the Etihad Stadium as Vincent Kompany scored the only goal of thegame
against Manchester United.
The derby had been billed as perhaps the biggest game in Premier
League history and it was City who prevailed in an absorbing encounter
which came close to boiling over at times.
The crucial moment arrived on the stroke of half-time as Kompany
climbed highest in the area to beat Chris Smalling to a David Silva
corner and power his header past David de Gea.
Sir Alex Ferguson had opted for an experienced line-up but United
rarely threatened Joe Hart's goal and City looked likeliest to score
in the second half.
Another goal was not forthcoming and it was an agonising final few
minutes for the home fans as City held on to secure a potentially
decisive victory.
Roberto Mancini's men now lead thetitle race by virtue of their
superior goal difference, and it promises to be a fascinating
fortnight with two games left to play for each side.
Sluggish
Although the team sheets indicated Ferguson had adopted a cautious
approach and Mancini a more attack-minded one, in fact the opening
exchanges provided an alternate view.
With his midfield reinforced by the introduction of Park Ji-sung to a
Premier League starting line-up for the first-time since January,
Ferguson's side quickly got into their stride and looked capable of
carving out a decent opportunity or two.
However, Nani wasted their clearestopportunity when he ignored Phil
Jones' overlapping burst and let fly from 35 yards with a shot that
was hopelessly off-target.
City, meanwhile, began sluggishly, their midfield seemingly incapable
of stringing a succession of passes together with any regularity.
Samir Nasri was the man who sparked them into life with a coupleof
mazy dribbles as the hosts started to get near the byline, whichalways
gives defences cause for concern.
Sergio Aguero screwed a volley wide, then Pablo Zabaleta seized onan
opportunity he would have been better leaving for Nasri and his shot
rolled through to De Gea.
After all the hype, it was hardly a classic, although as the clock
ticked down towards half-time, the United camp presumably reflected
they were quite happy at that.
So, to go behind in stoppage time in such orthodox fashion would have
been particularly galling for the visitors.
De Gea's frailties under the high ballare well known by now. When
David Silva curled over the second of successive corners, a stronger,
more confident goalkeeper might have come to punch. Instead, he leftit
to his defenders.
Smalling, like Park, making his first start since January after Jonny
Evanswas ruled out through injury, momentarily lost Kompany on their
run from the edge of the box and was still marginally out of position
when the Belgian rose to power home from six yards.
It was a devastating goal for United to lose as there had been no
obvious indication they were likely to score.
Wayne Rooney looked particularly out of sorts, isolated up front and
generally unhappy with the buffeting he was receiving, which had only
drawn one yellow card for Kompany.
Momentum
The second half was only 12 minutes old when Ferguson offered his star
man some badly-needed support, replacing Park with Welbeck.
Immediately before the change, though, United might have found
themselves two down when De Gea came for a corner without getting near
it and Nasri ended up curling wide of the far post.
Even when the Red Devils did build some attacking momentum, their
final pass was either off-target or overhit, ensuring Hart was not
tested.
However, with his side well capableof grabbing a second, Mancini's
decision to replace Carlos Tevez with Nigel de Jong hinted at
containment, a very dangerous ploy against this particular set of
opponents.
Yaya Toure did thrash a long-range effort wide, his shot close enough
tohave De Gea scrambling across his goal.
And, in truth, United seemed to haveprecious few ideas about prising
their opponents open.
De Jong's foul on Welbeck brought ayellow card for the Dutchman and
sparked a furious touchline row between Ferguson and Mancini. Peace
was eventually restored but the visitors failed to feed off their
manager's fire.
Toure came agonisingly close to grabbing a second for the Blues and De
Gea made an excellent save to deny Gael Clichy.
And despite five minutes' stoppage time, the Blues cruised home, and
the songs of celebration began withCity two games from glory.
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