Carlos Tevez sent a message to his manager Alex Ferguson, putting in a fantastic performance and scoring a sublime goal as the Red Devils sunk the CitizensManchester United 2-0 Manchester City
Two first half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and an excellent Carlos Tevez were enough to see Manchester United past Manchester City. Ronaldo struck with a free-kick before Tevez added a second with a high quality effort.
Manchester United had the early chances, with Tevez striking from 25 yards in the 6th minute. The shot was well struck but Shay Given dealt with the attempt comfortably, pushing the ball wide of his post.
The Citizens were willing to venture forward, Robinho showed good skill on the left, beating his man and then playing Elano into space in the box. Elano had time to steady himself but dragged his shot into the side netting at the near post.
Ronaldo attacked Micah Richards on the left flank, the Portuguese turned skillfully onto his right foot and cut inside, striking the ball well from 20 yards but it was straight at Given who caught easily.
United continued to press as Vincent Kompany conceded a cheap foul on the right flank, felling Park Ji-Sung. Ryan Giggs took the free-kick but wasted the opportunity.
Kompany slipped in his own half, losing possession to Ronaldo who then fed Dimitar Berbatov in the centre. The Bulgarian was fouled 30 yards from goal by Stephen Ireland. Ronaldo stepped up and dispatched his trademark free-kick into the bottom right hand corner in the 18th minute, it got a deflection off the corner of the wall and looped around Given into the net. 1-0 to Manchester United.
The home side seized the momentum as Patrice Evra back heeled to Tevez on the edge of the box on the left. The Argentinian attacked Nedum Onuoha and cut onto his right foot, creating half a yard and unleashed a wonderful effort on goal. Given was stranded as the shot hit the crux of the bar in the far corner.
Manchester United extended their lead in the 44th minute, Darren Fletcher played a long ball up to Berbatov on the left. Controlling sublimely, the Bulgarian and played in Tevez who had taken up a central position 20 yards from goal. The Argentinian engineered half a yard and curled his shot round Given's outstretched left hand, the ball struck the inside of the post and rippled the back of the net. 2-0 to the Red Devils.
The second half began with a good chance for the visitors. Elano played an elavated through ball to Robinho who controlled the ball on the run into the box. Attacking from left to right the Brazilian shot under pressure from Rafael and sent it well wide.
Manchester City pressed forward again, Robinho controlling well in crowded penalty area and feeding Wayne Bridge on the left flank. The Englishman hit an excellent cross towards Felipe Caicedo at the far post but Nemanja Vidic did well to hold off the Ecuadorian and prevent an effort on goal.
Paul Scholes, on as a substitute, sent a lovely crossfield ball to Giggs on the left, the Welsh wizard won his side a corner but the home side waste the opportunity.
The Citizens broke with Robinho on the left who then played in Valeri Bojinov in the centre. The Bulgarian substitute shaped to shoot but his effort was deflected and went out for a corner.
Tevez continued to be excellent, picking the ball up 40 yards from goal the Argentinian drove at the Citizens defence, rounding two defenders easily and smashed the ball goal wards from 20 yards. His shot wasn't controlled and soared over the woodwork.
Edwin Van Der Sar was tested for the first real time 86 minutes into the game, Martin Petrov, on as a substitute, picked the ball up 25 yards from goal on the left. The Bulgarian immediately smashed the ball towards the top left hand corner and the Dutch keeper produced a wonderful save to deny the shot.
Wayne Rooney, who had replaced a broody Ronaldo, attempted a long distance lob a minute later at the other end. It was speculative effort and limped well wide of the target.
Scholes made a darting run forward which was spotted by Rooney, the former Evertonian hit a long pass with the outside of his right boot that split the defence and released his team mate. Scholes didn't have the pace to finish the opportunity and was tackled by Richard Dunne in the penalty area.
From the resultant corner Fletcher made a good run to the front post and headed goal wards. His header was creeping wide but Tevez stole in inches from the back post, the Argentinian connected with his header but only helped the ball onto the post, almost colliding with the woodwork in the process.
Manchester United held out for the win and returned to the summit of the Premier League, three points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand against Wigan Athletic.
Owen Watson, Goal.com
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