"ARE you City in disguise?" taunted the United fans, as their team gently dismantled the old enemy in the first half.
Behind the mickey-take was a serious point. Everyone expected more from the Blues, and theirs was a poor impersonation of a derby performance.
In fact, the first 45 minutes was easier than even the most ardent Red could have imagined.
Lack of passion
And when Kevin Keegan sits down to analyse where his side went wrong, he needs to take a hard look at some of his imported "names" who seemed to think derby passion was something that takes place in a horsebox at Ascot.
Steve McManaman spent much of the game performing comedy pratfalls, for the entertainment of the delirious home fans. Sylvain Distin was playing on 33 and a third, while everyone else was on 45, and Nicolas Anelka had that faraway look - as far away as a beach in San Tropez.
City fans deserved better than that.
Keegan's plus points came from much closer to home - Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips were glimmers of Blue hope in a swamping Red sea in that first half.
Add to them the voluminous Richard Dunne, who kept wraps on Ruud van Nistelrooy in much the same way as the Blob used to envelop its victims in the classic 50s sci-fi film.
In the flick, Steve McQueen put paid to the creature with a fire extinguisher - in the derby it took one slip from Dunne, a perfect Ryan Giggs cross and van Nistelrooy's head to dissolve the defence.
But this gentle collision, ultimately decided by United's superior quality, did not develop into a derby match in the real sense of the word until the second half.
Barton, who worked creditably hard only to find himself out-classed by the monumental Roy Keane, sounded the charge with a bone-rattling challenge on Phil Neville at the end of the first half.
Low key
That rollicking challenge came as a relief. Until that moment, we had doubted whether this truly was the heir to those old Mick Doyle v George Best, edge-of-the-seat, rough and raw Manchester wars.
City upped it in the second half and when Shaun Wright-Phillips scored, United - who had been in full control - began to look a little ragged around the edges.
But when the crunch came, Keane showed why he has matured into a giant of a Premiership midfielder. Two seasons ago he was crunching into Alfie Haaland in an act of snarling revenge.
Yesterday he showed that he can dominate games without debilitating opponents.
And after 89 minutes there was Keane again, matching Anelka pace for pace in a race to the United by-line, before whipping the ball off the sulkly Frenchman's toe and calmly playing his way out of defence.
City fans tried to lift their spirits, but it was the Reds who had all the fun.
"Groclin - Salford branch" read the banner at the Stretford End while supporters doubted Kevin Keegan's stickability now City have hit a seriously rocky patch.
"Quit in an hour, he's going to quit in an hour" sang the scurrilous Reds just before half time, along with "We all know that Keegan's had enough".
Wage packet
City need to build around their own home-grown lads, like Wright-Phillips and Barton - who let no-one down.
Most of the rest of those in a blue shirt need to realise that when you put your hand on your heart in a derby, it should be to touch the club badge, not to check the bulge in your wallet.
Did City's players show a lack of passion? Have your say.
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What a load of garbage.......Stuart who?
This article is absolutely spot-on the mark. I need say no more other than that Keegan is not up to the task.
Robbie Fowler put in as much effort as SWP and Barton. Robbies strength isn't tackling back or or getting in front of Rudd VN but thats what he was doing. Must be something to do with the lack of service hes getting in the area where hes dangerous - the opposition penalty area. And dont' have anyone else with a left foot who can take free kicks? Robbie should be getting on the end of them, not taking them. And can anyone tell me how Macca and Sinclair got on the pitch and Reyna didnt. Reyna's another who puts in total effort.
Where is the report written by a City fan?
Why is the MUEN so called?
Change the name to the Sunday Red.
Don't you think it's a little rude to call Richard Dunne "The Blob"?
Enough of that United taunting us, we're good enough and big enough to do it ourselves. Breaking news! Saddam Hussein found in Iraq after nearly a year in hiding! A confused Saddam emerged to ask, "Has Trevor Sinclair scored yet?" Bless him.
Surely the more humorous chants of the day were "Manchester? You're having a laugh!"; "You're the pride of Singapore" or perhaps Staurt couldn't quite make them out beneath his Ryan Giggs' duvet and his Manyoo bobble hat?
Well nothing has changed from last season.We still need a strong right back Sun is not up to the Prem.We need a commanding centre half who can cut out those crosses.We need a creative midfielder who can get the best out of Fowler and Anelka until this happens we will continue to blow hot and cold.Lets hope Kev can sort it out soon or its going to be a long hard winter.
How tragic was that performance? Half the players do not deserve to pick up their wages. And what about the fans? If you cannot back the blues when they need it give your ticket to a fan that will.
CTID.
what a typical report by the MUEN...need I say more, why don`t you go the whole hog and not report on city....we`d be happy and you can concentrate on your beloved reds!
