Robinho ends his long goal drought

MANCHESTER City manager Mark Hughes has challenged Robinho to maintain his scoring momentum in the remaining weeks of the season.

The club’s record buy ended his goal drought stretching back to December 28 in the 4-2 victory against West Brom yesterday.

Robinho’s sweet volley opened the scoring and was his first goal in 12 Premier League matches.

Hughes said: ‘‘We are pleased Robby is back on the goal trail.

“It is his first in 2009 and important for him.

‘‘As he has not been scoring, people have been highlighting that fact.

“But hopefully he will now go on a run again.’’ When Nedum Onuoha extended their lead in the 20th minute, City looked home and dry against the bottom club.

But West Brom rallied and drew level thanks to a brace from Northern Ireland winger Chris Brunt.

Their revival lasted only a minute with Elano putting City back in front from the penalty spot after he had been floored by Jonas Olsson.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge then went on to complete the scoring in stoppage-time.

Hughes defended his decision to replace Elano late on with Gelson Fernandes – a move that infuriated some of the crowd.

‘‘It was no reflection on his play,’’ said the City boss.

‘‘Sometimes we have to protect players.

“That was the thinking behind it as he had indicated to the bench he was struggling.

‘‘West Brom were dominating possession and you have to make changes in that situation.’’ The result means City could yet clinch seventh place, which is almost certain to yield a European place.

The only downside was a hamstring injury sustained by Pablo Zabaleta, which could see him sidelined.

Hughes added: ‘‘We needed a win to keep in touch and we have done that.

“We are in the mix.’’ But this was a far from routine win for City as they were pushed all the way by the bottom club.

With Onuoha also on target they made the perfect start but a brace from Brunt gave West Brom hope.

However, they ran out time - when Sturridge scored in stoppage time – and their survival hopes look bleak.

City took their foot of the pedal after racing into a twogoal lead in the first 20 minutes through Robinho and Onuoha.

Robinho went close in the seventh minute before making the breakthrough a minute later.

He sent a sweet volley beyond goalkeeper Scott Carson after Ireland had carved out the opening.

Considering it was his first league goal in 12 games and his first this year, there was no lack of confidence in the finish from the Brazilian.

City, however, still looked vulnerable at the back and Jonas Olsson and Abdoulaye Meite squandered good chances in quick succession.

But they extended their lead in the 20th minute after Elano swung in a corner from the right.

Meite only succeeded in heading the ball up in the air and Onuoha headed in his first goal of the season.

Carson complained about being impeded and was booked for his troubles.

West Brom almost pulled a goal back in the 31st minute, only for Felipe Caicedo to clear Robert Koren’s header off the line.

This was a good little spell by West Brom and James Morrison tested Shay Given in the 35th minute following a deep cross from Paul Robinson.

They got their reward two minutes later with a crisp finish from Brunt for his fifth goal of the season after he was set up by Fortune.

City were stung and Marc- Antoine Fortune again caused them some difficulty with his movement in the 42nd minute.

He was able to deliver a good cross that was scrambled away to safety by Onuoha.

West Brom maintained their momentum and almost drew level in the 50th minute.

Koren delivered a cross into the path of Fortune but Richard Dunne made a vital block at the near post.

It was a brief respite for City as the visitors equalised in the 54th minute when Brunt scored his second goal of the game.

City failed to cut out his 20- yard free-kick and it bounced beyond a startled Given to make it 2-2.

However West Brom’s celebrations lasted only a minute as City regained the lead.

Elano sent Carson the wrong way with his penalty kick after he had been floored by Jonas Olsson.

Then Sturridge tested Carson from distance as City kept up the pressure.

It was an open game and Olsson headed over the bar in the 62nd minute following a corner from Brunt.

Carson again denied Sturridge a minute later by booting the ball clear as the home side launched a quick counter attack before he made a smart save from Elano.

West Brom continued to pour forward and Given did well to parry Fortune’s effort in the 78th minute.

However, they paid the price for pushing forward when Sturridge scored in stoppage time after being released by Ireland.