Robinho hat-trick downs Stoke

Robinho hit a hat-trick as Man City climbed back into the top half after a thrilling win over Stoke.

Brazilian star is hat-trick hero as Blues get back on track

Robinho hit a hat-trick as Manchester City climbed back into the top half of the table following a thrilling win over Stoke. The Potters played their part but were blown away by a scintillating second-half performance by City as they claimed their first win in four league games. Robinho gave the Blues a 14th-minute lead before Ricardo Fuller and Ryan Shawcross wasted good opportunities to draw level. But Daniel Sturridge set up Robinho to double City's lead within two minutes of the restart and the substitute produced another superb assist for the Blues' record signing to clinch the three points in the 72nd minute. That allowed Robinho to complete his treble and celebrate his sixth goal in six league games since his sensational move from Real Madrid. The £32.5million capture had already forced Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen into one smart save when City attacked through Shaun Wright-Phillips down the right flank.

Intelligent assist

Stephen Ireland and Elano caused uncertainty in the visitors' box and when the ball bounced to young Wales international Ched Evans, handed a start as £18million forward Jo was ruled out with tonsillitis, he had the awareness and intelligence to find Robinho with a volleyed square pass. It was not an easy opportunity for Robinho to convert but the money City have paid for the Brazilian is a sign of his class and he duly found the net, his fifth goal since his arrival from Real Madrid. Yet, rather than the start of a one-sided stroll, it proved to be the beginning of a prolonged battle for City, whose central defenders Richard Dunne and Tal Ben Haim both stood firm in the face of a physical barrage. Dunne was off the field having treatment when Tom Soares' corner dropped perfectly onto the head of Ryan Shawcross. The former Manchester United trainee got plenty of power into his header but Joe Hart, fresh from signing a new five-year contract, managed to bundle the ball away. As Hart had already made an excellent fingertip save to deny Fuller, who blazed over in stoppage time after racing onto Mamady Sidibe's flick-on, Pulis' side had every reason to feel optimistic at the break. Their hopes turned out to be built on quicksand as City scored within two minutes of the restart. With Darius Vassell and Benjani sidelined, Sturridge might have hoped to be in Hughes' plans more regularly this season. But Evans appears to have overtaken the England Under-19 international among the more raw talents in Hughes' squad, leaving Sturridge frustrated on the bench until the Wales star limped off just before the break. Sturridge knew he had something to prove, which is exactly what he did with a thrilling run at the Stoke defence, at the end of which he had the calmness to slip a pass to Robinho, who duly did the rest with a first-time finish.

Elaborate celebration

Robinho acknowledged Sturridge's contribution by rubbing the youngster's boot in an elaborate celebration, although a goal would have been better instead of wildly blasting Ireland's pass over shortly afterwards. The hunt was now on for Robinho's hat-trick. The former Real Madrid man fired wide after one mazy dribble, then Sorensen made a fine save after Shaun Wright-Phillips had crossed. But City's record signing was not to be denied. And, at the end of a flowing 60-yard move in which he was initially involved, Robinho was on hand to stroke his third past Sorensen after Sturridge had again provided the final pass.

Manchester City	Team Statistics	Stoke City
3	Goals	0
1	1st Half Goals	0
10	Shots on Target	6
6	Shots off Target	4
3	Blocked Shots	0
6	Corners	6
13	Fouls	16
1	Offsides	4
1	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
78.8	Passing Success	64.3
12	Tackles	18
75	Tackles Success	66.7
56.3	Possession	43.7
48.2	Territorial Advantage	51.8