from the touchline, but the right back is just short.
4 mins: A curling free-kick from Yaya Toure is well saved, by James, who’s long punt downfield gives Vassell his first chance to stretch his legs.
6 mins: Sinclair finds Cole in the area, but his cross is blocked - the resulting corner is dealt with by Nikopolidis with ease.
10 mins: Cole is found free in the area but is adjudged to be slightly offside.
17 mins: Vassell earns a round of applause for a strong challenge on Kapsis - Stuart Pearce had said that the number 11’s willingness to make brave challenges was a reason he wanted him to come to City.
20 mins: Joey Brton’s turn for a cheer from the crowd as he takes a corner, again the Greek ‘keeper easily copes with the cross.
23 mins: Konstantinou’s diving header from six yards brings out a superb save from James, and Djordevic’s follow up volley flies a long way over.
27 mins: GOAL! City go behind, as Yaya Toure leaves his marker at a corner to flick in a near-post header.
28 mins: Sommeil nearly makes amends straight away with a nearpost nod on of his own, but the ball goes just over the bar.
30 mins: Goergatos beats the offside trap, but his shot curls just wide of James’ left post.
31 mins: Good ball in from Jordan finds Vassell in the box, who volleys at the keeper - but the linesman flags and any goal would not have counted.
37 mins: More encouragment for Barton, as he gets a volley in on target following some head tennis on the edge of the box. His looping shot is straight at the ‘keeper, but the midfielder can take heart from his display so far.
40 mins: Stoltidis hits the left hand post with a deflected shot that had James scrambling across his line.
43 mins: Vassell hassles a defender on the edge of the box, the ball squirts out to Musampa whose low, left-footed shot across the ‘keeper is only inches wide.
46 mins: The visitors have 65 mins: GOAL! Vassell opens his City account, to the delight of his new home crowd. Andrew Cole flicks the ball over as the Greek defence looks for offi=side, but England striker keeps his head as the ‘keeper charges towards him and loops the ball over and into the far corner of the net.a free kick right on the 18 yard line, but Georgatos’ effort deflects off a City head.
51 mins: Great work from Sinclair down the right, and he gets a good cross into Cole in space in the area. However, the striker can only head the ball directly at the ‘keeper.
52 mins: Sinclair has to stretch to try to connect with a cross from the left, but just cannot get there.
57 mins: A Barton cross troubles the ‘keeper, who opts to punch the ball behind. It’s been mostly City this half so far.
65 mins: GOAL! Vassell opens his City account, to the delight of his new home crowd. Andrew Cole flicks the ball over as the Greek defence looks for offside, but England striker keeps his head as the ‘keeper charges towards him and loops the ball over him and into the far corner of the net.
75 mins :GOAL! Musampa lays the ball off to Ireland, whose cross finds fellow substitute Wright-Phillips, who delicately flicks his head to put the ball to the right of the Greek ‘keeper.
79 mins: GOAL! Wright-Phillips beats one man in the challenge, glides round another and puts a low right-footed shot into the far corner - the crowd are chanting for a Wright-Phillips at the City of Manchester Stadium once more!
The visitors look to have settled for the defeat, but City continued to press, with Wright-Phillips’ pace continuing to trouble the Greek defence.
