21/04/07: Watford 1 City 1Updated: October 3rd, 2007
Another dire performance that was again overshadowed by an outspoken interview from a City player.
Whether Joey Barton’s post-match comments were directed at Pearce or the board - or both - is not totally clear. You can download the full interview at Mancityfans and make up your own mind.
With safety now all but guaranteed it’s looking likely that developments off the pitch will soon gather apace. Yesterday former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was linked with a £92million bid for City, while Ray Ranson’s recent interview with the Telegraph looks like the start of a PR-offensive by his British-based consortium.
I’ll be taking a closer look at City’s current finances and the takeover prospects later this week, and hopefully will be able to reveal the identity of the mystery American investors (who I’m told are Texans but definitely not billionaries).
~ Pearce’s post-match interview
~ Getty Images photos; sportbox.tv photos
~ Latest Premiership table.
Match stats
The stats (below) are compiled from a live commentary. You can find more comprehensive match stats, including details of who each player passed to and who tackled whom, at Eurosport.com.
The BBC’s stats are here and Sky’s here.
Match reports
Watford down but City fans fear Barton wants away (Paul Jiggins)
Barton’s comments come on top of Richard Dunne’s last month that suggested the squad was split and, while City’s fans would perhaps welcome Barton’s identification with their frustrations, a more likely reaction is the fear that the midfielder will decide his England ambitions would be better served at a higher-profile club. “There has to be a plan,” he said. “At the moment it just feels like this club is praying to get the right players this summer. There is no way Reading have spent more than us and no way Everton have either but they seem to have overachieved.
Hero is villain in Watford’s sad ending (Simon Hart)
Stuart Pearce’s frustration boiled over when he hurled an empty plastic water bottle on to the pitch in the direction of Greek striker Georgios Samaras as a City attack went wrong. He later joked that it had “slipped out of his hands”, though he could find himself in hot water with the Football Association. “I was told off by the officials for that and obviously it won’t happen again,” said Pearce.
Watford 1 Manchester City 1
Ben Foster’s dreadful error gifted Darius Vassell the goal that condemned Watford to relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.
Foster’s howler seals fate (Ben Rumsby)
In front of Oasis star and City fan Noel Gallagher City were as poor as Watford, but the home side - as on so many occasions - lacked the guile to break down the visitors’ defence, meaning Stuart Pearce’s team did not have to work especially hard to claim a point.
Watford 1 Man City 1 (Mike Allen)
Watford laboured, despite knowing that only victory would give them any chance of prolonging the relegation battle - but City’s limitations were there for all to see too.
Going into the game, they had one of the best away records in the league since Christmas, but goodness knows how.
Watford 1 Man City 1 (Robert Paul)
Isaksson’s inability to deal with crosses was evident again on 21 minutes when King fired in a centre from the right.
Isaksson, probably put off by City defender Sylvain Distin in front of him, flapped at the ball and it bounced off his chest.
Isaksson then had another hairy moment when he caught a Watford cross and promptly threw it to one of the home players.
Foster condemns Watford (Martin Palmer)
In the first half, Watford, who began the day 11 points adrift of safety, created the better chances against an off-colour City, but their threat was only sporadic.
There was still little to City’s attacking play, when, in the 53rd minute, they were presented with the lead by Foster.
Watford go down quietly (Richard Lewis)
Watford keep their spirit up (Kaveh Solhekol)
Player ratings
It looks like someone’s been having a bit of fun with the interactive Sky and BBC ratings this week (Isaksson and Ball were both awarded an 8.0 rating) so those scores have been excluded. Ratings come from (in order): MEN, The People, Man City Mad and Sky.
Isaksson: 5, - , 6, 5 (av: 5.3)
His least steady performance so far this term. Not great on couple of crosses in first half. (MEN)
Onuoha: 6, 6, 5, 5 (av: 5.5)
No howlers from the defender but not overworked by lacklustre home attack. (MEN)
Dunne: 7, 7, 6, 6 (av: 6.5)
Was as solid as a rock just as he has been all season long. Surely the favourite for player of season. (MEN)
Distin: 5, 7, 7, 6 (av: 6.3)
After string of wonderful performances this was a let down. Out of position for the leveller. (MEN)
Ball: 6, 7, 6, 6 (av: 6.3)
Continues to impress with his all around play though would like to see him get forward more. (MEN)
Jihai (Ireland 85): 6, 6, 6, 7 (av: 6.3)
Had couple of presentable scoring chances, one in each half but badly off target. (MEN)
Hamann: 6, 6, 6, 6 (av: 6.0)
Got himself booked but was as good as anyone in a blue shirt for most of game. (MEN)
Barton: 6, 6, 6, 7 (av: 6.3)
Even he got sucked into general malaise that hung over this game for a long while. (MEN)
Johnson: 6, 5, 6, 5 (av: 5.5)
was always trying and always working at both ends of the pitch. Remains a fine prospect. (MEN)
Beasley (Miller 35 ~ replaced by Samaras 76 ~): 5, 5, 5, 6, (av: 5.3)
Had made little impact before he limped out the action well before half time break. (MEN)
Vassell: 6, 6, 6, 8, (av: 6.5)
Took his goal well but can thank a horrendous mistake from Foster for the chance. (MEN)
Man of the Match. The tricky little striker showed glimpses of the talent that encouraged City to pay £2m for his services two years ago… His pace and skill troubled the home team’s defence all afternoon. (Observer)
Subs:
Miller (Beasley 35 ): 5, 5, 5, 5 (av: 5.0)
Failed to take his opportunity. (MEN)
Samaras (Miller 76): 5, - , - , 5 (av: 5.0 )
Off went the sub but to no avail. (MEN)
Ireland (Jihai 85)
Subs not used:
Weaver, Corradi