Manchester United – Manchester City

1. Commentary will appear from 1245 GMT.

2. Paul Scholes believes <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/879070/paul-scholes:-manchester-city-not-up-with-big-three-just-yet" target="_blank">City need to end their trophy drought if they're to join the elite</a>.

3. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0210/berbatovandtevezcelebsplit_275x155.jpg">

4. Hello all, and welcome to Soccernet's live commentary of the big Manchester derby as ladder leaders United take on third-placed City. I'm Brett Taylor

5. First up, some team news to get you started. United: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs; Rooney

6. City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; Milner, Barry; David Silva, Yaya Toure, Kolarov; Tevez

7. The big news there is that Sir Alex Ferguson has left out his top scorer Berbatov to go with Rooney alone up front ahead of a five-man midfield, as he has so often done in the big matches in recent times

8. For the visitors, big January signing Edin Dzeko is also left out, leaving Carlos Tevez to lead the line on his own.

9. Nigel de Jong is not fit for City and Balotelli doesn't make the bench either.

10. So it will be two similar formations, 4-3-3 v 4-3-3, only time will tell whether that will lead to a cagey match. City have developed a reputation for setting out a defensive stall against the big guns of the Premier League and that seems likely at Old Trafford.

11. Perhaps the other most interesting point on the team news is Smalling in at the back for United with Ferdinand and Evans both out, so his battle with Tevez will be one to watch.

12. So, some pre-match reading to tickle your fancy. Start with our preview by site editor John Brewin right here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/292922?cc=3436

13. Even Arsene Wenger is keen to watch this match, read his thoughts here: http://es.pn/e0R9Ez

14. Meanwhile, Michael Owen (who is on the bench) has been attracting interest from Newcastle - but not the club he used to play for: http://es.pn/elkM5G

15. It is about 15 minutes until kick off, so what's on offer today? Of course derby bragging rights are no small consideration, but in terms of the title race this is a crucial match also.

16. United need to bounce back from their first loss of the season to Wolves last week. Victory would just about put them clear of City in the title race and leave Arsenal as the only real challenger.

17. A win for City, however, would close the gap to two (with United still having a game in hand) and allow Arsenal to really close the gap if they beat Wolves later (but Wolves spoiled United's chance to go clear last week)

18. Still waiting? Have you seen Jon Carter's piece on Berbatov and Tevez - the odd couple? One is on the bench but he could yet have a say late in the match. http://es.pn/fMpORJ

19. Here's a quick stat for you: Berbatov has scored 35% of United's goals. Yet he is on the bench due to Fergie's preference to play with 5 midfielders in games like this one. Time will tell whether it will work.

20. The players are now in the tunnel

21. Right before kick-off, have a listen to United's 'interesting' new club song if you haven't already. I dare you... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422mQac48HQ&feature=player_embedded#at=184

22. Players are shaking hands, Old Trafford is full of people and noise, and the talking is over once again. All that's left is to see how the latest installment in this great rivalry plays out.

23. United have Berbatov, Hernandez and Owen all on the bench should they need a goal later in the match.

24. City have Dzeko, Jo and Wright-Phillips among their attacking options but we've seen how Tevez almost always plays better alone up front.

25. 1'

    And here comes <B>kick-off</b>

26. 1'

    <B>Corner</b> to United

27. 1'

    Giggs to take. Its evades the pack but Hart claims the second cross.

28. 1'

    United on the ball now, Rooney goes down in the box under Kompany's strong header but it was fair.

29. 1'

    Still with the hosts now. City looking to play the ball out on the ground and Tevez earns a free kick on half way

30. 1'

    City now holding possession, it's a rather slow tempo with both sides just settling in gently rather than flying out of the blocks

31. 1'

    Great chance Silva! Just wide!

32. 1'

    Superb interchange of passes from Yaya Toure, to Tevez, to Silva's 3rd man run, but he misses the far post by inches from a tight angle

33. 1'

    Corner now to United

34. 1'

    Taken short, Giggs weaves into the box but Zabaleta tackles him for another corner...

35. 1'

    Now Nani whips it in, it's another corner

36. 1'

    Taken short again, Anderson tries to turn in the box but Hart cleans up

37. 1'

    Tevez is disposed and now Giggs wins a throw high up the pitch

38. 1'

    Goal kick to City to relieve some pressure

39. 1'

    A City move starts as Richards robs Scholes in midfield and now City have a throw on the left

40. 1'

    Tevez eventually finds a pocket of space from a Silva pass but his cross floats over the byline

41. 9'

    Both sides are moving the ball forward well despite the congestion with three central midfielders on both teams

42. 9'

    Nani shoots just over!

