Saturday 21 April 2012

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Manchester derby: City defeated United 1-0 to top the table

City held their nerve and completed the double over United to re-take top spot in Premier League.

Now if Roberto Mancini’s men match United in the last two games the likelihood is that they will be crowned champions for the first time in 44 years.
The points and possibly the destination of the title were decided, fittingly, by Vincent Kompany’s towering first half header.



Depending on where you do your reading this coruscating episode of neighbours was watched by between 300 and 600million sets of eyesand worth between £200 and £500million.

The mother of all derbies, the demolition derby, titanic, epic, landscape-changing, momentous, tumultuous, gripping, huge, colossal were just some of the scores of adjectives used to describe the game in the wall-to-wall build-up.
So did it live up to the hype? How could any match live up to such lofty expectations? But right now City fans don’t care.
All the ingredients were there. There was some serious retro anger and enmity in the stands, the noise levels exceeded all decent limits set by the local authority and a galaxy of stars strutted the verdant green stage as if they owned it.




But by and large neither side found the fluency, touch and killer instinct that hard earned City the best home record in the Premier League and United the best away record.
In front of the game’s great and good, the Etihad Stadium rocked like it has never done before. This was English tribalism at its most raw.
 Every blue and red sinew was strained in a bid to deliver the victory that the rival factions packed into the stands demanded.
Football purity was not on the invitee list to this most local of parties beamed to a global audience that may well have been bemused and amused in equal measure by the bile and the ditties echoing around the stadium and duelling for attention.
Neither manager sprang any real surprises with their starting elevens. 
Roberto Mancinistuck to the side that won at Wolves so resisting the temptation to bring back his blond bombshell Mario Balotelli. Instead the Italian striker who began the six-goal avalanche at Old Trafford back in October was on the bench.
Alex Ferguson, who knew a draw would be to his side’s advantage in the race for the crown, took a cautious approach. He left most of his attacking arsenal on the bench asking Wayne Rooney to carry the goal threat.
His plan worked a treat in the opening 44 minutes with United content to block avenues and sit back inviting the home side to find a way through if they could.




In truth despite the best efforts of the fans, the impressive Samir Nasri and two chances fired wide by Kun Aguero, watched by his father-in-law Diego Maradona , it was tepid stuff. Tepid, that is, until Kompany rose like the colossus he is to head home from David Silva’s right flank corner.
The second half was always going to be more open and the goal brought an improvement in City’s confidence levels and passing.
United brought on Danny Welbeck and the whole game had a dollop more purpose and poise.
DeGea kicked away a Yaya Toure effort as the intensity grew. The Blues looked at their best - and the Reds at their most vulnerable – when they ran at the visitors from deep.
But Carlos Tevez ran out of steam which necessitated a change of formation with Nigel De Jong deployed to stifle United’s sudden attack intent and Toure pushed up to support Aguero.
The last ten minutes were open and angry. The managers had a less than edifying spat on the touchline but still City pressed for the second clinching goal and Toure went close with a shot from the edge of the box that skimmed the post.
Now everyone has to forget this win and concentrate on Newcastle because nothing less than two wins is likely to be good enough. 
No more twists please!

CITY TAKE TOP SPOT WITH DERBY TRIUMPH

Vincent Kompany Manchester City - 0


Vincent Kompany's  header in first-half injury time decided the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium and sent Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table, ahead of United on goal difference, with just two games remaining.


The much-hyped derby encounter, described as the biggest match in the history of the Premier League, was not the spectacle that many had hoped for but the local rivals still produced an absorbing encounter that a more adventurous City deservedly edged when Kompany was left free to head home from a David Silva cross.

United needed only a draw to retain top spot and, with fixtures against Swansea and Sunderland to come, almost certainly secure a 20th Premier League title. However, Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to deploy an unadventurous five-man midfield backfired as an emasculated United created little of note at a stadium where City have now won 17 of 18 league games this season.
As Ferguson became involved in a touchline row with Roberto Mancini on a deeply frustrating evening for the title-holders, the pretenders to the throne continued to exert control and after a frantic conclusion held on for a victory that puts them within touching distance of a first league title since 1968.
Wins in City's final two games - away at Newcastle and home to QPR - will now give Mancini's side the title, usurp United at the top of English football and signal a definitive shift in the balance of power in a city that has been characterised by red dominance for decades.
After a limp performance, and a failure to have a solitary shot on target in 90 minutes, United may reflect that a timid team selection proved their undoing on a night when they surrendered top spot, and possibly city supremacy, with a whimper.

Manchester City 1 - Manchester United 0

Vincent Kompany scores for Manchester City
Vincent Kompany scores for Manchester City

Manchester City went top of the Premier League after defeating derby rivals Manchester United in an intense clash at the Etihad Stadium. 


Skipper Vincent Kompany scored a thumping header in first-half injury time to put the Blues ahead on goal difference in the title race with two games remaining.


Tensions threatened to spill over after the break with managers Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson exchancing angry words on the touchline. But City held on for a famous victory.




Manchester City's meeting with Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on Monday is the hottest ticket in town - with the Premier League title as the potential prize.

