Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho
continued his impressive
pre-season form for
Manchester City on Sunday
night when he scored his
second goal for the
Citizens within four days as
the English Premier League
champions prepare for
next season.
The 2013 FIFA U-17 World
Cup star player was a key
player in his team’s
humiliation of AC Milan in
a 5-1 thrashing which
seemingly proves that he
deserves a work permit by
the British High
Commission for his special
talent.
An electrifying
performance from a
second-string Manchester
City side stunned AC Milan
in the Guiness
International Champions
Cup clash in Pittsburgh.
The Blues hit Pippo
Inzaghi’s Rossoneri with a
first-half storm before
Mother Nature gave Heinz
Field a blast of her own,
causing a half hour delay
to the start of the second
period because of lightning
and thunder booming
across the sky.
By that time City had the
game wrapped up – even
an appearance by ex-Blue
Mario Balotelli could not
save the Serie A strugglers.
Stevan Jovetic, who has
been razor sharp so far on
the tour, scored two, while
Scott Sinclair, Jesus Navas
and Kelechi Ihaenacho all
found the target in a
ruthless performance from
the champions.
The result gets City off to a
flying start in Pool B of
the tournament ahead of
clashes with Liverpool and
Olympiacos, with the
group winner going onto
the final in Miami.
City, sporting their new
navy blue away strip,
started the game brightly
in front of 34,347 fans in
the stadium with Navas
enjoying early possession
wide right and Iheanacho
sending one shot spinning
high and wide after good
work from his strike
partner Jovetic.
Elsewhere City lined up
with Bruno Zuculini and
Fernando in central
midfield, with Dedryck
Boyata and Matija Nastasic
at centre half. Gael Clichy
was at right back with
Aleks Kolarov on the left.
City were soon ahead.
Jovetic latched onto a neat
through ball from Navas to
slot home at Michael
Agazzi’s near post after 12
minutes.
City doubled their lead two
minutes later and in some
style. After Clichy swung a
ball in from the right,
Sinclair brought it down
superbly before swivelling
and striking a shot into the
top corner.
Many people were
mystified when City bought
Sinclair for £6m from
Swansea two years ago but
this was a welcome
reminder of the talent he
possesses.
City were knocking the ball
around with confidence
now, with new boys
Fernando and Bruno
Zuculini enjoying their
midfield roles, and soon it
was three.
Jovetic was the provider
this time, firing a cross to
the far post where Navas’
volley deflected in past the
helpless Agazzi. To be fair
to the diminutive Spaniard,
he looked suitably
embarrassed, but City and
their fans didn’t mind.
The Blues’ goal rush
continued via Flying Eagles
playmaker, Iheanacho.
Finding himself with
attention near the edge of
the Milan box, the 17-
year-old Nigerian managed
to fire a toe poke in with
hardly any back lift and it
flew high into the net.
Muntari pulled a goal back
for the Rossoneri just
before half time after
Bryan Cristante’s corner.
After the weather break
the game settled with
Milan making a raft of
changes, although Balotelli
did have one effort
chalked off for offside.
The ex-City man, who does
have a future at the San
Siro according to Milan
bosses despite summer
speculation linking him
with a move back to the
Premier League, looked
lively during his time on
the pitch.
But soon Jovetic had the
limelight back. He
brilliantly dinked the ball
over an onrushing Milan
defender with his right
foot before finishing with
his left to put City well and
truly out of sight.
Caballero gave everyone a
late reminder of his
qualities with a fine one on
one save from Mbaye
Niang as City gave a raft of
substitutes game time.
Milan, who lost their first
game 3-0 to Olympiacos,
continue to struggle.
There was a final twist to
the game as Balotelli posed
with two fans who invaded
the pitch for pictures
For City it’s on to New
York and a clash with
Liverpool at Yankee
Stadium on Wednesday.
But for now, City leave
Pittsburgh with fond
memories of a Heinz Field
of dreams.
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