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By Jonathan Stevenson
2150:
That's that for tonight then. Man City round off the perfect week in Europe for the Premier League, who have fired a significant broadside to the rest of the continent with some resounding displays. See you on Saturday morning for the small matter of Manchester United v Liverpool, I'd expect. Ciao.
2148:
"Good win, I can't see City losing it now, but just got to hope you can nick a goal or two away from home because you're capable of throwing it away."
Cheesymunky on 606
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2145:
"So far, so good. We've been doing well away in Europe this season so let's hope we can keep it going. Spirit is high and we're feeling good at the moment."
Manchester City's Stephen Ireland
2141:
Pretty much a job well done from Manchester City there, they have a good advantage to take to Denmark for the second leg next Thursday and they have avoided conceding an away goal to boot. Score in the return, and Aalborg will need four.
2139: Full-time Udinese 2-0 Zenit
2138: Goal: Udinese 2-0 Zenit (Antonio Di Natale pen)
2137: Full-time Manchester City 2-0 Aalborg
2137:
Robinho is hobbling: repeat, Robinho is hobbling.
2136: Full-time Marseille 2-1 Ajax
2135:
... I've got to stop this build-up chat - it hits the first man and from another move, a cross is sent straight into the arms of a grateful Shay Given.
2135:
We're deep into stoppage time and Aalborg have a corner...
2132:
The official attendance at City is 24,000 tonight, so about half-full. It was heart in mouth time there as Caca is presented with a shooting opportunity 10 yards out, but the man with the famous-sounding name skews his shot wildly wide and the hosts survive.
2131:
Meanwhile, Lasse Nielsen had come on for the stretchered off Michael Jakobsen.
2130:
Shaun Wright-Phillips is withdrawn for Kelvin Etuhu, who has got gloves on, for crying out loud.
2129:
Have some of that, say the Serie A defenders as Udinese draw first blood in their last 16 tie with holders Zenit. Not long left in Italy, either.
2128:
... doesn't even take it. Kasper Risgard gets in there first and spoons it over the crossbar. What a waste of a build-up that was.
2127:
Michael Jakobsen is stretchered off. Meanwhile, Caca...
2125:
Pablo Zabaleta concedes a free-kick right on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area by fouling Michael Jakobsen. Caca, not Kaka, looks like he wants this one. That's Caca. Not Kaka. Caca...
2123: Full-time Werder Bremen 1-0 St Etienne
2122:
"I think if this stays the same the score then all Man City will need is one away goal next match and they are through."
pmstarliverpool on 606
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2119:
Thomas Enevoldsen is hauled off by Aalborg and Kasper Risgard, who famously tangled with Wayne Rooney during their Champions League game at Manchester United, comes on.
2117:
Elano plays a fabulous pass into the path of the onrushing Shaun Wright-Phillips, but the winger tries to burst the net from a slight angle on the right and the ball flies a few yards wide of Karim Zaza's left-hand post.
2115:
Elano is booked for trying to push the ball back a couple of yards after Aalborg are given a free-kick for a foul on Caca. He's a bit unlucky, but a bit silly too perhaps.
2115:
Thomas Enevoldsen is booked for a heavy tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips and he is now out of next week's second leg.
2113:
Micah Richards has a header cleared off the line, but Robinho was a fraction offside when he collected Stephen Ireland's pass moments before and it wouldn't have counted anyway.
2112:
"(See 2057) Stevo, the last time no Italian team was in the quarter-finals of either the Champions League or the Uefa Cup was in the 2000-01 season. Not too uncommon then, surprisingly!"
Jason, Belfast, via text on 81111
2110:
Anders Due comes off for Aalborg, sparing you of at least one more rubbish Stevo 'pun' in the process, and Jeppe Curth is his replacement.
2108:
Robinho fastens on to a pass on the Aalborg byeline but a cross that is aimed at Shaun Wright-Phillips is cleared by the Danish defence.
2107:
Felipe Caicedo, who scored the fine opening goal, is taken off and replaced by Ched Evans.
2106: Full-time PSG 0-0 Braga
2105:
Robinho does another few stepovers before being bundled to the floor again, this time the free-kick is given but it's in a harmless position in the Aalborg half. That boy - he must have groins of steel to be able to do that.
2103:
Stephen Ireland plays an audacious flicked pass into the path of Robinho, who probably taught him the trick, but the Brazilian teacher fails his pupil by sending a shocking return pass in his vague direction that gifts Aalborg possession back.
2102:
City are having most of the play now, but you can't help but think they need another goal before they can get too comfortable in this tie.
2059:
Robinho plays in Stephen Ireland but he doesn't have enough space to get away a shot so he lays it back to Robinho, who sees his right-foot drive parried away by the ever busy Karim Zaza.
2057:
"After this round it's is very possible that no Italian teams will be competing in either of the European quarter-finals. I wonder how often that has happened."
Robsoninho on 606
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2056:
Pablo Zabaleta connects sweetly with a right-foot shot from 25 yards, but Karim Zaza gets behind it comfortably.