History tells us it is highly unusual for the top two to meet so late in the season with so much riding on the outcome but this has been a highly unusual season.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants that 20th title desperately by keeping City at bay, while others may see Roberto Mancini's team going on to dominate domestically for years to come if they can get that first Premier League under their belt. Has there ever been a bigger Premier League game than this?
In reality City should have had the title sewn up weeks ago in the manner they were playing and the results they were getting. And yet a stumbling run of form away from home gave United a lifeline they were only too grateful to accept to go into an eight-point lead only a couple of weeks ago.
The biggest surprise of all is that Ferguson's side - so expert in closing out these deals in the past - have handed the lifeline back to them by losing at Wigan Athletic, then giving up a two-goal lead in the closing minutes against Everton at Old Trafford last Sunday.
City may have momentum after three wins againstWest Bromwich Albion, Norwich City and Wolves but I would still rather be in United's position going into this game.
Ferguson's side still have a three-point advantage, so a draw would satisfy them a lot more than City and, unlike their closest rivals, they do not have to go to Newcastle United, a trip not too many would approach with confidence at the moment.
Of course, this being the sort of season it is, you would not bet against further twists and turns even in the final two games. It seems it is destined to go right to the end and United's trip to Sunderland on the last day is no easy job.
Mancini has said publicly that the title race has been over ever since City lost at Arsenal - you suspect he will be saying something a lot different in the privacy of the dressing room.
City will be sitting in there before the game looking at each other and thinking: "If we play well we will win this." This is always a very comforting feeling to have.
United, though, are old hands at this and have experience and quality when you look at people like Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, who have been there and done it many times before.

Since that defeat at Emirates Stadium, City have played with renewed freedom,especially in scoring six at Norwich Cityafter the Canaries came off the back of a superb win at Tottenham.
Is this because they felt they had nothing more to lose or because they felt the pressure was off as they had finally lost the title race? No-one will know for sure but the pressure is back on them now because suddenly the prize is in sight again.
On recent evidence the key element will be how United's defence copes with City's attack. City have hit that rich vein of scoring form again while United defended abysmally against Everton - although it should be stressed their performances at the back over the recent period have been very good.
And then we come to the Carlos Tevez factor. For so long on the outside looking in at City, with all the acrimony that appeared to accompany that, he is back and doing what he does best.
I never bought into all the talk that he would never play for the club again after it was claimed he refused to warm up as a substitute in the Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich in Germany.
As long as a player is of use to a football club, and is there at the club, there is always the possibility he will play again - especially if he is of Tevez's quality. And so it has proved, with his performances giving them extra impetus in these crucial final weeks of the season.
When you see him during games he has a great work ethic, sets a great example, and can influence important games. Players will look at him and think that, if he is prepared to put in so much work, they should as well. It sets this good example and makes it much easier to reintegrate someone after a period of disharmony than if they are selfish and not bothered about their team-mates.
Tevez's game is usually raised against his old club anyway, but such is the importance of the match on Monday, he will be vital for City if they are to get the win they need.
I would rather be in United's position than City - but what an opportunity for Mancini's men after their Premier League title race looked to be over a couple of weeks ago.

