City win Manchester derby

MANCHESTER City have claimed their first league victory at Old Trafford since 1974, beating Manchester United 2-1 with goals from Darius Vassell and new signing Benjani Mwaruwari. Defeat left United two points behind leaders Arsenal, who can extend their advantage at the top of the table when they face Blackburn Rovers.

There were poignant scenes before kick-off as fans from both clubs respectfully observed a minute's silence in the week of the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

In all 23 lives, including those of eight United players from the celebrated 'Busby Babes' squad, were killed when a plane carrying the team home following a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade crashed on take-off after refuelling at Munich Airport.

Vassell put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute when he scored from the second attempt following good work by Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov.

And just before half-time Mwaruwari, a transfer-window signing from Portsmouth, marked his City debut by flicking-on Petrov's cross into the far corner, just beyond the dive of United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

It was the second time this season the Zimbabwean had scored against United, the first being for Pompey.

England midfielder Michael Carrick pulled a goal back in the second minute of stoppage time but it was too late to prevent a win which bolstered City's bid for a European place.

City's victory gave them a first league double over local rivals United since the 1969/70 season.

"We worked ever so hard today and didn't give them much space when they went forward," City midfielder Dietmar Hamann told Sky Sports.

"Every time one of our players lost the ball another player covered and won it back.

"We know how good they are going forward and to restrict them to one goal and a handful of chances throughout the 90 minutes showed how well we defended today."

Hamann was especially taken with Benjani's performance.

"He's done ever so well. He kept the ball well and worked hard. When we put the ball in the channels he was always chasing it and won a few free-kicks.

"He scored a great goal and it was a great debut for him."

City captain Richard Dunne added: "It's brilliant. We've been disappointed with our last few performances and today we got stuck into them.

"We knew if we didn't put in a performance we'd be in trouble. We got the goals at the right time and in the second half we worked really hard."

Source:www.foxsports.com.au