Injury meant that Vincent Kompany was unable to play in his own testimonial last night but the Manchester crowd was still treated to an entertaining match, as Man City and Premier League All Star teams played out a 2-2 draw.
The Premier League side was packed with talent, albeit players whose best years were behind them. Indeed, within 50 seconds everything seemed to be behind Gary Neville.
It would be unfair on poltergeists and the English language to say Martin Petrov "ghosted" round the back of Neville for City's opening goal, given the fact that Neville's positioning left Petrov needing to perform such a maneouvre with all the subtly of steam train.
Nonetheless, Petrov made the most of the former United right back's blunder and he had the ball in the back of the net on the minute mark.
🎙 - "Gary, Gary, Gary - what on earth are you doing!?" 🤣@GNev2 loses his man early on and Manchester City's legends have the lead through Petrov!
Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League now or follow: https://t.co/sQrqruDjUj pic.twitter.com/CQ3spu8Gp1— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2019
Stephen Ireland was dictating play in the middle of the park for Man City but it was his fellow Irishman who struck the next blow, with Robbie Keane equalising for the Premier League All Stars, after a lovely assist from his strike partner on the night, Mr Robin Van Persie.
Carrick ➡ Giggs ➡ van Persie ➡ Keane! 🔥
The Premier League All-Stars roll back the years and draw level at Vincent Kompany's Testimonial!
Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League now or follow: https://t.co/sQrqruDjUj pic.twitter.com/xKv4QQGeiO— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2019
RVP would show his class again by putting the vistors 2-1 up, just after half time, with a typically Van Persieish finish.
Textbook Robin van Persie! 📕🎯
The Premier League All-Stars take the lead after some lovely play, how about that backheel from Tim Cahill...🤤
Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League now or follow: https://t.co/sQrqruDjUj pic.twitter.com/9sduyO1Dwc— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2019
With the home side trailing on such a momentous occasion, the stage was set for a Man City legend to rescue a draw. Who could it possibly be? Yes, you guessed it, all hail Benjani.
The substitute nodded the ball in with two minutes of normal time left, much to his and Micah Richards' delight.
There's that celebration! 🕺
Benjani grabs an equaliser for the Manchester City legends late on and it finishes 2-2 against the Premier League All-Stars!
Watch live reaction on Sky Sports Premier League now: https://t.co/sQrqruDjUj pic.twitter.com/jRbvZtcRZh— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2019
Aside from the goals, Paul Scholes was his effervescent self, reminding us of his two most renowned traits:
- His outrageous passing ability.
He sees things that other people don't! 🙌
Outrageous vision and skill from Paul Scholes...🔥 pic.twitter.com/oju4gfh4O5— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2019
- And his inability to tackle.
🗣 - "Got the ball, ref!"
Paul Scholes is still dishing out the challenges at the Etihad...🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/EwA0fDhnw8— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2019
All-in-all, not bad night's action with over £300,000 raised for the TACKLE4MCR homelessness charity.
