The highly anticipated fixture had showed no lack of quality. It managed to keep the viewers on the edge of the seat till the final whistle as it saw the previous season’s champions and runner’s up fighting for the top spot this season. As City were 3 points behind United. With both the manager’s having a say on their teams in the press conference before the fixture, things became really interesting .The derby was nerve wrecking as Van Persie scored an injury time free kick which guided United home the Etihad Stadium. A Rooney brace saw United go in 2-0 up at the break City equalised with four minutes left as Pablo Zabaleta volleyed in a corner, as Yaya Toure had scored earlier. But Van Persie’s free kick took a deflection off Samir Nasri and flew into the net to give United a much required win though the game ended with chaos as Rio Ferdinand was bleeding after being struck by a coin, thrown by a City. The late incident came as a result of heated exchanges and late challenges during the game.
Manchester is RED today!
Mancini started Balotelli alongside Aguero in attack, with Tevez left on the bench. David Silva had to start despite a hamstring injury. Both Clichy and Yaya Toure were back in action after injury and suspension. Cleverley had been declared fit to start with Carrick in United’s midfield, with Scholes and Ryan Giggs on the bench.
City were the stronger of the two sides in the opening 10 minutes with lionshare of possession and several reckless challenges. Their first chance came in the form of a Clichy cross which Balotelli fired well over on 11 minutes. Rooney’s side footed strike rolled slowly inside the post of Hart on 16 minutes which turned the game on its head. Ashley Young along with Antonio Valencia on the right were very hot to handle.
City’s 1st chance came after Aguero found himself in front of goal on 23 minutes, making his way past several United defenders before firing it into De Gea’s arms. The united Goalie looked really good. Valencia gave Rafael room on the right to cross for Rooney who finished his second from just outside the six yard box on 29 minutes. It was all United from then on to the halftime whistle. There were no changes at half time.
Balotelli was replaced by Tevez four minutes into the second half. He made an immediate mark on the game. Taking up central and wider positions he looked menacing. Van persie who had to sparkle for most the match struck the post on 60 minutes. Young latched onto the rebound and netted it, but the goal was ruled out due to offside. Later replays suggested that it wasn’t. The action switched to the other end of the pitch within seconds as City were back in it. Tevez’s low drive was stopped by De Gea and the following shot from Silva forced a save from his fellow countrymen but Tevez laid it back for Toure who managed to find the bottom corner.
Sir Alex made his 1st change as Chris Smalling came on for Jonny Evans. Silva was in action again as he fired a shot with his left boot forcing a save from De Gea with his shoulder and the ball went onto hit the bar. On the 83 minutes Dzeko came on for Yaya Toure and within two minutes City were level. A Tevez corner was cleared by Van Persie at the near post and Zabaleta drove in volley from outside the box. Tevez was penalized for fighting for the ball inside the United box.
He escaped a second booking minute later as it gave United a chance from the free kick near the City box and Van Persie curled it into the far post which hit the toe of Nasri’s boot on the way two minutes into injury-time. The celebration from the goal saw Ferdinand being hit by a coin which was controversial. And the game resumed minutes later only to see united finish 3-2 and shutting down their noisy neighbours.
Tags: Blue, EPL, Etihad Stadium, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Red, Robin Van Persie, Rooney, Sports
