Sporting CP vs Manchester City, 1st Leg
Match pulse
SCPAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
| Team | 1H | 2H | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCP | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| MNC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Who won: Sporting 1-0
Sporting CP beat Manchester City 1-0 in 1st Leg on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Estadio Jose Alvalade. Goals for Sporting: Xandao (51').
Play by play
Thanks for keeping me company. Why not <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1032695/matchday-live---march-8?cc=5739">join Chris Atkins</a> for chat, goals and udpates on the remainder of the evening's action? Cheerio.
Quite the performance from Sporting, while City were disappointing, to say the least. A fine goal won this second leg, as defender Xandao backheeled home. Balotelli made a difference when he came on, but it was all too little, too late. The real blow, really, was the injury to Kompany.
<b>FULL-TIME: Sporting 1-0 Man City.</b>
- 90'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Yellow for Kolarov as he goes in very strongly.
- 90'
30 seconds remain...
- 90'
City win a corner, but Sporting defend it well. They then spring clear and threaten to make it 2-0, but a cross from the right flashes to no other green and white shirt.
- 90'
Clichy had a shot which was deflected into the path of Aguero. He clipped it past the keeper and the ball struck a defender. The Argentine wanted handball, but the ball seemed to strike the defender's leg.
- 90'
Chance! Was it handball? I need a replay!
- 90'
Aguero's been disappointing.
- 89'
Again, brilliant noise from the home support.
- 88'
Balotelli's had a great impact, just hasn't scored. This following his fine of a week's wages after attending a nudey bar, allegedly.
- 87'
Woodwork! Balotelli leapt so well to meet a corner and power a header high. Alas, it cracked off the bar.
- 86'
The fans are going ballistic, cheering every tackle, etc.
- 85'
The whistles from the home fans rain down at deafening levels as City have the ball.
- 84'
..it was from Insua's cross, but on closer inspection it hit Toure's thigh, not his hand.
- 83'
Handball claims from Sporting...
- 82'
Hardly a barrage forward by City in these final moments. In fact, Sporting look the most dangerous.
- 81'
Balotelli tries to roll his man and earns his side a free-kick. He has done a great deal more than Dzeko did during his lengthy time on the field.
- 80'
Balotelli has made a difference since coming on, such is his imagination when in play.
- 79'
Kolarov trots up to the free-kick but fires it into the wall.
- 78'
Chance to City to launch one into the box...
- 77'
City do certainly struggle without Yaya Toure's drive.
- 76'
City are pressing further up the pitch, but Sporting still look capable of nicking the ball and embarking on a counter.
- 75'
An away goal for City, of course, would make this an excellent result. Right now, though, Sporting are worthy of their lead.
- 74'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Capel goes off for Carrillo.