2054:
Nedum Onuoha goes perilously close once again, this time his header from an Elano corner flying about a yard over the crossbar.
2053:
Stephen Ireland drives into the Aalborg area again, his run starting on halfway, but Ireland's ball across the six-yard box is turned behind by a Danish defender.
2051:
Blimey, I almost forgot to mention that Manchester City have been linked with Valencia's Spanish super striker David Villa today. I love City for these rumours. Was it Wizzard who sang 'I wish it could be Christmas every day'? With City, every day's the silly season. In your face, transfer window.
2049:
Aalborg have a little huddle on the pitch and Man City get us back under way after the break.
2046:
"That was as stonewall as stonewalls come! How the ref did not give that is beyond me."
Dan, City, at Eastlands, via text on 81111
2043:
PSG fans - boy do we owe you an apology. There seems to have been an almighty mix-up coming from the Parc des Princes and we reckon the French side are still locked at 0-0 with Braga, not winning 1-0 as we were led to believe. Will keep you posted.
2042:Macca's
got the HT PR chat: "A comfortable half for Man City and that is reflected in Player Rater land at half-time. Their tremendous triumvirate of
Robinho
(7.82), Caicedo (7.64) and Wright-Phillips (7.36) are leading the way. Why not head on over and have a little play..."
Rate the players
2039:
"That is quite possibly a poorer penalty decision than the Liverpool-Real Madrid one and that is saying something. Quite disgraceful!"
Ronaldo & Rooney - Perfect Combination on 606
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2034: Half-time Manchester City 2-0 Aalborg
2033:
Robinho's legs go into overdrive inside the Aalborg area on the City left and as he completes his 74th stepover, Michael Beauchamp gets bored and trips him, the Brazilian theatrically falling to the floor. The referee, ludicrously, doesn't give a penalty. Stonewaller.
2032:
Shay Given hurls the ball out to Stephen Ireland and he surges forward, clipping it into the path of Robinho, who sees a 25-yard shot deflected wide.
2031:
It's gone a bit subdued at Eastlands. Aalborg are seeing more of the ball, but that's because City are happy to let them play in front of them and hit them on the break, which they are doing with dangerous pace and regularity.
2027:
Robinho takes Stephen Ireland's pass down the right and tricks his way into the Aalborg area, completely fooling Patrick Kristensen before selfishly shooting at Karim Zaza.
2027: Red card: Gregory Van Der Wiel, Ajax.
2026:
Manchester City are playing well and they can just about seal their quarter-final berth tonight if they carry on like this. Two more goals and they are pretty much there, but Aalborg do look capable of nicking a vital away goal.
2024:
"How badly are Ajax and Madrid playing nowadays? What a fall from grace of two giants of European football, I can't see it ending either."
Sportsfan87 on 606
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2020: Goal: Marseille 2-1 Ajax (Luis Suarez pen)
2019:
The ball ricochets into the path of Thomas Augustinussen but his first-time shot from the edge of the City area slides inches wide of Shay Given's left-hand post.
2019: Goal: Marseille 2-0 Ajax (Mamadou Niang)
2017: GOAL Manchester City 2-0 Aalborg
What a goal. Stephen Ireland's pass finds
Shaun Wright-Phillips
halfway inside the Aalborg half and he proceeds to race forward towards the Danish team's box before lashing a fabulous right-foot drive into the top corner, past Karim Zaza's outstretched left hand.
2016:
Robinho slips a beautiful pass in for Micah Richards on the right of the Aalborg box, but Karim Zaza gets off his line quickly to make the save and the corner comes to nothing.
2016:
"(See 1951) Ronaldo Naldo has to be up there with Neville Neville in terms of ridiculous names!"
Andy, expat Scouser in London, via text on 81111
2014:
Nedum Onuoha rises high to head Elano's free-kick from the right wide of Karim Zaza's right-hand post.
2011:
Robinho fashions a shooting opportunity from outside the box, but after twisting one way and t'other, his left-foot effort takes a heavy deflection and Karim Zaza can collect comfortably.
2008:
Robinho loses possession and Andreas Johansson slips in Caca, but his shot is well saved by the legs of City goalkeeper Shay Given.
2006:
Aalborg are in this game now and Kasper Bogelund finds some space down the right, his cross is fired goalwards by the busy Andreas Johansson only for Micah Richards to make a fine block.
2004:
Anders Due swings over a lovely free-kick from the left and Richard Dunne seems to head it over his own bar, but referee Alain Hamer from Luxembourg gives a goalkick.
2003: Goal: Marseille 1-0 Ajax (Benoit Cheyrou)
2002:
Eastlands looks about half full tonight. If you're there, I'd love to hear from you.
81111
should get you through.
2000:
Andreas Johansson crosses from the Aalborg left, but Patrick Kristensen can only direct it wide, on the slide from about 15 yards.
1959:
"Remember the kit the Nazi team wore in Escape to Victory? Well that's what Aalborg have turned up in. Let's hope Given has a better game than Stallone!"
