Still lacking a target man with Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor injured, Mancini set City up in 4-1-4-1 formation until his successful decision to switch to 4-4-2, pushing the outstanding Bellamy closer to Tévez, bringing the 34th-minute goal. The pace and persistence of the new-look strike-force, short of size but big of heart, thoroughly alarmed Wolves defence, combining for the breakthrough. Bellamy looked as liberated in the middle as Robinho looked forlorn and frozen on the City bench.
Sam Wallace, The Independent
Roberto Mancini made the radical step last night of changing his prediction for City's season – upgrading them from top four material to Premier League title contenders – and he did so on the back of one of the best performances in recent weeks from Bellamy. Carlos Tevez might have scored two goals but it was Bellamy who gave City their bite.
Perhaps it was the cruel reminder of Muscat's unpleasant challenge on Bellamy that gave him the impetus to stretch Wolves' defence for the first goal, finished by Tevez. But something has raised his game back to the level it was at when he scored twice against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September. He was back to his spiky best.
Peter Lansley, The Times
As in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Stoke City, Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong sat in more than was their custom under the previous manager, while the full backs, Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta, ventured forward only if they knew they had cover. Javier Garrido, on as a substitute, was granted licence to take the free kick late on that saw off Wolves’ spirited challenge. But it was Bellamy, working in tandem with Tévez, who gave City the cutting edge that proved the difference between the teams.
Stuart James, The Guardian
The Italian's decision to drop Robinho and replace him with Craig Bellamy was totally vindicated, with the Welshman an effervescent presence. He created the first goal and made life uncomfortable for the Wolves defence throughout with his searing pace, although it was Carlos Tevez who exuded a ruthless touch in front of goal. The City forward scored twice to take his tally to eight in seven matches.
Neil Moxley, Daily Mail
It helps when a manager has a player like Tevez to call upon and a player like Craig Bellamy to feed off him. The Argentinian is at the height of his powers, while Bellamy is not far short.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was genuinely pleased with his side's effort. But they lost 3-0 at home, and that was not unfair on either team.
3 comments:
Is RSC injured again, or is this yet another example of Henry Winter getting things totally wrong again, as appears to be his usual "style'?
Who knows, Ambient? Another question: is Sam Wallace suggesting Bellamy has had a dip in form this season? He's been on fire the entire campaign.
However good a story it is and however much he deserved it, I'm still not sure Robi was dropped. He's coming back from injury and Bellamy can't play two games in four days. Choosing which one of them to play at home and the other away was as easy a decision as Mancio will ever have to make.
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