Tevez keeps up City charge

Stuart Brennan

September 28, 2009

Carlos Tevez holds his hand up to the West Ham fans after his first goal

MARK Hughes hailed an "excellent" City performance after the 3-1 win over West Ham swept the Blues back onto the shoulder of league leaders United.

Carlos Tevez' first league goals for the club maintained City's best start to a season for 48 years.

And Hughes feels his team has now shrugged off the derby defeat, the only blemish in their eight matches this season.

"We were excellent from start to finish, showing real purpose and determination to get the job done," said the Blues gaffer. "We had a little bit of a reaction to the derby in the cup game against Fulham last week in terms of emotion and physicality, but that is out of our system after winning the last two games."

Martin Petrov stole some of the limelight from Tevez with a goal and a great first-half display in his first start of the season, and that also delighted the boss. He said: "We have some great options now, and Martin had a really positive influence on the game. And we had two more positives with Roque Santa Cruz getting his debut out of the way and seeing Michael Johnson back."

Hughes' opposite number Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to Tevez for the way he celebrated his goal - by holding his hand up in an apologetic nature.

"Great players like him are true gentlemen,'' said Zola. "Our supporters appreciate him for what he did for the club and his contribution for City was outstanding."

What do you think? Have your say.

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jo alves (28/09/2009 at 22:54)

OUTSTANDING TEAM PERFORMANCE, WELL DONE LADS WELL DONE HUGHESIE, & ITS GOING TO GET BETTER !!! CFL BELEIVE.

Frequent Flyer, Altrincham (28/09/2009 at 22:55)

GOD - AND HUGHES STILL GOES ON ABOUT THE DERBY - HUGHES - YOU WERE BEATEN IN THE DERBY - NOT ONLY BY GOALS BUT BY THE STANDARD OF PLAY AND POSSESSION. 2NITE YOU WON - ENJOY IT AND MOVE ON !

Ron Jeremy, upper ramsbottom (28/09/2009 at 22:57)

Fantastic result,fantastic performance well worth the entrance fee and one seriously fantastic heacache Hughes is gonna have in 2 weeks when hes got to pick 11 players from a fully fit squad,we really could pick 2 teams good enough for the top 6.Yes some werent brilliant tonight but certainly give 100%,how we only scored 3 is the only bad point

BristolStevefromOldham, bristol (28/09/2009 at 23:00)

"seeing Michael Johnson back in a City shirt" well, er only just in it

The Lost Soldier, Edinburgh (28/09/2009 at 23:01)

anybody else notice how out of shape Michael Johnson looked when he came on? Will he still have the energy of before?

Blue Blood in my veins, Helensburgh, Scotland (28/09/2009 at 23:20)

I never would have dreamed of saying this but we look outstanding going forward even without SWP and Superman. Toure and Zaba looked the business tonight, Bridge was solid and a great foil for Petrov; the jury is still out on Lescott who hasn't fully settled yet. De Jong was brilliant again and made Barry look ordinary. Petrov was excellent and he is definitely a starter for COMS. Tevez finally got some reward for his endeavour but he should have had a hatrick after 14 minutes! Bellamy is just brilliant and quite clearly scares the hell out of anyone facing him, I liked his attempt at a Hughesy special volley in the second half. RSC got himself in the right places and didn't look lost after such a long time away from the Premier League. Good old Johnno has not missed many meals in the last 12 months has he? My biggest gripe from tonight was yet another crap referee who can't distinguish a tackle from a foul and who feels compelled to use his whistle all the time when there is no decision to be made. Both teams played the game fairly and competitively with no dirty challenges yet the flow just kept getting interrupted by Foy. Do us all a favour and swallow your whistle (and the spare one) and let us football fans enjoy good, fast-flowing football! I believe we have as good a record as anyone else in the PL at the moment, I thank you!!!

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (28/09/2009 at 23:22)

Enjoyed the game tonight, only a couple of negatives for me. 1. We still look a bit vunerable at the back from set pieces. 2. We need to learn how to retain possession more.

Apart from that, the positives are looking good. De Jong is really playing well this season, and Barry is showing every week why he was such an important buy for us.

Carlos took his goals in his stride and should have had a hat trick. What do you say about Bellers? He is playing out of his skin, tireless in his running, he worries defences like a Jack Russell snapping at your heels.