43. 10'

    A move that starts with the goalkeeper works its way to Nani on the right, he cuts in onto his left foot and fires a fierce shot narrowly over from 20 yards

44. 11'

    Richards wins a meaty 50-50 with Evra but City give up possession through Silva and now it's a throw-in to City on half way. Some mismatch in terms of size.

45. 13'

    Free kick to City! Barry releases Zabaleta down the left and O'Shea bumps him over to the side of the area.

46. 13'

    Kolarov finds Toure, but his back post header goes over

47. 14'

    FYI, Toure means Yaya Toure - his brother Kolo is on the bench for now

48. 15'

    Silva has been heavily involved in City's attacks, drifting across the front line. Tevez isn't dropping too deep.

49. 15'

    Corner City!

50. 15'

    Silva releases Toure with a superb reverse pass and his cross inside the box is blocked out by Smalling

51. 15'

    Corner cleared, van der Sar has the second cross from deep.

52. 17'

    City's midfield is looking the more creative so far.

53. 17'

    Another City move ends with van der Sar but they have United pinned back for now.

54. 17'

    A good United move ends when Rooney was brought then wasn't in the box for the cross during advantage.

55. 17'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kompany

56. 19'

    Kompany has felled Rooney from behind and Marriner comes back to book him

57. 19'

    Now O'Shea clatters Lescott and it's a free kick to City in their own corner

58. 20'

    And after that flurry, City back in possession

59. 20'

    United win it back when Toure slips, they string some passes together, then Fletcher hits a 40-yard pass to...no one. Throw in City.

60. 22'

    Kompany slides in to deny Evra's charge onto a nice Anderson pass into the box

61. 23'

    City defend the follow-up well and now Anderson fouls Toure to relieve the pressure

62. 24'

    Good advantage by Marriner but Giggs' poor cross ends a promising counter by United

63. 25'

    Silva is constantly finding space to dictate City's attack, United need to get closer to him somehow

64. 25'

    Rooney is getting a word now for having a little revenge kick on Kompany. It's a battle to watch

65. 25'

    Nani's cross evades three United targets in the box after a nice switch by Scholes, who is starting to get on the ball more.

66. 27'

    Nani cuts inside again and this time tries to find Anderson's good run, but it's defended well by Richards. All United at the moment though.

67. 27'

    Scholes hits Nani with an unbelievable switch but two more crosses come to nothing. City counter now.

68. 27'

    Toure was forced wide and Vidic sorted him out. Throw to City.

69. 29'

    Kolarov and Zabaleta both hit cross-shots into the box from the left but both are blocked and now Silva is offside.

70. 30'

    Giggs gives the ball away as his slow start continues and Toure beats 4 players to maintain possession in his own half.

71. 31'

    Half and hour gone and it has been a very even start overall.

72. 31'

    Kolarov picks up a loose ball just outside the box but his right foot, his weaker foot, send the ball well over.

73. 32'

    Now Zabaleta fouls Nani on half way, it was a little bit late but he escapes with just a talking to, probably fair enough.

74. 34'

    O'Shea header saved!

75. 34'

    Giggs found a good cross this time as the big right back made a late run to the back post but Hart held the header well

76. 35'

    Rooney's pass is cleared. City are defending well but United's final ball has been poor so far

77. 36'

    Another save by Hart. This time Nani popped up on the left but Richards' block took the sting off the shot. United continue to probe.

78. 37'

    Nani with yet another shot. Well over the bar.

79. 37'

    Nani led Zabaleta on a merry dance and eventually cut in onto his left foot once more, but perhaps he should have passed this time

80. 37'

    Penalty shout by City...not given. It's a corner instead

81. 37'

    Silva popped up in the box and his drive hit Evra in the chest

82. 39'

    The first corner is cleared for another

83. 39'

    Lescott lost his boot for a moment...

84. 39'

    A short corner is cleared at the back post by Fletcher and Smalling wins a free kick to get United up field

85. 41'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> United!!!

86. 41'

    <B>Nani scores!!!</b>

87. 41'

    A long kick by Van Der Sar is contested by Rooney, Giggs gets to the second ball and plays a sublime first time half volley pass into Nani's path, he beats Zabaleta to break into the box and slots it home low to the right

88. 41'

    And a backflip celebration to boot. 1-0 United in the derby!

89. 42'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Milner

90. 42'

    It's all happening all of a sudden. Milner sweeps out Rooney's legs.

91. 43'

    The atmosphere and tempo has lifted as Nani fouls Kolarov now.

92. 43'

    But United clear to racous cheers

93. 44'

    In a chess-match of a game, it was a simple situation with the goalkeeper's clearance that led to the goal, but a bit of brilliance from Giggs and Nani turned it into a goal

94. 44'

    United come again after Zabaleta slides ahead of Nani this time

95. 45'

    The crowd shout for a pen but it never was, Kolarov defended Anderson well

96. 45'

    Shot by Giggs! Over.