Manchester City v Manchester United like we have never known before


Andy Morrison tells a story about the old Manchester City that in its own small way demonstrates what a difference there is between the club we see now and what they used to represent back in the days when the paint was peeling, the curtains trembled and a tired old club took a good long look at Nowheresville.
Morrison was captain of the team that helped City clamber out of the third tier in 1999, built like a nightclub bouncer and often acting like one, too. He was a cult hero and when he was released from his contract in 2002 he was invited on the pitch to wave goodbye to the crowd before a match against Crystal Palace. He took his son, Arron, and daughter, Brooke. City filmed the moment so he could have a DVD of the memories and Morrison's voice cracked with emotion as he was passed the microphone and the crowd rose to their feet.
A few weeks later he sat down to watch it for the first time. Except when he pressed play it was not himself he could see. He could hear his speech but the camera was focused on the Palace players warming up. One guy, in particular: black, skinny, cropped hair, tramlines shaven into his eyebrows. A decade on Morrison can just about laugh about it now. "If Clinton Morrison ever wants a DVD of himself doing keepie-ups, I'm your man."
Typical City, as we used to say back in the days when it was Macclesfield, not Manchester United, who counted as the local derby and Sir Alex Ferguson and his players were almost a taboo subject. "Staff at Maine Road seldom mention Manchester's other team these days," Mark Hodkinson wrote in Blue Moon, his account of City's tumultuous 1998-99 season through the puddles and potholes of third-tier football. "Both literally and metaphorically, they accept that United are in a different league." City were failure, debt and Joy Division pessimism. United were glory, prestige and football, bloody hell.
What we have now, with City taking on United on Monday night with the championship potentially at stake, is so different that one wonders whether the next generation of City supporters will ever truly appreciate what it was like back in the days when the club were so skint the players had to pay for their own boots and there was no hot water in the training-ground dressing rooms for 16 months.
The club of Pollock, Dibble and Brannan has become the stable of Silva, Agüero and Tevez. Roberto Mancini's press conference on Saturday was so packed he suggested they should have sold tickets. There were questions from Italy, Sweden and Canada and, afterwards, a bottleneck of cars trying to get back on to the M60. A decade ago it was two or three of us sitting in Joe Royle's office in Platt Lane while a regular group of drunks used to congregate on the corner and shout abuse at the players through the fencing. Royle had a drinks coaster in the design of a panic button. "Press here," it said.
Ferguson largely regarded City as an afterthought in those days. "Not any longer," Mancini responded during one conversation spent trying to explain how much Ferguson used to enjoy making fun at their expense. Like the first few weeks of the City of Manchester Stadium when Ferguson leant back in his chair and asked a roomful of football writers what it was like at "the Temple of Doom". Or the times when Paul Hince, an old-school Mancunian who was on City's books in the 1960s, turned up at press conferences in his role as chief sports writer of the Manchester Evening News. Ferguson would regularly rebut questions by asking whether Hince was all right, did he need some paracetamol, should he call a psychiatrist. You get the idea.
The jokes have been replaced by a new sense of respect now, even if MUTV's presenters do refer to City as "noisy neighbours" as a matter of routine. At Old Trafford they like to point out how City are still learning about what it takes to be a big club and, to a degree, they have a point. Little things like Mancini's players icing "6-1" into their Christmas cake. Or City printing a commemorative-edition programme when the teams met in the 2010 Carling Cup semi-final.
But the dynamics have changed. Mancini, empowered by a series of supportive phone calls from Sheikh Mansour, talked at the weekend of wanting to create a dynasty. For Abu Dhabi it is not about a single league title; this is a full-scale operation to shift the balance of power. "We don't just want one championship," Mancini said. "I want to leave a legacy. That's how I want all the City supporters to remember me. I could be wrong but I think Manchester City are set up now to win many trophies in the future. That has to be the target."
Ferguson, in turn, has had to start taking City seriously. The people who know Ferguson best say he was far more shaken by October's 6-1 thrashing than he will ever probably admit. Mancini did not notice it as they clinked glasses an hour after the final whistle — "We talked about red wine," he recalls. "I have big respect for him but I wasn't embarrassed" — but Ferguson's guests at his 25th anniversary dinner 12 days later could see he was still struggling to get it out of his system. For years Ferguson had always left off City when going through the list of United's rivals. It was always, in order, Liverpool, Arsenal and Leeds. Now he admits they have overtaken Liverpool as "our direct opponents". Which might constitute only one small line but it is one he has never said before. That alone makes it significant.
In his defence Ferguson will say he has never had to. This is the strange thing about Manchester's sporting enmity. Look through the history of these two clubs and there are actually very few occasions when they have been competing for trophies at the same time. For long spells United and City have simply had other priorities.
"If you look at the successful United team in the 1950s, their great rivals at the time were actually Wolves," Gary James, the author of Manchester – A Football History, says. "Then you go back to City's success in the 1930s and their biggest games were against Arsenal. In fact, City-Arsenal would get bigger crowds than City-United games."
This is not to ignore the finale to the 1967-68 season, the only other time the Manchester clubs have gone head-to-head for domestic supremacy, when City won 3-1 and pipped United to the title by two points. That, however, took place on 27 March, with nine games to follow. Ferguson, in other words, was right when he suggested the 163rd Manchester derby would be the biggest ever staged.
The truth is there is not really any great competition. Which is why United's rivalry with Liverpool qualifies for "Mad For It", Andy Mitten's 2008 analysis of the world's biggest derby matches, but there is so little history connected to the all-Manchester encounters the author chooses to leave them out. "For much of the time," Mitten, a United supporter, explains, "the Manchester derby has been parochial, a one-sided anti-climax not fit to be compared with the great derbies."
Mitten's book was published a few months before the Abu Dhabi United Group entered the equation. "It has changed now," he concedes. "Monday will be the planet's biggest game in club football so far this season." Not just because of what it means at the top of the Premier League but also because of its bearing on the coming years.
Gary Neville had it spot on: "Imagine what it would mean to Manchester City if they could win and go on to win the league? It would give the club and their players the sense of entitlement, confidence and belief that only comes with winning a title. But imagine if they lost. Imagine if, having got back into the title race, they see United win the title at their own ground. That would only reinforce United's sense of superiority and City's feeling that they might never get one over their old rivals. I was a United player for 18 years but I never took part in a domestic game of this magnitude."
Neville has previously told a story in his autobiography, relating to a calamitous 3-1 derby defeat for United in 2002, that makes it seem as if Ferguson might care more about City than he used to let on. That day the beaten players walked into the dressing room with City shirts slung over their shoulders and Ferguson erupted. "You don't give those shirts away. Ever! They're Manchester United's shirts, not yours. You treasure those shirts. If I see anyone giving a shirt away, they won't be playing for me again."
There was another meltdown, this time in victory, after Michael Owen's stoppage-time winner at Old Trafford in 2009. A City employee in a club blazer was stood in the tunnel area and Ferguson launched into a tirade about the Carlos Tevez 'Welcome to Manchester' poster.
These are the dynamics when two clubs grumpily share the same oxygen. After the last game, January's FA Cup tie, City had to remove the behind-the-scenes footage they had put on their website showing the players lining up in the tunnel before kick-off. The reason was simple: at the front of the queue, one of the mascots could be overheard asking Aleksandar Kolarov: "Will you break Wayne Rooney's legs for me?" Twice, in fact. His father, it transpired, had also passed on instructions to "kick Fergie in the bollocks". Which, if nothing else, would have made an interesting what-I did-this-weekend project for school.
Generally speaking, though, City are no longer so uptight and embittered about what is happening on the other side of town. In the hospitality suites it is red tomato ketchup on the chips rather than the blue stuff that was served in those days when any victory, no matter how petty, would do. There is no longer a ban on staff having red company cars, just a choice of whether they want a BMW or Jaguar. Or if you're the football administrator Brian Marwood, a chauffeur to ferry him around Manchester.
Mancini made the point that 80 points, with three games to spare, would ordinarily have been enough to guarantee the league. This summer they want to sign Robin van Persie and Eden Hazard, and those are just the ones we know about. One day, they still like to believe, Wayne Rooney might be tempted across Manchester. To this day City are convinced that Rooney wanted to join when he submitted his transfer request in 2010. "Strengthen yourself, weaken your rivals," as one senior City figure explained at the time.
One member of staff at Old Trafford showed off his fingernails this week and they were bitten to the quick. A colleague, he said, had started smoking again. At City, meanwhile, one veteran of the Typical City days was also fretting. "We'll beat United, go top of the table, then lose the next game at Newcastle." Whatever happens, Manchester's football clubs are entering a new phase of rivalry, bigger and better than ever before.



