Tigers Hit For Four

Last updated : 29 July 2004 By Andy Beill
Shaun Wright-Phillips scored the first in the 17th minute, looping a header over 'keeper Matt Duke.

Delroy Facey, making his first start, had the Tigers' best chance. Stuart Green played the ball through and Facey did well to get past Sylvain Distin but saw David James block the shot.

But that was a rare City break, with the first half dominated by Manchester City bombarding Duke's goal.

He was beaten for the second time in the 35th minute by USA captain Claudio Reyna. Junior Lewis had failed to keep possession, and Reyna then beat Duke at his near post with a left-footed shot the Tigers custodian will have been disappointed to let go past him.

Two minutes later, Duke was unlucky to be picking the ball out of the net for the third time. He'd saved well from Antoine Sibierski's header, but Robbie Fowler was on hand to put the rebound in.

And the visitors added a fourth when Paul Bosvelt curled a superb 25-yard shot beyond Duke's reach.

They continued to have the better of City until half time, when Peter Taylor brought on seven substitutes to try and improve his side's fortunes. Kevin Keegan also used the course of the second half to rest his first team stars and give youth team players a chance.

Jon Macken almost got a fifth for the Citizens, but Boaz Myhill made a great save to deny him.

Jon Walters looked most dangerous for the Tigers after coming on at half time, but was unable to find a way past England number 1 James, so the visitors' 4-0 win was secure.

City line-up (4-4-2): Duke (Myhill 45); Thelwell (Hinds 45), Joseph (Wiseman 68), Delaney, Dawson; France (Price 63), Green (Ashbee 45), Lewis (Keane 45), Elliott (Barmby 45); Facey (Allsopp 45), Wilbraham (Walters 45).