City outplays United to win 4-1

City humbled United in the season’s first Manchester derby with a dominating exhibition of football at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The United fans should consider themselves extremely fortunate that the score line did not read even worse.

United went into the match with an early setback when Robin Van Persie got ruled out due to an injury. On the other hand, City’s defense got a big boost-up when Vincent Kompany made a comeback after missing few matches due to injury concerns. Manchester City began the match on a right note and it just took 17 minutes for the home side to open the floodgates. Kolarov made a brilliant run down the left and then put in a centre for Sergio Aguero who made no mistake to put his team into an early lead. The City onslaught continued and it paid-off for the second just before the half time whistle when an unmarked Kompany directed a flag-kick into the United goal. The first half ended with City ahead of United by a 2-goal margin.

Manchester City began the second half from where they left off. Aguero scored for the second time when Alvaro Negredo made use of his physical strength rounding off Nemanja Vidic to put the ball in his path. The home side extended their lead when an unmarked Samir Nasri put the ball in the back of the net from close range. United made their first change of the match bringing on Tom Cleverley in place of an under-performing Ashley Young. The move almost paid off immediately but Rooney squandered United only open chance since the kick-off. United finally reduced the margin through a classy Wayne Rooney free-kick in the 87^th minute of the match but it turned out only to be a consolation goal.

With only 7 points from first 5 matches, United players need to pull up their socks if they are to retain the Premier League this season. On the other hand Manchester City, with 10 points from as many games, is looking quite strong as a title contender after a slow start to the season.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.