Sensational Rooney Strike Shuts Noisy Neighbours

Manchester United 2 - Manchester City 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Nani (41), Rooney (77)
Manchester City: Silva (65)

Team: Van der Sar, Vidic, Smalling, O'Shea, Evra, Scholes (Carrick 78), Fletcher, Anderson (Berbatov 67), Giggs, Nani, Rooney

It wasn't a classic Manchester derby, but Rooney's magnificent strike when it looked like a drawn game gave the good guys all 3 points and bragging rights for another season. It was a goal that was worthy to win any game, and possibly one of the best goals scored this season, if not THE goal of the season, given the circumstances, occasion and importance.

Just fresh from our first league defeat to Wolves, Ferguson opted for a conservative lineup, spreading 5 across midfield and Rooney as the target man upfront. We gave Shitty too much respect and it showed on the pitch. Our play was laboured and slow, and with Giggs misplacing passes all over the pitch, it made for a ragged performance. Although Shitty created the better chances, they weren't any better and for good periods in the game, you'd wonder if it would end as a dull 0-0 draw.

Yet, by some divine intervention, Nani found himself one on one against Hart and firmly slotted the ball home to give United the lead into the half. This time round, Giggs' misplaced pass was wonderfully controlled by Nani on a rare United counter and he made no mistake.

The second half was again poor from both sides but Shitty threw on Dzeko and it was his contribution that brought Shitty back into the game. He's powerful shot deflected heavily against Silva and wrongfooted Van der Sar, and both teams were back on level terms.

Just as the game decidedly looked like a 1-1 draw, Rooney produced a piece of magic that shattered whatever illusion Shitty had of the title race. Nani's cross was superbly met by Rooney's overhead kick and the shot thundered into the Shitty net. Hart had his feet rooted to the ground, and could only admire the majesty of the shot. The goal took the wind off Shitty's sails and they wimpered away into the night with their tails between their legs.

Until the goal, Rooney was having a terribly evening, but he reminded everyone that he possessed that little bit extra, and repaid Ferguson's faith in starting him instead of Berbatov.

The win maintained our comfortable lead at the top, but the utmost concern is still the level of our play. We're regressing back into the kind of form that has plagued us in the beginning of the season.