Not quite job done as far as the title race is concerned, but a job very well done by Manchester City in the big Manchester Derby this morning puts them in pole position with only two games to go.
Now level on 83 points with United, with a significantly better (eight goal) goal difference, City can wrap up their first title in 44 years by ensuring maximum points at Newcastle and at home against Queens Park Rangers.
For United, recent slip-ups against Everton and Wigan let City back into the race and, with Carlos Tevez adding late impetus and quality, it’s an invitation City have accepted.
This was another disciplined and heady performance from a City side that has been very well marshaled by the tactics of Roberto Mancini.
Here he always had the upper hand over Sir Alex Ferguson, drawing a late reaction of frustration from the United manager.
Protecting a three point lead heading into this much hyped derby, it was perhaps not a great surprise to see Ferguson go for defensive approach.
But it came back to haunt him.
Perhaps the memory of being opened up, time and time again, in October, at home, also played a role in his conservative tactics.
Either way, the stall and tactics were set.
United would congest the midfield, aiming to deny space to Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Samir Nasri and David Silva.
They would sit deep, absorb and hope to hit City on the counter.
For Roberto Mancini’s men, the key would not only be to be patient in the front third, but to ensure they blunted and controlled the United counter.
In the opening exchanges it looked like Ferguson’s strategy might work, but gradually, with more and more possession, City started to wear United down.
Nasri in particular always looked dangerous, getting on the outside of United’s narrow formation and combining with the likes of Silva, Tevez and Aguero. There was some lovely work on the ball.
While there weren’t many opportunities, City were knocking, eventually opening the door from a set piece goal right on half-time.
Ferguson would have to react, and soon into the second half he introduced Danny Wellbeck for Park Ji-Sung, going to two up front.
But Mancini had more cards to play, and by introducing Nigel De Jong for Carlos Tevez, and later Micah Richards for Silva, City’s tactics were clear.
They were now intent on protecting the lead and countering for a second through the power of Yaya Toure and industry of Aguero.
It worked a treat, and while they couldn’t build on their lead, Joe Hart was rarely in danger.
City showed how strong and adaptable their squad is, able to seamlessly shift from the attacking play of the first period to the more pragmatic work of the second.
Mancini’s tactical flexibility and the ability of the players to execute it has been the hallmark of their season, and it now looks like it might be enough to give them a long awaited EPL title.
apaway
Roar Guru
I hate losing too and I'm MUCH poorer than SAF...:)
Ironmonger
Guest
See comments above for the games to come
Tony Tannous
Expert
Thanks apaway, and spot on. I've enjoyed Mancini's tactical flexibility in the EPL this season, lots of really good work.
Tony Tannous
Expert
Yes Katie, Fergie went conservative and got punished. Strange one not to use Valencia especially, I thought. By no means a given that City will beat the Toon away on Sunday, but on recent form they should. See if they can handle the pressure of leading again
Daily Telly Reada
Guest
Woooow. 0 points separating them. Two games to play, didn't no that I learnt so much from this article. I thought Man United had it in the bag for sure, especially cos theyre really good and have Rooney and Nani and Chris Smalling. So good all of them. I wonder who they're playing next, someone said Swansea but I'm not sure. Does anyone know? 10/10 Work m8, - Dalton T
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
Fergusons downfall in big games in Europe in the past has been when he adopted a defensive approach. United are at their best when they take the game to their opponents, they should of started with Wellbeck. Having said that form was with City and not United so the cautious approach might be undersatndable. United still have the better run in.
Futbanous
Guest
Regarding Sir Alex "the time has come the Walrus said to speak of many things".
Jason Cave
Guest
Maybe it's time for a major cleanout at Old Trafford. After all, how much longer can players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes play on for? Manchester City will have one hand on the trophy (unless they completely stuff it up in the next two games).
apaway
Roar Guru
Thanks for the analysis Tony. Do you think Mancini's experience in Serie A helped him in this game? He's won 5 titles in Italy and the way he had City playing today was much like a well-drilled, highly skilled Italian side the likes of Inter or Juventus at their best. His decision to withdraw Tevez relatively early made me raise my eyebrows given it left Aguero as a lone striker which is not a role that suits him. However, Mancini got it spot on. On the other hand, Ferguson's selections were puzzling. Park has played so little football this calendar year that it seemed a curious decision to select him, especially given Carrick, Scholes and Giggs all started. Surely he'd have been better served with Valencia providing width and attacking threat out wide to complement Nani, and stretching City's defence, which coped comfortably with Rooney as a loan front man.
Katie Lambeski
Guest
good article Tony. Wasn't a great game, but given all the hype of the event it was always going to fall short of a classic. Fair result and City were the better team. As much as that hurts me as a United fan, thats the reality. They came to win and play, setting up that way but United didn't. Why dump Welbeck and Young when they're in form and have been playing? anyway its not over yet, still 6 points to play for, but City are in charge of their destiny and the title...nervy games to come
Australian Rules
Guest
City overwhelmingly the deserved winners. Just a question...is there a poorer loser in world sport than Sir A.Ferg?
Matt F
Roar Guru
The run home City Newcastle (A) QPR (H) United Swansea (H) Sunderland (A) As a Newcastle fan I'd love to hand ManU the title, as much as I hate them generally, though I think it's unlikely given the run City are on. The 4-0 thumping by Wigan has halted our momentum and we have massive game at Chelsea on Thursday morning as well. It does look like the trickiest game out of the four though. QPR's away form is woeful while both Swansea & Sunderland seem to be on holidays early, as is the trend for safe mid-table teams.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Yeah it wasn't the greatest quality match really. SAF knew that a draw would be enough to almost hand ManU the title so he went defensive. Once City got the lead they went defensive. That being said ManU were woeful in attack, even when they were chasing the game in the second half. City were deserving winners. It's very strange to see ManU falling apart at the end of the season, it's almost always been the other way around
clipper
Guest
Man U still have this uncanny knack of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, as witnessed by their many last minute wins, so my money is still on them.
Kasey
Guest
Its not like SAF to go out and park the big red bus, but he did and if they'd played the whole game like they did after moving to a 442 in 2nd half, it could have been much different. IMO Citeh were deserved winners on the night WD to them and their long suffering fans.
striker
Guest
Man united were to negative for me and city deserved the points.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I agree however I also like any competition that comes down to the wire. It is part of the reason the end of the J-League season has had me transfixed for years as it has so often come down to the last day with two or three possible winners.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It has become interesting again, that's for sure. Normally at this end of the season only the relegation battle holds any appeal.
Kasey
Guest
Watching EPL/UEFA-CL etc is like going to the art gallery for me. I can appreciate the artistry and great skill of the play, but its not my team in my country, I just cant make that emotional connection required to make football an edge of the seat proposition Only the HAL gets my blood pumping the way football should, because it feels like I live or die on the results of my beloved Reds:) #COYR Still as an avowed ABU over many years...well done Citeh;) Lets see if they can close it out now away to the Magpies at SJP and v QPR @COMS.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Fascinating end to the EPL season..