The infamous FA Cup Manchester Derby was more of an issue of bragging rights than anything else and arguably turned out to be the best of the Round three match ups .United were on the verge of losing three in a row for the first time ever since 2001 . City settled down early playing free flowing football but had the shock of a top notch goal delivered by the head of United’s very own Wayne Rooney .Then, as contentious as they come in the 12th minute, City captain Vincent Kompany was bluntly sent off for an apparent scissors on Luis Nani. With City shattered Danny Welbeck with lovely technique volleyed one home to double the deficit. United went three up after a moment of complete carelessness by Alexander Kolarov bringing down Welbeck in the box. Step up Rooney, forcing a brilliant save from the City’s second favoured goalkeeper Pantilimon but all in vain heads back the rebound. With the three goal advantage it was fair to say it was all but over.
With Roberto Mancini bringing off David Silva and Adam Johnson and the United faithful chanting, ‘We want seven’ after the break it looked imminent that the red devils were looking for payback for the 6-1 thrashing they had received. But who would have thought it? City pulled back one through the magical free kick of Kolarov and there was renewed hope all around the Etihad . Paul Scholes who just earlier in the day had come out of retirement responding to an SOS call from Alex Ferguson came on. But a dream return turned out to be a nightmare when his misjudged pass resulted in Sergio Aguero scoring. It read 3-2 with still 25 minutes to go. City did have another go at Man U but kolarov who already put the ball in the back of the net from a free kick just outside the box this time couldn’t beat Lindergaard who was upto the task and squabbled it away. The final whistle came just in time for the United fans. What looked like a fairly one sided game turned out to be an exciting affair with equal possesion and shots on target after the 90 minutes. The fans acknowledged that with both sets clapping and cheering their heroes at the end.
Fact: With Owen Hargreaves also coming on for City, all the player who played for Manchester United in the Champions League final in 2008 were present. (Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves) An amazing and exhilarating encounter to zip up those who say the FA Cup has lost it touch. City were clearly missing the presence of Yaya Toure who is off for the African Cup . Mancini need to fill the gap left behind if City are to win the league. A talking point again for United would be their defending. With Vidic out for the season they must get their act together. Personally for me Evra and Phil Jones had a bad game. Sergio Aguero was the stand out and deservedly became the Man of the Match for City. So plus points with United gelling together and almost finding lost form and City showing character and resilience. With both sides having won once over each other it just sets up the stage for the last and final encounter in early April. Not to forget spices up the title race.
GeoSuper