The game was won by a stunning goal. It was a goal that, if it hadn't of won the match, it would have been an absolute travesty, and one that will be played again and again and again. It will never get old - for United fans anyway. Watch it here.
To the game now, and the away team came out very bright, closing down United, and keeping the ball when they had it. They passed it around well and looked very composed on the ball.
City were able to get down the right through David Silva and were very dangerous in the box early on. Silva will still be furious with himself after missing a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he found himself opposite van der sar. All he had to do was to wrap his foot around it from just inside the six yard box, but instead, he toe poked it wide, and had City heads in hands.
United broke the deadlock with their first of two brilliant goals. Van der sar smashed it up field, and it was met by Rooney's head. Giggs picked it up and played a first time ball into the path of Nani who had made a wonderfully determined run through the middle. His marvelous athleticism saw him bring a high ball down in front of him and his second touch was equally as exquisite to make himself some space which enabled him to calmly stroke the ball past Hart in the City goal.
United then dominated the rest of the first half, rejuvenated with confidence after such an accomplished move for the goal. It had woken them up, and City needed the half time whistle to get in and gather themselves after going behind.
City came out better in the second half, but couldn't create too many chances that tested the United goalkeeper. They sent on Wright-Phillips and their big money January signing, Eden Dzeko and made City a far more threatening attacking out fit. Tevez came into the game a bit more, as there were now two strikers on the pitch in blue. They scored from a Dzeko shot which took a wicked deflection off of the back of the impressive, but in this situation oblivious David Silva. It was a fluky goal, but they all count.
City then had all the confidence. Goals change games, and it looked as if City's momentum could lead them to a win at Old Trafford. United stayed strong however, and stayed patient for the moment of the match. A moment of utter genius. The moment that won the game.
78 minutes, and the renowned period for United to grab that winner. This time, they did it in he most spectacular of ways. It does defy description, so its best you watch it.
Rooney smashed his over head kick into the top corner, and Old Trafford erupted into a stadium of jubilation. The Manchester Unite bench jumped up and hugged each other in complete disbelief, with Sir Alex Ferguson looking understandably astonished.
United have won the derby again. City of course will emphasise the fact that it took a wonder goal to win it, and that they played well, but United do, and will find ways of winning games and this time, it was a brilliant one.
United are now seven points clear at the top, but as I write, second placed Arsenal are winning against Wolves, which means that if that result were to stay the same, the gap between first and second will be reduced to four. City are eight behind their rivals, and their manager Mancini basically admitted defeat in he title race after the match, agreeing that the gap between them and the top is too big.
A brilliant derby for United fans, and a goal scored, brilliant for football fans everywhere. Bouncing back from defeat has been achieved by United - and by Rooney.
