LONDON -- An exquisite equalizer from Yaya Toure sparked a second-half comeback
by Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday, with a 3-1 victory over
Sunderland giving Manuel Pellegrini his first trophy as manager.
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Returning to the stadium where Roberto Mancinis City career ended in an FA Cup
final loss last May, further Wembley misery appeared to be beckoning when Fabio
Borini put Premier League struggler Sunderland in front after 10 minutes.
Instead, City, which has now scored 121 goals this season, remains on course for
an improbable quadruple that would require all the resolve displayed in the
second half to complete. After a flat first-half performance, the recovery began
after Toure nonchalantly curled into the net from 30 yards (meters) in the 55th
minute, with Samir Nasri volleying home Citys second inside two minutes. City
fans were already celebrating just their third trophy in three years --
following a 35-year title drought -- when Jesus Navas completed a counterattack
to add the third in the 90th minute. "To win the first trophy I think is
important for us all ... because at an important club you must win trophies,"
said Pellegrini, the Chilean who spent a decade in charge of Spanish clubs
without a winners medal. "In the second half we changed it and scored two
beautiful goals and we had the patience to win." City is in the Premier League
title hunt and has reached the FA Cup quarterfinals, but must overturn a 2-0
deficit against Barcelona to advance in the Champions League from the
round-of-16 stage. "I hope it will bring confidence for us to win the other
trophies," Nasri said. After more than $1.5 billion of Abu Dhabi investment in
less than six years, City has now won each of the domestic trophies in three
years, following the 2011 FA Cup and 2012 Premier League title produced by
Mancini. But, in a showpiece game seen live in around 180 countries, City was
unpicked after just 10 minutes by a team fighting relegation when slack
defending allowed Sunderland to pounce. Fernandinho was dispossessed next to the
Sunderland penalty area, allowing Seb Larsson to launch a counterattack before
passing to Adam Johnson on the right wing. Johnson then sent the ball high down
the flank to Borini, who easily slipped beyond captain Vincent Kompany before
scoring low past Costel Pantilimon. In response, there was little threat from a
team which is six points off the top of the standings but with two games in
hand. Sergio Aguero, back after five games out with a hamstring injury, launched
himself down the right flank midway through the first half. But after crossing
to Nasri, the France midfielders sight of goal was partially obscured by Lee
Cattermole and it was a trouble-free save for Vito Mannone. Making amends for
his earlier slackness, a well-timed tackle by Kompany cut out Borinis run on
goal -- denying Sunderland a chance to double its lead before halftime. "Our
first half, there was memories of Wigan," Nasri said, referring to last years FA
Cup final loss. "We said that we need to stay calm, to remain focused and play
our football." City did just that, and two exceptional moments swung the game in
Citys favour. The curling shot from Toure looped over Mannone into the corner of
the net, giving the defensive midfielder a 17th goal of the season. And before
Sunderland could regroup there was an equally fine finish from Nasri. From
Pantilimons quick goal kick, Aguero sent the ball to Aleksandar Kolarov, who
crossed for Nasri to net with a first-time volley. "Theyve scored a great goal
to get back into it, hes stuck it in the top corner from 30 yards out and then
weve lost a bit of organization and its cost us a second goal," Sunderland
captain John OShea said. There was no way back for Sunderland, and Fernandinho
seized possession to allow City to mount a late surge forward that ended with
Toure setting up Navas to beat Mannone with a close-range finish. "It wasnt to
be," Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said. "But we tried ... and now we want to
stay in the Premier League."
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scored 2:04 into the first period. Max Reinhart, on his first NHL shift of the
season, neatly stripped the puck from Zack Smith at the Senators blue-line. As
he moved in, his attempted shot deflected into the slot where Granlund buried a
shot past Craig Anderson.
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NBA forward Morris Peterson has been added to TSNs Toronto Raptors broadcast
team.Toronto FC started the season with back-to-back wins for the first time in
franchise history with a 1-0 victory over DC United in front of a sellout crowd
at BMO Field. Jermain Defoe put forth another Man of the Match performance
scoring the match winner in the 60th minute. Defoe jumped on a poor defensive
clearance after a Gilberto shot on the break and slotted into a wide open net
for his third goal in two matches. It was a feel good day for the long-suffering
Toronto FC supporters. The poor weather held off, and the sun even came out
shortly before Defoes goal. The noise, the atmosphere, the smiles were back at
BMO Field and theres good reason to believe more good times are on the horizon
on the lakefront in downtown Toronto. Off-season hype has turned into regular
season production. The match lacked the speed and tempo of the opening game win
in Seattle but had similar combative elements and superior team shape, boding
well for further progression as this group of new players continue to gel.
