3 things we learned from City’s 1-0 win over 10-man United

The early signs were positive. Sort of. Manchester United were getting forward, although the offside rule kept tripping them up. Marouane Fellaini was looking like a cross between a ballet dancer and a decent footballer. City were flicking up backheels and forcing David De Gea to use his famed reflexes. The action was flying from one end of the pitch to the other.

And then things started to get a bit farcical. Joe Hart more or less headbutted Michael Oliver, but no punishment was given. Chris Smalling, however, was punished, for failing to get out of the way for Hart’s free-kick. That decision, already dumb, looked positively idiotic minutes later, when Smalling was sent off with a second yellow. He’d charged down James Milner on the edge of the area, despite Milner looking to have no way of threatening.

With Smalling off, Louis van Gaal elected to pull Adnan Januzaj, despite his ability to irritated Gaël Clichy. On came Michael Carrick, as United hoped to rescue a point. Unsurprisingly, City came on in the second half ready to pour forward, looking for any opportunity to exploit their man advantage.

The hosts finally broke free around the hour mark, after having their third penalty appeal turned down. Yaya Touré sent a mouthwatering pass through to Clichy on the left. The fullback’s cross fell perfectly for Sergio Agüero, who slammed the ball in before De Gea could react.

United were down a man, but they weren’t ready to give up. 15 minutes before the end, Wayne Rooney, who hadn’t done much to stand out prior, made an incredible run through the middle, even nutmegging Vincent Kompany. He was brought down by Jesús Navas, but Ángel di María pounced on the ball, forcing Joe Hart into a one-handed save.

goals: Aguero 63’

goals: none

Perhaps Chris Smalling should be sent to see the Wizard

31 minutes into the match, Smalling is shown a yellow for blocking Joe Hart’s free kick. 38 minutes into the match, Smalling is shown a yellow card for an absolutely pointless tackle on James Milner. Suddenly United, who were certainly holding their own against City, are forced to play the next 50+ minutes a man down. It’s time for Louis van Gaal to send Smalling down the Yellow Brick Road. If he only had a brain...

Michael Oliver needs to sit in the corner and think about what he’s done

Chris Smalling’s sending off? Yeah, that was necessary. But not one, not two, but three penalty appeals by City, all turned down? The first appeal came late in the first half, when Marouane Fellaini took down Sergio Agüero inside the area, kicking at his ankles. Just before the half ended, Marcos Rojo slid in on Yaya Touré, bringing him down. And, just before City’s goal, Fellaini and Agüero tangled once more, with Michael Carrick thrown in for good measure. Again, Oliver stood impassive.

Manuel Pellegrini is lucky his tactics didn’t backfire once again

You’d think the side that’s up a man would have no trouble closing out the match. Not so much for Manchester City, who allowed United to take control in the final fifteen minutes. After a few decent chances from the visitors, Pellegrini got worried, and threw on Fernandinho...for Kun Agüero. The goalscorer was none-to-pleased. Nor did it ease the United pressure, as Wayne Rooney and Ángel di María continued to threaten. Considering this move backfired against CSKA Moscow in the last round of the Champions League, leaving City with just a point, you wonder if Pellegrini really learns from his mistakes.