English Premier League: City and United fight it out for Manchester’s bragging rights

Both teams have struggled so far and will be hoping to build momentum with a win.

LONDON:

The bragging rights in Manchester are up for grabs as Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United clash at the Etihad Stadium today.

The flames have been stoked by former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who played for both clubs, when he claimed that City are currently ‘a bigger club’ than United.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini had claimed the same in February after City did a resounding double over United last year — defeating them 4-1 and 3-0 — and finished an incredible 22 points above their neighbours.

The gap between the two local rivals is already four points and City will be hoping to extend it to seven, and keep up the pressure on runaway leaders Chelsea along with it. However, their recent form has been poor as they are currently without a win in three games, including a shock 2-1 loss against West Ham United last weekend.

Despite the magnitude of the game, Pellegrini was quick to downplay its importance. “It is a very important game, but every game has just three points, so it is very important for us to just add three points,” he said.

United manager Louis van Gaal, however, did not agree. “This is the biggest derby that I will manage,” he said. “It’s one of 38 matches, but for the fans it is unbelievably big as a rivalry. I have felt that with some of the players, but also especially with [United assistant manager] Ryan Giggs.”

United, who drew with Chelsea last time around courtesy of a dramatic late equaliser from Robin van Persie, will have captain Wayne Rooney back from his three-match suspension. Rooney is the all-time top scorer in Manchester derbies and will be a welcome return to the side as Radamel Falcao continues to be sidelined with injury.

City, meanwhile, will be without David Silva but both Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure have been deemed fit.

Reds defeated by ‘in-form’ Newcastle

Liverpool slumped to their fourth defeat of the Premier League season yesterday as Spanish substitute Ayoze Perez earned in-form Newcastle United a 1-0 victory at St James’ Park.

The win was Newcastle’s fourth consecutive victory in all competitions, following their shock League Cup win over holders City in mid-week, and saw Alan Pardew’s side provisionally climb to ninth place in the table. Liverpool, for whom striker Mario Balotelli endured another frustrating afternoon, are now nine points behind leaders Chelsea, having played a game more.

“We were punished for a mistake and that is what cost us the game,” said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. “It is not about Mario Balotelli, it is about the team.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2014.

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