City officially better than United

This Sunday was one of the most incredible days in the Premier League’s 20 year history.

Out of the blue, QPR beat their neighbours, Chelsea, 1-0 in a feisty, controversial yet hugely entertaining encounter at Loftus Road. Everton edged a thriller at Craven Cottage which included one of the misses of the season by Fulham’s Bobby Zamora. Arsenal’s Robin van Persie kept up his incredible scoring record this season to save his team against Stoke. In Lancashire the pressure on under-fire Blackburn boss Steve Kean increased as his team lost again, this time against Spurs.

However there was one stand-out result that will live long in the memory.

Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City may one day be seen as a real landmark result in the history of English football.

Following the final whistle football analysts across the world scoured the record-books, searching for the last time something like this last happened.

City’s victory ends a run of nineteen consecutive home league wins for United. This is Manchester United’s largest defeat since 1955. Alex Ferguson has only ever had six goals scored against him once in his career as a player or a manager; a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Airdrie when he was playing for Falkirk in the Scottish First Division. This was United’s largest derby defeat in 85 years.

The facts and figures are startling, but the main lesson learned from Sunday’s incredible match was that the blue half of the city is now the superior side!

City were better than their opponents in every department. A quick comparison of the squads shows us that Man City have not only caught up with their rivals, but have actually overtaken them. City’s squad is younger, fresher, livelier, but more importantly, they’re more technically assured than United’s squad.

David De Gea is undoubtedly one of the top young goal-keepers in World Football. However Joe Hart’s experience has made him a better goalie. De Gea’s only been playing professional football for 3 years, and though he’s represented Spain at many levels, he’s yet to receive a cap for the senior team. His youth has meant that he’s had a shaky start to life in England, and he won’t remember this weekend with much fondness. Hart on the other hand is now 24 years old. His extensive experience of lower league football, coupled with his top-flight experience and 14 England caps have made him one of the most consistent keepers in Europe at the moment.

In defence there’s no contest. Mancini’s policy with his defenders has always been perfect. Kompany is possibly the best defender in the world at the moment. He has an air of impenetrability about him and a controlling influence that instils confidence in his fellow defenders. Joleon Lescott has undoubtedly benefitted from having the Belgian beside him; the centre-back finally looks like the defender that cost City £22 million. The full-backs are on top form. Richards is fulfilling the potential he showed when he was 18, and Gael Clichy has fitted in remarkably well at left-back.

United on the other hand are in the middle of a transitional period in defence. Nemanja Vidic, United’s best defender, was missing on Sunday, and it showed. Rio Ferdinand’s injuries have taken their toll. He’s past his best, and looked like an old man against City’s vibrant attacks. Smalling and Jones are ones for the future. The youngsters are exciting prospects, however they’re not world class yet, and they will have learned many lessons against City. Johnny Evans isn’t good enough to start for United, and he proved that against City. Even reliable Evra no longer looks like the player of a few years ago.

The largest gulf between the two clubs can be found in midfield. I was shocked that United didn’t purchase a top class central midfielder during the summer spending spree. By Champions League standards the United midfield is distinctly average. Fletcher scored the best goal of the game against City, and he is vital for United by now. He’s the physical presence. Next to him is Anderson who is a lovable player, but can’t tackle. The two don’t work well together and central midfield lacks balace. Ashley Young has impressed since his move, but Nani, Giggs and Valencia are all struggling to follow Young’s lead. I don’t understand why Park didn’t start against Man City. I would have thought his terrier-like energy would have been ideal for this fixture.

Man City’s midfield is the most well-balanced in world football apart from Barcelona’s. The combination of Barry and Milner isn’t a glamorous one, but both were outstanding on Sunday. Yaya Toure is a tank that rules midfield. But the star quality comes from David Silva. The Spaniard has been incredible this season, and is on track to become Player of the Season. His touch and control is phenomenal. His style and creativity is something we rarely see in the gung-ho Premier League. But unlike their rivals, City have plenty of strength in depth. Nigel De Jong is the kind of player that United need; a Roy Keane type bruiser who can command midfield. The Dutchman is a beast, but a cultured one (maybe Fergie should enquire about a loan deal if De Jong’s not starting for City). Samir Nasri was my choice for player of the season last year, but he too was on the bench for City against United. City started the game against United without wingers, deciding instead to use the attacking force of the full-backs. However Adam Johnson is always an option off the bench.

Last year, City were criticised for their defensive nature and inability to score. This year they are the top scorers in the division, and last year’s star player Carlos Tevez hasn’t scored once. Aguero is everything you’d want in a striker. He’s a hard worker, a skilful dribbler, a clinical finisher and a great team-player. Dzeko has found his scoring boots at last. He’s being told to play simple football, and he’s netting regularly. Then there’s Balotelli, one of the most controversial players in world football. I saw Balotelli play for the Italy u21s when he was 19 years old and he blew me away. His athleticism is frightening, but he also has great feet. Though his decision-making is questionable, his ability isn’t.

United are by no means lacking in this department. Rooney has been brilliant this season, and Welbeck has surprised me pleasantly. Javier Hernandez is an old-fashioned striker with modern day skills. It speaks volumes about the strength of United’s forwards that Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen aren’t playing.

I will end this report by praising a man that gets very little praise for his hard work at the Etihad. Roberto Mancini has managed to unify a dressing room full of huge personalities. They say any man could coach a team with the amount of money Mancini’s had to spend. However not every manager could get the team to beat United 6-1 at old Trafford! Mancini’s got his team playing attractive, attacking football, with a solid defence. I would also argue that he is the only person in the world that can tame Balotelli and get him playing the way he is at present. Mancini understands his players brilliantly, and he’s got them all playing at full capacity.

His opposite number now has a big challenge on his hands. Man City have better players than United, and they’re playing better football. At the start of the season I thought United’s experience and winning mentality would see them pip City to the title. However, after watching both teams’ starts to the season, I’m struggling to see what Ferguson can do with the quad he’s got that’s going to win him another title. If they’re still close to City in January, Ferguson will have the chance to spend big on star players. Otherwise I think this year’s premier league title is City’s to lose.