Summary
City were knocked out of the FA Cup after falling behind by two goals and playing for the last 35 minutes with only 10 men after Sun Jihai was sent off.
Kiki Musampa’s great volley with five minutes to go gave the Blues hope, but despite a frantic closing period a miracle comeback was not to be.
The Match
In a line-up much changed from Saturday, Dunne partnered Distin, Richards and Jordan were the full-backs, Sun Jihai switched to right-midfield while Barton, Musampa and Riera filled up the middle of the park. Samaras had failed to shake off his injury, so Wright-Phillips started alongside Darius Vassell. Reyna and Sibierski were also absent, so Miller was on the bench.
There was a fantastic atmosphere before kick-off, with great renditions of “We are not really here” & “Blue Moon” to warm the cockles on yet another chilly Mancunian evening.
Celebrity spotting for tonight saw Ray Winstone, a favourite actor of Stuart Pearce and filming “Vincent” in Manchester, to the game.
First minute action saw Wright-Phillips hassle Konchesky into conceding a throw, from which Musampa’s first time volley was touched round the post by Hislop.
Three minutes were just showing when neat work by Vassell saw him link with Wright-Phillips, who cut inside to get the ball onto his left foot, but his shot lacked power and caused Hislop no worries.
Vassell had the Hammers’ defence worried again in the sixth minute when he ran in towards their area, but he took one touch too many and was dispossessed. City had certainly made the better start.
In the 11th minute Musampa wasted a great chance after a clever pass from Barton had found him, The Dutchman ran goalwards from the centre of the park, but from just outside the area and in a lot of space, his shot went high over Hislop’s bar.
With less than 20 minutes on the clock it was already shaping up as a full-blooded cup tie, with great tackles from Musampa and Sun Jihai easing defensive worries for the Blues. Stuart Pearce rampaged across Alan Pardew’s technical area to get the ball for a City throw, and Marlon Harewood handled for what he thought was his throw right in front of a protesting Blues boss.
Stephen Jordan, struggling after an earlier collision, was replaced by the versatile David Sommeil on 24 minutes.
Riera earned the game’s first booking for a scything challenge on 35 minutes, this coming moments after James had raced out to boot clear from the oncoming Harewood.
Then with 41 on the clock, the visitors took the lead. Dean Ashton combined with Reo-Coker to move into the area, and after shaping to go to Distin’s right, his fierce left-footed shot beat David James at the near post.
The goal spurred City on, and from a Riera cross Sun Jihai put the ball over his head towards goal after Hislop had fumbled, but Wright-Phillips could not connect. Seconds later, the striker looked to have a chance but shot well over the bar.
The Blues made a lively start to the second half, with the pace of Riera and Vassell testing the Hammers, but some contentious decisions were going against them.
On 54 minutes Riera made room to get a shot in that went straight at Hislop, but seconds later the Blues nearly went behind when Etherington’s lob from 25 years hit the top of James’ bar.
But controversy struck on 56 minutes when Sun Jihai was sent off. The City player tussled with Etherington as nthe ball was going out of play, and referee Webb adjudged that the Chinese player had lashed out, and that his actions were worthy of a straight red card.
The Blues and their fans seemed inspired despite the sending off, and Wright-Phillips’ shot was only just wide just before the hour mark.
Two minutes later, it was Vassell’s turn to threaten Hislop, who had to get right behind a shot from the striker’s left foot.
Etherington was now a hate figure for the City fans, and this increased when a seemingly harmless challenge from Richards on him saw Webb award a free kick that thankfully was a long way over the bar.
Then, with just over 20 minutes left disaster struck as West Ham doubled the lead. With Dailly on the ground on confusion reigned over whether the game would be stopped and he would be treated or not, but the Hammers attacked down the right. Benayoun squared and Dean Ashton rolled the ball home from inside the six yard box.
Croft and Ireland replaced Wright-Phillips and Barton as City sought to claw their way back into the tie with not much time left.
The Blues were still being roared on and and had a corner with 10 minutes left, but Richards’ header was a long way over the bar.
However the drama continued unabated with 84 minutes gone City got one back! Croft crossed, and Kiki Musamapa‘s first time volley flew past Hislop to give the Blues and the fans some hope.
The Dutchman tried again with a minute left, but Collins headed the deflected effort behind, and from the corner City could make nothing.
Stoppage time was mayhem, with Vassell called offside while Dunne was firing against the post. The four minutes of injury time were not enough to see another goal, and City’s hearts were broken when referee Webb blew for full time.
