Ahead of the match,the mind games we've come to expect of Sir Alex Ferguson was not in short supply.He said City gets too many spot kicks(clearly trying to influence ref Matt Atkinson).Mancini fired back,saying Man Utd are the best team & favourites for the league(that one had a hint of sarcasm).The media also did their usual part if cranking up the hype.
The match itself did justice to the hype & lent more evidence to some people's argument that this fixture is the 'English Classico'.
It was a game if two halves but Man Utd just about edged it through sheer individual brilliance.Sir Alex Ferguson also came out on top in the tactical battle.His deployment of 2 wingers,2 marauding full backs & 2 forwards(with one dropping just behind) worked till City pulled one goal back rather fortuitously.A high pressing midfield also quietened Yaya Toure,relatively.
In hindsight,Mancini should have started Tevez in place of Balotelli.His 2nd Half introduction clearly gave City a lot more attacking impetus upfront.
In the end it was a big derby victory for Manchester United,they proved their title credentials once again & showed just why they are perennial champions or serial winners if you like.
La liga is over,Bundesliga is over.In the premier league though,it's far from over.Sir Alex will be the first to admit that six points can vanish in two games.But with United sitting pretty at the summit & facing an easy(on paper) run of games.It's Advantage United.
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