Manchester City 2-0 Stoke City: Roberto Mancini Starts With A Win

Manchester City v Stoke City: Line-up & stats
Results/Standings

Roberto Mancini got off to a dream start as Manchester City boss with a comfortable victory over Stoke.

Mancini made five changes to the team Hughes employed in last week's win over Sunderland.

The Italian was without three first team defenders with Joleon Lescott, Nedum Onuoha and Wayne Bridge all sidelined.

Robinho joined Tevez in attack while Craig Bellamy was forced to settle for a place on the bench.

It was the Argentine who was full of running in the opening exchanges as the home side earned a succession of early corners.

His South American counterpart, already singled out as key to City’s future success by the new manager, warmed the palms of Thomas Sorensen with a speculative effort on 15 minutes.

Stoke, who had not won in their previous four games, are the league’s lowest scorers but would have taken the lead minutes later but for Shay Given's brilliant save denying Tuncay Sanli.

But with less than half an hour played City took the lead.

Hesitant defending allowed Carlos Tevez to make strides into the Stoke penalty box and his center was helped on by Robinho for Martin Petrov to tap in from close range.

A thumbs up from the bench showed the new boss liked what he saw and his charges continued to dominate the first half.

The visitors, who had failed to score in their previous three away games, set up camp in their own half with a frustrated Tuncay unable to inspire his side as an attacking force.

Robinho and Petrov both found row Z when well placed as the home side continued to press.

Too many draws had so far this season seen City fail to challenge the top four as many had expected but their chances of victory were further boosted by a second on the stroke of half time.

Carlos Tevez reacted first to Gareth Barry’s header following a Robinho cross and volleyed past Sorensen to bring an end to a dream first period for the Italian manager.

The second half started at a blistering pace but Robinho was unable to turn in the loose ball after Sorensen had denied Petrov.

Mancini, complete with Manchester City scarf, watched on as Stoke responded with a flurry of chances.

Beattie knocked down for Matthew Etherington to strike but the winger skewed his shot high and wide on the hour mark.

Nevertheless it was a rare spell of attacking intent from Tony Pulis’ side and they were unlucky not to reduce the deficit.

Substitute Beattie was denied by an excellent low save from Shay Given and from the resulting corner Robert Huth’s header dropped agonizingly wide.

Mancini responded by sending on Craig Bellamy for Robinho with twenty minutes remaining and he was afforded a rapturous reception from the home support.

The home side seemed reluctant to commit players forward in the second half, content to sit on their two-goal lead and Stoke were unable to break them down.

It could have been better for the home side with ten minutes remaining.

Craig Bellamy was calling for a penalty after being upended by Robert Huth but referee Lee Mason pointed for a corner.

Danny Higginbottom dragged wide in the closing moments but it was a welcome clean sheet and three points for the home side that fans, players and new manager alike were celebrating at the full time whistle.

Simon Moss, Goal.com

Get all the latest EPL news with Goal.com's England page.