97. 45'

    His long-range effort flies over as United push towards half time.

98. 45'

    Two minutes added on

99. 45'

    United pile on the pressure as Evra and Giggs get low crosses cleared but City might survive til the break

100. 45'

     <B>Half Time</b>

101. 45'

     <B>United 1-0 City</b>

102. 45'

     It was Nani's goal late in the half that separates the sides after an engrossing, if not thrilling, first half

103. 45'

     With the teams matched up evenly in shape, attackers had to work hard for space and both sides did create the odd opening

104. 45'

     But now Mancini will need to consider whether to open up the game with the introduction of Dzeko

105. 45'

     Silva has been the player of the half, but that man Nani again is involved when it matters

106. 45'

     <i>Opta Stats</i> Nani has been directly involved - scoring or assisting - 19 goals for United in his last 20 Premier League appearances.

107. 45'

     While you wait for the second half, have a read of Steven Gerrard's heart-breaking tale of losing his mate Fernando Torres to Chelsea: http://es.pn/gT0etT

108. 45'

     A reminder that Kompany and Milner are in the book after each chopping down Rooney. The game has been refereed well by Andre Marriner

109. 45'

     If history is anything to go by, United should go on with this: The team scoring first has won the past nine Manchester derbies

110. 45'

     But don't forget City had the best chance of the half outside of the goal, as Silva poked his shot just wide from a tight angle early on

111. 45'

     Of course, there are six Premier League matches kicking off right after this one, and we will be covering those live on Soccernet. You can chat to Dale Johnson and myself as we keep you abreast of all the goals and highlights, up to the minute

112. 46'

     <b>Second Half</b>

113. 46'

     No changes at half time

114. 47'

     City get on the front foot as Tevez drives into the side of the box, his cross is cleared to Toure, and his driven cross finds no one

115. 48'

     City have the ball early in this half but Rooney is caught just offside as United look to break

116. 48'

     News in that Mancini was apparently talking to David Platt and Brian Kidd outside the dressing room for at least ten minutes during half time, perhaps searching for the tactical answers

117. 48'

     Toure goes down in the box...no penalty

118. 48'

     He shielded the ball instead of passing then fell down once he had lost out to Vidic, poorly done

119. 50'

     Foul by Barry on Fletcher on half way and United move the ball on

120. 51'

     Richards slides in to tackle Giggs and it's a throw to United in the corner

121. 51'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0212/naniceleb220110212_275x155.jpg"><br>Nani celebrates his 41st minute goal.

122. 51'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kolarov off for Wright-Phillips for City

123. 54'

     Looks like SWP on the right, Silva on the left, still a 4-3-3 for City, but with more width down the right

124. 55'

     Nani chases down an O'Shea through ball but Lescott does well to shield it out for a goal kick.

125. 55'

     Corner to City

126. 56'

     Scholes did a terrible backpass in the air that van der Sar couldn't control

127. 56'

     Cleared near the line by Rooney!

128. 56'

     It was Toure's weak header dealt with. Vidic heads out the follow up

129. 56'

     Van Der Sar saves from Silva! After the third cross was cleared the Spaniard had a pop from range, well held

130. 57'

     Nani shoots wide!

131. 57'

     United attack while Milner is down hurt and after Kompany's great tackle to halt Rooney, Nani has yet another shot on his left foot but misses at the near post from 18 yards

132. 58'

     United have a throw now. It flows from end to end.

133. 59'

     United continue to attack but Hart now collects a blocked Giggs cross

134. 59'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0212/nanigoal20110212_275x155.jpg"><br>Nani slots past Joe Hart.

135. 60'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Dzeko on for Milner for City

136. 61'

     Dzeko joins Tevez up front and it's now more of a 4-4-2 for City

137. 62'

     Milner has his hamstring iced up on the bench

138. 62'

     Barry clears a Giggs cross after Fletcher hit the winger with a great through ball

139. 63'

     Tevez, free to drop deeper, combines well with Silva but once in the box Tevez's cross is blocked well by Vidic

140. 64'

     Smalling now has a lot more to think about with the big Bosnian striker Dzeko taking him on

141. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> CITY!!!

142. 65'

     <B>Dzeko scores!!!</b>

143. 65'

     It's all level at Old Trafford! Wright-Phillips dribbles down the right, cuts the ball low across the box and Dzeko's stretching shot ricochets in off Silva's back. Who will it go to?