Bluedan, Eastlands, via text on 81111
1957:
Think the goal Jason Roberts scored last night for Blackburn, and that one was not a million miles away. Good physicality from the City striker, whatever that means.
1955: GOAL Manchester City 1-0 Aalborg
He's found his range now, the big Ecuadorian.
Felipe Caicedo
takes a pass from Robinho inside the Aalborg area and expertly holds off the challenge of Michael Jakobsen, showing great strength, before keeping his cool with a low finish past Karim Zaza.
1954:
Felipe Caceido collects a return pass from Shaun Wright-Phillips on the edge of the box and turns smartly, hammering a left-foot shot a couple of yards over the bar.
1952:
Micah Richards goes on a barnstorming run from deep in the City half and he finds Shaun Wright-Phillips, but the winger's cross is eventually cleared by the Danes.
1951: Goal: Werder Bremen 1-0 St Etienne (Ronaldo Naldo)
1949:
Fine early pass across the pitch from left to right from Stephen Ireland for Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Karim Zaza hares off his line to gather.
1947:
Aalborg, in their dark strips, get us under way at Eastlands.
1946:
Luton Shelton on his goal against City in the FA Cup: "Everybody remembers the balloon goal, I suppose it makes people laugh. I certainly do, every time I see it I can't help laughing."
1944:
The teams are on their way out. Included in the Aalborg line-up is Luton Shelton, a name already familiar to City fans after he scored a famous goal against them for Sheffield United in the FA Cup a year or so ago. You know, when he bundled in after an assist from a balloon...
Sheff Utd 2-1 Man City
1941:
"We'd like to qualify for Europe through the Premier League, but this is another way in if we can win the competition. But they're a good side Aalborg, well set up, and it'll be a big test for us tonight. We're looking for some consistency now, we've been stronger in the second half of the season and we need to continue."
Man City manager Mark Hughes
1939:
"Aalborg are not a bad team. In fact, they scored two goals against Man United after being a goal behind. Certainly, Man City can't expect a walk in a park."
rooneyutdlegend on 606
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1936:
Good news just in for Man City duo Robinho and Elano, who have been named in the Brazil squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru by coach Dunga.
1934:
Aalborg coach Magnus Pehrsson is just 33 years of age and he has only faced an English team once in his career. That came on 2 November, 1996, when Pehrsson joined then second tier team Bradford on loan from Djurgardens. He was hauled off after 60 minutes of their 3-0 home hammering by Oldham and replaced by Des Hamilton, with Stuart Barlow bagging a hat-trick for the Latics.
1930: Stevo's Predo:
Manchester City
2-1
Aalborg (apparently their forward is Due a goal)
1927:
"(See 1900) Don't forget Liverpool's epic road to the trophy in 2001. That was a brilliant final!"
Depressed Weymouth fan, Guildford, via text on 81111
1924:
Man City take on their third Danish side of this Uefa Cup campaign, having dispatched of FC Midtjylland in the second qualifying round and FC Copenhagen in the round of 32. They'd never played a team from the Superliga before, you know. Aalborg, for their part, have never beaten an English team, losing three of their five encounters.
1920:
"City 1-0 Aalborg. They won't get an away goal and then we can pile the pressure on them in Denmark!"
TopClassCitizen on 606
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1916:
Attention Brazilian superstar fans: Robinho starts tonight for Manchester City. Full team news to follow shortly.
1914:
And as well as Man City v Aalborg, there are four other matches taking place this evening, including the potentially very exciting Marseille-Ajax tie, as well as current holders Zenit St Petersburg facing Udinese. We'll have the goals from everywhere.
Live Uefa Cup scores
1911:
Some games have already taken place, you know. Oh, they don't mess about in some parts of the world. Here are the last 16 first leg results we've had so far:
Hamburg
1-1
Galatasaray
Dynamo Kiev
1-0
Metalist Kharkiv
CSKA Moscow
1-0
Shakhtar Donetsk
Live Uefa Cup scores
1907:
That's the start of your background chat, but there's plenty more where that came from, fact fans. Meanwhile, why not get involved in some sort of mixer yourself - you never know what fame it could lead to.
Comment me up on 606
, or if you're all fingers and thumbs,
blast over some text missives to 81111.
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1904:
Tonight, City enter the last 16 of the competition and at Eastlands, they host Danish Superliga side Aalborg. You've probably heard of them, since they were in Manchester United's Champions League group earlier on this season.
1900:
The Uefa Cup is one of the great competitions in the long, proud history of football. Next season, it is rebranded as the Uefa Europa League, so 2009 is the last chance these clubs have to get their name on the famous old trophy in its present format.
From a Martin Chivers-inspired Spurs picking up the inaugural trophy in 1972, through to Diego Maradona's Napoli, Lothar Matthaus' Inter Milan, Gianfranco Zola's Parma, Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich and right up to Andrei Arshavin and Zenit last year, this competition has witnessed some of the sport's finest moments and exponents.
Manchester City are Britain's only remaining representative, so it is left to them and their manager Mark Hughes to mastermind yet another Premier League triumph in Europe. It's been a good week for that so far.
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