City impress in Schalke win

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Benjani found the back of the net in the 32nd minute following a dangerous cross from Daniel Sturridge, who featured instead of the injured Robinho, before Ireland doubled the lead in the 67th minute.

The win puts Mark Hughes' side top of Group A and they need just one point from the final two pool matches to secure passage to the next round.

Sturridge set the pace for an entertaining first half just five minutes into the game when he delivered a dangerous cross from the left wing which flew past everybody.

Joe Hart then made a spectacular diving save after Heiko Westermann had sent Jermaine Jones into the clear with an incisive midfield pass. The Germany midfielder pulled the trigger from 14 yards out on the right but Hart diverted the ball for a corner.

The visitors eventually opened the scoring in the 32nd minute following a superb counter-attack.

Kevin Kuranyi turned the ball over for Sturridge to dart down the left wing and the 19-year-old outstripped his opponent and fired in a low cross. It failed to reach Ireland in the middle but Benjani was there at the far post to sweep the ball home.

Schalke failed to create any significant openings in the rest of the half but were vulnerable to counter-attacks, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denying Ireland from 14 yards out. The rebound was driven in by Benjani and Ireland knocked it home - only for the linesman to raise his flag.

City doubled their lead when Benjani had a shot blocked in the left channel, and the ball landed at the feet of the unmarked Ireland who easily beat Neuer with a low shot.

Substitute Gerald Asamoah came closest for the hosts in the 76th minute following a free-kick from Christian Pander but his header from seven yards out was superbly saved by Hart.