Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0
Last year's Premier League Champions came into the match with their local rivals in a less confident mood than they have done as of late, but a second half strike ensured that bragging rights in a fractious derby remain on the blue side of the city for now. Yaya Toure started the move that led to their winning goal on 63 minutes, playing Gael Clichy into space down the left whose precise cut back found Aguero who had instinctively pulled away from goal, allowing him room to hit a crisp shot past David de Gea in United's goal. It was almost two shortly after when Jesus Navas hit the post.
United had been reduced to ten men in the first half after Chris Smalling had received two yellow cards, the second for a clumsy tackle on James Milner, which manager Louis van Gaal was clearly disappointed about and down to bad decision making on the player's part when interviewed afterwards. They had also been slightly fortunate to not give away at least one penalty to their opponents. Yet the ten men seemed to rally late on as City seemed to decide to protect their advantage (rather than look for more goals) and displayed some of the old "Fergiesque" grit of old to almost pull themselves back into the game, with both Robin Van Persie and Angel di Maria being denied the equaliser by Joe Hart.
It was all to no avail though and City took the win that at least keeps them on the coattails of the still undefeated Chelsea.
United's opening results for the season are their worst since 1986-87, when Ron Atkinson ended up making way for one Sir Alex Ferguson. Louis van Gaal should be safe a little longer, but he will be concerned by a new defensive crisis as Smalling will be suspended now and new signing Marcos Rojo was stretchered off with shoulder problems during the game. Clearly, van Gaal has not enjoyed the impact he had hoped to make after taking the reins at the club. That might at least bring a slight smile to past manager David Moyes' face, who has been linked recently with potential vacancies in Spain as he attempts to resurrect his own management career.
