The best images from Old Trafford where Manchester City thrashed rivals Manchester United in a match which may signal a new era of Premier League dominance
As far as ingenious commercial ideas go, this half-United half-City scarf doesn't rank too highly. It's hard to imagine many fans will want to own one, such is the level of contempt these two Manchester clubs have for one anotherPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarCity's manager Roberto Mancini looks amused before kick off. Has he seen those scarves? Or has he been having fun in the dressing room letting off fireworks with club scamp Mario Balotelli?Photograph: Jon Super/APSpeaking of fireworks, the game is sparky from the off with big tackles flying in, like this one from Patrice Evra on Gareth BarryPhotograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesUnited are the dominant force early on. Here, Nani vies for the ball with Sergio AgüeroPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarYet it's City who score first when Balotelli deftly slots the ball into the corner of David De Gea's net with a first time shot. It's a goal of nonchalance and class ...Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA... followed by a droll celebration that even Mancini might have been amused by (had Balotelli not been yellow carded for lifting up his shirt).Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarThe Italian is once again a nuisance to United at the start of the second half as he bursts through the centre and tangles with Jonny Evans. The United defender is caught the wrong side of his man and intentionally bundles Balotelli to the floorPhotograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesEvans was the last man and, predictably, the referee Mark Clattenburg shows him a straight red cardPhotograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesUnited's players protest but there's little use as that was well worthy of a redPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesIt takes another quarter of an hour for City to exploit their numerical dominance. On the hour mark, Balotelli arrives at the back stick to tap home an enticing low cross from James Milner. David Silva was the architect of the chance, twisting his marker of the corner of the box before freeing Milner with a weighted passPhotograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesAgüero then prods home a third goal nine minutes later. It's a strike which bears similarity to Balotelli's second, the main difference being that Micah Richards supplied the final incisive passPhotograph: ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty ImagesNow there's a sight Sir Alex Ferguson would have hoped not to see, City fans doing the Poznan at Old TraffordPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PAWayne Rooney has a face-palm moment. This match really has been a nightmare for United and there are still 21 minutes remainingPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PARooney has had little impact on this game – at times City have literally collared himPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesHowever, Darren Fletcher scores a delightful goal - sweeping the ball into the top corner - to give United a slender degree of hopePhotograph: Lee Smith/Action ImagesCity are unperturbed, though, and just as the 90 minutes are up Edin Dzeko bags a fourth goal courtesy of his kneePhotograph: Darren Staples/ReutersMoments later David Silva adds a fifth by slotting the ball between De Gea's legs. How humiliating is this for United?Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesAnd then a sixth! Dzeko collects Silva's fine pass and rams the ball home to complete a stunning routPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesJust look at that final score. That's United's worst home defeat in over 50 years and, more importantly, it has lifted City five points clear of their neighbours at the top of the Premier League tablePhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar
