City stars show Bridge support

Roberto Mancini revealed three of Manchester City’s players wore shirts bearing the words “Team Bridge” in support of team–mate Wayne Bridge during the Premier League win over Portsmouth.

Bridge is still missing with a knee injury and was not at the 2–0 win. But the City stars, Carlos Tevez, Nigel de Jong and Stephen Ireland, felt it was important to show their backing for the England full–back, who has found himself at the centre of a media storm following allegations of an affair between the 29-year-old’s former girlfriend and England skipper John Terry.

“The players are very close to Wayne,” said Mancini. “He is a fantastic player and a good guy. It was a nice gesture.”

Mancini was also full of praise for Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored City’s first goal in a victory which moved them to within a point of that prized fourth spot.

It was the Togo striker’s first goal since his horrific experience at the African Nations Cup when three of his country’s backroom staff, including their driver, were killed in a gun attack on their team bus.

Vincent Kompany added another with a powerful header in first–half stoppage time that ensured City gained maximum points against a limited Portsmouth outfit.

Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta broke his nose in a first–half collision with Kevin–Prince Boateng, while a deadline–day move for Parma’s Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga is anticipated.