Summary
City eased to a three-goal win over a toothless Newcastle, but the main talking point was the performance by and reception given to Joey Barton. The midfielder won the man of the match award, despite earning the boos of the crowd early in the match. He had a big hand in the first goal, was booked in the first half and was substituted 12 minutes from time.
Goals came from Riera, Cole & Vassell, and City looked comfortable and confident throughout.
It was bitterly cold in Manchester tonight as City looked to build on Saturday’s encouraging win in the cup.
Georgios Samaras was on the bench as Stuart Pearce kept things ‘as is’ up front. Kiki Musampa started for the first time since the Liverpool match in late November in replacement of Stephen Ireland.
The Match
Jordan conceded a free kick after four minutes right on the edge of his box when he pushed Shearer in the back, but Emre’s curled effort went straight at James, the City keeper taking the ball with no worries.
Musampa, in his new central midfield role, looked set to shoot on his left after 11 minutes, but feinting on to his right his shot was well blocked.
Newcastle broke away downfield, but Chopra’s shot flew yards over David James’ bar.
But on 14 minutes City took the lead, and it was Joey Barton, inevitably after this week’s news, who was at the centre of the move! He crossed from the right byline, the ball flew over Vassell but Albert Reira was waiting. The Spanish winger waited for it to bounce, then volleyed it with his left past the diving Given into the corner of the net.
Significantly, several players surrounded Barton to give their thanks to the player, who had been booed as he set himself to cross the ball before the goal.
Vassell worked his way into space on the left after 22 minutes, but with Cole free Vassell chose to shoot, and the ball went just past Given’s right post.
Barton, still booed by several, found Vassell with a great pass after 29 minutes to set up the striker, but after running on and checking his stride, his shot was easily taken by Given.
A minute later, Jordan shot first-time but the ball skidded wide of Given’s left post.
With 34 on the clock, Bramble was booked for a clumsy challenge on Riera in the corner. Barton’s free kick was swung in, but Given was able to grab above several Blue shirts.
The Magpies’ first concerted attack came after 37 minutes, but after Babayaro’s cross was well claimed by James.
But a minute later City doubled the lead! Musampa found Vassell in the box, and the striker dinked a chip over to the unchallenged Andy Cole who nodded the ball home.
Barton was booked on 40 after clashing with Boumsong. With the Newcastle defender returning after treatment, Sinclair nearly finished a great move by trying to lob Given, but the Irishman leapt to claim.
Deep into stoppage time Riera had a half-chance after Vassell pulled back for him, but the winger appeared to get the ball trapped under his feet and Given parried it away.
With 49 on the clock, Barton hooked a Riera corner back into the box, and Cole was just inches away from connecting for what would surely have sealed the game for the Blues.
Cole made Given work after 54, shooting from the right side inside the area only to see the Irish international fall on the effort that had alacked a little in power.
Shearer incensed the home fans when he went to ground when close to Sun Jihai on the edge of the box, but referee Foy waved away the protests, possibly having seen this on several occasions down the years?
And Foy raised a few chuckles seconds later when he & Barton, neither looking around them, collided with eachother and went down in a heap, David James dusting the official down after his impression of the man who fell to earth.
Then on 63 City went further ahead through Darius Vassell! Riera claimed the ball in his own half but Cole took possession from him. The striker’s immaculate pass allowed his partner to sprint on and after shading to the left, he rolled the ball into the far corner with left foot.
With 25 to go, the Blue faithful got their first view of Georgios Samaras when he replaced Cole, and he won a huge ovation for getting stuck into a challenge after just seconds on the pitch.
Sibierski replaced Vassell with 69 gone, and just after a fine Given save denied the Blues a fourth. Sinclair lashed the ball from the edge of the box, but Given blocked instinctively with his feet. Barton tried his luck after Sibierski laid back the rebound, but it was well over.
Newcastle began to press a little, with Distin conceding a corner when he sliced his clearance, but the Magpies made nothing from it.
With 12 minutes left Barton was substituted, taking a couple of seconds to applaud all corners of the ground and earning applause as well as a few boos. His replacement was Micah Richards for his home senior debut, after making a fleeting appearance at Highbury.
The closing period saw Newcastle create nothing, with Emre (possibly their best player) replaced by O’Brien. Richards looked right at home in midfield, and Samaras’ considerable presence was felt up front.
