City's Sergio Aguero celebrates the winning goal at Old Trafford
Image retrieved from the Barclays Premier League Twitter page
| Manchester United | Manchester City |
|---|---|
De Gea
Rafael (Y 90+2')
Evra
Jones
Ferdinand
Giggs
Carrick
Young
(SUB Kagawa 90+1')
Rooney (Y 32')
(SUB Hernandez 85')
Welbeck
(SUB Valencia 82' (Y 90+3'))
Van Persie
Unused subs:
LindegaardButtner Nani Cleverley | Hart Zabaleta (Y 90+1') Kompany (Y 42') (OG 58') Clichy Nastasic Milner (GOAL! 50') Nasri (SUB Aguero 71' (GOAL! 78')) Barry (Y 89') Silva (Y 29') (SUB Lescott 88') Yaya Toure Tevez (Y 84') (SUB Garcia 90+2') Unused subs: Pantilimon Kolarov Kolo Toure Dzeko |
Manchester United, who were poised to win the title should they have won this game and their next, would have to wait a little longer to get their hands on the Premier League trophy as they didn't exhibit the performance champions are supposed to do and slumped with a 2-1 loss against fierce rivals Manchester City at the Theatre of Dreams.
The two rivals started off the match with gusto as the game was played openly, with both sides having half-chances. Welbeck got an early chance at the 2nd minute, which was comfortably saved by City keeper Joe Hart. Dutchman Robin van Persie also had a couple of half-chances but the Blues defense was tight and rigid. For their part, City conjured efforts on goal of their own, with Spaniard David Silva pulling the strings, servicing the likes of James Milner and Carlos Tevez.
But soon the half turned into a war of attrition as both sides made intricate, gritty passes from short-quarters that brought frustration to all players, with fouls flying left and right. The frustration notched up a couple of degrees in a matter of seconds when the half-time whistle was blown just as City was able to send the ball into United's penalty area. The half-time break was barely able to contain Mancini's men from boiling over.
City's James Milner (first from left) celebrates with Nasri for his opening goal
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
The tension-filled action continued on in the second half, with chances still few and far between for both sides, until a crucial mistake from no less than veteran United man Ryan Giggs. The evergreen Giggs made the mistake of back-passing the ball with his heels, with Barry in close pursuit behind him. This allowed Barry to lob the ball to Milner who rocket the ball home.
But the lead was short-lived. Six minutes later, Yaya Toure clattered Rafael at the right wing, putting the ball out of play for a corner kick. The kick lobs the ball towards Phil Jones, who heads the ball towards the back of Kompany and through the deflection, scores the equalizer.
City looked demoralized but things turned around with a snap at the arrival of Sergio Aguero, who ran past three defenders to slot the ball in to the back of the net just seven minutes after he came in.
From then on, it was a matter of running the clock, with City happy to defend in their half. United poured on the attacks but chances never came. Crosses were poor from Young and Giggs. Robin van Persie has lost his touch. And when United didn't kick the ball out for a pleading David Silva, tensions rose to the breaking point, with both sides' players trading verbal barbs. It took a while for referee Mike Dean to take control but when the coast cleared, it was all too late.
Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th title is still secure, with the Reds 12 points clear. But now they have to wait a little longer to hold the coveted trophy, as Roberto Mancini won a consolation that is better than the title itself in some regard - the thought that he stopped the veteran Scotsman from his tracks is good enough for this season.
