Just Four Points Needed (Highlights Included)

By: Wayne Farry | May 10th, 2009

Man United and Man City met at Old Trafford today in what was a clash of two in-form sides. It was expected to be a fairly tight, hotly contested affair with little margin for error. It turned out quite different, in a match in which Carlos Tevez made a huge statement towards Alex Ferguson regarding his future at the club.

City, off the back of three wins in a row were expected to provide stiff competition for United but were very disappointing. United controlled the game from start to finish and came out convincing winners.

City started well but couldn’t make any chances as they settled into the game. United quickly earned a foothold in the game and began to pull the strings. City’s midfield had possession in good positions but good marking and tackling from the United midfield and the defence prevented any danger. United got the goal they deserved in the eighteenth minute after a free-kick was awarded for Ireland’s foul on a much-improved Berbatov. Ronaldo (who else?) stepped up to take it and pounded it past a wrong-footed Shay Given in the Citizens’ goal. It appeared to take a touch off Nigel de Jong but no one could take the goal away from Ronaldo.

Carlos Tevez, who earlier today spoke of his inevitable departure from Old Trafford played a cracker of a game. He posed a great threat at all times and of course, did his usual running. He came very close to doubling United’s lead during the first half, as he shimmied on the edge of the box and curled a beauty of a shot towards Shay Given’s goal. It was just a few inches off as it clattered back off the upright. They say you can’t hold a good man down and they were right, as in the forty-fifth minute Tevez gathered the ball on the edge of the box – after great control and a neat pass from Berbatov – took a touch and swung an unstoppable shot past the City ‘keeper. This one, too, hit the post but thankfully it nestled into the net. Tevez celebration was one of great intent, reminiscent of Beckham’s against Chelsea many moons ago, as he ran to the middle of the pitch with his hands cocking his ears up. It was clearly intended at Alex Ferguson but it remains to be seen if the Scot takes any notice of it.

After having a good game, Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off in the sixtieth minute. It was obviously a move to rest the Portuguese winger but he wasn’t happy; throwing the training top to the ground and sitting with a scowl on his face for the remainder of the match. Not nice to see at the time but good to see a player that passionate about playing.

Rooney and Scholes made late appearances and steadied the match, calming the tone down for the remainder of the game. Aside from Berba and Tevez’ great performances Darren Fletcher was great today. He completely nullified the City threat from midfield and as usual tracked back, it was, if anything, a sign of what we could be missing in Rome later this month. In light of all of this though, my man of the match has to be the brilliant Carlos Tevez.

So United ran out easy 2-0 winners today, in a match that was as easy as it appears. City were blunt, ineffective and seemed like a tired side. United, in contrast, looked like a side determined to finish the season in barnstorming fashion and if they keep playing like this they will.

Up next for united is Wigan on Wednesday at the JJB and Arsenal on Saturday at old Trafford. Four points from those two games and the title is once again ours, not much motivation needed, eh?

Man Utd vs Man City – Match Highlights