It wasn’t the most convincing derby victories they have had in recent years, but Manchester City claimed yet another win over neighbours Manchester United thanks to a second half Sergio Aguero strike to give the blues a 1-0 victory at the Etihad.
The biggest talking point in the first half was the dismissing of United centre half Chris Smalling after just 39 minutes. The England defender was booked on the half an hour mark after attempting to deny Joe Hart the start of a break from City.
England’s number one wanted to dispatch the ball quickly, but a clumsy Smalling stuck a foot out to earn him the yellow card. Less then 10 minutes later and Michael Oliver produced the second yellow card for Smalling after he brought down James Milner to leave United with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Michael Carrick, making his first appearance of the season replaced Adnan Januzaj to give United a more defensive strategy to deal with City.
The Blues, however should have had two penalties in the first half and tempers started to heat up as both teams searched for the breakthrough. After the red card, Marouane Fellaini was ordered to fill in at centre back and looked to have kicked Aguero from behind, but Michael Oliver let play go on. Oliver was involved in high controversy involving Stoke and Swansea a couple of weeks ago relating to the Victor Moses incident, so the pressure was on for him to stay strong.
Yaya Toure was played through on goal on the stroke of half time but was too brought down by Marcos Rojo in what looked like a penalty but again Oliver ignored the incident and blew for half time.
Eight minutes into the second half, Rojo had to be stretchered off in what looked like a suspected dislocation in his should after a collision with Martin Demichelis and he was replaced by Paddy McNair leaving the Reds with a very unfamiliar back four.
It was the Blues who pressed for the opener and after 63 minutes, Sergio Aguero latched on to a Gael Clichy pass to get his 10th of the season and give City the lead. Navas struck a post moments later as City tried to confirm their advantage by adding a second of the game but it wasn’t to be.
However, it was a nervy finish to the game as United had chances to level through Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria thanks to a bursting run from returning captain Wayne Rooney, but Joe Hart stood tall and made sure that City would get all three points. The win see’s City six points behind leaders Chelsea whilst Manchester United slip to ninth position, still without an away win since April. After 10 games this is the lowest number of points that the Reds have acquired since 1986.
A game which seemed to have had both sets of fans at the edge of their seats gives the blue half of Manchester, the bragging rights, for now.
liam headd 