Manchester United vs. Manchester City to be a Monday 


masterpiece


The English Premier League race has come to this: First-place Manchester United vs. second-place Manchester City in a derby match that has TV executives and fans salivating. Man U leads cross-town rival City by three points with three games remaining, so Monday night’s winner at Etihad Stadium will be in excellent position to take the league title. The match will be televised on this side of the pond at 2:55 p.m. on ESPN.
City has a superior goal differential — 60-54 — in part because of its shocking 6-1 victory over the Red Devils at Old Trafford in their first league matchup in October. That was United’s worst home loss since 1955 and the first time the club conceded six goals at home since 1930.
The “small club with big talk,” as United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once called City, the team he referred to as the “noisy neighbors who keep the radio on all the time,” has become his team’s bona-fide archrival.
“We have to get used to playing City in important games. They are not going away,” Ferguson said Thursday. “The financial support they have means we will be playing them in a lot of big games.
“We will be playing them in cup finals and semifinals. We have already done that last season and, if we are going to be contesting for league titles regularly, then this will become just as important as the Liverpool game. Certainly in importance, probably at this moment in time, it supersedes the Liverpool games in the sense that City are our direct opponents now.”
United won two of its three meetings this season — the Community Shield opener 3-2 last August at Wembley Stadium and an FA Cup match 3-2 in January.
Asked if he enjoyed the challenge of facing City again, Ferguson said: “I am a confirmed masochist — I joined the club about 26 years ago. I do not know if you thrive on it, can’t even say I can look forward to it. But I am up for it, I am prepared for it and I think my players will be prepared for it. So, hopefully, we will be OK.”
United will have to contain City’s leading scorer Sergio “Kun” Aguero, the 23-year-old Argentine forward. Aguero is the EPL’s third-leading scorer with 22 goals, behind Arsenal’s Robin van Perse (27), and United’s Wayne Rooney (26). The striker got his nickname as a child because his favorite cartoon character was “Kun Kun.” Aguero is married to Giannina Maradona, the youngest daughter of Argentine legend Diego Maradona. They have a 3-year-old son.


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/29/2773243/manchester-united-vs-manchester.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/29/2773243/manchester-united-vs-manchester.html#storylink=cpy

Sir Alex Ferguson admits to MANCHESTER CITY terror

Sir Alex Ferguson

SIR Alex Ferguson has admitted for the first time Manchester City is his biggest rival in English football as he prepares for Tuesday's make-or-break Premier League game at Etihad Stadium.


The Manchester United manager has always maintained during City's recent rise to prominence that he still viewed traditional rival Liverpool as the main threat.
He once dismissed the newly rich club as "noisy neighbours".
But as he looked ahead to the potential title decider at City's ground, Ferguson warned his club's supporters there would be many more titanic battles against Roberto Mancini's team.
"We have to get used to playing City in important games. They are not going away," Ferguson said. "The financial support they have means we will be playing them in a lot of big games.
"We will be playing them in cup finals and semi-finals. We have already done that last season and, if we are going to be contesting for league titles regularly, then this will become just as important as the Liverpool game.
"Certainly in importance, probably at this moment in time, it supersedes the Liverpool games in the sense that City are our direct opponents now.
"Manchester City are without question up against us to win titles and that is what I focus on. This game could decide the title."
Ferguson stressed it was still hugely emotional when playing Liverpool but it was clear beating City to the title would bring enormous satisfaction.
Asked if he enjoyed the challenge, Ferguson said: "I am a confirmed masochist - I joined the club about 26 years ago. I do not know if you thrive on it, can't even say I can look forward to it.
"But I am up for it, I am prepared for it and I think my players will be prepared for it so, hopefully, we will be OK."
United leads City by three points with three games to play, but City has a superior goal difference.
Ferguson, whose side was a seemingly unbeatable eight points in front only a few weeks ago, reported no new injury worries ahead of a cross-town clash that was tipped to be of huge significance when the fixture list was published.
"I suppose when the fixture came out at the start of the season, all roads pointed to this game. It was inevitable, really," Ferguson said.
"We're smarting from throwing that game away last week, but in the context of our history we have always expected it."
City embarrassed United 6-1 at Old Trafford in the league this season, but Ferguson insisted that would count for nothing on Tuesday.
Mancini, who has spent millions of pounds assembling a team capable of winning the league, last week said United would win the title.
Ferguson said: "He probably wants to take pressure off his own players.
"We know the exact situation we're in. We're in a better position than Man City. We can draw, but my attitude will be trying to win."

No fear: Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany calm and focused ahead of derby clash


Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany 

The Manchester derby is now the second biggest league game in the world, with only the Spanish rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona pipping it.

 But City skipper Vincent Kompany will chill out in the build-up to the game with a bit of French politics, a dash of Brazilian literature and a bit of studying towards a business degree.

 The erudite Belgian kicks against the stereotype of a footballer – until he gets on the field, when he is a Rolls Royce of a defender, all strength, control, intelligence and vision, as well as being an uncompromising competitor. 

So when he talks of Monday night’s derby as a global phenomenon, he does it matter-of-fact. He is thrilled to be playing in it, delighted to again be tangling with Wayne Rooney, who he rates as one of the world’s top strikers. 

And as a student of the game, as well as of politics and literature, and a man who has embarked on a business administration course, he knows plenty about the history of the Manchester derby.

 “ I know what it means to the people and it's impossible not to know the history,” he said. “Before you join the club you find out about the victories and I guess it has become, after El Clasico, the biggest game in the world in a league competition.

 “We see Mike Summerbee a lot and he never misses an occasion to tell us what happened in the past! Not just about the derbies, but everything.

 “From the 1968 game, Mike just explains to us how great a celebration it was after they won the title, just the feelings you get.”

 The run-up to this derby has been amazing, says Kompany, with people mentioning it at every turn.

 “I can't remember meeting anyone in the last three or four days who didn't talk to me about it,” he said. “But I go back to the reasons why I love football so much and this is one of the reasons. 

“It's not a fear of playing the game, just an eager feeling to get to the stadium and get it started.

 “It’s the phone calls as well - not just from here, as well, but from China, America, all over – it’s  ridiculous the amount of people who are into this game. You can’t imagine. “This game has become much bigger than the locals because City supporters in Indonesia will have to face the United supporters in Indonesia, lose or win, so it’s much bigger than just about Manchester.” 

Kompany studiously avoids anything that can be construed as 'mind games', something for which he has little time, and which he says will have little bearing come eight o’clock on Monday.

