Anelka hat-trick sends City into top three

Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 1

Nicolas Anelka enhanced his reputation as one of the Premiership’s finest strikers by blasting home a hat-trick to send Manchester City into the top three this afternoon.

With seven new arrivals since the end of last season, including today’s major debutant Steve McManaman, many outsiders have overlooked Anelka’s importance to Kevin Keegan’s side.

Today though, the controversial Frenchman reminded everyone why he has played for some of the biggest clubs in the business.

Twice Anelka kept his nerve to fire home from the penalty spot as City overturned Aston Villa’s half-time lead.

Then, after he had already wasted two chances to complete his treble, the former Arsenal and Real Madrid star swept onto Michael Tarnat’s pass to clinch City’s first league win at their new Eastlands home.

It means Anelka now stands proudly at the top of the Premiership goalscoring charts, with only Arsenal and Manchester United above his side in a league table which makes pretty reading for Keegan but not for opposite number David O’Leary, whose side remain sixth from bottom.

The omens had not looked good for the Blues, who had garnered just a point from two previous outings at their plush new home, when Villa led at the interval through Juan Pablo Angel’s controversial header.

But with their spirits raised by Keegan’s half-time team talk, City turned the game on its head within five minutes of the re-start as Anelka rasped home his first penalty and Tarnat blasted home a free-kick Thomas Sorensen will wonder why he did not save.

It was the perfect start to life back in England for McManaman, who, after four years with Real Madrid, tried to stamp his authority on the game from a central midfield role.

The former Liverpool star produced his usual energetic display and kept City going after they had gone behind. But it was Anelka who captured the headlines, increasing City’s advantage with his second spot-kick after Thomas Whittingham had chopped down Sun Jihai, then finishing the Midlanders off completely with his final effort seven minutes from time.

The outcome hardly looked likely at half-time as City, even though, up to Angel’s shock opener, City had enjoyed long periods of dominance without ever really coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Anelka lashed three long-range efforts wide, Tarnat did the same, wasting some excellent close control from Trevor Sinclair who had carved out the chance, then Paulo Wanchope dribbled a weak effort straight at Sorensen after he had weaved his way into the box.

With McManaman a certain starter, Wanchope’s appearance had been the major surprise in Keegan’s side.

The unpredictable Costa Rican had not begun a City game for almost two years following a succession of injuries and there had been talk Keegan wanted to unload him before the transfer window closed.

Instead, he was given a striking berth Robbie Fowler had been tipped to fill, although his impact was minimal.

In fact, for all City’s pressure and Angel’s, the most dangerous front-man on show during the opening period was Villa’s returning Swede Marcus Allback.

Twice in the opening three minutes Allback found himself with a clear run on goal. On the first occasion, he was nudged off the ball by Sun Jihai, on the second David Seaman made a fine feet-first save.

The City defence appeared to get to grips with him after that, only for Allback to find space again as he took Thomas Hitzlsperger’s raking long pass, then feed Hendrie to set up Villa’s opener.

McManaman should have pulled the home side level immediately but over-ran Anelka’s return pass which Sorensen inexplicably dived over.

Had Sinclair not got back to deny Allback his third shooting opportunity in stoppage-time, Keegan’s half-time team talk would have had the new paint peeling off the walls of the City of Manchester Stadium’s dressing room.

Instead, it offered the former England manager a chance to use his inspirational skills. The effect was devastating as City blitzed their opponents, who were overwhelmed by Anelka and Wanchope in particular.

McManaman produced some forceful runs and will be pleased with his debut, while Keegan also took the opportunity to give fellow new-boy Claudio Reyna a late run.

Nothing could detract from Anelka’s super show though and with the Frenchman in this mood, City may just challenge for a Champions League place after all.