I will own up it was me with the Groclin Banner it was last seen being paraded round the Precinct ! No reds in Manhester your aving a laff
As a regular reader of, and contributor to these pages I find this article, obviously written by a Manchester United fanatic, in an attempt to exploit the current situation at City and stir up the supporters, as both concerning and disturbing. Rubbish like this written in a newspaper that should be more supportive to City is undermining a lot of the good work that has been done over the past few seasons at the club and I hope the genuine City fans refuse to take the bait. What the supporters need to remember is the situation United were in in the first 3 or 4 seasons after Ferguson had become their manager. Don't forget a great deal of the United supporters were calling for his head but the Board showed the courage of their convictions and stuck with him and their bravery was rewarded. Who's to say a similar thing won't happen at City? Kevin Keegan has a long term plan and the fans like the Board should support his efforts and not be too disillusioned by the current dip in form. Finally Manchester Online/Manchester Evening News please show less bias towards United and sing City's praises for a change.
I said it before the game, we needed to play hungry young players, we needed Tiatto back he plays with passion.
KK needs to play the players that want to fight for City, not cruise through thinking it is his God given right to be picked each week because they were once internationals (WERE, is the key word).
Berko would be better than McLazyman, Macken needs a chance Fowler is only playing in 2nd gear, and hopefully if someone else starts scoring Anelka will start playing again.
PLEASE KK play the hungriest 11 not the most expensive. C.T.I.D. ps. I only want one thing for Christmas, to beat the Rags in the return fixture.
Who is this idiot??
Why should his views be expressed on a City site. Stuart Brennan? Do one!!!!
The person that wrote this is obviously a rag. Quality un-biased journalism as usual.
Excellent column. Dead right. Can only hope Kev and the rest of the lads read it.
You certainly expect alot more passion and commitment from your team, especially in a derby match than was shown by alot of the more experienced players on saturday. I'm ashamed of them. I think somebody must have tapped up Anelka because his commitment and body language was awful.
I've watched City for over 40 years and this must be the most pathetic display in a derby match I have witnessed. Apart from SWP and Barton, I was ashamed of the lot of 'em. Come on KK you have got to grasp the nettle and admit your mistakes in signing Fowler, Macca and Sinclair. I'm also losing patience with Distin and Anelka, both of whom seemed totally unconcerned at the performance. It's time for passion and commitment and the time is NOW!
Not only did too many city players show no passion, but their support was probably the worst away support at OT all season. You lot will have learnt a lesson both on and off the pitch on Saturday.
I saw the match live over here and I cannot understand the attitude of Anelka. He was not interested and did not appear to be trying. Fowler atleast put the effort in and I think that you have to persevere with him.
Sinclair as I have always said is a waste of time, the sooner he is dropped the better.
Take the captaincy off Distin, he is not the same player with the added responsibility. Give it Macmanaman. Bring back Berkovich
i thought the 2nd was better than the 1st anelka was not interested though out and i have said it a few games in and say it now he thinks he is bigger than the club and put no effort in on or off the pitch time to cash in , whats wrong with w/chop /fowler , the fight and scrap from the front we need sort out now and get rid of dead wood and there is a lot
at our club , when on song he is awesome , we need a keeper too , and a play maker ,, KK please sort it out
Theres no use trying to analyse city`s performance, they were out classed on the day by a better team. City on a whole played to the best of their ability and credit is due to SWP, but you lack players with class, ability and the motivation to play above themselves.You still have alot to learn about being not only a good, but successful premiership team!
it's remarkable that you would consider a wholly one-sided transcription of the chants and banners of one set of fans at the expense of another to be worthwhile journalism. it's especially remarkable for a publication which is supposed to serve and inform both groups. it's fanzine stuff, in the worst possible sense
Are you sure it is not Paul hINCE that wrote this article is it??........this should be seen on the rags site, the players were a disgrace yes, but we were no way outclassed by a superior power, as he said.
Also I seem to remember JB giving as good as he got on Roy Keane, but hINCE thinks RK dominated him, time for Ph to go back to specsavers and have his eyes tested.
agree with fantisis;total Brennan clap trap!
Im not being funny lads, but not many teams take much away from Old Trafford. Most teams are always odds on favourite to get beat there. We're not the champions for nothing.
Anyway, the result shouldnt be the biggest disappointment. Like others have said, the bigest worry should be about the way some of your players are performing. Players like Mcmanaman and Fowler know what these games mean to the fans, yet they might as well have not turned up. I thought SWP was excellent for you, and Joey Barton looked good, Sun kept busy, but everyone else was a waste of time.
All your "big earners" need to be read the riot act (like Fergie, Souness etc would do) by Keegan, but i for one, dont think thats his style. The "arm around the shoulder" approach isnt working, and Keegan needs to get tough or else risk a relegation fight.