THE BATTLE OF MANCHESTER

As we reach the end of another year, the FA Premier League title is once again looking like a battle between the two Manchester clubs. What a match it was this past weekend, two great sides battling it out for 90 minutes straight only to end in triumph for the Reds and heartache for the Blues. Robin Van Persie is continuing to show his worth for the Red Devils this season, as a 91^st minute Free Kick gifted United with all 3 points. Wayne Rooney, as always, put in a solid box to box performance, proving he’s quite capable of dropping back in to the Midfield when needed. Take nothing away from Man City though, after trailing by 2 goals early in the second half, they managed to level the score within 15 minutes. However, it was the Red side of Manchester who were left cheering when the final whistle sounded. It may well have been a great end to a great derby match, if not for the ugly incidences which occurred deep in to extra time.

United defender Rio Ferdinand was soon being attended to by medical staff after a City fan had pelted the 34 year old with a coin from the grandstand. This put the match further in to stoppage time as Rio could be seen by TV viewers at home, receiving medical treatment on the touchline. The guilty Manchester City supporter was soon escorted out of the ground, which TV cameras also captured. Shortly thereafter, a pitch invader was the next culprit, putting the match further in to Extra time. After he was detained by Police the match finally came to an end and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men had secured an important away win at Etihad Stadium. If you weren’t one of the die hard fans watching this match, those last few minutes, as a viewer at home, was like watching the bad old days of Heysel and to a much lesser extent Hillsborough. In an age where English hooliganism seems to be a thing of the past, it’s big moments/matches like these which remind us that incidences like this could pop off at any minute. Thankfully, those three or four fans were dealt with and the match was able to finish in a prompt manner. Commendations should also go to the Ground/Security staff at Etihad stadium, who were able to diffuse the situation promptly and efficiently. Let’s just hope, for the future of football’s sake, incidences like these are a rarity.