Going into the weekend, the game that was billed across Europe as the biggest for more reasons than one certainly lived up to the expectations in what proved to be a real classic, though Manchester United fans may well refute that.
The Champions' noisy neighbours had found their voice more than ever this season and City entered Old Trafford with a two-point lead over their bitter rivals on Sunday. Much was made as to whether Mancini's side would be able to turn over a United side who hadn't lost a home league game since a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea back in March 2009.
The big spenders set out an imposing side, with attacking impetus from all over the pitch, while Ferguson sprung a couple of surprises which eventually proved unprofitable and extremely costly in one particular case. While United left the clinical Hernandez on the bench in favour of Danny Welbeck, it was perhaps the inclusion of Jonny Evans at the back ahead of the unfit Nemanja Vidic and, more surprisingly, Phil Jones that was the biggest shock.
Mancini hit back at critics who said he has been a negative manager against the big sides in the past by fielding the fit again Sergio Aguero and in-form Mario Balotelli up front. The inspired David Silva was joined by the graft and guile of James Milner in midfield, and the wide men were brilliant on the day in both defence and attack.
City Swamping United’s Middle Men
A look at the formation ahead of the game showed the aforementioned pair on either flank, though rarely do two wingers play so close together when in attack, following one another all over the pitch to combine to magnificent effect. The player position map from the game (right) proves that Milner (7) and Silva (21) constantly looked to cut in to support the strike partnership and swamp United's midfield.
Anderson and Fletcher struggled all afternoon with the movement of a fluid attacking unit and it proved to be their downfall when the deadlock was broken after an even start. Silva and Milner combined superbly down the left to cut back for Mario 'Why Always Me?' Balotelli to slide home an immaculate finish, making it 4 goals in successive games for the controversial Italian. Balotelli had the time to pick his spot and the space afforded to the young striker allowed him to do just that, with Anderson and Fletcher nowhere to be seen.
The score stayed at 1-0 to the visitors going into the break, though United seemingly failed to come back out in the second half, with uncharacteristically woeful defending eventually leading to the decisive moment in the match. It is hard to say that the sending off of Jonny Evans was a turning point, with the away side already in a favourable position, but the clumsy challenge on Balotelli undoubtedly led to the ensuing riot ran by the Blues.
Many will point to the selection of Evans, who picked up a match rating of just 5 for his troubles, as a key and rare error of judgment made by Ferguson, opting for the Northern Irishman's increased experience in such games over the impressive Jones.
Balance the Buzz Word
City effectively killed the game off on the hour when Balotelli netted his second after great work from - you guessed it - Silva and Milner, combining on the right this time, with the latter again supplying the perfect assist to ensure Balotelli made the headlines for all the right reasons.
The fact that the opening goals came courtesy of the same 3 players but on either flank shows just how well Mancini's side used all areas of the pitch, with United failing to get to grips with their opponent's fluidity. A look at the attack sides map (above) from the game shows that City were as well balanced as they could possibly be, with 34% of their attacks coming from either wing and 33% from the centre of the park.
After the second goal it was a case of damaged limitations for the hosts, with the question of how many seeming the only one on the lips of both sets of fans, much to the annoyance of the home support. Those banking on the unlikely figure of 6 would have certainly been seen as optimistic, with a fantastic finish from Darren Fletcher the only thing to cheer for the United faithful, making it 3-1 at the time.
A naive approach in defence turned a disappointing defeat into a humiliating tennis score, with Ferguson commenting in his post-match interview on the crazy nature of the downfall, with 'suicidal' defending from his full-backs partly to blame. Indeed, a look back at the player position map (left) shows that left-back Patrice Evra (3) and right-back Chris Smalling (12) spent almost as much time in the City half as their own, leaving acres of space for City to exploit in behind.
Another telling indicator from the graphic shows Wayne Rooney (10), constantly dropped deep to try and ignite a spark in the hosts’ attack that just never looked like catching fire. The front-man played deeper on average than both Anderson and Fletcher, which not only proves that the midfield duo were needlessly advanced, but that Rooney was too far back - a feature to his game which frustrates when the player himself is frustrated at his team's inability to dominate.
The Importance of the Final Ball
A noticeable gulf in class on the day came from the quality of City's final ball, which was expertly epitomised by arguably the pass of the season from David Silva, allowing Edin Dzeko to complete the rout. The Spaniard's touch and volleyed through ball was so precise and weighted to perfection, and one of 4 accurate through balls from the away side on the day out of 5 attempted. Much has been made of the lack of creativity in central areas for United and it showed on Sunday, attempting and failing with just 1 through ball.
The home side looked to cross often in the game (30 in total) but their efforts were wayward or left unchallenged due to poor positioning and an inability to flood the box by the likes of Rooney, due to his somewhat negative position. Ashley Young was the main guilty culprit, hitting the target with just 2 of 13 crossing attempts while United hit the first man time and again, finding their man with just 6 crosses all afternoon.
In comparison, City chose when, and more importantly how to cross superbly, playing to their strengths with a number of devilish balls across the 6-yard box. They attempted almost half the number of crosses as their opponents (17), but were accurate with just 1 less (5), with 2 of their deliveries leading to goals as well as 2 of their through balls being converted.
Whether City are now on a par with United, or perhaps even better, cannot be judged on one game, but becoming the first side to score 6 in the league at their arch rivals stomping ground in 81 years, the first side to score 6 at Old Trafford in any competition in 50 years, and the first side to beat United by 5 in 12 years, will certainly make for pleasant reading!