Zab has to keep his place and Toure is starting to look the business, although would like to see Lescott just up his game a tad.

Overall, well done lads, a good win tonight, now to pick up some vital points from the next couple of games to keep the pressure on at the top. CTID

Rick Jenks, Bury (28/09/2009 at 23:23)

Best start in the league by city since 1961. A wonderful game and result with some fine play and performances from several players. De Jong is looking an exceptional player along with Bellamy, Petrov (mammoth in the 1st half) and Tevez. Pablo was strong in the tackle and full of energy and enthusiasm. The introduction of Santa augurs really well for us and we still have Adey, Robinho, Nedum and Kompany to return. The team should now progress and go on a good run. But need to the centre halves to tighten up.

bluemoon risin' (28/09/2009 at 23:28)

anybody else notice how out of shape Michael Johnson looked when he came on? Will he still have the energy of before?

The Lost Soldier, Edinburgh
28/09/2009 at 23:01

His rosy red cheeks looked like two bags of candy floss to me!! lol.

Makerfield Blue, A.I.M. (28/09/2009 at 23:30)

Who ate all the pies.....no wonder he's had a mystery stomach problem

Rick Jenks, Bury (28/09/2009 at 23:30)

Best start in the league by city since 1961. A wonderful game and result with some fine play and performances from several players. De Jong is looking an exceptional player along with Bellamy, Petrov (mammoth in the 1st half) and Tevez. Pablo was strong in the tackle and full of energy and enthusiasm. The introduction of Santa augurs really well for us and we still have Superman, Adey, Robinho, Nedum and Kompany to return. The team should now progress and go on a good run. But need to the centre halves to tighten up.

Ste , Cheshire (28/09/2009 at 23:33)

Why the harsh comments about Johnson - This guy was completely out of shape earlier in the season but I saw him outside the players entrance v Arsenal and he was very toned. If a negative comment is your only comment after a performance like that then its perhaps time to make no comment!

Makerfield Blue, A.I.M. (28/09/2009 at 23:36)

Even so he did turn 3 W Ham players inside out with his first touch of the ball

jo alves (28/09/2009 at 23:38)

Frequent flyer, i take it you watched the game tonight,i take it you are worried by what you saw, i would be to fella if i was you because it deffinately is going to get better !!! CFL BELEIVE.

Boris The Rag Hunter, Cheshire Borders (28/09/2009 at 23:45)

Frequent Flyer, Altrincham

Using CapsLock usually confirms that a total idiot has been on the keyboard, you are no exception. Hughes merely pointed out that the team looked tired against Fulham after the exertions of playing in the Derby against United and the 4 officials. As the man said, that's all behind us now.

brynteg, Texas (28/09/2009 at 23:46)

I have followed the Blues for more than 50 years, and I want to make a plea to the City posters here. Forget the rags from across town, they are not worth your time and comments. You reduce our team and their achievements in comparing them to those rags. I admit that it is not only the fans doing this, it sickens me to read sports writers, and especially MH raking up the Derby game. And referring to Tevez as an ex-red, and prefixing any game commentary with how much the team cost compared to our opposition. Now we have them telling us that Tevez appologised to the WHU fans for scoring, unlike our 'bad boy' Adebayor. We have to try to ignore them. But guys, we must start here by not even mentioning the other lot, don't give them the benefit of our even thinking about them, but I must say that it was interesting to see how much Fergy (and his captain) was delighted that they managed to beat us last week.

andydownunder, Adelaide (29/09/2009 at 00:05)

Looking at the players who didn't make the starting eleven should be the reality check for City fans- Rob,Vic, Ade,Superman,Micah,Rocky,Johno,Ned.Never mind the players we have loaned out. Does this look like the City of two seasons ago? The next issue is going to be who misses out on the start. Can't think of too many seasons when this has been any kind of problem for the manager. When the team has a few more games together the only limit to what we can acheive will be in our hands. Not felt this good about us for more years than I care to remember. Come on you BLUES!!!

Blue,Reid, warrington (29/09/2009 at 00:08)

Well Micah you better buy some designer cycle shorts, the ones with hefty padding in the a... , as you'll be sitting on the bench for most of the season after another great display by Zabba.
Bellamy,Tevas and Rigsby were outstanding but the man of the match by a country mile had to be NDJ,he hardly missed a tackle and was breaking play up all over the park.

