GAME OF THE WEEK: RED DEVILS GO DOWN FIGHTING AS NOISY NEIGHBOURS CLINCH MANCHESTER DERBY

Story written by Patrick Kamanga

RED DEVILS GO DOWN FIGHTING AS NOISY NEIGHBOURS CLINCH MANCHESTER DERBY

Sergio Aguerro's sublime finish put matters to rest

In a tense, tight and controversial affair Manchester City overcame a brave Manchester United in a titanic battle at the Etihad Stadium, winning by a solitary goal to remain within striking distance of runaway table toppers Chelsea. 

Smalling's silly block earned him a yellow card

With central defender Chris Smalling conceding two unnecessary and utterly silly yellow cards that gave referee Michael Oliver no other option but to send him off, this was a game City should have won more convincingly. 

Chris Smalling's calamitous defending made him see red

Is it therefore a case of City playing below par or the Red Devils raising their game? I think it’s a little bit of both because for all their possession particularly in the first half and numerical advantage, City simply created very few clear cut chances and solely missed the injured Danny Silvas’ clever runs and creativity in the deep pocket. With both Yahya Toure and Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko’s form taking a dip, creativity as well as goal scoring responsibilities have fallen on diminutive Argentine Sergio Aguerro who has not disappointed the City faithful and grabbed the chance with both hands taking his goal tally for the season to double digits at ten while his total for the derby is now eleven. 

Top scorer Kun Aguerro having a great season

To emphasize City’s recent struggles, similar circumstances three seasons ago in October 2011 when Johny Evans received a red card, the Sky Blues superiority saw them pulverize and inflict the heaviest defeat in recent memory upon Man U at the Old Trafford, winning 6-1. With Smalling hitting the showers as early as the 38^th minute, City had at least 52 minutes to apply their numerical advantage into goals but they quite didn’t dominate the game as many would have expected. All the reason for the hue and cry by City over the penalty decisions which were ignored by the ref, an indication of their desperation. On a more objective note, Sergio Aguerro’s penalty appeals were lame because on both occasions he hit the deck with relative ease after very minimal contact. To be fair to City their strongest case for a penalty which was unjustly ignored was central defender Macos Rojo’s lunging tackle from behind, albeit unintentionally on Toure who had blindsided then ghosted past him and was clearly setting to pull the trigger when Rojo clumsily brought down the burly Ivorian. 

Last man Rojo's clumsy tackle went unpunished

With Rojo as the “last-man”, that infringement was a clear penalty plus a red card! As if the “soccer gods” were colluding against them, the Red Devil’s defense was stripped to bare bones when Rojo was stretchered off after injuring his shoulder from an awkward fall. Teenager Paddy McNair came on and played along Michael Carrick. With a man less, and a makeshift defense, instead of folding over Man U miraculously picked themselves up in the second half, took the game to their bitter rivals and actually put City on the back foot. 

Rooney in full flight, made life difficult the Sky Blues

The Red Devils were almost rewarded for their bravery when Wayne Rooney’s dizzying run that saw him skip past four City players set Van Persie in the box, who miscued his shot and finally nicked the ball onto Di Maria’s path whose volley was fisted out by Joe Hart. The last quarter hour plus injury time saw City quite weary and jittery as Man U threatened to equalize and share the spoils. Defensive midfielder Fernando was brought in for Aguerro in the 83rd minute as City closed shop and hang on to their solitary goal. 

Man U can take plenty of positives from their brave show

Despite the lose, the Red Devils should take pride for the manner with which they coped under extreme circumstances which should go a long way in building character and grit as Van Gaal works on rebuilding his team and return them to former glories.