Friendly: City 0-1 West Brom

[MHS]

http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~2323494,00.html

Strong City line-up loses against an also strong Baggies team.

 

[MHS]

Striker Steve Howard was among a number of first team regulars to see action on Thursday in a behind-closed-doors friendly against West Bromwich Albion.

The powerful front-man, out for five weeks with an ankle injury, played 45 minutes against the Baggies at the Walkers Stadium in the clearest indication yet that a return to full fitness may not be far away.

The majority of first team players not away on international duty were involved in a strong City squad, as Sven-Goran Eriksson took the opportunity to give his players a work-out ahead of a clear domestic weekend.

Paul Gallagher, Matt Oakley, Yakubu and Lloyd Dyer were among those to start the game, while Richie Wellens and Darius Vassell were introduced at half-time.

Simon Cox's second-half goal proved the difference in a 1-0 win for the Premier League outfit, though minutes of competitive action acquired will have been of far more concern to both sets of management staff.

The game also represented another chance for long-term absentee Aleksandar Tunchev to step up his comeback from a knee injury and the Bulgarian successfully completed the best part of 80 minutes before being given a breather.

Despite beautiful conditions on Filbert Way, it was no stroll in the afternoon sunshine for the Foxes against a West Brom team including several first team squad members of their own.

Former Swindon striker Cox, playing up front with Marc-Antoine Fortune, provided the highlight of a competitive first period when his 25 yard chip was impressively tipped over by the alert Chris Weale.

Gallagher went close with three efforts from range in the first half, while Yakubu was also denied at close-quarters from a goalmouth scramble.

Changes during the second half inevitably slowed the tempo of the game, but the deadlock was broken by Cox on 75 minutes, seizing on a pass from Gianni Zuiverloon before rounding Weale to score.

City went close to hitting back before the end as Howard tried to get on the end of two Martyn Waghorn free-kicks - just missing the first and nodding the second wide - before Waghorn himself stretched Scott Carson with a firm shot in the closing stages.

City (4-3-3): Weale; Marrone, Tunchev (Milnes 78), Lamey (Hicks 78), Berner (Bolger 67); Teixeira, Oakley (Wellens 46), Gallagher (Vassell 46); Waghorn, Yakubu (Howard 46), Dyer.

Subs not used: Ricardo.

 

[LCFC'sGodWears9]

Super Steve is back!

 

[4-4-2]

Good to see Tunchev getting just under 80 minutes.

 

[Kingy_85]

Tunchev!

Just need to adjust Bruma's contract so that he is allowed to be dropped !!!

 

[4-4-2]

Do you think before you press "Sumit Reply"?

 

[Cate Fox]

Tunchev!

Just need to adjust Bruma's contract so that he is allowed to be dropped !!!

You know this to be fact do you??

 

[MHS]

Do you think before you press "Sumit Reply"?

I've never seen that button before.

I've seen the "Submit Reply" one though.

 

[Miles Away]

Do you think before you press "Sumit Reply"?

Do you spell check before doing the same?

 

[drummindefender]

Sven out

 

[city-faithful]

Sven out

Sven in.

 

[Miles Away]

out

 

[MHS]

Shake it all about?

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

Great news about Tunchev, hopefully we won't have seen the last of him afterall.

 

[spionfox]

Sven out

Sven in.

out

Shake it all about?

You do the okie cokie and you turn around........

 

[dpjfox]

whos marrone (right back)?

 

[spionfox]

whos marrone (right back)?

Thought I read Aussie trialist in another thread.

 

[beaumontfox]

You mean the thread titled 'Marrone'?

 

[spionfox]

You mean the thread titled 'Marrone'?

Aye, that sounds like it could be the one :icon_wink

 

[Blue Maniac]

Do you think before you press "Sumit Reply"?

:icon_lol: Nice.