Match Reflection: SuperSport United 2 - 0 Manchester City

City lose first pre-season game under Pellegrini

By Aaron Leggott

Manuel Pellegrini saw his new City side lose to SuperSport United by two goals in the first pre-season game of the 2013/14 season. 

And despite City showing their dominance in the first half, they were unable to exert their dominance in the second period after Mame Niang and Kermit Erasmus scored in the 56th and 81st minutes respectively.

Scott Sinclair in action
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

City, as expected, made the stronger start to the game and lone striker Edin Dzeko produced two efforts on target within the opening stages.

But the hosts, who are also beginning to get back into the swing of things following a two month break, forced Joe Hart into a smart save early on thanks to a shot from Ramahlwe Mphahlele. 

A combination between Balkan exports Dzeko and Aleksander Kolarov on 16 minutes once again threatened to test Ronwen Williams in the SuperSport goal but Kolarov scooped his effort wide of the post. 

Dzeko was looking the most likely City player to score and was unlucky not to make it 1-0 after Williams made a fine double save on 20 minutes.

SuperSport United's biggest threat in the first half was right winger Sameehg Doutie and his ability to get behind City's defence was proving to be a danger on many occasions. However, Vincent Kompany was equal to Doutie's attempts to beat Hart after making a fine block on 40 minutes.

City made 11 changes at the start of the second half, with EDS regulars Shay Facey, Dedryck Boyata, Emyr Huws and Alex Nimely all getting a chance to prove themselves to new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

But it was SuperSport who struck first in the game, with Niang taking advantage of some sloppy defending to nod past Costel Pantilimon after 56 minutes.

It is clear that the two games in South Africa are aimed at improving the fitness levels - but James Milner needs no introduction in that department and he almost grabbed an equaliser only to see his effort somehow deflect away from danger. 

Yaya Toure looked to score in emphatic fashion after unleashing a piledriver from 25 yards, but his effort flew over the bar.

But the South African's all but finished the game off with ten minutes to play after Erasmus placed the ball expertly past Pantilimon. 

Below sees Jack Rodwell give his verdict on the 2-0 defeat. 

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(c) The Sky Blue View 2013