The game everybody was waiting for in the Premier League round 32 was the Manchester Derby. Manchester United was looking for their sixth victory in a row. Manchester City has lost their last three away games and it was not going to be easy to get three points at Old Trafford. Teams placing third and fourth with only one point away from each other, Manchester City was urged to leave fourth place and go back to winning ways.
Manchester City was looking good for the first ten minutes of the game. Minute eight, Sergio Aguero opened up the scoresheet for the citizens on a well developed play by James Milner who timed David Silva’s run to the far left end and David Silva assisted half a goal to Sergio Aguero, who all he had to do was tap it in.
The red devils quickly recovered and reacted magnificently. Just six minutes after Manchester City’s first goal, Manchester United scored the equalizer. Manchester United attacked through the left side on a clearance by David De Gea, Marouane Fellaini beat Pablo Zabaleta in the air. Ander Herrera picked up the lose ball and put a deadly ball across the box which was not cleared by Gael Clichy. Ashley Young took advantage of the mistake and put the ball in as Joe Hart tried to react.
Minute 27″ Manchester United attacked through the left side, a perfect cross by Ashley Young to second post was well connected by Fellaini who beat Gael Clichy in the air. Joe Hart was able to put a hand on it, but it was not enough to stop the ball from going in.
Manchester controlled the rest of the first half and came out second half looking for more goals. Twenty two minutes into the second half, Juan Mata finished through Joe Hart’s legs after a perfect through ball by Wayne Rooney after beating Vincent Kompany on a amazing run. Manchester United was leading now 3-1.
Manchester City was getting slammed by United and could not find a way to react. Minute 73′ Chris Smalling scored the fourth goal for United on a set piece free kick taken by Ashley Young. Young played a key role in three out of four United goals.
The Citizens were hurting badly, and were able to find their second goal just one minute before the end of the game. Frank Lampard played a nice through ball to Pablo Zabaleta, who then put a deadly ball across to Sergio Aguero. Aguero made contact one time after a brilliant move to lose his mark and beat De Gea. De Gea got a hand on it, but fell short as the ball bounced in off the wood work.
Manchester United won this very important game with the final score of 4-2, and will continue to fight to remain in the top four of the Premier League. As for the citizens, they need to find a solution to fix this mess before it is too late and they get knocked out of a Champions League position. Manchester United will visit Stanford Bridge next week for a tremendous game against the current leaders of the Permier League, Chelsea. Manchester City will receive West Ham United at home next weekend. Would the Citizens be able to get out of this mess?
Photo Credit: Associated Press/Jon Super