We were watching a sub warm up on the other side of the pitch from where we were, I thought Dunnie had come back as we just couldn't recognise him. He came on just before the end and bloody ell it was MJ. WHAT ON EARTH HAS HAPPENED TO HIM?. Talk about who ate all the pies!! Couple of nice touches though.

Blue45, Hyde (29/09/2009 at 00:16)

Its getting better all the time, Tevez, Bellamy and Ade to return (I hope). Best City forward line since the late sixties and early seventies. The performance against the hammers was first rate, well done lads.
And with Petrov, Santa Cruz and SWP, not forgeting the young lad Weiss all playing a part, things couldnt be brighter.

City Slipper, Manchester (29/09/2009 at 00:20)

I tend to be critical when it warrants it, in my opinion, however, today was a fantastic team effort and performance. I can't really fault it. Bellamy is a joy to behold. I don't think we have had a forward player work that hard in a long time. He was obviously desperate to score tonight. Great work rate from everyone in closing down and taking the game to them high up the pitch. Tevez, great, De Jong, inspiratonal. Man of the match in my opinion. Things bode well. Top marks to Hughes for this perfrmance. I think the players are believing they can win this league and Petrov was great. I have to say that I think he should have been included earlier. He has earned his place throughout. What do we do with Robinho when he's fit?

alan who, ancoats (29/09/2009 at 00:54)

santa cruz plays for the blues santa cruz plays for the blues .was that franny lee in the no6 shirt tonight well done boys great game

once a red, always a blue, Stockport (29/09/2009 at 00:57)

It already seems evident that after a reasonable performance people are raving about petrov again, but a little food for thought on this.

Have another look at his assist for the first goal, pritty sure it's a miss hit that takes him into the area but we'll give him the benefit.

Definatly the most squanderous player when in possesion, gave the ball away far to easily on too many occasions, did very well at switching the ball over but every player on the pitch is capable of that.

Has no right foot! Anyone who was at the game will tell u he should of been on the score sheet twice towards the end of the game but sky'd it under little pressure (on his right foot)

And this one mite be me but is he the only player on the pitch that doesn't seem to be working for the team; Exibit A: His comments pre-season, Exibit B: His celebration

I have a feeling he will be the make-weight when everyone is fit again and I think that would be fair.

Taggart , Ulverston (29/09/2009 at 00:59)

Maybe I am being a bit churlish but we need some shooting practice....

Mikey Brogan (29/09/2009 at 01:13)

Zabbi has to now be a regular as two games and faultless displays. Superb
De Jong this guy is absolutely the pocket rocket we have needed. Awsome.
Bellamy again what a player with energy and passion. love the commitment of the guy. Awsome.
Tevez what a hard working and decent player. Great respectful showing to the WH fans. Hang your heads in shame MU fans. guy gave his all for you guys and you treated him horribly.
Toure steady as a rock thank god we sold dunny back to his old tricks for Villa.lol V Good Display.
Lescott still blending in and some good stuff and some minor mistakes. but getting better.
SWP some good runs but some poor ones as well. Come on Peeps get back to your flowing best.
Given two good saves but nothing really to do. awsome buy for a bargain price.
Bridge I like him and he is doing bloody well against some strong players. V good
Barry looked out of sorts but illness does that to you. he will be back to his best. Good display.
Petrov excellent going forward but i worry like last season he is a one footed player. Awsome tonight.

Santa not alot to see but did play some nice link up and will get sharper the more he plays. Pretty good

Michael Johnson looked a little out of shape but his touch was superb and its great to see him back. and some good passes. Happy performance.

All the players coming back its looking good to have such a strong squad, I really believe this squad will break the top four. what a time for us blues. Love It as KK would say.

the camel's foot (29/09/2009 at 01:45)

I was gutted when Johnno came on looking two and a half stone overweight. He looked more like Dunney than the king. I've never forgotten the sickly feeling I had when Colin made his comeback at Maine Rd against Newcastle, with a limp. We've lost some star players like Colin Bell and Paul Lake over the years through injury. Not forgetting Glyn Pardoe for those of you old enough to remember.Marc Vivien Foe...Tragic. I pray Johnno can make a full recovery, lose the weight and fulfil his potential. He could turn out to be a superstar with some good fortune. His touch was still there tonight I thought.
Enough of that crap anyway. Excellent performance tonight. We look like we can step up a gear when it's needed. Very encouraging.

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