English Premiership
Man City move into top four
2010-09-19 18:29
Wigan - Argentinian international Carlos Tevez scored one and created another as Manchester City moved into the top four with a 2-0 victory at Wigan here Sunday.
Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled side were desperate for three points after just one win in their first four Premier League matches.
They were stifled for much of the opening period before Tevez scored just before half time with his sixth goal in seven appearances against Wigan.
The dynamic striker then crossed for summer signing Yaya Toure to score his first goal in English football as City recorded their first ever win at the DW Stadium in six attempts.
Wigan have now lost three of their first four home games, conceding 13 goals and scoring just once.
Manchester City began the game with Tevez on his own in attack and Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and Nigel De Jong in midfield.
David Silva started a fine move with a fine pass to Micah Richards, whose cross was headed back across his own area by Emmerson Boyce, only for Silva's shot to be deflected wide.
And Tevez also went close when he held off three Wigan defenders and hit a low drive that flew just wide of Ali Al Habsi's post.
Wigan were organised and pressing their visitors hard when City had possession.
And their first real attack came when Pablo Zabaleta's pass was easily intercepted by Boyce but the Wigan full back's cross for Charles N'Zogbia was blocked by Vincent Kompany.
As City looked for more penetration, Gareth Barry lifted a ball wide for James Milner, whose dangerous cross was held at the near post by Al Habsi.
Wigan striker Franco Di Santo had enjoyed an impressive start and forced a tricky low save after cutting inside Kolo Toure and trying to find the near corner.
City continued to probe and when Barry picked out Zabaleta's forward run, the full back drilled a shot over from just outside the area.
But City took the lead just before the break through Tevez's fine chip.
Hart's goal kick was flicked back towards his own goal by Mohamed Diame and Tevez broke away from Steve Gohouri before lifting his finish over Al Habsi.
Tevez picked out Silva shortly after the restart but the Spaniard was crowded out. At the other end, Diame shot well over from 30 yards as Wigan tried to find a way back into the contest.
City doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining thanks to another Wigan defensive lapse.
Maynor Figueroa headed Zabaleta's cross back into trouble and Gohouri could only head as far as Tevez, who clipped to the far post for Toure to touch in.
Tevez almost added a third with a drive that deflected wide and Diame hit another wild effort from distance.
Hugo Rodallega had a free kick deflected wide and Gohouri glanced wide from Figueroa's cross.
Substitute Adam Johnson's deflected cross glanced off Ronnie Stam and was turned onto the bar by Al Habsi in added time.