Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United
Rooney's Goal Seals 3 Points as Ronaldo Sees Red
The result was Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United but United should have beat City by more. A 0-1 win for United was just the result that they needed to get their title challenge back on track after goalless draws against Aston Villa and Villareal. Sir Alex Ferguson would have taken a 0-1 win before the game after City did the double over United last season and were so devastating against Arsenal.
From the kick-off United looked the livelier of the two teams, winning lots of possession and creating chances. The hunger to get a goal and take a 0-1 lead was evident from the start. The first real site at goal came after Hart had fumbled a Rooney shot but the City goalkeeper managed to punch the ball as Darren Fletcher was homing in on the City goal. The City keeper was again on call as Berbatov managed to head a Rafael cross towards the City back post but Hart produced a world-class save to deflect the ball to safety.
City also had some half-chances, notably United goalkeeper Van Der Sar fumbling a cross that allowed the in-form Stephen Ireland to have a snap shot that shaved the outside of United's post. Micah Richards could have had a shot himself but incorrectly thought he was offside.
Goal Rooney: Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United
The break through finally came in the 41st minute as Rooney drove into a crowded City penalty area and the ball eventually falling to Michael Carrick who made some room for himself before driving a low shot that Hart could only parry for Rooney to tap-in. It was Rooney's 100th career goal, but more importantly the score was City 0 - 1 United.
Half Time: Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United
After the break, City came out with much more attacking intent and energy, but it was United who again made the better chances forcing City defenders to make last-ditch tackles as the United attack sought to improve on the 0 - 1 score line.
Red Card: Ronaldo
In the 68th minute United took a corner that Ronaldo rose for a free-header before putting both his hands in front of his face, as if he were catching the ball. The ball rolled harmlessly away as confusion arose over what had happened. Ronaldo incorrectly thought the referee had blown his whistle for an infringement in the box. Ronaldo was adjudged to half handled the ball unsportingly and was sent-off for a second bookable offence.
Full Time: Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United
City threw all their players forward in the dying seconds with goalkeeper Hart coming into the United box for a corner in stoppage time. The ball bounced off some players before falling to City captain Richard Dunne, but his shot was cleared off the line by Van Der Sar and Evra before Giggs and Rooney were on the counter-attack. With Hart scrambling to get back on his line, Rooney had a shot from just inside the City half that Hart just managed to deflect for a corner.
The game finished Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United, the result means United stay in third place in the Premiership but close the gap between them and Chelsea to five points, but the Champions have a game in hand. Liverpool play tomorrow and could become the new league-leaders.
Manchester City: Hart, Dunne, Richards (Sturridge), Kompany, Garrido, Hamann (Elano), Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Robinho, Vassell (Zabaleta), Benjani
Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park (O'Shea), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Rooney, Berbatov (Giggs)
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