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 his first shot hit Van der Sar, but he was quickly on to the rebound to blast the ball home, sending City's horde wild.
United hit back and Hart saved superbly from a Carlos Tevez shot on the turn. Then Cristiano Ronaldo lifted a 25-yard free-kick over the bar.
But City weathered the storm and hit back with a fierce Petrov cross that Van der Sar managed to turn away from Fernandes.
And a minute from the break City went two ahead.
Petrov's angled cross was flicked on by Benjani and the ball squeezed just inside the far post. It was the second time this season the Zimbabwean had scored against United, the first being for Portsmouth.
Frustration for United
A minute after the break, Dietmar Hamann unleashed a 30-yarder that Van der Sar pulled down.
But United were soon camped in City's territory, searching for the break that would get them back into the game.
Tevez thought he had done just that when he turned in a deflection but he was correctly judged offside.
O'Shea was booked for a late tackle on Vassell after 57 minutes before the excellent Ireland should have made better use of a breakaway after he intercepted a pass, but he failed to find Benjani or Fernandes.
United then sent on Hargreaves and Michael Carrick for O'Shea and Anderson. City responded by withdrawing Benjani and sending on £5m new boy Felipe Caceido for his debut.
Giggs flashed a shot just wide of the far post, but time was ticking away and the only noise was coming from City's delighted fans.
In injury-time, Carrick drove the ball home from the edge of the box but it was too little, too late.
| Manchester United |
Team Statistics |
Manchester City |
| 1 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 11 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 8 |
Corners |
7 |
| 6 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 7 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78.5 |
Passing Success |
68 |
| 28 |
Tackles |
38 |
| 75 |
Tackles Success |
76.3 |
| 62.3 |
Possession |
37.7 |
| 56.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
43.2 |
|
