West Brom 2, Manchester City 1: Sad City slump to new depths

THIS certainly wasn’t in the blueprint of Manchester City’s new mega-rich owners from Abu Dhabi when they pledged four months ago to transform them into one of the world’s top clubs. 

City’s defeat at bottom club West Brom yesterday means they enter the holiday programme entrenched in the Premier League’s bottom three, facing a scrap against relegation and a possible winter of discontent at Eastlands.

It is a far cry from the club’s ambitious plans - and even the disenchanted City fans joined supporters of the Baggies with a chorus that manager Mark Hughes will be sacked in the morning.

The position of Hughes appears perilous to say the least, though he looks set for a stay of execution with the board of directors seemingly trapped in a corner.

It was not many days ago that executive chairman Garry Cook went public to give the under-fire Hughes a vote of confidence, reaffirming their stance that he is the right man for the job.

The credibility of the owners would be tarnished if they were to dismiss Hughes, even though City’s season plumbed new depths at The Hawthorns.

City have won only five out of 18 league matches - an identical record to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s final spell at City which resulted in his removal. And unless that improves markedly you have to believe Hughes is living on borrowed time.

The Baggies, considered relegation certainties by most, recorded their first league victory in 11 attempts.

Meanwhile, City’s slide down the table has been caused by a dismal run of only one league victory in nine outings, with the club seemingly in turmoil as Elano and Tal Ben Haim were left at home, £19million Brazilian striker Jo was not even in the 18-player matchday squad and Robinho was missing with an ankle injury.

Of City’s display, Hughes said: “We showed lot of character to come back after being caught on a counter-attack for their opening goal.

“I was pleased with the response and, at 1-1, I thought that if any team would go on and win the game it would be us. We just needed something to drop for us.

“As it was, we switched off at a crucial time and paid the penalty again.”

Hughes also vowed to put things right, declaring: “I know my work ethic and that of my staff will turn this round because we know what works.

“It takes time to change the mentality of a club but, when we do, we will be successful over a sustained period.”

The goalless opening half contained plenty of blood and thunder, but was short on quality.

There was only one spark of genius which came from Albion striker Roman Bednar who produced a neat turn before seeing his shot strike the inside of a post and bounce to safety.

The Baggies took the lead in the 69th minute when James Morrison split the City defence with a diagonal pass and Luke Moore burst clear to slot home his first goal since a £2.5million summer move from Aston Villa.

City equalised in the 84th minute through substitute Felipe Caicedo, the striker from Equador who has hardly had a look-in since Hughes took charge.

It looked as though the goal would earn City a point until Bednar struck the winner in the second minute of stoppage time as he took advantage of Micah Richards’ slack marking to loop a header over keeper Joe Hart from a long, raking cross from the right by Gianni Zuiverrloon.

Meanwhile, West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has backed Hughes to revive City's fortunes in January once he has the chance to sign the players who fit into his style of play.
Mowbray said: "I think I am right in saying that Mark Hughes has only bought one player. Managers have got to mould teams and have a balance they are happy with.

"I am pretty sure when he gets the money to spend and he brings the quality in that he wants to, they will be fine. Quality players win matches."