 “I don’t want to get involved in those mental wars because they are not related to what you say but to what you do on the pitch,” he said. 

“I can tell you now there is nothing in the papers that will have an influence on our performance. “The managers probably read the papers more than anyone else so they probably think it’s important, but for the player s none of it will influence our performance.

 “You can fight it out as much as you want in the papers, but for me it’s just all about that game on Monday. 

“You guys in the media can talk about it, and both managers can talk about it, but I am putting my boots on and playing that game.” 

Not surprisingly, he has nothing negative to say about United, brushing off the notion that their recent form might show they are nervous, or that this is not a particularly good Reds vintage. 

“I remember United winning the Champions League and the Premier League in 2008, and people said that about that team,” he said with a smile.

 “What does vintage mean? You get judged by what you win. They did that double in 2008 and people said it wasn’t a vintage team, but they gave those moments to their fans.

 “It’s the same now with Chelsea going into the final of the Champions League. Ultimately it’s about what you win – there’s no point in being a vintage team if you don’t win anything. Stats speak, and those are facts.” 

And he says United’s defeat at Wigan and slip-up at home to Everton are nothing to do with their flakiness: “I think it shows it's a difficult league. That's no secret.

 “We've had a great season so far, but we didn't lose points just because we played badly, I thought we lost points because other teams played well and they were difficult to play against. I think the same thing happened to United.” 

Kompany has the utmost respect for Rooney, who has long been a thorn in City’s side, and the Blues skipper hints that he wants to be going head to head with the striker for many years to come.

 “It’s great to play against him,” he said. “I like it and hopefully we will be playing against each other for a long time because it’s always a great battle.

 “He is one of the best strikers in the world, no doubt about that, and usually it’s a very strong game, and we have played each other so many times. 

“I enjoy that in a game. It’s not just about the two of us, but it’s nice to play against those top players. “He has all the qualities of the top strikers – he is quick, powerful and is a goalscorer. He is also a leader for his team, and that makes him a special player.

 “That makes it so much more enjoyable for me. I don’t think things should come easy – if it’s difficult, that makes winning even better.” 

But City have their own world-class strikers, and the script is almost written for Carlos Tevez to be the star against his former club, and by way of redemption for the Blues. 

And Kompany says that Tevez has prepared for this game like it is the biggest he has ever played – not that it is anything new. 

“I can only say one thing about Carlos – the great thing about him is that he does seem to approach every single game like it is the most important game of his life,” he said.

 “He did it against Wolves, he did it against Norwich, and he will do it against United. He is like a guaranteed performer – that’s what you get from him. “But I will be very surprised if there is any player not up to the same level of motivation.”

Manchester City and Manchester United take aim at the derby



Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled Monday’s Manchester derby the biggest in his 25 years at Old Trafford. Roberto Mancini is still trying to convince everyone that it doesn’t mean anything. But with a Premier League title on the line as well as the usual derby day bragging rights, the Etihad Stadium showdown is the most significant cross-city clash since West Gorton St Marks first met Newton Heath in 1881. Rob Dawson has ten reasons why...

 PIVOTAL 

Has there ever been more riding on a Manchester derby? A 3-1 win at Old Trafford helped City chase down Sir Matt Busby’s European Champions to win the league in 1968. In 1974, Denis Law thought he’d relegated United with a cheeky back-heel. Last season, 86,000 fans watched City win an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. But the winner at the Etihad Stadium on Monday will have the Premier League title in their hands with two games to go. Never has the prize been so big. 

PRESTIGE

 While debate rages over whether the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A or the Bundesliga is the best in the world, one thing is certain - English football is the most marketable. It creates a revenue in excess of £1bn and games are shown in more than 575 million homes in 211 countries and territories. United have become one of the richest clubs in the world thanks to the global appeal generated from being successful in the world’s most profitable league. The Premier League champions bank more than £16m in prize money but the prestige attached to the trophy is far, far greater.

 44 YEARS OF HURT

 It’s been a long time since City last won the league championship. But not only have they had to deal with watching United win it time and time again, they’ve also had to endure trips to Macclesfield, Stockport and Mansfield while they were looking on. Far-flung away-trips on miserable Tuesday nights in Division Two are worn as a badge of honour by many City fans and rightly so. It’s why there’s a banner at the Etihad Stadium that reads ‘True Faith’. The faith would repaid in full with a derby victory and a first title for 44 years.

 20th TITLE

 Fergie moved south from Aberdeen in 1986 on a mission to ‘knock Liverpool off their perch’ and after 25 years he finally did it with a record 19th title last season. But as sweet as number 19 was, it would be matched by a 20th - all but secured with a win in City’s backyard. 

REVENGE 

City humiliated United at Old Trafford back in October. Losing any game to your neighbours is hard to watch. But looking on as David Silva and Edin Dzeko sprinted towards David de Gea again and again as the City fans bounced up and down in the Poznan would have been enough for some United fans to want to gouge their eyes out. It’s an image that will stay with them forever - whether they want it to or not. Victory over City on Monday isn’t going to wash away the memory of that 6-1 drubbing but ask any United fan whether the title would make up for the nightmare and their answer would undoubtedly be ‘yes’. 

TEVEZ

 Manchester derbies don’t need added spice but this one has it in the shape of Carlos Tevez.  A Premier League and Champions League winner with United, he moved across the city in 2009. That, and the ‘Welcome to Manchester’ poster on Deansgate, have made him a public enemy in the red half of the city.  But he hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the City supporters either after refusing to warm-up in the Allianz Arena and taking a six-month golfing holiday in Argentina. But he’s back, fit and in-form just in time to give Monday’s big showdown that little extra bit of needle.

