City prevail in tough UEFA Europa League tie

Star striker Robinho was the difference between Manchester City and FC Twente in a night that saw the English club take maximum points from their UEFA Europa League Group A fixture.

Manchester City drew first blood when Shaun Wright-Phillips scored early in the first half. However, indifferent defence soon cost the home side, allowing Twente to draw level with an Eljero Elia strike.

The score stayed level until after the break, with Robinho breaking the deadlock by blasting a goal into the top corner of the Twente net early in the second half. Benjani extended City’s lead 5 minutes later, deflecting a shot off the Twente defence and into the goal.

Twente refused to give up, and the Manchester City defence was penetrated for a second time on 65 minutes when Rob Wielart took advantage of sloppy marking to head home his side’s second goal.

Steve McLaren’s side were unable to score again despite a determined late surge, and left England with nothing to show for their brave display.

“We felt we should have got something from the game. We certainly had chances,”  McClaren said after the match. “But the character of the players was magnificent after we went a goal down so early against City’s front five.”

The result moves Manchester City to second place in Group A with 3 points from one game, while Twente occupy third place with 3 points from their two UEFA Europa League games.