Hart – Made two tremendous saves at crucial times against Berbatov and Nani. The rollocking he was giving his team-mates in the closing minutes for not retaining possession demonstrated a real hunger for victory on his other home ground. 9
Zabaleta – Not surprisingly Pablo looked a little rusty at first and equally unsurprising was the way he grew into the game. Embodied the spirit of the day with a host of telling challenges. 8
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The first ever derby to be played at Wembley is set to prove the greatest test thus far for Roberto Mancini and his team. Since the draw was made United have hit top form, while Mancini suffered his worst match as City manager on Monday – and Tevez is missing.
Once again we are portrayed as the underdogs, with the media talking of a United treble. It’s worth remembering that in the last derby at Old Trafford we were equal to United, losing only to an overhead shot by Rooney, and that’s not going to happen this time.
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City and United cancelled each other out to the extent that even Fergie time passed without incident. Despite the hype claiming the huge significance of this derby, the reality is different at this relatively early stage of the season. In the overall league campaign, a draw was acceptable to both sides.
No doubt it was a poor spectacle for the many neutrals who tuned in, and the manager has had plenty of criticism for his tactics. Mancini will be unmoved, the result was satisfactory. In this regard Roberto is very much the Italian manager.
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Hart – United’s two shots of menace were straight at him. Elsewhere Joe’s handling was sound and he remained in control of his area throughout. 7
Boateng (Kolarov 81mins) – Looking increasingly at home in the Premier League. Nothing spectacular from Jerome, but this was his soundest defensive performance so far. Error free. 7
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