That is what made this derby massacre all the sweeter. City have beaten United many times down the years, but going into this game they had only won once at Old Trafford in 37 years – and that had been a smash-and-grab affair in 2008.
To go there and take on the Reds at their own game, and then out-play them with such poise and panache, was the perfect antidote.
“We’re Man City, we’ll do what we want,” was the mocking answer to the usual, arrogant United chant. But it was also a good shout, because for long spells of this game, City DID do what they wanted.
This win didn’t just tip the balance of power in Manchester and English football, it shifted the whole football world on its axis.
Of course, it was Mario Balotelli - bonkers and brilliant – who ripped up the usual script with two goals to put the Blues in full charge.
For the first time in many years, City fans could walk up to Old Trafford with a bit of Mancunian swagger in their stride - and they walked away with joy bursting from every pore.
The “34 Years” banner had hit the recycling bin, and more than one Red woke up on Sunday morning with a nervous attack of butterflies to go with the hangover.
They were right to be worried.
Last season’s FA Cup semi-final win and lifting the trophy at Wembley a few weeks later had seen City mature as a team and as a club.
Effect
The supporters have never had an inferiority complex when it came to their neighbours, but 20 years of losing derbies tended to have an effect on the players.
That was swept away by last season’s success, and underlined by the Blues’ excellent start to the season.
City have almost always gone to Old Trafford with a positive attitude, but nothing like this. Roberto Mancini was intent on winning this one, and set up to do so.
Even when United made the brighter start, there was no panic, no need for frantic defending.
City weathered what was more of a squall than a storm, and then imposed their class.
Balotelli had been getting frustrated that too often the ball out of defence was in the air – he remonstrated with Mancini, telling him he wanted the ball to feet.
Two minutes later, he got just that, and his finish was as sweet as a nut, rather than as explosive as a firework as a thousand headline-writers desired.
The goal changed everything. City believed they could win this one going into the game – now they were sure of it.
Gael Clichy, doing a good job of keeping dangerman Nani quiet, was suddenly galloping through the disorganised ranks of United’s defence to almost set up another goal.
The dismissal of Jonny Evans for a cynical foul on Balotelli as the City man was poised to make it 2-0 galvanised United for a while, but this is no longer a City team that folds and flusters.
The second goal was pure class, and David Silva was at its heart, popping up in a tight spot and brilliantly releasing James Milner.
The England man had forced his way into the starting eleven with some excellent, hard-working performances, and he vindicated Mancini’s decision with another display of industry and excellence.
His cross was perfect and Balotelli was on hand to apply the finish.
The situation could not have been more perfectly set-up for City’s passing game. They let the 10 men of United run themselves into the ground chasing shadows, and hit hard when in possession.
In fact Patrice Evra was so bemused by City’s dominance that he was booked for a bad challenge on Gareth Barry – and then seemed to think it would be a throw-in rather than a free kick!
City were intent on rubbing it in and again they showed supreme quality for the third goal. Balotelli began it with a gorgeously nonchalant back-heel, Milner slipped a pass for Micah Richards and his cross found Sergio Aguero too sprightly for the defence.
It was a sight to behold, but the Blues had too much quality in midfield, greater power and penetration down the flanks and too much fire-power up front.
Anyone who thought this City team were pretenders at the top of the league can think again.
Nigel de Jong said in midweek that they went to Old Trafford as number one and aimed to stay there. City achieved that – and so much more.
It was City’s biggest win at Old Trafford since 1926, when the Blues were the biggest thing in town. Maybe, just maybe, those days are back.
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LEASE, 3 stars, Trevels, chicago numpty where are you?
Stuart - did you leave 5 minutes before the end of the game?
You managed to miss the last 3 goals!!!
Great analysis. I think United Management and their fans have lived a fairytale world this season. They believe, wrongly I might say, the Prem is theirs by just showing up. City on the other hand have steadily made progress and it showed today.
City are here to stay, the Old Trafford lot just have to get use to it; really they have no choice. They have insulted us far too long from calling us noisy neighbours to we don't have any history and will never win anything.
The CHANGING OF THE GUARD has occurred!
great fans stay to the end? so why were there so many EMPTY SEATS????????
LEASE did you get the Samartans number ok, the fan that wouldn't go, how was small signing against Micah better player in better team? 3 stars what can i say to you apart from sad clueless fool as always
Smash & Grab in 2008...?
CITY were by far the best team that day too!
Gr8 write up , gr8 day with many more to come , David Silva is pure gold
Wonderful day
I love you City
How it must have hurt to write this....
Norwich had the right idea but didn't get the result they deserved!
If other teams did likewise and played for a win at OT then Fergie' might have some problems he might not feel too good about? Meeting Arsenal who was going through a bad time, meeting Tottenham with similar problems, is nothing to sprout about when Fergie' says theyve met the'top" teams to date! Liverpool threw their game away agaainst them! Theirs other teams out there that can put four or five through United.
