Balotelli fireworks set Old Trafford on fire

Sir Alex Ferguson called it his worst result ever and, considering the fact that two more Manchester City goals would have been enough to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup, it’s not hard to understand where he is coming from.

On Sunday, City laid siege to Old Trafford like men possessed while United were given a demonstration of what can happen when the defence that has offered opposition teams the most goal-scoring opportunities in the Premiership this season comes up against a trio of hit men that bring new meaning to the term “clinical finishing”.

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6 – Ugly.

With inspirational defender Nemanja Vidic struggling with a calf injury since the opening game at West Bromwich Albion, United have used Chris Smalling alongside Johnny Evans as their central pairing in decisive victories against Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea. The fact that they went unbeaten and topped the Premiership should have been confirmation that as a stand in for Rio Ferdinand and Vidic the duo were a safe pair of hands.

On Sunday Ferdinand and Evans were the central partnership with Patrice Evra and Smalling making up the back four. As indicated United have been leaking opportunities but not that many goals … until Sunday.

The noisy neighbours dropped in for one of the most eagerly awaited derbies in years.

In midweek both Manchester clubs managed wins in the Uefa Champions League so the stage was set for a titanic struggle, particularly following United having dropped to second in the league with a 1-1 draw at Anfield the previous week. What better setting then to put the pretenders to the sword and return to the top of the Premiership than Old Trafford?

It all started off innocuously enough with United on the attack and City restricting their opportunities to long-distance efforts.

On 22 minutes this all changed when, against the run of play, Mario Balotelli was found by David Silva on the edge of the United area and he hit home a pinpoint pass leaving United’s Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea stranded. The shot/pass was firmly struck on the ground and finished just inside the goal to De Gea’s left leaving him no chance.

At halftime the pundits were awaiting Fergie’s usual tactical brilliance which would no doubt see the upstarts from across the city put back into their rightful place.

No changes were made by either manager during the break but within two minutes United’s job got a lot harder.

Balotelli, as opposed to his house, was on fire and having gotten goal side of Evans the United defender decided that the best way to stop him scoring was to grab his harm.

It worked and Evans was able to reflect on that while reading “Elementary Hair Dryer Ducking 101” while awaiting the return of his manager in the dressing room after being red carded.

If United with 11 had struggled, with 10 they looked extremely vulnerable. On 60 minutes a flick by Silva to James Milner down City’s right and the former Villa midfielder took it close to United’s left-hand post and squared it for Balotelli to fire in from close range.

Within nine minutes it was 3-0 after Sergio Aguero also rifled in from close range.

The only thing that could stop City now was the predictions of the Rapture finally coming true.

United to their credit (misguided?) continued to pour forward and were rewarded with a beauty from Darren Fletcher fired into the roof of the net, to Joe Hart’s left, from outside the area on 81 minutes.

Turns out it was a bad move because it only served to annoy City who renewed their attacks with venom.

On 90 minutes Edin Dzeko, on in place of Balotelli, was played in by Joleon Lescott to score the fourth, Silva on 91 stormed into the area and fired a diagonal shot through De Gea for the fifth and Dzeko, on 93, shot past the United keeper from just outside the area.

What does this mean?

It means that City have won in Europe, created a five-point lead at the top of the Premiership and established themselves as genuine title contenders.

It means that Sir Alex has a furry tongue — from licking his wounds — which will now have all the ammunition it needs to read his lot the riot act and get them back on track.

It means one of the most exciting Premierships in many seasons.

The last word must go to City boss Roberto Mancini who spent the post-match interviews playing down the 6-1 scoreline, the five-point lead and playing up the fact that it was only three points.

However, and this is speculation, if anyone had followed him home after the game, and gone into his house and down to his soundproof basement there can be no doubting that they would have been treated to slightly more unreserved views with no little maniacal laughter and punching the air.

Who can blame him, a blue moon just descended over Old Trafford.