Unspectacular but solid City untroubled by Potters

The Blues this afternoon saw off Tony Pulis' Stoke City with relative ease at Eastlands, winning 2-0. Goals before half-time from winger Martin Petrov and top scorer Carlos Tevez saw us home in a game which barring it being the first under the new manager, won't be remembered by many.

Mancini sprung something of a surprise, starting with neither Roque Santa Cruz or Emmanuel Adebayor, instead choosing to pair South American duo Robinho and Carlos Tevez in attack, with Stevie Ireland initially starting on the right of a midfield four in the absence of Shaun Wright-Phillips. Martin Petrov made only his fourth league start of the season, and Nigel de Jong returned from a one-match ban.

From early on it was apparent that so long as we kept switched on today should result in a relatively easy one at the office, although summer arrival Tuncay did worry us at times. Carlos Tevez and Robinho both went close with early efforts. For all our possession, however, it was Tuncay who had the best chance, through on goal he forced a tremendous save from the reliable Shay Given when he looked well set to open the scoring.

The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute. Breaking out of defence the ball ended up at Stevie Ireland's feet in the centre circle. He whipped a quick pass in to Tevez who took the ball left, aided by Robinho's run central. Rounding full-back Wilkinson he crossed left-footed for Robinho who mishit his shot only for it to run to Martin Petrov, who had now switched to the right flank, to tap in at the far post.

Some of the passing before the break was superb, but the performance overall was more workmanlike than flowing. Gareth Barry really put his mark on the game from the off, having one of his best games since joining the club. Mancini was constantly off his bench, too, and switched the midfield round once he'd noticed we weren't getting the best out of Stevie Ireland.

Robinho and Martin Petrov both went close before the game was put to bed shortly before half-time. The second of two Robinho corners was cleared away from the Stoke goal, landing at the feet of Pablo Zabaleta who crossed deep in to the box from the left. Gareth Barry had time to cushion down a header and Carlos Tevez got high enough to prod home from close range for his sixth strike in as many games.

Only moments after the second period had begun we should have been three up. Ireland played a trademark ball through to Robinho but Wilkinson did well to prevent him getting a shot away. The ball ran to Petrov who cut in from the right and curled a rasping drive towards Sorensen's far post, the Dane making a good stop and the rebound just running away from Robinho.

The second half was a largely lifeless affair. Stoke had plenty of the ball but rarely threatened, whilst we impressed on the break but perhaps weren't as clinical as we might've been without the advantage. Just after the hour their two only other chances arrived. Sub Beattie found himself free at the far post but could only test Given who turned wide. From the resulting corner Robert Huth headed wide. They could've played all day and not scored.

Sylvinho was replaced with 25 left on the clock, Richards coming on to play in his natural right-back position, Zabaleta, who had been quite solid, switching flanks and barring an early skinning equipping himself relatively well. The biggest cheer of the afternoon, however, was for the introduction of fans favourite Craig Bellamy, introduced for Robinho not long after. The Welshman played his part, not least by testing Sorensen with a shot despite appearing to have been hauled down.

I thought it was an encouraging if forgettable performance, with small signs that we are getting our confidence back. It will take time for both the side to perform as the manager wants and for issues to be ironed out that have been there since before his arrival, but a clean sheet and a generally solid defensive showing has to be a good start.

Barring odd lapses i thought we kept our concentration well in defence, and Kolo Toure really shone after a few questionable games of late. Though not faced with one of the most potent attacks in the league they answered the questions posed, and as the game wore on Vincent Kompany also began to stamp his authority.

The midfield will remain to be a work in progress, but all three who started did well. Barry was obviously the most composed player on the park, but once moved infield we began to see Stevie Ireland playing like his old self and not the player who has been forced to mainly stick to a more disciplined role so far this season. He was constantly looking for the ball and giving it quickly, proving a vital link between the midfield and attack.

Stoke City at home was never going to be a game in which we could make our minds up about too much, and in any case by installing a new management team we've made ourselves redundant to a certain extent when it comes to criticising what's on offer, at least for the time being. The very early signs, though, are that we looked more organised, more confident moving the ball out of defence, and were able to change things as they were happening, a frequent criticism of the previous regime.

Team:
Given, Zabaleta, Sylvinho (Richards '66), Toure, Kompany, de Jong, Ireland, Barry, Tevez (Garrido '89), Robinho (Bellamy '70), Petrov