144. 66'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Scholes

145. 67'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Anderson comes off for Berbatov

146. 67'

     Scholes was booked for a late tackle and City have a set piece to attack

147. 67'

     Tevez! Saved! Silva's ball found him all too free but Van Der Sar saved brilliantly with his feet anyway

148. 68'

     While that was happening Berbatov has come on as Ferguson looks to get his lead back

149. 68'

     Now Scholes hits Nani on the right with great vision but his low cross is gathered by Hart. It's opening up now

150. 69'

     Tevez gets a shot in as the pace lifts but it's blocked and Van Der Sar collects

151. 70'

     Dzeko receives the ball in the box with back to goal...but he's offside.

152. 71'

     Giggs turns back the clock to beat two players and cut the ball back for Scholes but an interception ruins a lovely move by the veterans

153. 71'

     Tevez, and then Rooney, have passes cut out as possession passes back and forth

154. 72'

     Tevez lines up a strike from range but Wright-Phillips gets in his way and the move ends

155. 72'

     Silva goes down in the area now but he collided fairly with Vidic

156. 73'

     Giggs gets another chance down the left but the immense Kompany steps out to take the ball away from him

157. 73'

     Wright-Phillips tries a give and go into Dzeko, but he is bustled away from the striker's classy backheel

158. 74'

     Nani shoots high and wide yet again on his left foot after he beat three players on a superb dribble from half way

159. 75'

     Barry had cut down Rooney but the referee played advantage then gave him a warning after

160. 76'

     Now City attack again, it could go either way in the last 15 minutes

161. 76'

     Both teams are using 4-4-2s after the substitutions and the game has opened right up

162. 77'

     City maintain possession for a minute as we all catch our breath but now United are back on the ball

163. 77'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL ROOOONEY!!!</b>

164. 77'

     <B>An unbelievable bicycle kick!!!</B>

165. 78'

     <B>United 2-1 City!!!</b>

166. 78'

     Scholes finds Nani with a clever first time pass to the right, he stands up a cross to the back post and Rooney acrobatically blasts it back into the far corner from 10 yards! Old Trafford explodes!

167. 79'

     Toure fires wide from range but everyone is in shock after one of the great Manchester derby goals

168. 80'

     Berbatov! His shot is tame after Fletcher found him free on the left.

169. 81'

     Dzeko fires over immediately after, having combined with Barry inside the United box

170. 82'

     What a turning point that goal could be for Wayne Rooney. Now United have a free kick near the left corner after Toure was late trying to block Evra's cross

171. 83'

     Evra receives some attention, perhaps just to slow things down

172. 83'

     United keep possession rather than trying to cross, and eventually it's a goal kick as the move breaks down

173. 84'

     Vidic halts another attack as Tevez looks for Silva in the box

174. 85'

     Corner to City

175. 85'

     A slow build up ends up with a hopeful shot by SWP but a corner is the reward

176. 86'

     Silva, then SWP have crossed headed away by a leaping Vidic

177. 87'

     Dzeko is off getting his head patched up after being caught by Vidic's accidental elbow in the air. Bad timing with a goal needed

178. 88'

     With a new shirt, he's back on

179. 88'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Giggs

180. 88'

     Tevez is coming deep now, he gets away from Berbatov and then Giggs pulls at him as he runs down the line. Free kick

181. 89'

     Foul on Van Der Sar after Carrick's header went straight up in the box

182. 89'

     Carrick came on for Scholes a few minutes earlier

183. 90'

     City are throwing men forward now in search of an equaliser but United come forward through Giggs

184. 90'

     Attacking throw in for United, this suits them as they wind the clock down

185. 91'

     Four minutes to be added on. Giggs wins another throw in the corner

186. 92'

     City have a free kick in their own half now

187. 92'

     It's bombed forward but Lescott fouled Smalling

188. 93'

     United are passing the ball well to stop City from building a final attack

189. 93'

     Giggs wins another free kick in the corner, so frustrating for City but the crowd love it

190. 94'

     Into the final 30 seconds, City have the ball now

191. 94'

     Zabaleta wins a second ball off Dzeko's contest but Smalling halts him with a great block tackle

192. 94'

     <B>It's over!</b>

193. 94'

     <b>United are the derby winners!</b>

194. 94'

     <b>United 2-1 City</b>

195. 94'

     What a winner by Rooney, upside down in mid air as he volleyed the ball home. It was a winner to live long in the memory, if not a match on the whole

196. 94'

     In the first half, Nani scored after Giggs helped the ball into his path following a simple Van Der Sar clearance

197. 94'

     Then Silva equalised for City in the second half when Dzeko's shot bounced in off his back

198. 94'

     But Nani's cross took a slight deflection from the right, sending the ball floating up for Rooney to float up into the air and overhead kick the winner from 12 or so yards

199. 94'

     City look out of the title race now, and United are seven points clear of Arsenal, who are coming up against Wolves shortly

200. 94'

     Stay on Soccernet for all the latest from the rest of the Premier League action. I've been Brett Taylor, I hope you enjoyed the match!

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