Derby day delight for City

Manchester United squandered the chance to return to the top of the table as they lost 2-1 to Manchester City.

Vassell and Benjani on target as United's title hopes are dented

Manchester United squandered the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as they lost 2-1 to Manchester City on an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford. There had been fears that the minute's silence before the game to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster would not be respected, but it was impeccably observed by supporters inside the stadium. United struggled to find their rhythm early on and City surged into a two-goal lead as Darius Vassell smashed the ball home at the second attempt after 25 minutes and then debutant Benjani Mwaruwari glanced in Martin Petrov's excellent cross on the stroke of half time. Sir Alex Ferguson's side enjoyed most of the possession after the break but City were excellent in defence and restricted them to hopeful shots from distance until Michael Carrick curled in a consolation goal in stoppage time. City survived an anxious last minute to clinch a victory that brings them firmly back into contention for the fourth UEFA Champions League spot, while United remain two points behind Arsenal, who face Blackburn on Monday night.

Perfect silence

The Old Trafford pitch was ringed ahead of the game by the names of every one of the 23 who died as a result of the 1958 tragedy in Germany. The team sheet numbered United's men one to 16, while City stuck to their usual numbering on special commemorative shirts devoid of sponsors' logos. The Red Devils' V-neck tops were also a copy of the famous 50's jerseys worn by the Busby Babes. But there was a match to play which was crucial to both sides - United needing not to lose ground on Arsenal while City were desperate to end a run of one win in eight league games that has dented their European hopes. United were without the suspended Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, while Owen Hargreaves was dropped to the bench. John O'Shea, Nani and Anderson came into the side. City had Vedran Corluka banned while Daniel Sturridge was also left out. New boy Benjani made his debut with Nedum Onuoha coming into defence. Any doubts that this would not be a city united were swept away by an perfect minute's silence. The teams were led out by the managers who both laid wreathes in the centre circle. Not a word was heard from the City end as every fan in the stadium held aloft red and blue scarves distributed by the host club. There were mystifying small explosions, clearly coming from outside the stadium, which police believed were fireworks. But inside the arena it was respectful silence. Blues fans had sung their songs right up to the minutes before the ceremony, and when referee Howard Webb blew his whistle for the end of the 60 seconds it was City voices who instantly filled the air.

Bright start

From the start, United flowed towards the visitors' goal, Ryan Giggs seeing a seventh-minute volley touched over by Joe Hart. City's first effort came after 13 minutes when Benjani's persistence gave Martin Petrov the chance to fire over from 20 yards. Then Stephen Ireland saw a header from Michael Ball's cross held by Edwin van der Sar. Eriksson's side were getting closer and it needed a faint touch from Nemanja Vidic's head to flick a Gelson Fernandes cross away from the waiting Benjani. And in the 24th minute City stole ahead. Ireland found Petrov and raced on into the box to take the return. The ball broke to Darius Vassell who saw