Just watched Manchester City claw out a draw in the dying moments on their visit to Sunderland. Very interesting match I thought. Looked like a totally different game on either side of the break. Sunderland deserved the lead they took into the locker room after dominating a bland looking Man City team. The Citizen defense was terribly shaky and it would not have been unjust for the margin to be more than a goal. But from the opening moments of the second half City were reenergized and refocused. The first ten minutes had two legitimate opportunities that were harder to miss than convert, but that is what happened. The equalizer finally came in stoppage time when Adam Johnson who came on as a substitute curled a beautiful shot from the corner of the penalty area to the upper corner on the opposite side of goal. The ball dropped in just below the crossbar and just above the Sunderland defender's jumping attempted header. Wonderful goal.
Here are some other thoughts about the game:
Craig Gordon was fantastic. Probably not entirely fair that he didn't walk away with the clean sheet. At least 4 eye opening saves.
Craig Bellamy had what was probably one of the most frustrating games of all time. Two or three fouls called against him in situations of consequence where he clearly did nothing wrong. Two very good shots thwarted by the spectacular Gordon. He worked and worked but it wasn't his day.
Roque Santa Cruz is terrible. He was by far the worst player for Manchester City today. I could barely believe Mancini left him on when he burned his last change. Bad in every aspect of the game. More and more it appears his 20 goal season with Blackburn Rovers was the exception. I know he isn't too old but I think his time at the top level is just about over.
Adam Johnson was awesome. He only played about 15 minutes or so but he was excellent every time he touched the ball. And the goal was incredible.
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