Here are five thoughts on Toronto FCs home opening victory. Determined
Defending – The group was simply dominant, worthy of the clean sheet. Proven MLS
goal scorers Eddie Johnson and Fabian Espindola were forced to fall deep to get
involved in the play. Pushing attacking players far away from Julio Cesars goal
has been trademark through two matches. Absolutely no space was given. The
partnership of Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry has provided stability the team
has lacked in recent seasons. They have proven an ideal duo to lead from the
back – experience paired with sheer athleticism. Theres a lot to like. The
off-season addition of Justin Morrow flew under the radar, yet the left-back has
been among the teams best, a rock down the wing. And Mark Bloom has maintained
positional integrity, solid on the night. Although DC United held 63 per cent of
possession, TFC limited their opposition to only one legit goal scoring
opportunity and two shots on goal. Last week in Seattle, the Sounders only had
two truly good scoring opportunities. Keeping the possession to the outside is
critical, with Caldwell and Henry being monsters in the air in defending
crosses. It must be said goalkeeper Cesar hasnt been caught out of position,
creating calmness at the back. Overall, the early season returns as a team
defensively have been superior to expectations. Imperfect Pitch – The long and
brutal Toronto winter made for soft, muddy and bumpy conditions, making it
difficult to play the ball on the deck. Toronto FC took very few chances in
their defensive end, choosing to clear more often than maintaining possession.
This will have to change as the season goes on. Possession is critical to
dictating the tempo and flow, while bringing Torontos skill players into the
game. There was little flow Saturday. Im not sure if TFC will ever be a dominant
possession team. Good news however, they are always dangerous on the counter.
They have pace down the wings and creative movement up front through pacey
strikers. No matter the conditions, this team will create chances. Give kudos to
the team for adapting from one extreme on turf a week ago to succeeding on a
soft, slow, chopppy surface in Toronto.
Canada Goose Bomber Heren. Defoe/Gilberto
Potential – The duo is a work in progress but there is much to get excited
about. Defoes resume and early production speaks for itself. Head Coach Ryan
Nelsen commented post-match, "If I was Roy Hodgson, Id pick him in a heartbeat"
when asked about his potential World Cup inclusion. If he continues on this kind
of form, Hodgson will have a tough time keeping him out of his England side in a
tournament all about timely goal scoring. Gilberto was always the mystery
heading into the season. The 24-year-old designated player is a relative unknown
commodity, but did score 14 goals in Brazil last season. His pre-season
prediction of scoring 25 goals may be too ambitious, but he showed boatloads of
promise in his Toronto FC debut. His movement off the ball is intelligent. And
although 510, the striker plays much bigger, regularly getting his body in
between the ball and his defender. His set up on Defoes chance off the post in
the 42 minute was a well-timed run finished with proper service low to the front
post. Gilberto doesnt speak English: another hurdle to developing chemistry with
Defoe but both players have natural instincts. This relationship will be fun to
watch as it develops. Referee Inconsistency – The replacement officials a week
earlier did a better job than Silviu Petrescu and his crew Saturday. Regular MLS
officials went back to work this week with the same inconsistencies in their
play call that has frustrated MLS onlookers for years. Petrescu was a step slow
throughout the match (literally when bowled over by Michael Bradley), but its a
lack of consistency that will drive players crazy. In the second half, Alvaro
Rey was taken down after beating two defenders down the left wing – no card was
shown, yet moments later down the right hand side, Davy Arnaud was cautioned for
taking down Jonathan Osorio on a similar play. Players, coaches and fans alike
need to be clear on how a match is going to be called. The overall performance
Saturday was subpar. Bravo, Bradley – Toronto FCs number four covers an
incredible amount of ground. The pressure he puts on the ball sets the tone,
giving little time or space for his centre-midfield opponents. There wasnt much
room in the centre of the field Saturday, but Bradley expertly used what little
he had, creating both short and long using his wingers to near perfection. Its
the edge, blue-collar mentality that will easily win over supporters. The clash
of heads with Arnaud that sent the DC United midfielder out of the game was a
late challenge. Bradley was lucky not to be cautioned. But it was a challenge
hed never back out of. Its not in his DNA to back out of 50-50 balls. The
commitment is true leadership by example. With a gash split open on the back of
the head, Bradley received some quick treatment, had a bandage cover the wound,
and was back on the field, bossing the play and being combative as ever. The
American international will continue to be the straw that stirs the drink. Its
hard to imagine Toronto FC now without his presence. Lets wait until June to
deal with that problem. gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca@WheelerTSN
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