Full time: Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City
Full time: Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City
City has the first word and the last, but United dominated in between and they end a run of four derby defeats with an emphatic win at Old Trafford. Ashley Young scored one, made two for Marouane Fellaini and Chris Smalling while Juan Matas netted the other. Sergio Aguero netted twice, including his 100th for City, but it they were mere consolations for the visitors who suffer their fourth straight away league loss, fall 12 points behind Chelsea and are only five points ahead of fifth place Southampton.
Well it has been a thrilling derby weekend in the Premier League, for vastly contrasting reasons. Chelsea still top, and United's revival continues. We're back with the return of the Champions League in mid-week but until then it's goodbye.
A spell of possession for City ends with Valencia hooking the ball clear from six yards out. it isn't clear whether either team have truly recognised that Michael Carrick's going off has reduced United to 10-men. Crazy end to a frenetic game.
Goal: Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City (Sergio Aguero)
A consolation goal? United down to 10-men for a matter of moments before City cut the deficit as Zabaleta cuts the ball back and Aguero nets his 100th goal for the club as De Gea turns the ball against the post.
United have made all three of their substitutions and that means that an injured Michael Carrick, who leaves the field, means United are down to 10 men for the remaining three minutes plus stoppage time.
Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao on for United, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini off. It is times like this when you realise how much United have in reserve. City look sorry, their title gone and their dignity not far behind.
Goal: Manchester United 4-1 Manchester City (Chris Smalling)
It's a rout at Old Trafford as Chris Smalling gets in on the act. Ashley Young is again the provider and his free-kick sees Smalling ghost in, with Mangala playing everyone on side, and he heads home from six yards out; Hart no chance.
Goal: Manchester United 3-1 Manchester City (Juan Mata)
Three goals for United and that looks like three points against champions City. A brilliantly worked move down the left sees Rooney feed Mata, who is marginally offside when he collects the ball, but he slips the ball past Joe Hart. Game over, you feel.
How are United not 3-1 up? Wayne Rooney's free-kick is saved by Joe Hart but when the rebound is turned back in by Young, the City 'keeper saves well from Carrick before Herrera is denied with a desperate block. City clinging on.
Teams out for the second half at Old Trafford. Change for City as Vincent Kompany, an injury doubt for the game and booked in the first half, is replace by Eliaquim Mangala. No changes for United as the second 45 minutes begins.
Half time: Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
Stunning first half at Old Trafford. Sergio Aguero had City ahead but Ashley Young has scored the equaliser and made the second for Marouane Fellaini to thrust the red half of Manchester into the lead. An enterprising first half from two of the best teams around. More of the same please.
Should Vincent Kompany have been sent off? He slides in with his foot raised on Daley Blind and there is a long discussion between referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistant before a yellow card is shown. Replays suggest he might have been fortunate, but it anything but clear cut.
Stunningly entertaining first half but it is all United as far as chances and attacking intent go. City continue to pose a threat through Ageruo and Navas' pace but so far Young and Fellaini's goals have them ahead.
Goal: Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (Marouane Fellaini)
Three goals in 28 first half minutes as United turn it around. Ashley Young scored the first and he makes the second with a back-post cross which is met by the unmarked Fellaini, who powers a header past Joe Hart.
Goal: Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City (Ashley Young)
City ahead for just six minutes as United level with their first genuine attack of the game. Fellaini forces Zabaleta into a mistake and when the ball breaks to Herrera his cross finds Young who can't make proper contact with his first effort, but when the ball breaks back to him he lashes past Joe Hart from two yards.
Goal: Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City (Sergio Aguero)
Dream start for the champions as they open the lead inside eight minutes. James Milner slips David Silva in the inside left channel and he squares the ball where Sergio taps home to end his six-game goal drought. Terrifically worked goal.
Manchester City into the ascendency and they should be ahead. Demichelis's ball over the top releases Navas and his fellow countryman De Gea is forced to make a good early save. City all over United in the early stages and Toure has the chance to take aim but the home side lash the ball clear in the nick of time.
Players in the tunnel and we're almost ready to get under ay at Old Trafford. Both teams should be able to enter this game with some freedom so it could be a cracker. Kick-off on the way.
So what is at stake this afternoon? United and City are separated by one point, and are six and five points above fifth place Southampton in the race for a top four spot. City are champions but are set to be dethroned by Chelsea, while United have bounced back well from their seventh place finish last season and a tough start to the campaign to all but secure a Champions League place. In reality, this game today is more about local pride than league position, given where both teams are on the league.
Just one change for United as Marcos Rojo is replaced by Chris Smalling - a bit of English influence on derby day you fancy. For City, captain Vincent Kompany is fit to start while Manuel Pellegrini will employ a five-man midfield, with Sergio Aguero alone up front.
Teams:
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Carrick, Mata, Herrera, Fellaini, Young, Rooney
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Milner, Agüero.
Their title ambitions might be over but there is little doubt local pride and cementing a top four spot take precedent at Old Trafford as United and City go head-to-head in an eagerly anticipated encounter. Louis van Gaal's side start the game a point above the champions and go into today's game as favourites, after City's loss to Crystal Palace saw them fall further behind Chelsea. With Rooney, Aguero, Toure and Mata on show, we're guaranteed entertainment. Aren't we?
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