Wayne’s World; striker lands a blow to City with goal that will be talked about for years.
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| Eyes on the prize: Rooney’s volley further boosted United’s surge for the title. |
Ferguson’s team sheet was weakened by the loss of Rio Ferdinand, once again hampered by injury, and with Johnny Evans in-affective this campaign, it was up to youngster Chris Smalling to partner Nemanja Vidic at centre back. Top scorer Berbatov was on the bench along with fellow hit man Hernandez, leaving Rooney to roam upfront alone. This showed Ferguson’s continuing faith in the striker, although his team selection was considered negative by some. Man City opted for a similar tactic, with Tevez on his own, David Silva and Yaya Toure playing just behind. Before the game, Toure stamped his mark on the importance of the game and indeed the season, stating a fourth place finish would simply not be good enough. “There are some players who think that fourth will be good enough this season. In my opinion, fourth is definitely not good enough.” And Toure didn’t finish there, stating his desire to put another one over United after his Champions League success with Barcelona last year – “beating United in Rome was the best night ever but today will be even bigger.”
Yaya’s City started the stronger and should have been one up within three minutes. David Silva put in another electrifying performance, showing off his silky left foot when he teamed up with Tevez on the edge of the box, and really should have put the visitors ahead but shot wide from 5 yards. Toure found himself on the end of a Gareth Barry free kick a while later, using all 6 foot 2 of his lengthy body to spring and head just over.
After 20 minutes it was a tight game with possession even, but United were fairly poor and weren’t able to string passes together and get a strangle hold on the game which they prefer to do early on. Darren Fletcher latched on to Ryan Giggs’ cross on 33 but his header was straight at Hart; neither keeper having to pull off a genuine save in the first half hour.
As with many of these big clashes, including the build up and comparisons, the showcase itself doesn’t always live up to its billing. It was the same here until a touch of class from Nani set the game alight. Van Der Sar cleared down field, where the aforementioned Rooney headed on for Giggs who delicately played a ball over to Nani. But all the work was still to be done. Nani may have scored on his third touch but it was his first which set him on his way. Giggs’ ball was above waist height and was brilliantly taken down by Nani into his stride – it took one more touch to shove off Zabaleta and he slotted home past Hart to continue his fantastic run. His celebration was up there with his finish and it meant United went into the break a goal up and it looked ever more promising that their lead would be increased at the top.
Boss Mancini brought on Edin Dzeko on the hour mark and instantly he ‘assisted’ in the goal which brought City back into the game. By this time the blue half of Manchester were taking over and the emergence of forgotten man Wright – Phillips was making a real difference. The substitute cut down the wing and pulled back a scruffy cross which fell to Dzeko. His shot was going miles wide but it cannoned off Silva’s back and deflected in to the corner. The City players couldn’t believe their luck but the game was level and City continued to push forward and looked adamant they didn’t want just a point. They even enjoyed 55% of the possession for the next ten minutes but on 77 minutes the crowd were about to witness a wonder goal. Paul Scholes was consistent throughout, the old timer never failing to get himself up for a derby match after all these years, and he was at the forefront of this huge goal regarding the title race. He picked up the ball and played wide to Nani who’s cross took a slight deflection off Zabaleta. The two opposite numbers were at it again it seemed. The ball looped over Vincent Kompany and Rooney sensed his chance; he elevated and hit a forceful bicycle volley – although there are many other ways you could describe this technique – into Joe Hart’s top corner. The crowd erupted and in that goal they had witnessed the winner, the final goal in what had been a decent derby match but one that had a massive effect on the top four teams.
After the final whistle, Rooney chirped “It’s a great feeling to get a goal like that in such an important game.” His evaluation of the goal was very self – explanatory; “I just saw the ball coming into the box and thought ‘why not?’ . So I tried it and luckily it went in – especially as it got us the three points.” It certainly did. Rooney also claimed that he had scored one similar to that as a schoolboy. He certainly brought back his school performance in this derby – his speed, aggression, hunger and conviction are traits United need from Rooney for the rest of the season if they are to take these 3 points and head toward a record 19th league title.
