Farewell strike for departing Robinho?

Scunthorpe United 2, Manchester City 4

ROBINHO struck what is likely to prove his farewell goal in English football in Manchester City’s 4–2 FA Cup fourth-round win at Scunthorpe and seems to be heading back to Brazil — whether Roberto Mancini likes it or not.

Earlier, Robinho had told Brazilian radio station Radio Bandeirantes: “What’s important is to be happy. The directors all agree that it’s better to send me out on loan. It would be exceptional to return to Santos.”

Robinho scored the goal which finally put paid to the Coca–Cola Championship side’s plucky challenge when he lofted home City’s fourth in the 85th minute after a square pass from man-of-the-match Martin Petrov.

But in a performance which summed up his City career, the Brazilian was a passenger for long periods, his only previous intervention of note being the flurry of step–overs which led to him setting up Petrov’s third-minute opener.

City, who take on neighbours United in a Carling Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday, looked like they might enjoy an easy afternoon at that point.

But Scunthorpe stormed back with Cliff Byrne hitting the post before Paul Hayes scored a deserved 29th-minute equaliser.

Despite Nedum Onuoha’s goal on the stroke of half–time which was followed by a blistering 35–yard strike by Sylvinho on the hour, the home side were still not finished and struck back through captain Byrne’s close–range effort in the 69th minute.