The first Manchester derby of the season did not disappoint. There was plenty of action, the expected controversy and a dramatic conclusion.
The headlines will be dominated by the sour ending, which saw Rio Ferdinand hit by a coin when celebrating Manchester United’s late winner, but the game itself was breathtaking to watch on Sky Sports or to listen to on talkSPORT.
The FA have also confirmed they will be launching an investigation into the stoppage time incidents at the Etihad, which left Ferdinand with blood dripping down his face after he was struck by an object.
Questionable decision
Roberto Mancini made another questionable tactical decision by electing to start with the enigmatic Mario Balotelli instead of Carlos Tevez.
Balotelli can produce the difference when he is interested, but we haven’t seen enough of that this season.
He walks around still with a huge sulk and on Sunday, he played once again as an individual rather than for the team.
The Italian was replaced by Tevez just before the hour mark after an incident with Ferdinand, where his studs were showing into a challenge.
He stormed down the tunnel and surely, patience must be wearing thin with the manager.
Mancini has given his striker so many chances but how many more can he have?
Most others bosses would have banished Balotelli to training with the reserves by now.
Tactical genius
In the title decider back in April, United were very disappointing. They wilted on the night, failing to trouble Joe Hart with any significant shot on goal.
On Sunday, it was so different. Sir Alex Ferguson set out his formation, picking Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia on the wings, rather than pack the midfield with an extra body like Paul Scholes or Darren Fletcher.
Young and Valencia did the job required. They provided plenty of attacking threat and always tracked back to help out the backline.
On the break, the Red Devils hit the champions in devastating fashion. Young and Valencia exposed the frailties of City’s width when it came to helping out the defence.
The likes of Samir Nasri and David Silva didn’t track back at all well during the game, leaving their full backs, Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy totally exposed.
Wayne Rooney will be delighted to have scored twice in the first half an hour, becoming the youngest player to score 150 Premier League goals in the process.
Nasri should be embarrassed
In my opinion, Samir Nasri had another pathetic game.
The Frenchman has failed to live up to his expensive price tag since joining from Arsenal last summer.
Arsene Wenger’s side might be struggling, but he will be pleased with the money he got from the Citizens for Nasri.
He didn’t do his job in defending, struggled to make any impact going forward and he should be embarrassed with his defending in the wall for the deciding goal.
You can argue that the free-kick award by Martin Atkinson was dubious against Tevez, who seemed to only make minimal contact with Rafael.
However, Nasri didn’t even bother with helping out his defenders with the three-man wall.
As Robin van Persie (pictured) struck his shot, he foolishly decided to turn around and stick his leg out.
It was as if he had suddenly become scared of a football possibly smacking him in an uncomfortable position. It was simply not good enough.
Disappointment for Hart
Van Persie’s free-kick was from distance and took a deflection off the useless Frenchman. Still, the strike managed to defeat Joe Hart on his side of the goal.
The England number one will be disappointed to let this goal in – even with the minor deflection.
It was a small error and nowhere near the biggest gaffe of the season, but he will know that it was a goal he should have prevented.
It was a great fightback from the champions. They were a changed team when Tevez came on and their response to get back to 2-2 was brilliant.
It was a sign of spirit from Mancini's men that has been questioned on more than one occasion this season.
I think the Red Devils would have been seriously frustrated when Zabaleta struck with four minutes to go to make the scoreline 2-2.
Ultimately, the visitors just shaded it. Young had a goal wrongfully disallowed which would have made it 3-0, and they deserved to win the local pride and the match.
Six points clear now and the title race it isn’t over by any stretch of the imagination, but the victory for Manchester United is a huge psychological advantage going into the Christmas period.
The signing of Van Persie was worth every penny of the £24m spent in the summer. Ferguson might be sending his old rival Wenger a special Christmas card.
‘Dear Arsene, thank you for the business, it was a pleasure, worth every penny, merry Christmas, sincerely Sir Alex!’
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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