An eerie silence took over Old Trafford as Yaya Toure calmly slotted home the third goal. Supporters had left long before this goal, but this was the definitive moment. It summed up both the teams’ days today - for one, a long way back to the dressing room, for the other, a rather short trip to the other side of the town.
For me, Manchester United had succumbed to the pressure in this game the moment they conceded the first goal, after 40-odd seconds. They might have fancied themselves at the start of this game, but all such thoughts were laid to rest as Edin Dzeko calmly opened the scoring off a Samir Nasri shot, which hit the post.
For me, Manchester United had succumbed to the pressure in this game the moment they conceded the first goal, after 40-odd seconds. They might have fancied themselves at the start of this game, but all such thoughts were laid to rest as Edin Dzeko calmly opened the scoring off a Samir Nasri shot, which hit the post.
The game then generally slowed down, and this was probably the only fault one could find with City in the whole match. They could perhaps be blamed for not killing the game right there, taking the chances they got. David Silva was yet again sublime in his passes, and would perhaps be most disappointed in not getting the attacking returns that he should have in the match.
United slowly, but steadily, built their game from scratch, after suffering the early setback. Wayne Rooney seemed to garner more and more space, but apart from him, there seemed to be no real player waiting for a small chance to make a chance. They tried a lot of areal threats by providing a lot of crosses due to the slow pace of City’s two centre backs - Kompany and Demichelis - but all it resulted in was more catching practice for Joe Hart.
Then, around the half-hour mark, Fellaini elbowed Pablo Zabaleta, resulting in a yellow card. Personally, I think it should’ve been a red, but I’m assuming the referee didn’t want to make a controversial decision. Perhaps if the same challenge would’ve been committed in the second half, we would’ve seen the ref flash a red, but for now, I could understand his decision.
United slowly, but steadily, built their game from scratch, after suffering the early setback. Wayne Rooney seemed to garner more and more space, but apart from him, there seemed to be no real player waiting for a small chance to make a chance. They tried a lot of areal threats by providing a lot of crosses due to the slow pace of City’s two centre backs - Kompany and Demichelis - but all it resulted in was more catching practice for Joe Hart.
Then, around the half-hour mark, Fellaini elbowed Pablo Zabaleta, resulting in a yellow card. Personally, I think it should’ve been a red, but I’m assuming the referee didn’t want to make a controversial decision. Perhaps if the same challenge would’ve been committed in the second half, we would’ve seen the ref flash a red, but for now, I could understand his decision.
The beginning of the second half saw Shinji Kagawa come out instead of Tom Cleverly, a change which was made apparently due to injury. Now, this was the first time I’ve ever seen Kagawa play in a United jersey, and I could pretty much figure out why he was criticized so much. I didn’t see him pass the ball to one red shirt in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch. I don’t blame him, either- he is a naturally left-footed player, and not every lefty can play on the right wing.
Unless you’re Arjen Robben. Then you can terrorise any left-back in the world. And let’s face it, Kagawa’s no Robben.
The game was finished for United when Dzeko struck his second of the night from a corner to give City a 2-0 le a d, and with the time remaining, the Red Devils hardly looked like reviving the game. It was a drag really after this, and I hardly expected another goal to go in either side, considering how clumsy both the teams had already become.
The third goal was created out of a nothing chance, and Rio Ferdinand could have easily prevented this one from going in.
Manchester United seem a lot like Newcastle United right now, as aptly described by my co-author Neil. Both of them have beaten relegation, and seemingly look to find themselves in Europa League qualifiers (unless Moyes can pull a rabbit out of his hat and win the Champions League), and have lost all incentive to play well any further. A mid-table obscurity looks certain for both.
But statistically, it’s Moyes’ team who find themselves in a greater problematic position. They have now lost ten games in the EPL, six of those defeats being conceded at home. The last time they conceded seven defeats at home was when they were relegated.
Unless you’re Arjen Robben. Then you can terrorise any left-back in the world. And let’s face it, Kagawa’s no Robben.
The game was finished for United when Dzeko struck his second of the night from a corner to give City a 2-0 le a d, and with the time remaining, the Red Devils hardly looked like reviving the game. It was a drag really after this, and I hardly expected another goal to go in either side, considering how clumsy both the teams had already become.
The third goal was created out of a nothing chance, and Rio Ferdinand could have easily prevented this one from going in.
Manchester United seem a lot like Newcastle United right now, as aptly described by my co-author Neil. Both of them have beaten relegation, and seemingly look to find themselves in Europa League qualifiers (unless Moyes can pull a rabbit out of his hat and win the Champions League), and have lost all incentive to play well any further. A mid-table obscurity looks certain for both.
But statistically, it’s Moyes’ team who find themselves in a greater problematic position. They have now lost ten games in the EPL, six of those defeats being conceded at home. The last time they conceded seven defeats at home was when they were relegated.
For Manchester City, they find themselves in a position where the title is almost theirs to lose now. Agreed; they have two more fixtures in hand now, but with away games against Arsenal and Liverpool in the next three, things could take a concrete shape here. They played effortlessly last night, and hardly broke a sweat, and were deserving of the goals and points- both three in number. The absence of Sergio Aguero is handled well by deputy strikers Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo, and the consistency of their midfield starlets like Silva, Toure and Fernandinho has really defined the season for them.
To sum up, a well-deserved victory to the boys in blue, and a future to think over for the ones in red.
-Mister GoogleHead (Follow on Twitter @Mr_GoogleHead)