Super Sunday Football

     Last week's Sunday was truly an eventful one. United supporters rejoyced, Citizens suffered last-minute disappointment and unbiased fans of football enjoyed a real treat. Though the Manchester Derby was stained by a few unnoticed fouls and a goal that was wrongly  ruled out for an offside, the refs did a good job and allowed the two teams to truly provide an entertaining show. In fact, one might even say that the decision to not count Ashley Young's goal was what allowed the match to become such a spectacle. The match itself started in United's favour and Rooney did not miss the opportunity to score. Twice. Reminding us of his early years in United, Wayne Rooney took on the position of center forward and did not disappoint. Man City had its opportunities during the first half, but failed to capitalize on them. The two teams went into  halftime with a 2:0 lead in United's favour. But City had a lot of fight left in them, still, and came out of the lockers inspired. The second half started quite evenly for both teams and fast football was displayed. No one was able to score, though, until Van Persie hit the right bar with an amazing strike, leaving the ball flying toward Ashley Young, who put it in the net with ease. This goal, however, was ruled out due to an offside, which replays show was a wrong decision. Man City took advantage of the frustration the United players were feeling and managed to score with a swift counterattack. The score was now 2:1 and City fans were cheering on their team harder than ever. It seemed to help, because the inspired Man City team crushed United in the next 15-20 minutes, managing to equalize the score. The frustration of United was deepening and they were running out of ideas. Sir Alex Ferguson knew a change was needed and substitutions were the way to go. Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck came in, revitalizing the right wing of the United attack. This change proved to be the key to United's victory, as the pressure on City defenders was too much and in the very last minutes of the match, Welbeck managed to take the ball from a tired City defender and pass it to Valencia, who was fouled. With the score equal at 2:2 and United making a ditch effort to win the three points, Persie took on the responsibility of taking the foul. His strike was strong, but aimed right at Joe Hart. Nasri, however, made an unusual decision and raised his foot, allowing the ball to knock off it and swerve right into the right corner of Hart's goal. Etihad stadium plunged into silence, with only the roar of United fans echoing through. In the end, Man United deserved the win and took the three points justly, but the City team should not feel disappointed, because they showed some impressive football and treated us with a real derby. The Manchester Derby.

 

Hristo Stefanov