There may never have been a Manchester derby with more at stake. Join us from 5.00am AEST in what is shaping one of the most hyped EPL deciders in years
Two clubs; one the institution, the monolith that have been near or at the top of the Premier League table every year since its inception. And then there’s City; the young upstarts, backed with billions of petro-dollars and fearing nobody.
And at 5:00am this morning, they’ll face off. And two hours after that, we’ll be a lot closer to knowing who is going to lift the Premiership trophy in a couple of weeks from now.
The 6-1 drubbing the Red Devils suffered at Old Trafford in the first meeting this season will still be fresh in their minds.
Manchester City’s phenomenal home record has seen them drop just two points all season, and Fergie’s men will probably be satisfied if they drop two more. A draw is very favourable for United who would remain three points clear at the top.
Since that defeat to Arsenal, City has gone on a three game winning streak, in which they’ve scored 12 goals and conceded just the one. Their confidence will be a lot higher than their rivals’, who threw away a two goal lead in that enthralling 4-4 draw with Everton last week.
The polarising Mario Balotelli returns from a three-match suspension, but given the form of his striking partners Sergio Aguero and the prodigal son Carlos Tevez, he may not be in Roberto Mancini’s plans.
But let’s not forget it was Balotelli’s two goals to open the game that got the rout underway in that 6-1 drubbing.
City is averaging an astonishing three goals a game. United over two. And yet, I wouldn’t be at all shocked if this game fizzled into a bore draw.
I just hope I’m wrong.
Join us just before kick-off for all the formations, line-ups and team news from 5.00am AEST.
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Gareth Barry was man of the match? That must have been the worst game ever played.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Well we were hoping for a better second half, but it wasn't really. United did their best Blackburn impersonation throughout, barely mustering a shot in the match and never looking like scoring a goal. Not a performance befitting Europa League qualifiers, let alone Champions. City were a bit better but even they were well below their attacking best. That said, they got their goal and when they had the lead, identified how dominant their grasp was on the game and seemed content to hold on for 1-0. Wayne Rooney was anonymous today, to put it bluntly. His supporting cast was no better. But honestly, THIS is the game that is going to decide the title? It was sadly, very much the anti-climax we were all fearing. Seriously, throw them both out and give the title to Wigan...the real entertainers of England!! Kudos to Gareth Barry for being awarded the man of the match...and kudos to all of you for sticking through this one for it's boring entirety...feel free to send me a tweet @TheMattBungard with your views and feelings on the match. Oh, and well done to City. It's their premiership to lose now. I'm going back to bed.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
FULL TIME MANCHESTER CITY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 0
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
95th min: Finally, Rooney has a shot! It's blocked and then Hart is fouled in a skirmish. That should be enough.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
That was garbage from Young. Cleared away for a throw.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
95th min: A United corner? Surely not...
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
93rd min: Milner on for Nasri. Just eating up more time.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Five minutes of added time. For what? You couldn't make this up.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
90th min: And Nasri couldn't pull the trigger!!! Toure did really well to keep the ball in (I don't think he did, by the way) and it found it's way to Nasri who jinked and stepped players in the area instead of shooting and eventually somebody took it away from him!
Hbomb@hotmail.com
Guest
19 mins of stoppage ? Joke or did something happen ?
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
88th min: De Gea's first real save!!! The ball from Zabaleta down the right was too over-hit to reach Aguero, it found his fellow fullback Gael Clichy out the back and the left footed drive from distance was clawed away by the Spaniard. United running out of time and still looking decidedly average.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
86th min: Keeping the ball down near the flag, City win a free kick. Can they do this for the 19 minutes of stoppage time, though?
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
85th min: Nasri twists and turns in the area before eventually taking it to the corner flag and winning a throw. A bit early for that, surely?
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
84th min: Young's first involvement is to win a free kick. He whips it in himself, but it's cleared away easily again!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
83rd min: Changes for both teams... City - Micah Richards is on for David Silva United - Ashley Young is on for Nani
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
82nd min: And that might have sealed it!! Toure wins possession near halfway, dribbles forward to the edge of the area and his left footed drive is just wide.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
80th min: Rooney called for a high foot. That's been about as involved as he's been today.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
78h min: Valencia finally on the field! Scholes is off. Shortly after, Carrick goes into the book for a bad tackle on his England midfield partner, Gareth Barry.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
78th min: Aguero with another shot, this one from a very tight angle and it's into the side netting.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
76th min: De Jong with a cynical challenge (I know, I'm as surprised as you) on Welbeck and he is booked. Oh, and now Mancini and Fergie are nose to nose in the dugouts. Awesome.