If they just believe!
Go you BLUES! YES!
spot on Stuart! what a day..............a day to remember.all the players have been
fantastic! but a HUGE praise goes to Mancini.it's about time to give credit to this
man...he is on path to become LEGEND...
Six flattered United, it could have, should have, been more. So many people said we were top but hadn't played anyone good and that was why, well we're still top although you could argue United aren't anyone good, especially after this game. Not sure if they're really so poor or if it was just the way the Mighty Blues made them look but either way it's brilliant.
My friends asked before the game what I thought, I explained about the referee and said if he has a good game Manchester City will win, he did and we won.
Hats off to Mr Clattenburg 9 out of 10. Everybody now can spell his name correctly, even me.
Well written Stuart.
im in heaven
all the plastic rags who live around the world will soon be swapping their red shirts for blue ones they have no loyalty most of them were Liverpool fans before
great to watch the Glazers leave early followed by the rest of Old Trafford except for the small blue contingent in the corner where all the noise was coming from
Nice comments Mr Brennan. Balotelli ... the mad genius. The papers were all over him with the firework story hoping he was going to be either left out or totally lose it. This just shows his mentality is getting better on the field, despite his antics off it. I was nervous as usual going into the derby at their place but I soon settled down when their early possession produced absolutely nothing, they never threatened. We'll never know how it would have gone if United had kept 11 men but I strongly suspect we would have scored just as many, I felt that feeling of ' knowing' after the first goal. The fact is we absolutely outclassed them and never looked in any danger whatsoever, I have never seen Mancini so relaxed and in control. It's all clicking for him and he deserves all the credit. Congratulations to all of us, we've waited patiently for this day.
Some of the text messages that have gone back and forth all day have been extremely gratifying. I for one showed NO MERCY to some of my red family and friends. This was a very, very special day for us blues and I am extra delighted for all my friends on here, especially the ones who never doubted Mancini. He is one cool Dude.
I'm in heaven and to think this is only the beginning, fantastic performance from the players and fans. The pain we suffered all those years was finally released yesterday. I feel no more pain only a joy beyond all belief, Manchester City humiliated the Trafford red socks, (hold on I need to say that again) "Humiliated" the Trafford red socks. Now we must stay focused and continue this fabulous start to the campaign. If we had not thrown a 2-0 lead away to Fulham we could of actually been 8 points clear, oh well you cannot have everything. David Silva has got to be player of the year not only for club, but league too the man is a genius and continues to shine. We are top of the league with a far superior GD and 5 points we should not fear anyone as on our day we can produce the goods. This is our year fellow blues, this year is the ours.
CongRATS, You have now won the WORLD CUP!
Congratulations are due to Uniteds fans on the speed and ease on the way in which they quickly evacuated Old Trafford and most bars throughout the country not of course forgetting Singapore and Chicago too.
I wish I was in Manchester today, just to look at all of those sad red faces!!!
My local was full of those horrible red shirts yesterday, I had such fun 1-6, could have been 1-10
CTID
Absolutely superb performance accompanied with a brilliantly written report by Stuart Brennan too.
Quite simple, As it always has been & always will be "This city is ours"
You say we dont have history,
You say we dont have team spirit,
As Fergie proved yesterday beyond doubt you will never have class.
It was an astonishing display of quality and teamwork. Milner and Silva's defensive duties well picked up by my favourite MoTD pundit Lee Dixon. Milner has been City's best player for me over the last 3 games and that includes his cameo v Villareal where his ability not to panic set up the crucial last-seconds winner. The quality of passing was the key to not buckling to United's attempt to win it even with 10-men; keep the ball and the opposition will tire rapidly. QPR nearly managed to blow it yesterday when they couldn't use an extra 2 men well! Our away crowd's support is awesome; WHAT a noise yesterday! I first saw City as a youngster in the Mercer-Allsion era, and have watched my beloved blues struggle in the bottom half of the third tier, and those memories came back at the end of yesterday, what a mountain this club has climbed. We must remember those sorts of days so that we will not behave like United fans yesterday and leave before the end. Fellow Blues, now we are at the top of the tree there will be setbacks and huge disappointments, we have to have CLASS and cheer till the end even if we end up on the end of a result like that. And it is easier for this team to play away from home on the break. Let's be patient when other teams park the bus on our patch, and cheer till the end even when it doesn't all go our way. This team could be the best most of us have ever seen, let's keep right behind them. I won't ever forget this. 6-1 at the Swamp. Pinch me again. 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1
A good, balanced, well written piece for a change - is the red tinged journalistic bias receeding?? What a great time to be a Blue, happy days!
No1sey Neig6hours
The team that wouldn't die, I think you need to change your name pal