Tevez opens City account

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez scored his first Manchester City goal on Thursday as the big-spending Premier League side defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 in the second round of the English League Cup.

Defender Joleon Lescott also made his City debut after his move from Everton, but City struggled to impose themselves on Championship side Palace in the first half.

Shaun Wright-Phillips settled City’s nerves with the opening goal on 50 minutes before Tevez struck 20 minutes later to seal City’s passage into the third round of the competition they last won in 1976 – their last major trophy.

City boss Mark Hughes backed Tevez, who scored 34 times for rivals Manchester United in two seasons, to keep adding to his tally.

“That was important for him,” said Hughes. “I hoped he would get opportunities tonight and he was able to get off the mark. His energy and enthusiasm for the game shone through.

“The more he plays for us, the better he will become. We’ve got Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos off the mark now so we are delighted.”

Hughes also praised Lescott who was handed a surprise debut alongside new captain Kolo Toure.

“He did fine,” added Hughes of his 22 million pound signing. “He only had 24 hours and one training session with us. But we got clearance for him to play and it was important to get him in the team as soon as possible.”