Emmanuel Adebayor was the dominant figure of an incredible second half at the City of Manchester Stadium, his important 80th minute goal putting the game beyond Arsenal's reach and sparking furious scenes.The former Arsenal forward sprinted the length of the field to celebrate in front of the away fans - a provocative gesture with predictable reactions. A plastic chair was among the debris hurled in the player's direction as police and stewards battled to prevent even uglier scenes.
Adebayor had also seemed to catch Robin van Persie in the face in an earlier tussle and the ramifications from this match seem likely to be considerable.
As far as the football was concerned, Manuel Almunia deflected Micah Richards' first half header into his own goal before van Persie stroked in a deserved second-half equaliser.
With the Gunners looking likely winners, Craig Bellamy scored against the run of play before Adebayor and Shaun Wright-Phillips both hit the net on the break.
Tomas Rosicky, playing for the first time in more than 18 months, grabbed a consolation and Arsenal might have claimed at least one more goal in a furious finale.
REACTION:
Mark Hughes appealed for leniency last night after the extraordinary events involving Adebayor at the City of Manchester Stadium.
There appears to be little doubt that the City forward will face some FA action for his goal celebration and an apparent stamp on van Persie but, while the player himself issued an apology, Hughes hopes his man can escape further censure - wishful thinking, surely.
Hughes said: "People have asked me about the stamp but I haven't seen it so I can't really comment.
"But Adie understands that celebrating like that was the wrong thing to do. He's an emotional guy and it was an emotional moment for him. I think he just wanted to enjoy the moment with the fans and he knew Arsenal fans were in the vicinity so it was the wrong thing to do.
"You need to cut him a bit of slack, given what he has been through the last 18 months or so. I've tried to explain the situation, how it developed, how it happened, I've no idea if the FA will do anything."
Adebayor himself was quick to issue an apology but it seems a classic case of too little too late. He said: "I'm very sorry for all this. Sometimes the emotion takes over and that's what happened.
"I was very happy to score the goal. Before the game people have been saying and writing things about me and emotion took over. People who love me and know me know how I behave."
Hughes also, rather naively, hoped that City's excellent display will not be overshadowed by Adebayor's antics although it is likely to be the only talking point for days to come. The Adebayor incidents will also deflect from another game in which Arsenal - as they did at Old Trafford two weeks ago - dominated for long periods but were ultimately easily beaten.
"I don't know about the significance of the result but we go away with the same disappointment we felt at Old Trafford," said manager Arsene Wenger.
"They negotiated better the turning points of the game and we were shaky in defence. We always looked in control in the second half but when you concede four goals, when you look at the amount of possession we had and the efforts we had, this is very difficult to take.
"The good thing for us was having Rosicky back. He is a top class player but because of his injury situation I'm always cautious when talking about him and don't want to put him under any pressure."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Arsenal barely let City string three passes together in the first period, and yet still trailed to a fluke deflected own goal. The visitors lacked any sort of bite in the final third when the game was in the balance although, after van Persie's equaliser, they looked the more likely winner. In the end, and even ignoring Adebayor's disgraceful actions, City's passion, enthusiasm and exuberance - willed on by a record crowd for this stadium - just swept the Gunners aside.
WHAT IT MEANS:
One would imagine, it means Arsenal can forget about winning the title this season given the way they have lost their last two visits to Manchester, dominating both games before wilting under pressure. There is a lack of steel there that good teams will expose too readily. For City? Who knows? These are cray times, the football world is being turned on its head and City have bought themselves four wins out of four. If they're in the top four come January, goodness knows what the owners might do in the transfer market. City for the title doesn't sound so far-fetched tonight.
QUOTABLE:
"It's not worth commenting on. I can't control or influence his behaviour. It is out of my control and I can't influence that."
- Arsene Wenger on his former player Emmanuel Adebayor
MANCHESTER CITY 4 (Almunia og 19, Bellamy 70, Adebayor 80, Wright-Phillips 83) ARSENAL 2 (Van Persie 62, Rosicky 87)
PLAYER MARKING:
Man City (4-5-1): Given 8; Richards 7, Toure 6, Lescott 5, Bridge 5; Wright-Phillips 6, Barry 6, Ireland 4 (Petrov 73, 5), De Jong 6, Bellamy 9; Adebayor 6.
Subs (not used): Onuoha, Zabaleta, Taylor, Sylvinho, Vidal, Weiss.
Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Almunia 5; Sagna 6 (Eboue 77, 5), Vermaelen 7, Gallas 5, Clichy 5; Song 6 (Eduardo 77, 5); Bendtner 6, Denilson 5 (Rosicky 52, 6), Fabregas 6, Diaby 6; Van Persie 8.
Subs (not used): Ramsey, Silvestre, Mannone, Gibbs.
ATTENDANCE: 47,339
NEXT UP:
- Manchester City v Manchester United (Away) Premier League 20/09, 1330 BST
- Arsenal v Standard Liege (Away) Champions League 16/09, 1945 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Craig Bellamy (Man City): His place may be under threat when Carlos Tevez and Robinho are fit, but forget the galacticos, there is still a place in the Premier League for grit and hard work, as embodied by the Welshman ... who can also play a bit.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The player rating must have been completed by your wife as you must have been too busy to watch the match yourself. In the associated articles "Dominated the second half" Adebayor, gets a rating of six ?Your wife must also be Welsh.
( Bellamy who was great got 9 ), but the sad constant search for a dark side,
Focussing on anything but the football, which everybody saw as an exciting premier game, is not healthy.It is also a contact sport !
Guys, as in 'the press', grow up, it's just a footy match and ...... who cares. The guy changed clubs .... so what! They are profesionals, hired guns, on loads of money and probably couldn't give a toss who they score goals for. Few of you guys, the press, have ever had a proper job, in a real company, let alone as a footballer .... on their sort of money (apart from the ex pro footballers)? I don't think so. Just leave it alone!!
Yes Arsenal had a large chunk of good possesion, but credit to hughes, city got there tactics right - dangerous on the break and set plays and worked hard. The second half substitutions changed the game when city looked out of sorts, massive confidence booster for the derby!!!! Adebayor was at the centre of everything - would he have played before bendtner and persie yes on this showing and Lescott looks the bargain not vermallean - could handle the pace of city - made to look ordinary.
What is all this hype about Adie... So do you honestly think he wanted to step on the face of van persie? come on, cut him some slack... I really hate the way the press hype some events... Maybe the celebration was un-called for but SO WHAT? the boys did well, Arsenal has to sit up... I hope we wont be intimidated by the FA in anyway towards thrashing Man U next weekend...
Arsenal again are the nearly side...they nearly are the best side in the world. Until they get 3 solid players....meaning another Ian wright or Henry in attack, a Veira or even a Brady in Midfield, and the old donkey Adams or keown inthe middle at the back this will continue to happen, stability is what they need get some big sensible down to earth solid play makers and it will all click into place.....good to watch and a winning side. Until then the cabinet for ttrophys will remain an empty box with lights in it....
What planet you on !! Arsenal have up and coming young players, Wenger knows what he's doing. Thats why Arsenal are free from owing money.
What is the fuse about Adebayor, the guy is a professional. He's only doing what he's being paid for. It was just right of him to punished Arsenal. Year in, year out Wenger have refused to learn. Success in football especially in EPL has to with the combination of young and old experience players. Since Arsenal refused to buy quality players they should not complain about their result.Yes they played beautiful soccer but that only can not win trophy for them and the fans. My worry now is Arsenal are now on the verge of loosing most of their players come next season.
Adebayor should be banned for the season. Never mind the "celebrations" - to deliberately stamp with studs up on a fellow-professional's face is disgraceful, cheap, and shabby. Imagine what would happen if he'd done it in the street. No place in football for that kind of thuggery. Wonder what Joey Barton thought of it....
What and outrageously disproportionate article, the writer is clearly an Arsenal fan. The goals tally tell the story, City were the better team. Adebeyor's celebration was wrong and deserved the yellow card which he got. However, Mr Van Persie should, for his comments after the game, be reported to the F.A. for bringing the game into disrepute. A blatant attempt to injure Adebeyor led to him receiving an accidental injury to his face, having failed to break Adebeyor's leg he now tries to have him banned by his inflammatory and unjust comments. This is a vendetta waged against a former colleague, Van Persie is a disgrace!
AND JOEY BARTON'S A SAINT TOO....
Fisrtly...Adebeyor did stand on the face of Van Persie,and yes he did run the whole length of the pitch to engage the Arsenal fans. And yes Van Persie done a late tackle on Adebeyor...But nothing was so disrespectful on Adebeyor's half. And as for Mark Hughes....as a manager does he not have any control over his team. Maybe he should have put a statement out, then thats to much of a decision to make.