The final score read Manchester City 2 – Manchester United 3. And the bragging rights have gone to the red half of Manchester.
Based on the starting line-ups, City was certainly the favourites to win the match due to their vast array of stars. Troubled captain Carlos Tevez was not in the squad, but replacements Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko were both more than able to perform in such a big game.
United handed debuts for goalkeeper David De Gea and Ashley Young and with the usual names in their starting 11, an exciting game was certainly on the cards.
The game, however, began with United totally controlling and creating numerous chances in their attacking third. City looked rather lost and often struggled to hold onto possession of the ball as the game slowly swung into a one-way affair.
But a derby is never complete without any twists and United was given the first blow when Joleon Lescott nodded home a David Silva free-kick to give the Citizens a shock lead, despite them not performing at all till that point.
It became worse for the Red Devils when Edin Dzeko’s long range cracker somehow managed to swerve past De Gea for a comfortable 2-nil lead, just before the break.
The second half saw a very motivated Manchester United team take the field and three more substitutes; Johnny Evans, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley made their season debuts.
I was really impressed with United’s second half display as they really took the game to City. Well –known for their never-say-die attitude, United replied with two goals in the second-half, before handing City a knock-out blow, deep in injury time to kill any hope of City starting this season with a trophy.
Though being labelled as a warm-up game before the season proper, United has certainly proven that they would be the team to beat in order to lose their grip on the elusive Premier League title. United’s squad really looks good and even their substitutes had commendable performances for the team.
David De Gea may have to shoulder part of the blame for both goals but he did well to recover from a horror first half to end the game with a decent display. Ashley Young began to show his versatility operating down the wings.
My man-of-the –match would certainly have to be Danny Welbeck as the United forward showed no sign of nervousness playing in such a big game. His work rate was top class and his ability to skilfully link with Rooney and Nani proves that he can be a big asset up-front.
Manchester City, in my view, has a lot of work to do after last night’s game. To my biggest disappointment, they looked very lost and careless in the full 90 minutes. Most crucially, their inability to hang onto a commanding two-goal lead in such a big game may prove to be their Achilles heel in not securing any silverware this season.
Lots of investment and expectations have been placed on the team and it is a matter of time that they begin to find their momentum as a unit.
