The Noisy Neighbours are really big noises now, deafeningly so. On a night of great tumult and significance at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City seized the initiative in the race for the Premier League title with Vincent Kompany’s header punishing Sir Alex
Ferguson’s costly cautious Plan A. City are now top, leading through a +8
goal-difference. For a club of Manchester
United’s great attacking tradition, Ferguson’s 4-5-1 approach was
deeply disappointing.
Wayne Rooney was too isolated, threatening properly only when Danny Welbeck
arrived after the hour-mark. The champions became fractious, Ferguson even
squaring up to Roberto Mancini.
These two heavyweights went toe to toe, on and off the pitch, the pressure
cranking up as the clock ticked down. “The noisy neighbours are getting
louder Alex”, read one City banner. “Fergie’s cracking up,’’ chanted the
City fans while exhorting their team to hold out.
Good performances were seen throughout City’s side from Kompany and Gael
Clichy to Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure but United fans will reflect long and
hard on their manager’s approach.
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