SIBIERSKI SAVES CITY'S BLUSHES - Sky Sports 22/12/03

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Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World  Monday 22nd December 2003 Manchester City 1-1 Leeds United A late goal from substitute Antoine Sibierski levelled Mark Viduka's first half opener to give Manchester City a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Monday evening. Viduka had capitalised on a David Sommeil error to put Leeds ahead after 24 minutes and City looked like losing a game they had dominated until Sibierski headed home brilliantly to seal a share of the spoils with less than ten minutes left. City had started the game brightly and opened Leeds up after just 70 seconds when Shaun Wright-Phillips out paced Ian Harte before firing the ball across the area, but it was behind the on-rushing Nicolas Anelka. Leeds then had what would prove to be a rare chance, but it was a great one as James Milner flighted a free kick into the City area - the ball evaded everyone including Viduka at the back post, who only needed to make contact to score. The home side continued to attack with pace, but Steve McMananman and David Sommeil could both only blast wide after good link-up play with Anelka on each occasion. Leeds then made the breakthrough - very much against the run of play, but it was a calamitous error from Sommeil which gifted them the goal. James Milner picked up a great ball from Alan Smith down the right and attempted to find Viduka without much success, but as Sommeil attempted to control the ball the Aussie dispossessed him and took the ball wide of David Seaman before firing home. City were stunned by the goal and it took them a while to get back in their stride, but they should have levelled just before the interval. Claudio Reyna received a pull back from Anelka just eight yards out and he beat Paul Robinson with his shot, but Michael Duberry was brilliantly placed on the line to clear. Kevin Keegan's instructions seemed quite clear at half time and City dominated second half possession. Richard Dunne, Reyna and the disappointing Robbie Fowler all saw efforts easily saved or fly wide. Joey Barton almost brought City level with their best effort of the game when he picked up the ball 25 yards out and jinxed past David Batty on the edge of the area before launching a tremendous effort which beat Robinson, but deflected back off the inside of the left-hand post. Keegan then brought on Paulo Wanchope, Jonathan Macken and Antoine Sibierski with 20 minutes remaining in a desperate bid to spark City into life - Fowler and Steve McManaman made way for the first two, while Barton - to the displeasure of the homes fans - came off for the French midfielder. However, the former England coach would have the last laugh as the equaliser came with seven minutes remaining. Good build up play saw the ball switch to the right for Sun Jihai, he floated a cross into the edge of the area and that was met by a thunderous header from Sibierski which sailed over the helpless Robinson. City came forward looking for the winner, but it was Leeds who then came close when Duberry headed a Milner's corner goalward, but Sibierski was in the right place again as he deflected the effort wide. Wright-Phillips and Reyna attempted efforts, but like most of the evening City's finishing was below standard. In the final minute the game flared up. James Milner had broken clear but as he closed in on goal he went down, referee Graham Barber waved play-on - despite the fact it looked as if the young midfielder had his heels clipped by Sommeil. Leeds were not happy and Michael Bridges was booked for a rash challenge, as Smith and Sommeil had to be separated. The game at last had an edge to it and City again pushed forward in desperate search for the second and it almost came in stoppage time when Reyna hit a sweet half volley from 25 yards only for Robinson to push the ball wide. The point means Leeds remain second from bottom, but are now within three points of Tottenham in 15th, while City climb three places to 11th.

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