Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City?! Who Predicted That?!

Published October 23, 2011 | By Rolly

A double from Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and solo goals from Sergio Aguero and David Silva saw Manchester City crush Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford in an unbelievable Premier League encounter.

The ‘noisy neighbours’ have not only created a racket, they have taken over the streets, all avenues, the high roads and the city centre itself!

Where oh where do you begin? Maybe with the fact that this was the day, the day of all days when every single football fan in the land knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that Manchester City are not just genuine title contenders (we knew that already), but the number one favourites to bag a first Premier League crown.

6-1?! Even the scoreline seems surreal when compared to the significance of the result and the sheer power of the performance by Roberto Mancini’s charges.

In hindsight it was foolish that the visitors started the game as ‘underdogs’ although as per usual were on the Sunday back pages for all the wrong reasons as fireworks lit up striker Mario Balotelli’s bathroom – intentionally or unintentionally – nobody knows.

Still, the talented Italian was in no mood to allow the headlines to affect him and got the party started with an exquisite double; the first being proceeded with a superb celebration whereby he brandished a T-shirt asking: ‘Why Always Me?’ Same old Mario eh!

At times it was frightening stuff. The ease in which City playmaker David Silva happily ghosted in between the United midfield and ruthlessly exploited the gaping holes brought minds back to the 3-1 denouement Fergie’s men suffered at the hands of Barcelona in last season’s UEFA Champions League final.

Beyond the mere 6-1 demolition, the result was also the second time that Manchester United had conceded 6 goals in the English top flight after Southampton hit half-a-dozen against Fergie’s men in 1996. It was also the Premier League champions’ worst home defeat since 1955 and a painful reminder that they ought never to refer to their city rivals as mere ‘noisy neighbours’ from now on.

32 goals in 9 matches, a goal difference of plus 26 and with confidence sky high from a team who have hit four goals away from home on three occasions, Manchester City appear to have taken the fight for the 2011/2012 Premier League crown to a new level.

It is hard to think that just one month ago the club appeared to be in the midst of a ‘crisis’ after that disastrous night in Munich. Football is a funny old game. Carlos who?

Ajv28

Not quite true, Manchester United have conceded six in the top league far more recently than in 1930. The conceded six against Southampton in October 1996.
Yuppie

But United have never conceded 6 at home since 1930. When Southampton destroyed them 6-3 in 1996, that was at The Dell – not at Old Trafford.