 BRAGGING RIGHTS

Even in the dark days when United and City were winning nothing, the derby was one of the first games fans looked for when the fixtures were published. Do I need to get out of my sister’s wedding so I can watch it? Do I need to book the next day off work? Whether the Manchester derby decides the destination of the title or not, it’s still one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures. And for many who work with fans of the opposite allegiance, the Tuesday morning bragging rights will be a far greater prize than anything else on offer.

 FINAL FLING

 Monday’s derby could shape the future of both United and City. Roberto Mancini was set the target of winning the Premier League and, despite a vote of confidence from Sheikh Mansour, he still faces a nervous summer if he doesn’t deliver. Fergie, meanwhile, has the luxury of deciding for himself when he calls it a day. It’s unlikely he’ll want to bow out after a season of disappointment in Europe but the 70-year-old might be tempted to go out on a high if he sees off City’s challenge to lift a record 20th title. 

SPLASHING THE CASH

 Whoever is in charge next season, City and United are both expected to spend big in the summer as they prepare for campaigns at home and abroad in 2012/13. Eden Hazard, Edinson Cavani and Fernando Llorente have all been touted as possible targets and both clubs will find it easier to sell themselves to players as the ‘Premier League champions’.

 SUMMER LOVING 

This summer promises to be a historic one for British sport. England will take on Europe’s best in Poland and the Ukraine, the best golfers in the world will be in the north west at the Open at Royal Lytham and London will host the Olympic Games for the first time since 1948. But United and City supporters won’t be able to enjoy any of it with their red or blue neighbours singing ‘Championees’ every time they step outside. 



Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini may recall Mario Balotelli for Monday night's derby versus Manchester United.

The 21-year-old Italian striker has not played since being sent off against Arsenal earlier this month.
At the time Mancini said the controversial striker would not play for City again this season.
But he said: "It's difficult to say today if I will recall Balotelli but everyone is available and I will make my choice on Sunday."
Speaking to France Football,  he added: "Despite some stupid things he has done, Mario has done some important things, like his double strike at Old Trafford this season.
Continue reading the main story
It's like a family when a child does stupid things
Roberto ManciniManchester City manager
"With him anything anything is possible."
Balotelli's dismissal in the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates marked a low point for City. At the time they dropped eight points behind United.
The margin at the top of the Premier League table has since been cut to three but Mancini insists he feels no animosity toward Balotelli. He said: "It's like a family when a child does stupid things.
"The affection of the parents is still there. He's young and he commits big mistakes that can put the team in difficulty, but I still think he has great talent and I hope he will be a City player next season. It's all in his hands."
Meanwhile, City defender Joleon Lescott believes Balotelli has learned from his mistakes. He said: "[Mario] needs to look at his performances and, if he sees he has disappointed the lads, it's great that he's realised that.
"He's a young lad, we all make mistakes and it's going to happen. When I was his age I was making mistakes in the Championship and it was going unnoticed."

Manchester City defender Micah Richards says time is right to step out of Manchester United's shadow

Manchester City defender Micah Richards claims there has "never been a better time" to beat arch rivals Manchester United.



Having come through the City Academy, Richards is all too familiar with the long years the club have spent in their neighbours' shadow.
City are bidding to change all that by wresting the Premier League from United's grasp in the coming weeks and Monday's clash between the two clubs is absolutely vital.
City head into one of the most eagerly anticipated Manchester derbies of all time knowing they can reclaim top spot in the table with two games remaining with a victory.
"Because United have always been better than us and have always had the bragging rights, it just makes it a little bit more special.
"I've played against them since I was part of the Under-14s and they've always been the better at every level.
"We're not quite there yet, though we're slowly, but surely catching up.
"The players who have just come in didn't really know what the derby in Manchester was all about - they're getting it now, though!
"Everyone wants to beat United because it's a huge game and there's never been a better time for this."
City led the table for most of the season but hit a sticky patch in March and their chances seemed over after a defeat at Arsenal earlier this month left them eight points behind.
That deficit has now been cut to three and, although United still have the initiative, Richards is pleased City are back in control of their own destiny.
The 23-year-old England international said: "If we win it really is in our hands.
"We don't want to get complacent. We went 2-0 up in the Community Shield, we didn't really play well and they came back and won the game.
"I want us to put in a real hard-working performance and really deserve to win it.
"It's not going to be as easy as everyone thinks, they've been there and done it and they want it as much as we do.
"That's what makes it more interesting. I can't wait and there is a real buzz around the place - it's going to be some game."
Richards, who has shared right-back duties with Pablo Zabaleta this week, is confident of being fit after missing last weekend's win at Wolves with a hamstring problem.
He said: "Whether I'm going to be involved or not I don't know. I had full training on Wednesday and it was fine."

Mancini tries to play down Manchester derby



MANCHESTER: While the British media tries to build up the importance of next week's Manchester derby, City manager Roberto Mancini is doing his best to play it down. 

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson helped set the tone of most coverage when he said the game is effectively a playoff for thePremier League title, but Mancini has made a convincing case to the contrary. 

Mancini has continually pointed out that each team has two games remaining after Monday's match and, with both teams having dropped points over the past few weeks, there could be more twists in the title race. 

"The derby is always the game of the year," Mancini said. "For the supporters, a derby is always a different game to the others. It is important for the city. Manchester has two top teams who are in a position to play this important game. 

"But for us it will just be one more game, not because we fight for this or for that. And after it there are another two games, very tough games." 

True, the rivalry with City does not carry the same animosity or historical significance for United fans that comes with their clashes against Liverpool and Leeds. 

United and Liverpool are by some distance England's most successful ever clubs, while the acrimonious rivalry with Leeds even goes beyond sport to a contest for supremacy between counties that stems from an ancient power struggle between royal houses. 

But Mancini is wise not to even attempt to convince City fans that Monday's meeting is "just another game" for them. 

City has long been in United's shadow, even tumbling into the third tier for the first time in its history while United was into its current 20-year streak of success that has taken it to an English record 19 league titles - one more than Liverpool. 

