The Manchester derby

2  Manchester United v Manchester City1

Saturday February 13th

This saw the second Manchester derby, with Manchester City paying a visit to Old Trafford. At the first derby game, held at City's City of Manchester Stadium, the two sides battled to a 0-0 draw. This time, more was riding on the game. United heading the table, and looking to keep the pressure on Arsenal to keep up. City needed a result to close the gap on United to keep their faint hopes alive. A draw would at least prevent United from easing away. Made more important by the fact that United also hold a game in hand over City. 

The game started at a frantic pace (unlike the first derby game) with City going agonizingly close when Silva sent an angled shot flashing just wide. City then went on to dominate the early exchanges, however, United did begin to roll, and mid-way through the first half, had began to bring the game back to parity. In the latter half of the first half, United had taken control, and got the breakthrough that they so deserved. A long ball from Van Der Sar led to a move which carved open City, as Rooney laid the ball off to Giggs, and he laid a beautiful pass to Nani, leaving the City defense flat-footed. Nani then streaked away, and guided the ball past Hart.

In the second half, City immediately began to press looking for the equalizer, but it was not until Wright-Phillips and  Dzeko came off the bench and helped City to drag themselves back into it. However, whilst Dzeko scored the equalizer, it took a huge slice of luck for it to go in. He gathered the ball in the box, with a crowd of people in front of him. A speculative shot which would more than likely have been easily gathered by Van Der Sar, caromed off Silvas back, and flew into the top right corner, leaving Edwin hopelessly out of position, and totally floored.

However, United went on to show hwy they are at the top of the tree. Even with Dzeko causing Uniteds slapped-together defence, United launched an attack, with Nani flying down the wing, and lobbing a perfect cross in, which was met by Rooney who scored a definite contender for "goal of the season" with a wonderful overhead bicycle kick. A moment of the sublime from a player who had spent so long subdued, for the game, and the season.

United took the points and effectively ended City's title hopes. A hallmark of United this season. Playing the game and taking the points whilst looking like there was something else in the tank!