Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Manchester City: Carlos Tevez Double Undoes Industrious Wolves

Carlos Tevez scored twice as Manchester City strolled to a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium this evening.

After a slow start, the first half-chance fell to Wolves. Chris Iwelumo headed the ball back to Andrew Surman on the edge of the penalty area, after a long diagonal ball into the box. The South African midfielder hit the ball on the bounce, but he was under pressure and his shot spewed well over the crossbar.

Wolves were on top for the ensuing period, with Karl Henry and Michael Mancienne complementing each other well in central midfield. Henry made a crucial challenge on Craig Bellamy as the Citizen looked to break on the home side, while Mancienne looked composed in possession.

City boss Roberto Mancini changed his tactics to try and counteract Wolves, matching up to Mick McCarthy's 4-4-2 formation and pushing Bellamy up top alongside Tevez.

The switch nearly paid off in the 30th minute, as Tevez drove inside the penalty area and drilled the ball into middle from the right. His cross deflected off Jody Craddock's leg and into the path of Bellamy, the Welshman took a touch and blazed over the bar from close range.

Minutes later the combination resulted in the first goal of the game. Bellamy made a good run into the left channel and was slipped through, he pulled the ball back to Tevez, who had checked his run – standing near the penalty spot. The Argentinian struck the ball first time with his left foot, his shot took a fortunate deflection off Craddock, squirming beyond Marcus Hahnemann into the Wolves goal: 1-0 to Manchester City.


The visitors looked solid after the goal, with Wolves mainly looking to take advantage of set pieces. City dealt with a series of corners swung into the penalty area and went in at half-time with their lead intact.

The second half got off to a flier, Henry robbed Gareth Barry high in City's half and advanced on goal. Pablo Zabaleta, playing left-back, was forced to retreat as Henry had support to his right. The 27-year-old midfielder had time to steady himself before shooting, but the Englishman still lashed high and wide from 25 yards.

Bellamy should have extended City's lead three minutes into the second half. Martin Petrov spotted the Welshman's run and played the ball through first time, Bellamy accelerated away from his marker and beat the oncoming Hahnemann to the ball. He poked the ball past the 'keeper, aiming his shot for the far corner, but he missed the target by inches.

Wolves responded in the next minute with a lovely passing move that tore apart the Citizen's defence. They worked the ball to Iwelumo on the edge of the penalty area and the Scottish striker's shot missed the target. It took a deflection but this wasn't spotted by the referee, who gave a goal kick.

City extended their lead in the 69th minute with a stunning effort, substitute Javier Garrido stepped up to take a free-kick with 25 yards on the left. Striking the ball with his left-foot, the Spaniard curled the ball around the blind side of the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net: 2-0 to Manchester City.

The Citizens looked comfortable for the next ten minutes, dominating possession, they passed the ball around the pitch to eat up the clock.

Petrov, Bellamy, and Tevez combined brilliantly in the 82nd minute to counter on Wolves. Petrov played the ball first time from the right to Bellamy who broke down the left flank. The Welshman also played his pass first time, threading the ball towards Tevez in the middle. The Argentinian attempted to chip the 'keeper with a first time effort from the edge of the box, but he just missed the target, as the ball rolled past the right-hand post.

City scored a third in the 86th minute, with Tevez scoring his second of the game. Robinho came off the bench to assist, crossing the ball from the right, Tevez collected the ball on the edge of the box and moved to his left. He then smashed the ball back across goal into the bottom right-hand corner: 3-0 to Manchester City, as the Argentinian scored his eighth goal in seven games.

Robinho almost grabbed a fourth in stoppage time. The Brazilian picked up the ball in the left-hand side of the penalty area and cut back onto his left foot, wrapping his foot around the ball, he aimed his shot towards the top right-hand corner of the goal. He was unlucky not to score, missing the target by inches.