Manchester
City ensured rivals United would have to wait a little
longer to claim
the Premier League title as they claimed a
hard-fought 2-1
win at Old Trafford, though remain 12 points
behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side. City took the lead through James
Milner, whose powerful shot
wormed its way past David De
Gea, before a Vincent Kompany
own goal restored the equilibrium
just minutes later. But it was the away side who
struck the decisive, final blow
through substitute Sergio Aguero,
whose viscous near-post shot
rocketed into the top corner to
guarantee victory for Roberto Mancini's team. Wayne Rooney returned in attack
for the Red Devils, partnering
Robin van Persie up front, while
Jones was picked in defence.
Veteran Ryan Giggs was selected
to appear in his 37th Manchester derby. Ex-red Carlos Tevez spearheaded
City's attack with Sergio Aguero
only fit enough for a place on the
bench, while captain Kompany
lined up in the centre of defence. The game started at a frenetic
pace, with both sides hurtling
forwards and City especially
eager to reclaim local pride and
spoil the Old Trafford party. The
away side's right flank was particularly dangerous, with
Milner fizzing crosses into the box. But after the frantic early
exchanges, the game settled into
a calmer, more measured pace.
City came closest to opening the
scoring, with David Silva collecting
Yaya Toure's crossfield pass, but the Spaniard's pull-back was
thumped clear by Jones. In a half of few chances, it was
adventurous full-back Rafael who
had the home side's best effort.
The Brazilian latched onto Robin
van Persie's flick-on, but his
looping, poked finish could only find the outside of Joe Hart's
near post – though the England
keeper looked to have it covered. United began the second half well,
with Sir Alex Ferguson geeing up
the crowd with a fist-pump, but it
was City who struck first, lighting
the blue touch paper. Gareth Barry robbed Giggs in
midfield and burst up the left
flank, before squaring the ball to
Silva on the edge of the box. The
Spaniard then teed upMilner, whose powerful effort flicked off
Jones and flew into the net to
give City a 51st-minute lead. But the advantage lasted just
eight minutes before United had
equalised. Van Persie, in the midst
of a goal drought, turned
provider to send in an inch-
perfect cross towards Jones, with the defender heading the ball
againstKompany and into the back of the net. The play dulled somewhat after
that goal rush, until substitute Aguero produced a moment of magic. With few options and being
pushed further and further away
from goal, the Argentine finally
unleashed a ferocious shot that
thundered into the roof of the
net. United tried to mount a response,
with Sir Alex introducing super-
sub Chicharito and Patrice Evra
heading straight at Hart, but it
was in vain as City clung on to
claim a morale-boosting win which delays the Red Devils' wait for a
20th championship crown.

That is an interesting match, Manchester United fans appear not to be worried about the result. Judging by one the Manchester United fans I just spoke with now.