Goal.com - Home

thumbnail Hello,
play pause open close
 
Played
October 23, 2011 8:30 AM EDT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Clattenburg‎
Attendance:‬ 75487‎
 
 
 
 
Edin Dzeko 90′
 
David Silva 90+1′
 
Edin Dzeko 90+2′
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City

City destroy its rivals with goals from Mario Balotelli (2), Edin Dzeko (2), Sergio Aguero and David Silva as sorry United collapse following 47th minute dismissal of Jonny Evans

By Greg Stobart at Old Trafford

  • David de Gea
    168
    169
    2.50

    David de Gea

    The Spaniard could do nothing about City's goals as the visitors produced an excellent display of finishing. Strong save to deny Dzeko in the 77th minute and good distribution from the back.

  • Chris Smalling
    79
    172
    2.50

    Chris Smalling

    Strong and composed in the first half but struggled badly at centre-back in the second half as City made full use of their man advantage. Booked for clumsy challenge on Dzeko.

  • Rio Ferdinand
    69
    212
    2.50

    Rio Ferdinand

    Looked comfortable for most of the first half. Found it hard in the second half as the United back four had no protection in midfield.

  • Jonny Evans
    192
    320
    1.00

    Jonny Evans Flop of the Match

    Sent off in the 47th minute and could have no arguments after hauling down Balotelli. The defender, selected ahead of Jones and Vidic, had already had a difficult afternoon having failed to block Balotelli's opener and miskicked a good chance from close range.

  • Patrice Evra
    87
    199
    1.50

    Patrice Evra

    The Frenchman was United's captain for the afternoon but he was all at sea defensively, particularly when Richards bombed forward.

  • Nani
    66
    177
    2.50

    Nani

    Stifled by the City defence and had no answer as he put in an almost anonymous display before being replaced by Hernandez in the 65th minute.

  • Darren Fletcher
    108
    134
    2.50

    Darren Fletcher

    Neat and tidy on the ball but still lacking his usual drive in central midfield until his classy finish from 25 yards to give United a glimmer of hope. Reverted to right-back for a period following Evans' dismissal.

  • Anderson
    65
    188
    2.00

    Anderson

    A busy, bustling performance in central midfield but the Brazilian couldn't get to grips with Silva's movement or skill on the ball. Blasted powerful first-half effort too close to Hart from 25 yards. Could easily have conceded a penalty in the second half when he appeared to bring down Richards.

  • Ashley Young
    75
    150
    2.50

    Ashley Young

    Looked sharp in the opening exchanges as he ran at Richards but he faded as United found their supply line to the wide areas cut off.

  • Wayne Rooney
    136
    147
    2.50

    Wayne Rooney

    United's star man could never stamp his authority on the game as City denied him time and space. Worked very hard, particularly after reverting to midfield following the sending off.

  • Danny Welbeck
    65
    184
    2.50

    Danny Welbeck

    Tried to link-up United's intricate play around the edge of the City penalty area but didn't have enough space to open up the visitors.

Substitutions

  • Phil Jones
    75
    121
    2.50

    Phil Jones

    Replaced Anderson in the 66th minute and slotted in at right-back, allowing Fletcher to move back into midfield.

  • Chicharito
    183
    97
    3.00

    Chicharito

    Replaced Nani in the 65th minute and set up Fletcher's strike with an alert cutback.

  • Joe Hart
    166
    44
    3.00

    Joe Hart

    The England No.1 could never have expected such a quiet afternoon. Barely forced into a save of note and had no chance with Fletcher's consolation.

  • Micah Richards
    269
    36
    4.00

    Micah Richards

    Struggled against Young in the first 10 minutes but recovered to put in an impressive display. Strong defensively and powerful when he attacked. Should have won a penalty after his surging run was halted by Anderson.

  • Vincent Kompany
    224
    32
    4.00

    Vincent Kompany

    The City captain was a rock at the heart of the visitors' defence. Organised the back four, won every header and showed excellent anticipation. Booked for a cynical but perhaps necessary tug on Welbeck.

  • Joleon Lescott
    169
    39
    3.50

    Joleon Lescott

    Confident and composed as City snuffed out United attacks time and again. Has an excellent understanding with Kompany. Turned the ball across the six-yard box for Dzeko's first goal.

  • Gael Clichy
    177
    47
    3.50

    Gael Clichy

    Superb in one-on-one situations as he kept Nani quiet - and tidy on the ball.

  • Yaya Touré
    188
    40
    3.50

    Yaya Touré

    Played a key role as City dominated in central midfield. Particularly strong in the second half as he drove the team forward on the counter-attack.

  • Gareth Barry
    158
    45
    3.50

    Gareth Barry

    Solid display at the base of the City midfield as he showed good anticipation to deny space for the likes of Rooney.

  • James Milner
    293
    36
    4.50

    James Milner

    Fully justified his selection ahead of Nasri with a wonderful display. Set up the first two goals with superbly executed passes and was also involved in the build-up to the third.

  • David Silva
    648
    51
    4.50

    David Silva Top of the Match

    The City fans worship the grass the Spaniard floats on and he produced a fine exhibition of his talents. Seemed to be two steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch as he drifted into space and picked out team-mates with incisive passes, not least his incredible pass for the sixth goal. Deserved his goal - City's fifth - which he slotted home in injury time.

  • Mario Balotelli
    471
    58
    4.50

    Mario Balotelli

    The Italian made sure the fireworks went off on the pitch as he set City up for victory by scoring the first two goals. Both strikes - particularly the first - were fine finishes and he also forced Evans' sending off.

  • Sergio Agüero
    280
    56
    3.50

    Sergio Agüero

    The diminutive Argentine was always a threat on the counter-attack and made no mistake as he turned in City's third goal of the afternoon to put the result beyond doubt.

Substitutions

  • Aleksandar Kolarov
    131
    41
    0.00

    Aleksandar Kolarov

    Replaced Milner in the 89th minute.

  • Samir Nasri
    162
    73
    3.00

    Samir Nasri

    Replaced Aguero 15 minutes from time as City looked to keep position and close the game out.

  • Edin  Dzeko
    445
    48
    4.00

    Edin Dzeko

    The Bosnian came on for Balotelli in the 70th minute and scored City's fourth and sixth goals from close range. He even managed to miss two superb chances and set up Silva for the fifth.

Results
 
Match News
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0