The first Manchester derby of the season had the same familiar ending of the previous ones as Manchester City claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to a second half Sergio Aguero goal, overcoming a 10-man Manchester United team, playing well despite having Chris Smalling sent off due to a double booking within nine minutes in the first half.
Manchester City played well only from that moment and onward. The match in general moved a lot better in the second half, as both teams dared to attack a lot more. Eventually, an excellent stride by Gael Clichy on the left wing resulted in a cross and one fantastic finish from Sergio Aguero in the one on one, finally beating David de Gea who had another brilliant day in between the posts. Yaya Toure, still not scoring, started the play with a great through ball to Clichy.
Despite having a one man advantage, it was a very good day at goal for Joe Hart, making the most of a busy afternoon for him to put silly mistakes from last season behind him. No more concentration lapses – only brilliant goalkeeping.
Robin van Persie, Angel di Maria and Marouane Fellaini, finally finding some consistency in the lineup and with his ability over the last three weeks, had their chances in the final 20 minutes of the match. But despite the wrong theory that the weakness of this team is in its defense, it just happens to be that the poor finishing from its strikers probably has cost them more points this season than anything else.
With the win, Manchester City remain six points behind Chelsea, third in the Premier League, two behind the surprising Southampton. Manchester United, with 13 points through the first 10 matches and still no win away from home, are ninth, four points behind the place that leads to the Champions League.