Everything told us that there would be a genuine “Clash of the Titans” in this week’s key match-up between new powerhouse Manchester City versus perennial powerhouse Manchester United. While it was certainly a key match early in the season, it wasn’t much of a contest, with City absolutely dominating their cross-town rivals for 93 minutes.
Consider the final score for a minute. Wait, first sit down with a stiff drink. Ready? City 6 – United 1. No, that is no typo. To make matters worse for United, the game was played at the hallowed grounds at Old Trafford. Shocked? Perhaps, but a look up and down the Man City roster should tell you otherwise.
Man City, for me, represents a problem in football, which I have already discussed in a recent article. I won’t rehash everything I said, but in a nutshell the free-spending going on now in many leagues is almost out of control. A simple look on the City bench during the match will show you the talent that didn’t even crack the starting XI.
Back to the game.
With strong play from the starting eleven, particularly Mario Balotelli who scored twice, and the addition of Dzeko late in the match scoring two himself, City dominated for much of the 90 minutes, en route to handing United its first home loss in the last 19 contests at Trafford. In fact, the light blues scored three times in the final four minutes, and they could have put a few more in!
There was a very glaring problem for ManU today; their defending. Time and time again City forwards and mids found themselves penetrating past the home side’s defenders. Crosses, through-balls, and set pieces all seemed to break down, reminiscent of my own beloved Arsenal. Sorry United fans, that was low.
Also exposed was David De Gea, ManU’s young heir apparent keeper to Edin Van Der Sar. This wasn’t so much of a surprise because I have been hearing all season from friends of min who are United fans about their lack of faith in him. Whether he is the answer for their goaltending, the jury is out. Today, though, he was just plain bad.
The season is still early. As a Gunners fan I tell myself that every day. But if this is what we have to look “forward” to, the rest of the EPL have their hands full dealing with the new class of the league, Manchester City.
And that is the last word.
