MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 13:34:16| >> :60:2374:2374:

Half-Time Report: Manchester City in control at Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny sees red as Arsenal concede two goals during the opening 45 minutes of their home clash with Manchester City.

Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny was handed his marching orders as Manchester City scored twice during the opening 45 minutes of their trip to the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The half's major talking point arrived with just nine minutes on the clock. As Edin Dzeko turned inside the area to try to reach a loose ball, he was hauled to the ground by Koscielny. Referee Mike Dean reacted by awarding the visitors a penalty, while also handing the Arsenal defender his marching orders.

Dzeko dusted himself down to take the resultant spot-kick, which keeper Wojciech Szczesny managed to turn onto the post with his legs, before reacting quickly to catch the ball as it trickled along the line.

Arsenal players surround referee Mike Dean following the sending off of Laurent Koscielny against Man City on January 13, 2013© PA Photos

However, visiting City did not have to wait too long to make their numerical advantage count. A quickly-taken free kick ended with Carlos Tevez threading a pass through to James Milner, who sent an instant shot past from 10 yards out beyond the reach of Szczesny and into the net via the upright.

Javi Garcia had an opportunity to double City's lead with 27 minutes played, but he headed wide of the target after he had made a run to the near post to meet a corner from David Silva.

Just four minutes later though Roberto Mancini's side were 2-0 up. Szczesny was only able to parry a poked effort by Tevez and Dzeko was on hand to make amends for his earlier failure from the penalty spot.

City midfielder James Milner celebrates with teammates after his goal against Arsenal on January 13, 2013© PA Photos

The home side found it hard to mount attacks but on the one occasion that they did get forward, Joe Hart was well-placed to hold a rising effort from Lukas Podolski in the 35th minute.

As the half drew to a close City almost added a third when Garcia's header from another Silva corner was cleared off the line by Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Should City hold onto their lead, they will cut the gap on leaders Manchester United to seven points.

ID:63769: cacheID:63769:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4819:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Abou Diaby
Read Next:
Team News: Abou Diaby returns for Arsenal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!