CITY 5, Notts Co 0

So Manchester City eased past Notts County and into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, albeit at the second attempt. As in the original game Notts County started off the sharper with Karl Hawley’s shot beating Hart but striking the post and out. Balotelli and Dzeko started the game upfront for City but despite this it was 80 year old French defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira who netted Citys first eight minutes before the half.
The second half saw both teams struggle for a bit and it was clear that the next goal would decide how the game would pan out. A City goal would give them confidence and the cushion to display the skill the have, however a goal for County would put City in a nervous position for the remainder of the game.
It would be the Citizens who would score the next goal and again, senior Citizen, Vieira put his head to the Kolarov corner to effectively kill the game off as a contest. Balotelli had seemed quiet during the game while Dzeko seemed to at least be making the effort. It would be an accidental clash of heads between the Italian and Pearce that led to City making a substitution. Captain Fantastic replaced Super Mario and soon scored his Fiftieth City goal and City’s third of the game. Dzeko threaded Tevez through and the Argentinean calmly finished off after rounding the keeper and gave the ball just enough legs to cross the line. From then on it was Carnival time at Stadium City and Dzeko added the fourth with a minute to go. This time it was roles reversed as Tevez flicked the ball up and across to the Bosnian who couldn’t miss. Micah Richards though scored the best goal of the game, in my humble opinion. Although the game was won and Notts County at this point had given up the fight Richards flicked the ball up and hooked the shot in from twelve yards out. Who needs Rooney’s ballerina theatrics when you have defenders who can score like that!