City has just two league titles to its name - the most recent 44 years ago - but last season's FA Cup final win and a 6-1 victory at Old Trafford earlier this season indicates that the balance could be shifting its way. 

That defeat to City was Ferguson's worst against any team in his 26 years in charge of United. Until then, things had gone relatively smoothly for most of his 44 Manchester derbies. 

Even setbacks were compensated for, with a 5-1 defeat at Maine Road in 1989 avenged by a 5-0 Old Trafford victory five years later. A 2-1 defeat in the 2010 League Cup semifinals was rendered unimportant by a 3-1 second-leg win the following week. 

Only with a 1-0 FA Cup semifinal win for City and October's rout at Old Trafford has United truly faltered under Ferguson against City. 

"The one at Old Trafford was a fantastic derby," Mancini said. "But it was a game that can happen only once every hundred years."





Ex-Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan thinks they will win the Premier League if they win at home against champions Manchester United on Monday.


A victory would take City above United on goal difference with two games left.
Keegan told BBC Radio Manchester's Blue Tuesday show: "City must win the game. If they win it, they're the favourites.
"I think they will go to Newcastle, tough as it will be, and if they need that result to win the league, they will get that result."
But he added: "United are still slight favourites because a draw or a win at the Etihad and it's over."
City led the Premier League title race for almost six months, at one stage taking a five point advantage, before United stormed back to lead by eight points earlier this month.
However, the champions have dropped points in two of their last three games and now lead their rivals from across Manchester by only three points.
"At Christmas, I thought City were certs," Keegan said. "I couldn't see Manchester United getting back into it. Then a couple of weeks ago, I thought City had blown it. It's been a really interesting season and one where you're scared to try to make predictions."
Keegan does not expect the Red Devils to play defensively on Monday in a bid to earn a point and keep the title race in their own hands.
"I'd be surprised if they make changes," he said. "Manchester United will come and play."
And the former England manager believes that if City win the league, there may be more to follow.
"There are still a lot of City players who haven't really won things, but that can soon change," he said.
"City won a cup [last season's FA Cup] and it was important to get one trophy in. I know from my Liverpool days, once you win a league, the second and third seem to come along. There's no fear there anymore.
Yaya Toure hopes Manchester City take 'surprise' second chance

MANCHESTER City have been handed an unexpected second chance – and they intend to take it in what should be an “unbelievable” derby next week.


 And Blues star Yaya Toure hinted that fate might be on City’s side after the Reds’ implosion against Everton, which was greeted with happy incredulity by the City squad as they made their way to Molineux on the coach. 


“We have a second chance and I hope we take it because it is very important for us,” said Yaya, who scored the winner in last season’s FA Cup semi-final win over the Reds.


 “That is why I came to City, to make history with the club, and for us to win this competition would be fantastic.


 “I'm quite shocked because for United to drop points at home like that is quite surprising, but it made it a fantastic day for City with them dropping points and us winning.


 “It was quite unbelievable but we have to settle down and continue to work hard as they still have three points more than us.”


 City have been dominant at home this season, winning 16 and drawing one of their games at the Etihad, the best record in the top 16 divisions of English football.


 But United’s away record of 12 wins, three draws and two defeats is the best performance by any team on their travels in those top 16 divisions, which ramps up the magnitude of this clash.


 “We have to play them at home and if you look at the record of United, they are very strong away and it will be a very difficult test for us,” said Yaya.


 “I think this year the club need to win the trophy and it will be difficult. But we need to win this derby because it will be one of our most important games.” 


While Yaya was not about to disrespect the Reds, he hinted that perhaps their result against Everton, and the defeat at Wigan which helped to spark City’s amazing fightback, indicate that they are not the ruthless power they once were.


 “Years ago, United were so strong,” he said. “They are still strong, you have to say that because they are first in the table, but sometimes you can make a mistake - United made that mistake on Sunday and we have taken advantage. 


“We are keeping going, we are working hard to create our chance to win this trophy.” 


The semi-final victory at Wembley was hailed by many as the biggest derby in history – certainly by many Blues - as it potentially marked a watershed in the balance of power between the neighbours. 


For most of the season, that has been borne out, with City taking inspiration from the victory, and subsequent lifting of the trophy, to move to another level in the Premier League this season. 


Doubts crept in when United surged past them and the Blues stumbled, but now this game, which could see the two teams locked together on points with two games left, is of even greater consequence. 


Yaya is used to big games. He played in a Champions League final for Barcelona – beating United – and has played in several El Clasico games which have helped shape the destiny of La Liga in recent years.


 But he has no doubts about the size of next Monday’s showdown at the Etihad Stadium: “It will be very big - big for the fans and for people who love football, because of the expectation and the quality that will be on the pitch.


 “United have the likes of Wayne Rooney and Danny Wellbeck and City have Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, and Samir Nasri.


 “United are a tough team, big club with big experience and fantastic players - world class players - and it will be an amazing game for people who love football.


 “When I was young, I always enjoyed watching the top games and now this is one of the most important games we have in the season.”


 So is it a bigger game than the Wembley semi-final?


 “This club has wanted the Premier League for a long time and in my opinion we have somebody who is trying to help us win the Premier League this year,” he said. “To see United lead 4-2 and end up 4-4 is incredible. Sunday was a fantastic day for City.” 


But the big Ivorian cautioned that City can’t just think that beating United will win them the title, as they have three big games, with a tough trip to Newcastle followed by the final day of the season at home to relegation fighters QPR – on Yaya’s 29th birthday.


 “We have to win all three games and then we will see what will happen afterwards,” he said, although winning the games would ensure the title, barring a landslide of United goals in their last two games, at home to Swansea and away at Sunderland. 


“We have the team to win all the games. We have the quality and we have the mentality to win all these games." 


