Bellamy repays Hughes faith

MAN CITY 2, NEWCASTLE 1

CRAIG BELLAMY is already assured of cult-hero status at Manchester City after scoring the match-winning goal on a dream debut last night against Newcastle United.

Manager Mark Hughes is convinced new-boy Bellamy will make a major impact at Eastlands despite the misgivings of many over the £14million paid for the fiery Welshman.
Hughes has no qualms about the acquisition of Bellamy, saying he believes it will prove to be an astute piece of business.

He said: “Sometimes people will concentrate on Craig’s personality and demeanour, but I think he won over a lot of people with the manner of his performance.

“He was prepared to chase lost causes and he gave us something we haven’t had this season, the ability to go beyond back fours and he will provide the trigger when we begin to close people down and defend front the front.

“His ability to pressurise defenders and to force errors will help us. And being able to stretch the game will provide more space for the players around him which can only help us.”

Hughes was also delighted with some of Bellamy’s inter-play with Robinho, saying it will get even better as they develop a partnership and understanding.

There was also a debut for Dutch midfield player Nigel de Jong and City, with Pablo Zabaleta a driving force in midfield, had a far more solid and robust look about them than for some time.

After a season largely spent in the lower reaches of the table City, who are now ninth, can suddenly start to look upwards.

Hughes has long maintained City will enjoy a better second half to the campaign bearing in mind the many changes which have taken place, both on and off the field.

They have collected 10 points from a possible 12 as their fortunes have improved in recent weeks.

City made a 17th minute breakthrough when Shaun Wright-Phillips scored his sixth goal of the season.

Wayne Bridge crossed from the left and Robinho directed a neat pass to Wright-Phillips whose angled shot was drilled past goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Newcastle’s hopes of clawing their way back into the game were dealt a massive blow when Michael Owen limped off with an ankle injury which could rule him out for two months.

Joey Barton’s return to Eastlands was also a painful one as he cracked a bone in his foot and will be on the sidelines for 10 weeks, leaving downbeat manager Joe Kinnear complaining he has more players in the treatment room than on the pitch.

City sealed victory through Bellamy’s 77th minute strike after being set up by Zabaleta. He produced a neat turn to fire low past Harper who stood rooted to the spot.

It was just as well Bellamy scored because Newcastle halved the deficit with nine minutes left to ensure a nervous finish in typical City style.

Bridge was carelessly caught in possession by David Edgar and he crossed for young striker Andy Carroll to slot home from a couple of yards.