Monday 7 March 2016 15:56, UK
Patrick Vieira's first game in charge of New York City got off to a dramatic start as his side beat Chicago Fire 4-3.
New York took the lead through Thomas McNamara, who curled the ball beautifully off the post and into the top right-hand corner of the net after just nine minutes.
Razvan Cocis equalised for Chicago before New York reclaimed the lead through Tony Taylor in the 29th minute. Khiry Shelton's individual effort then gave City a 3-1 advantage seven minutes later but, shortly after half-time, Chicago's Kennedy Igboananike scored to reduce the deficit to one goal.
Mix Diskerud's volley extended New York's lead once again on 63 minutes and, despite the advantage being reduced to 4-3 by David Accam's 72nd-minute penalty, City were able to hold on for the win.
Following McNamara's stylish opener, Chicago's Brazilian forward Gilberto almost found a way through NY City's backline but was felled by a tackle from Jason Hernandez, with the referee deeming the challenge worthy of a yellow card.
In an end-to-end encounter with Chicago looking dangerous down the flanks, Fire levelled when Romanian central midfielder Cocis received a wonderful lofted ball from Arturo Alvarez , allowing him plenty of time to slot the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Despite Chicago's equaliser, Veljko Paunovic's side struggled to gain momentum as City's young winger Taylor broke through to give New York City the lead once again. He acrobatically struck his attempt past goalkeeper Josh Saunders after Chicago's defensive pair Michael Harrington and Joao Meira collided in the box.
New York City extended their lead in the 36th minute through Shelton, who easily beat full-back Brandon Vincent and goalkeeper Matt Lampson before rolling the ball home.
Accam reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half, pinching possession before firing past Saunders.
Chicago continued to apply pressure on to City, but the visitors extended their lead once more through Diskerud on the break. The USA international connected with a floated cross by McNamara and volleyed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Just nine minutes later, Chicago were awarded a penalty after a handball by Shelton in the box following a corner, with Accam confidently dispatching the spot-kick.
Despite Chicago continuing to look dangerous down the flanks, New York were able to hold on to claim their first victory of the season.
