European football correspondent
MANCHESTER // Two rash moments and a fine goal decided a frantic and ill-tempered Manchester derby last night.
Chris Smalling was the culprit for losers Manchester United when his 38th-minute red card left his side under pressure playing away to the reigning Premier League champions.
United eventually succumbed in the 63rd minute, when man-of-the-match Sergio Aguero finished a move started by a dominant Yaya Toure.
Smalling’s actions – described by his manager as “not very smart”, only compounded United’s defensive woes. Both sides were forced into late changes, with Rafael injured and replaced by Antonio Valencia, who is not usually a defender, for the visitors.
City had to start Gael Clichy over Aleksandar Kolarov.
While City edged the first period for possession, United did marginally better than the last side, who lost the corresponding fixture 4-1 last year ago.
“I wasn’t pleased with the first half,” said United manager Louis van Gaal. “We gave the ball too easily in unnecessary positions.”
City created the better early chances, including a 20th-minute Jesus Navas shot and an effort from Aguero a moment later before the first of six yellow cards, in the 27th minute, was charged after Daley Blind connected with Toure’s ankle.
A second, needless, United yellow came three minutes later when Smalling blocked a Joe Hart kick. Smalling picked up another yellow after sliding late into James Milner.
Six of seven red cards in Premier League derbies have gone to United, and with his side reduced to 10 men, Van Gaal introduced Michael Carrick for his first minutes of the season at the expense of Adnan Januzaj.
The mood did not improve for the hosts when two penalties were not awarded. First, Marouane Fellaini tackled Aguero, and then a hard Marcus Rojo challenge on Toure at the close of the first half was waved off.
With a man advantage, the champions laid siege in the second half. United’s woes worsened when their other central defender, Rojo, was stretchered off after 55 minutes and replaced by Paddy McNair. The rookie, 19, was playing with Carrick, who was himself in an unusual defensive position as cover.
City’s breakthrough was a superb 62nd-minute goal from Aguero. Toure’s pass found Gael Clichy on the left and the defender pulled the ball back for the Argentine to shoot past David De Gea. City were ascendant and Toure, Clichy and Aguero sublime. As was de Gea, who saved a curling effort from Milner on 67 minutes.
City manage Manuel Pellegrini made successive attacking substitutions, with Milner departing for Samir Nasri and Stevan Jovetic for Edin Dzeko.
Navas struck the post in the 74th minute, then United went on the attack.
Robin van Persie and Fellaini came close. Fernando was booked for a 78th-minute swipe at Angel Di Maria, who wasted the subsequent free-kick, as he did with two late corners.
United “showed willpower and we could have scored”, according to Van Gaal, but City held out for another win in a fixture they have dominated, winning their fourth derby in
succession.
“We played very, very well and had clear chances to score,” Pellegrini said.
City stay in contention at the top of the league chart, while United are now 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.
“We only have 13 points out of 10 [games] and that’s not enough,” Van Gaal said.
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