August 27 2009

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace put in a brave performance against Man City but were defeated 2-0 in the Carling Cup second round.

City created the first chance of the match inside the first two minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor set up Carlos Tevez who wastefully fired off target.

But from then on, Neil Warnock's side took the game to the Premier League big spenders with Clint Hill heading an attempt right at Shay Given.

The City keeper then dived down low to keep out Freddie Sears' effort before Darren Ambrose was only a few inches away from scoring with a rasping strike from 20 yards that flew just over.

Palace stopper Julian Speroni fisted a powerful Adebayor shot over the bar and shortly afterwards came rushing out to thwart fellow Argentinian Tevez.

Sears nipped in behind Kolo Toure for a great chance but Given reacted fast to beat away his effort.

Five minutes into the second half, City took the lead when Stephen Ireland found Shaun Wright-Phillips in space down the right wing and he powered his shot into the far corner.

Two minutes later, Ireland sent Adebayor clear on goal but Speroni made a superb block to deny the striker.

Wright-Phillips hit the bar after getting set up by Robhino but Palace should have equalised as the impressive Victor Moses blazed his shot wide after good work from Nathaniel Clyne.

Tevez made the tie safe for the visiting side by finding space in the box to head home Wright-Phillips' corner in the 71st minute.

He could have added another but Speroni made another good intervention. Palace had two chances late on as Shaun Derry fired off target and Alassane N'Diaye headed at Given.

Eagles boss Warnock will be pleased with the spirited display from his players who matched the millionaires for most of the match but did not have that extra quality to win it.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Fonte, McCarthy, Hill, Ambrose (Smith 72), Derry, Danns, N'Diaye, Moses (Carle 80), Sears (Scannell 72).

Not Used: Flahavan, Lawrence, Lee, Butterfield.

Man City: Given, Richards, Lescott, Toure, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, Robinho (Bellamy 72), Adebayor, Tevez (De Jong 86).

Not Used: Taylor, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Petrov, Weiss.

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