Controversial striker Mario Balotelli provided the
spark as Manchester City stormed Old Trafford to humiliate
rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Hours after more headlines about his off-field antics
following a fire at his home, Balotelli struck twice
to set up a convincing win for the Premier League leaders
over 10-man United.
Balotelli also won the free-kick which led to a straight
red card for United defender Jonny Evans before Edin
Dzeko struck twice and Sergio Aguero and David Silva
added to the tally.
United claimed a consolation with a fine goal from
Darren Fletcher 10 minutes from time but they were ran
ragged in the dying moments as City struck three times
after the 88th minute.
City's stunning victory not only lifted them five points
clear of United and underlined their title credentials
but shattered a host of statistics.
In recording only their second win at Old Trafford
since 1974, City inflicted United's first home defeat
since April 2010 and ended their run of 19 consecutive
home league wins.
It left the watching Glazers, United's owners, hoping
for better luck as they flew to Wembley by private helicopter
to watch their other team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
in the NFL tonight.
Balotelli had returned to the side after suspension
in midweek as one of six changes.
United showed similar rotation from their Champions
League win over Otelul Galati with fit-again defender
Rio Ferdinand among those to come in while Phil Jones
and Nemanja Vidic dropped out.
It was the hosts who made the early running with Ashley
Young twice testing Micah Richards down the left, winning
a free-kick and a corner.
United threatened again when Young bent in another
free-kick but Balotelli was back to head clear.
Wayne Rooney went down in the box under a challenge
from Vincent Kompany but referee Mark Clattenburg saw
nothing untoward.
Despite their quieter start, it was City who took the
lead after 22 minutes through Balotelli.
Silva fed Milner and the midfielder pulled the ball
back for Balotelli to place a low, first-time shot beyond
the reach of De Gea from 18 yards, finding the right
corner.
He marked the goal with self-deprecating humour by
lifting his shirt to reveal a T-shirt saying, "Why
Always Me?''.
United responded but Anderson and Rooney both shot
straight at Joe Hart.
United had another good chance when Rooney pulled the
ball back from a Young cross but Evans badly miskicked.
Kompany was booked for bringing down Danny Welbeck
as United tried to launch another counter-attack but
City held firm until the break.
United's problems then increased considerably as Evans
was sent off within two minutes of the restart for denying
Balotelli a goalscoring opportunity.
Balotelli stayed on his feet until crossing the 18-yard
line as Evans pulled back his arm but Clattenburg awarded
a free-kick outside the area and then showed the defender
the red card.
United survived the resulting set-piece and breathed
again shortly afterwards when Clattenburg gave nothing
after Richards collided with Anderson and appealed for
a penalty.
Another chance came as Balotelli picked out Aguero
with a deep cross but the Argentinian failed to connect
with a volley and Richards missed the target.
Young went close as United countered but his mishit
first shot rebounded off Milner and he was rushed into
guiding a second attempt wide.
United applied more pressure with Rooney shooting at
Hart again but City made their numerical superiority
count with a well-worked second goal for Balotelli just
before the hour.
Silva caught the home defence with a brilliant ball
for Milner inside the area and Balotelli arrived unmarked
to turn in his cross for a sixth goal in five games.
Chris Smalling then made a vital interception in front
of goal as Balotelli threatened to grab a hat-trick.
City were in complete control and claimed a third after
69 minutes as Milner played Richards into space on the
right and he duly squared for Aguero to slide home from
six yards.
Roberto Mancini decided to take off Balotelli with
20 minutes remaining and he left the field quietly to
take the congratulations of his team-mates on the bench.
His replacement Dzeko almost scored a fourth City goal
within moments of entering the field with a low shot
which rolled just wide.
Dzeko had another chance as United were caught out
again but De Gea produced a fine save.
United clawed one back as Fletcher curled in a fine
effort from long distance but City upped the tempo with
three more in the closing minutes.
Joleon Lescott was free to cross at the back post as
a free-kick was flicked on and the ball rebounded in
off Dzeko.
Silva then broke clear to slide the ball under De Gea
before the Spaniard released Dzeko to complete the rout.
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