Manchester United's slip-up lets Manchester City close gap ahead of biggest derby


Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez celebrate at Molineux, while Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones look shell-shocked at Old Trafford


Fasten your seat belts, folks, this thrill-a-minute all-Manchester title race is going to the wire.


 United’s incredible 4-4 home draw with Everton and City’s win at Wolves means Monday’s Etihad derby won’t clinch it.


 But it will go a long, long  way towards deciding whether Sir Alex Ferguson makes it a record 20th title for United or whether Roberto Mancini can end City’s 44-year wait for league glory. 


Today United remain three points ahead of the Blues at the top and have the easier two final games on successive Sundays, hosting Swansea and then at Sunderland.


 Neither of them have anything to play for while City’s opponents after the most important derby ever are Champions League-chasing Newcastle away and then ex-boss Mark Hughes’ relegation-threatened QPR at home. 


Ferguson said: “We’ve given them the initiative. It makes the game at the Etihad Stadium more important – it’s the decider really.” Acknowledging Monday’s game will be ‘definitely’ the biggest derby of his 25-year United career, Ferguson added: “We have to go there knowing we are capable of getting a result. 


Mancini’s in-form side capitalised on the lifeline handed to them by United’s draw with Everton 90 minutes earlier yesterday – and that 2-0 win at Molineux sent Wolves through the relegation trapdoor.


Wolverhampton 0 - Manchester City 2


Manchester City put themselves firmly back in the title race as they closed the gap on rivals United to three points with victory at Molineux.


 Roberto Mancini's side capitalised on the title life-line handed to them via United's shock 4-4 home draw with Everton earlier in the afternoon, while Terry Connor's side became the first side to drop out of the top flight this season. 



Goals from Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri sealed victory for the visitors who now have their fate back in their own hands ahead of next Monday's derby with United. 


City have a superior goal difference to United and, if they win their last three games, they should claim the title. 


There was little doubt about the outcome at Molineux once Aguero had broken the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. 


Wolves showed plenty of spirit but defeat has brought an end to their three-year tenure in the top flight after a dreadful campaign. 


They briefly led the division after collecting seven points from the opening three games but since then have picked up just 16 out of a possible 96. 



Carlos Tevez, fresh from his hat-trick against Norwich, had the first attempt on goal and was only just too high with a dipping 25 yard drive.


 Wolves retaliated and Sebastien Bassong had a shot deflected wide after Michael Kightly's corner had been half cleared. 



Aguero beat the offside trap and drilled a low shot inches wide of the far post. 


City keeper Joe Hart had to be alert to parry aside a 20-yard drive from David Davis.


 Samir Nasri spurned a good chance to put City ahead after 16 minutes when he shot wide after being found in space by Pablo Zabaleta.


 City started to enjoy the bulk of possession and a mis-placed headed back pass from Richard Stearman played in Aguero, who opted for a first time flick which went wide. 


Aguero was then just off target from 15 yards as gaps started to appear in the Wolves back four. But after 27 minutes Aguero put City ahead with his 29th goal of the campaign.


 Gael Clichy made good ground down the left before picking out the run of Aguero with a pinpoint cross. 


He had time to bring the ball down before slotting his shot past Dorus De Vries into the corner of the net. 


City were now in total control and Aguero teed up Tevez but his curling effort flew straight at De Vries.


 Bassong blocked a shot from Tevez, while Nasri flashed a dangerous ball across the box. Yaya Toure became the first player to be booked after 55 minutes for chopping down Kightly.


 Wolves were showing plenty of spirit and Hart was called into action to turn aside a Fletcher header after Bassong had won the initial aerial battle. 


Tevez twisted and turned before sending a dangerous ball across the six yard box but no-one was on hand to apply the finishing touch. 



City kept searching for the second goal but Stearman did well to block a low shot from Tevez. After 74 minutes Nasri put the outcome beyond doubt.


 Tevez was fouled by Davis, took the free-kick himself and exchanged passes with Clichy before finding Nasri in space. 


 He had time to drill a low shot into the opposite corner of the net. City substitute Adam Johnson quickly made his presence felt, forcing a low save out of De Vries as City ended on top.


Dramatic Everton fightback blows title race wide open



Everton twice battled back from two goals down to snatch a remarkable 4-4 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford that boosts Manchester City's hopes of clinching the Premier League crown.
United are now six points ahead of City, who meet Wolves later on Sunday, having played a game more than their rivals. The teams are due to clash at the Etihad Stadium on Monday week, and City currently have a better goal difference than their rivals.
A Manchester United team that featured no Ashley Young, who has been at the centre of a diving row in recent weeks, were punished for a laboured start when Nikica Jelavic broke the deadlock. The Croat, a huge success since joining from Rangers in January, conjured a fine, looping header over David de Gea after beating Rafael to Tony Hibbert's back-post cross.
But the Toffees led for just over five minutes before Wayne Rooney, formerly of Everton, nodded in a terrific left-wing cross from Nani at close range. United made a similarly sluggish opening to the second period, yet a moment of magic from Danny Welbeck just before the hour edged them ahead.
Welbeck, 18 yards out and in the centre of goal, curled the ball into the top corner after Antonio Valencia's cross was not properly cleared by the Everton rearguard. And the England international had a say in United's third, flicking the ball into the path of Nani, who clipped over Tim Howard following an incisive passing move.
That strike had seemingly sapped the fight from Everton, but they pulled one back when Marouane Fellaini, surprisingly untroubled by United defenders, volleyed in from ten yards. United had been carving through the visitors' backline before that, however, and again they repeated the trick to restore a two-goal cushion: Welbeck passing through Phil Jagielka's legs for Rooney to produce the easiest of finishes.
Jelavic kept Everton alive, volleying in a flick-on from Fellaini, then the Belgian again turned provider to tee up Steven Pienaar who, ghosting into the area, slotted past De Gea. United pushed hard for an equaliser, with Rio Ferdinand drawing a fine save from Howard, but it was not to be.