bluemoon32
Aug 31 2002, 02:16 PM
Manchester City 3 1 Everton
Anelka, Nicolas 14 29 Unsworth, David (Pen)
Anelka, Nicolas 16
Anelka, Nicolas 85
Nicolas Anelka paid the first dividend of his GBP 13million move to Manchester City by grabbing a hat-trick during the 3-1 victory against Everton at Maine Road.
The former Paris St Germain striker secured the points after they had been reduced to 10 men.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was red carded in the 27th minute after conceding a penalty for a challenge on Gary Naysmith.
David Unsworth converted to put Everton back in the game after Anelka had scored twice in two minutes.
However goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel made a string of superb saves before Anelka put the result beyond doubt.
City took the lead in the 14th minute when Anelka rattled in a shot from 30 yards after Ali Benarbia had played a short free kick to Eyal Berkovic.
Anelka's shot took a wicked deflection but there was no disguising his celebration.
More was to follow from the Frenchman two minutes later and this time there was no disputing he deserved to be on the scoresheet.
He swept the ball home at the far post after Steve Howey had headed back a cross from Darren Huckerby.
City were beginning to display the kind of flowing football that had ripped Newcastle apart last weekend.
Benarbia found space on the left and delivered a deep cross to the far post.
Marc-Vivien Foe got clear of his marker, only to misdirect his header and send it over the top.
Everton manager David Moyes knew his team had lost the midfield battle and made a change in the 25th minute. He brought on Tobias Linderorth for the ineffective Li Tie.
The game took a dramatic twist in the 28th minute when Wright-Phillips was sent off by referee Barry Knight.
Wright-Phillips conceded a penalty when he challenged Naysmith - a decision that shocked the home support.
Unsworth ignored the furore to covert the penalty and put Everton back in the game.
City found themselves on the back foot when Kevin Campbell got away from Howey inside the area.
However Schmeichel stood tall and was able to beat away his close range shot.
Tony Hibbert found space on the right for Everton and delivered a good cross to the back post.
Naysmith was ready to pounce but Sylvain Distin showed good awareness to make a timely clearance.
City hit back and Benarbia picked out Anelka with a neat little ball but he squandered the chance as Huckerby waited in vain.
Everton were determined to take advantage of having the extra man at the start of the second half.
They were spreading the ball about well and Hibbert was getting plenty of space on the right.
Schmeichel was again forced to look alert in the 48th minute in a dangerous situation.
Niclas Alexandersson got clear in the area and fired in a shot, only to see it beaten away by the big Dane.
Then Radzinski threaded the ball through to Campbell but Distin managed to get in a tackle before he could shoot.
These were worrying times for City as they tried to hold on to their slim advantage.
City were again indebted to Schmeichel when Radzinski played the ball through to Campbell.
He seemed to delay his effort and that gave the goalkeeper enough time to block it.
City were finding it hard to get going after enjoying a productive spell at the beginning of the game.
Radzinski was working tirelessly and released Unsworth. He fired in a shot that Schmeichel turned away with a degree of arrogance.
Huckerby, who claims he can run 100 metres in 10 seconds, almost grabbed a third for City.
He raced into the area but Simonsen showed great awareness to clear his lines.
Everton almost secured a point through sub Juliano Rodrigo, whose effort whistled past the post.
Anelka had the last word, however, when he completed his hat-trick in the 84th minute.
He took advantage of a mistake by Naysmith to deliver a shot beyond Simonsen into the corner.
Great win for City :) :) :) [/quote]
Anelka, Nicolas 14 29 Unsworth, David (Pen)
Anelka, Nicolas 16
Anelka, Nicolas 85
Nicolas Anelka paid the first dividend of his GBP 13million move to Manchester City by grabbing a hat-trick during the 3-1 victory against Everton at Maine Road.
The former Paris St Germain striker secured the points after they had been reduced to 10 men.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was red carded in the 27th minute after conceding a penalty for a challenge on Gary Naysmith.
David Unsworth converted to put Everton back in the game after Anelka had scored twice in two minutes.
However goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel made a string of superb saves before Anelka put the result beyond doubt.
City took the lead in the 14th minute when Anelka rattled in a shot from 30 yards after Ali Benarbia had played a short free kick to Eyal Berkovic.
Anelka's shot took a wicked deflection but there was no disguising his celebration.
More was to follow from the Frenchman two minutes later and this time there was no disputing he deserved to be on the scoresheet.
He swept the ball home at the far post after Steve Howey had headed back a cross from Darren Huckerby.
City were beginning to display the kind of flowing football that had ripped Newcastle apart last weekend.
Benarbia found space on the left and delivered a deep cross to the far post.
Marc-Vivien Foe got clear of his marker, only to misdirect his header and send it over the top.
Everton manager David Moyes knew his team had lost the midfield battle and made a change in the 25th minute. He brought on Tobias Linderorth for the ineffective Li Tie.
The game took a dramatic twist in the 28th minute when Wright-Phillips was sent off by referee Barry Knight.
Wright-Phillips conceded a penalty when he challenged Naysmith - a decision that shocked the home support.
Unsworth ignored the furore to covert the penalty and put Everton back in the game.
City found themselves on the back foot when Kevin Campbell got away from Howey inside the area.
However Schmeichel stood tall and was able to beat away his close range shot.
Tony Hibbert found space on the right for Everton and delivered a good cross to the back post.
Naysmith was ready to pounce but Sylvain Distin showed good awareness to make a timely clearance.
City hit back and Benarbia picked out Anelka with a neat little ball but he squandered the chance as Huckerby waited in vain.
Everton were determined to take advantage of having the extra man at the start of the second half.
They were spreading the ball about well and Hibbert was getting plenty of space on the right.
Schmeichel was again forced to look alert in the 48th minute in a dangerous situation.
Niclas Alexandersson got clear in the area and fired in a shot, only to see it beaten away by the big Dane.
Then Radzinski threaded the ball through to Campbell but Distin managed to get in a tackle before he could shoot.
These were worrying times for City as they tried to hold on to their slim advantage.
City were again indebted to Schmeichel when Radzinski played the ball through to Campbell.
He seemed to delay his effort and that gave the goalkeeper enough time to block it.
City were finding it hard to get going after enjoying a productive spell at the beginning of the game.
Radzinski was working tirelessly and released Unsworth. He fired in a shot that Schmeichel turned away with a degree of arrogance.
Huckerby, who claims he can run 100 metres in 10 seconds, almost grabbed a third for City.
He raced into the area but Simonsen showed great awareness to clear his lines.
Everton almost secured a point through sub Juliano Rodrigo, whose effort whistled past the post.
Anelka had the last word, however, when he completed his hat-trick in the 84th minute.
He took advantage of a mistake by Naysmith to deliver a shot beyond Simonsen into the corner.
Great win for City :) :) :) [/quote]