For the second time on their U.S. tour, Shaun Wright-Phillips gave boss Roberto Mancini a reminder of his talents with a terrific 25-yard goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Man City has to come from behind to beat the worst team in MLS, a performance that will make City wonder how they will cope without their talisman Carlos Tevez next season.
This game had been in serious doubt and was only passed fit to play three hours before kick-off, but after no rain fell overnight and ten hours of warm sunshine, the pitch was deemed playable.
Roberto Mancini again elected to play a different team in each half with the City players still some way short of the match fitness they’ll need to begin the new season with.
Interestingly, Vladimir Weiss and Ryan McGivern both started again, Vincent Kompany was handed the captain’s armband while Micah Richards and David Silva were all absent with minor knocks.
City and Vancouver both created decent openings in the opening exchanges, but the Blues were a tad unlucky to fall behind on the half-hour when Sanvezzo’s low shot struck Stefan Savic and rolled past a wrong-footed Joe Hart to send the home fans wild.
Edin Dzeko should have levelled five minutes later but he put a simple-looking chance wide with the goal at his mercy.
There was a further blow for Mancini’s side just ten minutes later when Toure had to be helped off the pitch after sustaining a painful-looking ankle injury just before the interval.
Whitecaps should have doubled their lead moments after the re-start when Long Tan just put the ball past the post from close range as City’s uncomfortable afternoon continued.
However, as the half wore on, the Blues class started to show and it was no surprise when Guidetti powered home a header from a corner in the 68th minute to level the scores.
From then on City always looked the likelier to go on and win and Wright-Phillips’ stunner five minutes from time was worthy of winning any game anywhere in the world.
