What a game! I'm still buzzing even though it's the morning after.
We won thanks to Rooney's two goals and a sweet freekick by van Persie in the 91st minute, after City came back from two goals down.
1. Let's start with the central defence. We had Rio and Evans starting off and they are proving to be a pretty good partnership in spite of all the goals shipped in early this season. Evans in particular has turned in very consistently good performances. Plus he helps out with the midfield passing. Pity that he had to come off injured at the start of the second half. Smalling replaced and he looked pretty capable as well.
2. Once again our most reliable LB and RB showed their goods. Both played excellently with Rafael once again excelling in his partnership with Tony V. They are devastating on the left flank almost all the time. Evra has also been in good form lately, although their downside is the lack of height, which sucks when defending set pieces.
3. It was quite a surprise when the lineup was announced and Tony V was in there. I don't think many people expected it given that SAF ruled him out of the derby due to injury. Another masterstroke. He still looked rusty but was good enough to create several good chances. Got injured though and was replaced by Jones.
4. I know I've slated him all season, but when credit is due I will raise my hand and tell it like it was. Young was simply terrific last night. Gone was his headless-chicken movement and lack of defending weaknesses. He seemed to be at the right places most times and was definitely more attuned to helping Evra out with both attack and defence. A joy to watch. Hopefully he keeps this up, and work on his crossing.
5. Today we used the Carrick and Cleverly midfield. It was really good at stifling Yaya Toure, Nasri and David Silva. Cleverly in particular was outstanding, playing the midfield destroyer role to perfection, while helping bridge the midfield and attack. Carrick was usual reliable Carrick. Most consistent player for the last few years for us. We should use this partnership more often. Welbz was in for Clevs late on.
6. Up front Rooney was a beast. He seems to reserve his best form for the big games. Scoring two goals was just the tip of his prowess. He was literally running up and down chipping in in every department. Probably my choice for MOTM last night.
7. RVP stole the limelight from Rooney although he didn't have as much of a talismanic effect for the first 89 minutes, he finally came to when it mattered. He also had a shot rattling off the crossbar to boot. Glad he's with us rather than City. How different things would've been had he chose to join them at the start of the season.
8. Finally de Gea. Amid all that speculation about a January bid for Stoke's Asmir Begovic, I think we should just confirm DDG as our no.1 and keep it as that. The boy is young but we have seen so much improvement in him. Plus when he's on form he really keeps everything out!
9. To say tonight's match was eventful is a gross understatement. Apart from the end-to-end good football, there was a good goal by Young chalked off for offside, a penalty shout by Evra, Samir Nasri showing his handbag move, the coin-throwing incident on Rio and of course Tevez's petulant kick on Jones. This game really lived up to its top billing.
10. 6 points clear at the top and this was one of our best performances yet. But it's still early in the season so we can't take anything for granted. Hopefully we don't slacken after such a performance, which we have a tendency to. Let's go win #20!
GGMU!!!
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