Manchester City have confirmed Champions League football next year and have almost secured the second position in the Barclays English Premier League after an uncomfortable 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium in London on Tuesday night.
As expected, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini made 8 changes in the starting XI from the team which drew 0-0 with Swansea City over the weekend, with Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta and captain Vincent Kompany not even on the bench for this match.
Bosnian Edin Dzeko got a rare start in a Blue shirt in the match and truly answered the call when he gave the home side the lead ten minutes before half time with a superbly controlled volley.
The Citizens dominated the first half with a number of other chances as well, but could not capitalize further.
In the second half, the Baggies upped their game, with Rosenburg’s free kick almost bringing them level with City after Javi Garcia was penalised for a foul on the edge of the penalty box.
James Morrison, Shane Long and Billy Jones also forced saves from City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Guaranteed of their best ever finish in the Premier League, West Brom gave it their all in the second half, however could not score an equalizer.
Last year’s champions were left barely hanging on to their slender lead when the referee sounded the final whistle.
Manchester City will now gear up for their most important match of the season, Saturday’s FA Cup showdown against Wigan Athletic, who lost 2-3 against Swansea City yesterday. The
FA Cup is Mancini’s only hope of a trophy this season, which has turned out to be quite bland when compared to the excellence of last season.