Even the recall of Shay Given, for what may have been his last start in a City goalkeeping jersey, could not compensate, much as the Irishman demonstrated his quality for Mancini's benefit with a string of fine saves.
For his part, the Albion head coach, Roberto di Matteo, made 10 changes from the side that had beaten Birmingham last weekend but had enough experience and determination in his 11 to expose City's vulnerability and, although West Bromwich trailed at half-time, two goals in as many second-half minutes produced a just result.
Ian Edwards, Daily Telegraph
Given had made four excellent saves to thwart Albion by the time Gianni Zuiverloon surprised him with the sheer speed of his shot from the corner of the 18-yard box to equalise, and the huge gap which allowed Simon Cox to exchange passes with Roman Bednar to complete a deserved victory for Roberto Di Matteo's side was symptomatic of a dismal defensive performance.
Phil Shaw, The Guardian
Vieira relished the role of senior citizen, rarely straying from the centre of the pitch or breaking into a run but directing and cajoling his raw colleagues. Given needed no such coaxing, swiftly resuming his defiance after half-time by racing out to pluck the ball off Barnes' feet after a through-pass by Bednar.
1 comment:
What is all this "Given the Hero" rubbish. He was badly at fault for both goals and did nothing that would not be expected of a PL keeper in terms of shot stopping.
He also punched poorly on several occasions and failed to leave his line to collect crosses on many others.
Replacing Joe Hart with him was a Hughes move of staggering stupidity - on a par with the purchase of Crocky.
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