Robin van Persie celebrates his late goal that brought United the crucial win
Starting Lineups (courtesy of Soccerway.com)
Goals of the Game
Manchester City: Y. Toure (60'), Zabaleta (86')
Manchester United: Rooney (16', 29'), van Persie (90+2')
There was not a single empty seat in the stands as the current top two placed teams in the English Premier League clashed in one of the most dramatic of fashions. With Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise both watching on in the sidelines, this season's first Manchester Derby was nothing less than spectacular.
The Blues took early control of the first half as their opponents got the full immensity of the pressure being given by the home crowd. Barely five minutes in, and Rooney gets cautioned for tackling both David Silva and Yaya Toure on the United half. After that, Balotelli took the first strike for his team, the ball over the bar.
However, United would soon dominate the half. Against the run of play, Young blazed through the left flank and flicked the ball to Rooney inside the box. At first, it looked as if he lost his footing, but his sidefoot kick shot the ball slowly into the net, with City keeper Joe Hart stationary in the middle of the goal. Rooney would make it 2-0 just before the 30th minute. A low Rafael cross went straight to Rooney, who smashed the ball home with authority.
Rooney smashes in his second goal of the match, bring his Premier League goal tally to 150
Image retrieved from the Official Barclays Premier League Twitter account
City would respond, but to no avail. Barry would attempt a shot coming into the box, but it would go wide right. Aguero would blast forward two minutes later, but got tackled by Ferdinand. No penalty was given.
Second half saw City struggle to win something back. After a dismal appearance by Mario Balotelli, Mancini brought on former United star Carlos Tevez. This was the second change for the Blues as Kompany was replaced very early in the first half due to a knock. After a few attempts on goal, City's Yaya Toure would pull one back for his side, picking up the rebound after both Silva and Tevez made two consecutive attempts prior.
City's Pablo Zabaleta hits home the equalizing goal
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
Robin van Persie's free kick from 25 yards ultimately goes into the back of the net, giving United the win
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
Action would pick up from there. David Silva almost got an equalizer for City as he made a brilliant shot at the 78th-minute mark. The Blues had to wait eight more minutes to find it. Pablo Zabaleta sank the equalizer at the 8th minute. However, United's prolific Dutchman striker, Robin van Persie, had the decider of the match. Two minutes into stoppage time, he successfully converted a free kick into the winning goal of the match.
After that, it was all over. United once again got a victory late in the match and got their hard-earned three points, placing them firmly in the top of the table with a crucial six-point lead over their noisy neighbors.
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