Mancheter City earned three points in the 168th Manchester Derby to take them six points off league leaders Chelsea. Despite a spirited last 30 minutes from ten-man Manchester United, Sergio Aguero's second half goal sent United home with nothing, meaning they dropped down to ninth place on goal difference.
Manchester City welcomed the Red Devils to the Etihad today for the 168th Manchester Derby. United utilised the in-form Marouane Fellaini ahead of Spaniard Juan Mata, and Pellegrini gave a start to Stevan Jovetic after a long spell on the City bench. Pellegrini quickly had to replace Aleksandar Kolarov before the game due to the defender picking up a knock in the pre-match warm up. The home side left the Etihad with all 3 points after a scintillating contest.
United started the better side, but Marcos Rojo’s header towards goal in the 1st minute was correctly ruled offside. Unfortunately for Rooney, he marked his return to the squad with two misplaced passes early on, after not playing a single game for United in October. City’s first chance fell to Aguero in the 7th minute, but his shot from an acute angle was well prevented by David de Gea. In the 9th minute, van Persie headed the ball down to Adnan Januzaj who dragged his shot wide from 18 yards. The next chance fell to Aguero once again, but after a good solo run his shot was swallowed by De Gea. Only a minute later, De Gea produced another miraculous save against Navas’ shot. After conceding another chance to Aguero only seconds after this, United owed it to their goalkeeper for not being a goal behind after another incredible stop by the Spaniard. In the 39th minute, Chris Smalling was sent off after a second bookable offence, giving City an immediate advantage for the remainder of the game. Despite a few penalty appeals for City, the away side managed to hold onto their clean sheet, entering the second half at 0-0.
Within the first 5 minutes of the second half, City were dominant and only some relentless United defending kept the game level. Another injury blow for United came in the 53rd minute, seeing Marcos Rojo replaced by Paddy McNair. The home side continued to pile on the pressure with another penalty appeal on Sergio Aguero, which was wrongly denied by the referee. Di Maria’s in-swinging delivery in the 60th minute could not be capitalised on by any United player. However, City struck first in the 62nd minute through Sergio Aguero’s exquisite finish from Clichy’s cross which turned out to be the only goal of the game. 8 minutes later, van Persie weaved his way through the City defence, forcing a save out of Joe Hart at his near post. Navas’ strike in the 74th minute clattered the near post of De Gea’s goal, leaving the away side feeling very lucky not to be 2-0 down. Out of nothing, Rooney produced a spectacular solo run which eventually fell to Di Maria whose shot was well saved by the City goalkeeper. Fellaini fluffed a costless header only seconds later from a superb delivery by Di Maria once again. United continued to pressurise City, as the home side decided to sit back and invite constant attacks from the Reds. However, Toure worked himself a chance in the closing stages of the game but his shot flashed wide. The next chance fell to Toure once again, but his header went high and wide. This turned out to be the last chance of the game as City marched away with three points.
The Reds will be disappointed to take nothing from the game after a spirited last 30 minutes, but some refereeing decisions did go in the away side’s favour. This leaves United on their lowest points total after 10 games since 1986.