Dzeko relishing fresh challenge

MAN CITY 4, WOLVES 3
Edin Dzeko emerged from his hectic Manchester City debut to declare the Premier League to be completely different to life in Germany.

Dzeko is ineligible for tomorrow’s FA Cup third–round replay with Leicester, so Blues boss Roberto Mancini opted to throw his £27million newcomer straight into the fray against Wolves.

A breathless win at Eastlands provided not only three precious points in the quest for a first City league title since 1968, but also a crash course in English football for Dzeko.

"The game is different," smiled the Bosnian. "It is harder than Germany.

"It is probably going to take me a few games to find my feet, but I am very happy to be here and if we keep winning there will be no problem."

Dzeko made an impressive introduction to City life.

The 24–year–old might even have been able to celebrate a goal on his first appearance as a shot was deflected inches wide.

Not for the first time it was skipper Carlos Tevez who the Blues had to thank for their triumph, scoring twice in front of daughters Flopy and Katie, who were made mascots for the day.

The first was sensational, the striker bursting between two defenders before skipping inside Richard Stearman and finding the net with clinical ease.

Mancini was also impressed, not only by the goals but the combination play between Dzeko and Tevez, who started in a wide role on the left but moved into a more central slot as City struggled.

City suffered a late blow–out which nearly cost them their win. Trailing to Nenad Milijas' opener and lucky not to be further adrift, the Blues had hit back through Kolo Toure before brother Yaya split the brace from Tevez which took him to 14 Premier League goals for the season.

Job done. Or at least it should have been.

Instead, Kevin Doyle rifled home a penalty after Joleon Lescott had sent him tumbling, then Ronald Zubar headed home to set up a nerve–jangling ending, that included five minutes of stoppage time.