Manchester United Vs. Manchester City, FA Cup Semi-Final: Balotelli, Lescott Both Come Close For City

Edwin van der Sar in the Manchester United goal has had to make his first save of the game here at Wembley, and it was a pretty good one too. The 40 year-old Dutch goalkeeper shouldn't have had to make any sort of save as Mario Balotelli picked up the ball in a fairly benign area of the pitch, but the volatile striker looked up, saw a chance, and unleashed a blistering long-range drive that van der Sar did well to tip over the crossbar. A series of Manchester City corners followed, and Joleon Lescott should probably have done better than volley well over when the ball dropped to him unmarked eight yards out. It's hard to blame him for not getting that one though, as defenders aren't really known for their aim on the volley.

Encouraging signs from City, however, who ten minutes ago were well and truly on the back foot. That's not to say that United aren't attacking, though - Joe Hart had to be very alert to snuff out a low cross as Nani smelled blood, and the winger also had a twenty yard attempt go wide of the post a minute or so later. We have a real game here now.