How times change, not so long ago the blue half of Manchester had their collective nails bitten to the skin during a make-or-break division two (currently League One) play-off semi-final against Gillingham at Wembley after relegation from the old first division (now of course Championship) the season previous. Meanwhile over on the red side, United were following their treble winning season with yet another Premier league title with record-breaking striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy hoovering up the accolades as the two clubs entered the new millennium.
Paul Dickov was the hero of that final, costing City a mere £800,000 in 1996 in stark contrast to the £28million blown on Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron by United as City gained promotion back to the first division and would then the following season rejoin Manchester United in the Premier League to finish the fairytale. Although that was not to be the end of the story, just the beginning in fact as yesterday saw the balance of power take a dramatic swing in Manchester with City humiliating United on their own turf.
From rags to riches could be the headline for Manchester City's emergence as one of the biggest financial power's in the modern game, having left Maine Road on the fringes of Moss Side to the brand new Eastlands stadium erected for the Commonwealth games closely followed by a takeover from Thai Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra which then was bought out by a consortium from Abu-Dhabi headed by Doctor Sheikh Mansour giving City sufficient wealth to threaten United's dominance over the Premier league.
Yesterday marked the turning point in the battle for supremacy between the two as City travelled to Old Trafford top of the pile and looking to extend their lead at the summit, United coming off the back of a decent Champions league win in midweek looked strong coming into the game. The big news of the week in Manchester had been the reunion of 80's britpop band The Stone Roses somewhat paving the build-up of the derby into insignificance as the people of the city frantically rummaged through the loft looking for their 'Reni hat' circa 1989.
Fireworks had already begun in the days leading up to the match and not between supporters or managers but City striker Mario Balotelli, who had decided to invite friends round to his house for a firework display in his bathroom resulting in the fire brigade being called to deal with the aftermath. Still the rocket's were well and truly within Balotelli's boots as a cool calm finish gave City an early advantage leading the striker to reveal a t-shirt quoting 'Why always me?' Well....maybe because you have too much money and very little sense? Even so, no one can deny that Balotelli is either accidentally amusing or downright silly.
The sending off of Johnny Evan's proved fatal for United as City attacked in waves with the delightful Silva at the heart of most that City had to offer, with every game this guy just gets better and better almost to the point of why would we need Messi in the English football? Silva is a class act. Dzeko, Silva, Aguero and Balotelli once more made sure that United fan's left early for a long journey back to Essex and Sir Alex was left with a face resembling the home side's jerseys. Fergie admitted to the defeat as 'the worst in my history at Manchester United' casually forgetting the night Leicester recorded a 2-0 victory in the Coca-Cola cup in 1996 (We actually won it that year) but nonetheless it was an embarrassing display by a team so famed for its form at Old Trafford.
Mancini kept up the pretence of 'iz a jus anova free points-a' whilst inside wanting to go into the United dressing room leading a conga. If anyone doubted City's title credentials prior to this fixture (as we all pretty much did) then shame on you! Because guess what? Manchester City are a team, Alan Hansen said so, and to be honest, they are a damn good one.
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