Manchester City

1-0

West Ham United

Elano 73

 

 


The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Proper Replay
Wednesday 16 January 2008
8.05pm, City of Manchester Stadium
Winning clubs will receive £40,000 from The FA
The FA Live TV fee is £150,000 per club.
Click here to see the fixtures



Manchester City recorded their first ever FA Cup victory over West Ham United by winning 1-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium, a victory which is rewarded with a Fourth Round trip to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United.

In truth neither side hit the heights, and City's goalkeeper Joe Hart - apart from one superb point blank save from Dean Ashton - and his opposite number in the Hammers' goal Robert Green, were rarely tested as both sides' effort went unrewarded.

City suffered a blow in the 30th minute when recent signing Nery Castillo went down and stayed down after a boisterous yet fair challenge from West Ham skipper Lucas Neill, recalled after overcoming hamstring trouble.

The talented Mexican was carried off in clear discomfort and replaced by Rolando Bianchi.

City's only real chance came on 37 minutes when Lee Bowyer handballed a Martin Petrov corner just outside the box but the Blues couldn't make the most of their improved position and the free-kick was comfortably cleared.

Luis Boa Morte's thrashed effort on the stroke of half-time after Ashton had pestered Hart was the visitors best opportunity but he skewed his shot terribly to ensure the half ended goalless.

Both sides began the second half with much more purpose as firstly Boa Morte drew a good save from Hart and then Bianchi almost managed to scramble home a probing cross from Martin Petrov.

Petrov was comfortably City's biggest threat, connecting well with Bianchi on several occasions, although his final ball often undid his earlier intelligent work.

However, his endeavours did eventually pay off on 73 minutes when his cross was headed onto the upright by Bianchi and the rebound fell nicely for Elano who dived to head passed a powerless Green.

The last ten minutes saw Bowyer collide with Hart in a desperate attempt to find an equaliser but City put plenty of men behind the ball and squeezed out the win.