It was a half of two distinct parts, first and last, City's and United's, the dividing line dashed near the 28th minute. Unfortunately for Manchester City, their crosstown rivals found a goal in the part that was theirs, rendering mute the control they had over the match's first stanza. As a result, Manchester United carries a 1-0 win into halftime of the English Premier League's second Manchester Derby of the season.
Manchester United Vs. Manchester City: United Sees Three Of Half’s Four Best Chances, Leads 1-0 After 45
The scoreline could be called harsh, but Nani's 40th minute, right-footed finish from the middle of the area was not United's only chance of the first half. The Portuguese winger also went high with a left-footed, 20 yarder early. Darren Fletcher nearly headed United in front in the middle of the half. United had three of the half's four best chances, a fact that should overshadow City's early dominance.
That dominance was highlighted by the influence of David Silva, who was a part of three early breaches of United's defense. Exploiting the channel between Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, Silva was able to put teammates into the area twice, once navigating the channel himself, an early chance that saw a left-footed shot from seven yards go just outside Edwin van der Sar's far post.
But City went quite over the last third of the half, a stretch within which United got their goal. With the second half approaching, United leads, 1-0.
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