Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 2:THESE ARE the days when the expense seems justified. Manchester City have almost €60 million worth of strikers in the treatment room at present, but Carlos Tevez ensured that barely registered as he led Roberto Mancini's side to a valuable victory over Wigan Athletic.
The Argentina international scored one and made one before leaving to a standing ovation at the DW Stadium – one that included applause from the home supporters – as City recorded only their second victory of the season.
Until Tevez stamped his authority and class over proceedings the biggest influence on the game was a bog of a pitch that turned even the warm-up into a mockery.
Players were slipping and sliding with and without the ball, you could hear squelching from up in the stands and a groundsman had to remark the centre circle during half-time.
He must be dreading the onset of winter.
Any assessment of the respective performances must take the conditions into consideration, especially as it played such a decisive role in the opening goal.
Wigan edged an opening 43 minutes which lacked a genuine scoring opportunity thanks to a tenacity and organisation that was sorely lacking in their early displays this season.
Long-range efforts from Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta were the visitors’ only efforts of note, until Joe Hart fell and sliced a goal-kick. The ball skimmed off the head of Mohamed Diame in midfield, Antolin Alcaraz lost his footing in central defence and Tevez was left with the freedom of the swamp to beat Ali al-Hasbi in the Wigan goal with a glorious chip.
City came close to extending their lead in the first minute of the second half when David Silva made space on the right and crossed for Tevez, who miskicked in front of goal.
City continued to control much of the second half and there were warning signs for Wigan in the 68th minute when Gohouri’s slack ball at the back let in Tevez, who rammed his shot straight at al-Habsi.
But the visitors eventually took full advantage of poor Wigan defending to double their lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Tevez was instrumental once again after Figueroa failed to head clear and, after having one shot blocked, crossed low from the right through a crowded six-yard area for Yaya Toure to convert at the back post.
Ali al-Habsi had been a virtual spectator until Tevez hit his opener and the result was hard on Roberto Martinez’s men who matched their opponents for long periods.
While their own chances were few and far between the same could be said for City who – Tevez apart – carried precious little threat in the final third of the field.
Tevez almost added his second in the 74th minute with a left-foot effort that flashed across the face of goal.
And substitute Adam Johnson almost added a third in injury time when his rising shot from the left deflected off Ronnie Stam and hit the bar. The result was a timely boost for Mancini’s men before they entertain Chelsea next week.
Guardian Service
