Derby Day Memories: Manchester City vs Manchester United, 9th December 2012
By Ollie Slack
As the Manchester Derby edges ever closer, we take another trip to the Etihad. This fixture came from December 2012 as Manchester United looked to steal back the title from Manchester City after the dramatic scenes in May.
Both Manchester clubs had played 12 games. United were top on 36 points, City second on 33. With the title looking likely to remain in the north-west for the 2012/13 season, this game could would be crucial in deciding whether the ribbons draped on the trophy would be blue or red.
A win for United would take them six points clear off neighbours City. Alternatively, a win for City would see them go level on points with United but into first on goal difference.
The match report
Manchester United started the game better. The pace of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia on the break were causing City problems. And it was with the help of Ashley Young that United took the lead.
Driving forward on the left he played the ball across to Wayne Rooney 22 yards out from goal. Rooney shifted the ball past Gael Clichy onto his right foot and his shot back across goal wrong-footed Joe Hart and trickled into the corner.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men smelt blood. They made it two soon after. Valencia played Rafael Da Silva down the right who cut the ball back to the penalty spot. It felt like the whole world stopped as the ball rolled across the box. It was the late run of Wayne Rooney who met the ball first, sweeping the ball past Joe Hart to double United’s lead with only 29 minutes gone.
Manchester United went in at half-time in dreamland. City were having a nightmare. And as the teams came out after the break it could have been 3-0. Young was involved again as he was adjudged to be marginally offside when he turned the ball into the net after Robin Van Persie’s curling shot cannoned off the crossbar.
City were growing into the game and capitalised. After a magnificent double save from David De Gea, Sergio Aguero picked out Yaya Toure just inside the box who slotted it precisely into the corner.
Mancini’s men were pilling on the pressure and left it late to equalise. A corner fell to Pablo Zabaleta just inside the 18 again and he laced the ball through a crowd of bodies into the net. City 2-2 United.
Step up, Robin Van Persie…
What happened next…
Sir Alex Ferguson bought Van Persie as United lost the title last May on goal difference. And the £24 million pound man delivered on the biggest stage at the most crucial time.
Manchester United moved six points clear of City and went on to claim their 20th Premier League title. Robin Van Persie finished the season top goalscorer and proved pivotal in reclaiming the trophy.
Next: Predicted starting XI: Manchester United vs Manchester City