Post by Black Manhttp://tinyurl.com/VIDEO-Manchester-City-HSV-2-1
Unlucky City crash out of Europe
City was better
Manchester City crashed out of the UEFA Cup after a 2-1 quarter-final
second-leg win over Hamburg at Eastlands saw them lose 4-3 on
aggregate.
City hit the woodwork twice through Elano while Felipe Caicedo put the
ball over the bar from point-blank range as the Premier League side
went agonisingly close to a win that would have eased the pressure on
boss Mark Hughes.
The hosts went a goal behind after Paolo Guerrero (pictured) poked
home following some sloppy defending but they equalised after David
Jarolim handled in the box and Elano slotted the resultant penalty
past Frank Rost.
The cash-rich Mancunians sensed a famous win when Caicedo showed some
nifty footwork to finish on 50 minutes but, while they bombarded the
Hamburg goal for the whole second half, they were unable to find a
vital third goal.
Their best opportunities came to the impressive Elano, who sent a 30-
yard free-kick crashing off the bar and put another set-piece from the
edge of the box against the left-hand post.
Caicedo's miss was the key moment for City, though.
The 20-year-old Ecuador striker may have scored the winner on the
night but he had a frustrating evening, constantly caught offside
before he somehow missed the target from two yards out after Rost
flapped at a corner.
Captain Richard Dunne was shown a second yellow card with a quarter of
an hour remaining, effectively ending their hopes of forcing extra
time, although they went close several times despite being down to 10
men.
Micah Richards put the ball over from a good position on the right,
while substitute Daniel Sturridge had a far-post effort blocked after
a corner was not cleared.
Hamburg could have extended their lead but Ivica Olic was denied by a
brilliant stop from the legs of Shay Given.
Given went forward for two corners towards the end but, for all their
efforts, City could not force a goal and Hamburg face fellow Germans
Werder Bremen in the semi-finals.