Talking points from the FA cup derby game

Retribution was on the cards, and judging by the way United dominated the first half, a 6-1 scoreline in United’s favor wouldn’t have been a surprise. Whatever the final margin of victory may have been, one can be nothing but happy with the outcome. Here are a few highlights of the match in which United exacted their revenge…well, sort of.

• Welbeck-Rooney-Valencia

Welbeck's strike on goal

If there was ever a well-oiled machine worth watching, it was this one. Attack after attack and a mistimed tackle allowed United to go three goals up in the first half itself, all thanks to the attacking prowess of this threesome ( Valencia-Rooney-Welbeck). The first goal, a header was an example of great chemistry between the three. Moreover, Welbeck’s form in the past few days as been impressive to say the least, a fact reflected in the finishing of the second goal and the playmaking in subsequent minutes when he was brought down in the 18 yard box leading to the third goal by Rooney. All in all, for a Man Utd fan and football enthusiasts alike, their display was laudable.

• Poor Pantilimon, Lunging Lindegaard –

Costel Panitlimon was under all sorts of pressure, especially after City’s captain Vincent Kompany got red-carded for a tackle construed by the referee as laden with bad intentions. His body language was reflected upon his keeping which lacked composure and agility, a far cry from City’s star goalkeeper Joe Hart. While he was being taunted by countless attacks, Lindegaard was doing a job some may call haphazard but effective. He saved many shots, including a clever lob by Aguero. However, the second half saw a rampaging Aguero get the better of Lindegaard much like the Newcastle match a few days ago where he was mauled by Ba. Meanwhile, Pantilimon putting all his efforts into preventing a complete rout.

• Debatable decisions –

Red Card Being Shown To Kompany

The reason why Manchester United were three goals up was primarily because City was one man down, that man being their captain Vincent Kompany. The powerhouse defender was red-carded after his two-footed challenge on Nani. Referee Chris Foy construed that the tackle was potentially dangerous and executed with unpleasant intentions and promptly sent Kompany off the field, on the other hand, spectators, commentators and City fans alike are of quite a different opinion, stating that the tackle was clean and not a red-card offence. Roberto Mancini, City’s manager, said that the club would appeal against the red card decision which has invited a four match ban for the Belgian defender.

• Man down, Spirit still high

Aguero scoring the second goal

However debatable the red-card decision maybe, however lax the defense may have been in the first half, the second half was full of zeal and energy from City’s side. Two goals did result from the stack, one from Kolarov and the other from Aguero, and the defense seldom allowed the ball to reach anywhere near the goal-post. All in all, for a ten man team, City played exceptional football.

• Man United defense, not so united after all –

This fact came to relevance when Newcastle and specifically Demba Ba and Ameobi opened United’s defense like a can of soup in the 3-0 rout a few days ago. Today also, the defense was all over the place. The was absolutely no chemistry between the defenders and the midfielders. Even between the defenders, there was no communication, case in point, a pass that Rio Ferdinand attempted to make to Phil Jones who at that point had not fallen back in the face of the counter attack. This nearly resulted in a City goal which was thankfully denied by a shot from an acute angle which even the likes of Aguero couldn’t execute.

Another defensive debacle in the match against Newcastle three days ago

Its high time that United improve upon their defense because frankly speaking, proper attack was not an option for City considering they were a man down, still they were able to score two goals. Not only does this speak volumes about the stupendous strike force of Manchester City, but also speaks ill about the defending that has been woeful to say the least.

The road to the FA Cup may have become slightly more easy, but if Manchester United should have any hopes of winning the it or the EPL title, they should first of all work on their defense which has been compared to a ‘leaking tank’ in the past few months. The rest of the squad has been fulfilling their responsibility to their best. As far as Manchester City is concerned, their playmaking has been breathtaking to say the least. All they have to do to stay on top is to be themselves.