United or City?
Manchester Derby
by XJW4EVR 5 Replies latest social physical
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Mickey mouse
No football fans here today!
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XJW4EVR
I'm a neutral, Liverpool fan, but I'm kind of pulling for City.
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cedars
United
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oldlightnewshite
I think Manure will shade it.
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Simon
Man City THRAH United in Derby !
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15325536.stm
6-1
Manchester City inflicted Manchester United's worst home defeat since February 1955 as they thrashed the champions in ruthless fashion to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
City were also the victors on that occasion 56 years ago, winning 5-0, but this visit was portrayed as a measure of their progress against the 19-time champions.
And Roberto Mancini's men could not have delivered a more-emphatic statement as Sir Alex Ferguson's side were humiliated.
It was the first time United had conceded six goals at Old Trafford since 1930, when Huddersfield won 6-0 and Newcastle 7-4 within four days of each other.
After being 1-0 at half-time, the second half turned into a scene of carnage at the so-called "Theatre Of Dreams" and the eventual margin of victory could have been even more convincing.
HEAD TO HEAD
Continue reading the main storyCity United Correct at 23 October 2011
44
Wins
67
50
Draws
50
6-1 (1926, 2011)
Biggest win
5-0 (1994)
2
League titles
19
5
FA Cups
11
0
European Cups
3
2
League Cups
4
Mario Balotelli, in the headlines foraccidentally setting his house ablaze with fireworks, put City on their way with goals either side of the interval as United struggled to contain the array of attacking talent in front of them.
United were reduced to 10 men when Jonny Evans was sent off earlier in the second half but City's superiority was such that they looked on course for a landmark victory from the moment they took the lead.
Sergio Aguero added a third and, even though Darren Fletcher pulled a goal back, this was only the signal for a late surge by City that brought three more goals and a result that will have sent shockwaves through the Premier League.
Substitute Edin Dzeko scrambled in a fourth, the magnificent David Silva ran clear to add another another before the Bosnian striker inflicted the final wound seconds from the end.
As Ferguson strode briskly towards the Stretford End at the final whistle, he was reflecting on the brutal reminder of the challenge now facing him from the club he branded "noisy neighbours" on a day when the entire Premier League landscape may have finally, and permanently, altered.
United's stature is such that one result must not bring the immediate announcement of a shift in the balance of power in Manchester - but the swathes of empty seats around Old Trafford and the wave of attacks pouring towards David de Gea's goal in the second half emphasised that City quite simply have greater firepower and talent in their squad at present.
ANALYSIS
Continue reading the main story Guy Mowbray,
BBC Match of the Day commentatorThis is by far the worst day in Manchester United's Premier League history and by far Manchester City's best
Mancini left Samir Nasri and Dzeko on the bench - but was still able to exploit a wide range of attacking options in Balotelli, Silva and Aguero.
City were barely allowed any time to settle on the ball in the opening exchanges, with Ashley Young prominent and drawing heavy fouls from Micah Richards and James Milner.
It was against the run of play that City took the lead after 22 minutes, courtesy of a stroke of casual quality from Balotelli. Silva was the creator but Balotelli, given too much time and space by Evans, finished sublimely with a stroked finish into De Gea's bottom corner.
Balotelli, in recognition of those latest chaotic events in his personal life, then revealed a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Why Always Me?". Despite the good humour of his gesture, he was booked by referee Mark Clattenburg.
United's hopes of mounting a serious response suffered a blow within two minutes of the restart when Evans, who had endured a miserable afternoon, lost concentration and allowed Balotelli to steal in behind him. The defender's only reaction was to haul the Italian down, resulting in an inevitable red card.
The opportunity was there for City to overpower their arch-rivals and they accepted it as they went in search of further goals to emphasise their supremacy.
City doubled their lead on the hour with another superbly created goal from Balotelli. Silva cleverly played in Milner, who provided a cross that left the striker with the simplest of goals from close range.
MAN UTD 1-6 MAN CITY FACTFILE
Continue reading the main story- Biggest win by Man City at Old Trafford since a 5-0 victory on 12 February 1955
- Last time Man Utd lost a top-flight match at home with the same scoreline was also against City on 23 Jan 1926
- City's previous biggest victory in a derby in the Premier League era was 4-1 on 14 March 2004
Aguero had been quieter than his attacking colleagues but got in on the act after 69 minutes. The outstanding Milner played in Richards and, once again, a delivery across the face of the goal proved too much for United, Argentine Aguero arriving to complete the formalities.
Mancini then removed Balotelli and introduced Dzeko, who almost scored a fourth within seconds of his arrival, only to see his shot drift inches wide.
And, with United chasing a lost cause and leaving space at the back, Silva fired over from ten yards and Dzeko forced a fine save from De Gea when he was set free by the Spaniard.
United refused to give up even in the face of impossible odds and Fletcher offered some hope when he pulled one back with nine minutes left, striking a fine rising shot from 20 yards that gave Joe Hart no chance.
It was the goal for which the phrase "false dawn" was invented. Dzeko took advantage of good work from Joleon Lescott to score before Silva got the goal he deserved with a composed strike.
And with some United supporters actually pleading with referee Clattenburg to put them out of their misery, one more moment of brilliance from the magical Silva set up Dzeko for his second.
Guy Mowbray,