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Dodomeki
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Chelsea happy with result of Manchester derby
Published Nov 11 2010
Manchester United's Javier Hernandez, second left, keeps the ball from Nigel de Jong, second right, during their English Premier League soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Wednesday.
In the end, it was Chelsea who emerged the happiest. Only 24 hours earlier, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said he hoped for a 0-0 draw in this Manchester derby - and he got it, The Sun of UK reported. It allowed the reigning champions to move four points clear of United courtesy of their 1-0 win over Fulham.
It was never meant to be like that. So much had been said, so much written about this encounter. This was the about the balance of power in Manchester and the balance of power at the top. Whoever emerged triumphant would be Chelsea's worthy challengers. Yet for all the talent on display at Eastlands, nobody could find a key to unlock the door.
As United boss Alex Ferguson pointed out, City spend a lot and they talk a lot - but they have never won a lot. City chief Roberto Mancini had even claimed his team were now on an equal level to United. But he is fooling himself. And if they show as little ambition as they did last night, it will be a long time yet before they put any trophies on the table.
City were more concerned about avoiding defeat than winning. As the home side, the onus was on them to take the game to the opposition - but it never happened. But then neither side wanted to lose face. Had United won, it would have drilled it into City how much the Red Devils were still the kings - however loud their noisy neighbours like to shout.
Had City won, it would have sent a warning to United that their days as the superior force might be coming to an end. There was never much danger of that - apart from a Carlos Tevez free-kick which Edwin van der Sar saved. United had beaten City in their previous four Premier League encounters so were not daunted by the trip to Eastlands.
But they got off to a shaky start as City dominated the early stages and United were forced back by Tevez, James Milner and David Silva and given little time on the ball. Yet City could not fashion a clear-cut chance, even though United could barely get out of their own half. But then Dimitar Berbatov started to show some nice touches, bringing Nani and Ji-Sung Park into play and suggesting he might be in the mood for one of his special nights.
Patrice Evra got forward and released a right-foot shot, which was straight at Joe Hart. City were no shrinking violets and both Evra and Nani felt the weight of some strong challenges - but they were robust rather than unfair. There was a tremendous atmosphere around Eastlands on a cold evening which was all the more commendable considering there was not much to get excited about on the pitch.
Berbatov had looked the most likely player to unlock the door on either side until Paul Scholes fouled Milner 25 yards out. Silva and Tevez lined up either side of the ball and it was the Argy who had a go - curling his effort towards the top right-hand corner. Unfortunately for City, the shot did not have enough power and Van der Sar was able to get across to claw the ball away.
Referee Chris Foy was not popular with the home fans for blowing up every time a United player went down. But when Scholes brought down Milner again there were ironic cheers as a free-kick was awarded and out came the first yellow card of the evening just before half-time. Tevez had not got much joy in the first half as City's lone wolf up front. But Yaya Toure had begun to push on in support and was causing a certain amount of anxiety in the United rearguard.
If ever a game needed a goal it was this one but too many passes were going astray. Wes Brown came on to replace the injured Rafael on 49 minutes, which was as noteworthy as much of what had gone on before. If anything, the defences were dropping deeper after the break and the desire not to lose had increased. After all the pre-match hype it was woefully disappointing. But on 57 minutes, Berbatov got on the end of Brown's cross, only for the Bulgarian's acrobatic shot to flash straight to Hart.
Tevez then had a go, which was comfortable for Van der Sar. But United were in the ascendancy and Berbatov was trying to find the holes in City's backline. On came Adam Johnson for Milner to try to inject some life into proceedings. With England boss Fabio Capello in the crowd there was a chance for the winger to stake a claim for a place against France in next week's Wembley friendly.
But he rarely got the ball and was crowded out when he did go on a run.
United responded by bringing on Javier Hernandez for Berbatov but the Mexican could not produce his special brand of magic. Berbatov trudged off to a consoling pat from Fergie. By the end we all needed consoling for having had to sit through such a desperate game.
