Manchester derby week is upon us, with City heading across town to Old Trafford on Sunday for Enzo Maresca’s first taste of the fixture.
There have been rather a lot of memorable afternoons for Blues over the years. Picking five is tough, but here goes.
5. The Maine Road massacre – 1989
Long before City’s modern success came one of the great Maine Road afternoons. A youthful City side demolished Alex Ferguson’s United 5-1 in September 1989, with David Oldfield scoring twice alongside goals from Trevor Morley, Ian Bishop and Andy Hinchcliffe.
For supporters of a certain vintage, this one needs no explanation.
4. Yaya sends City to the final – 2011
This wasn’t a league derby, but its importance was enormous. City met United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley with Roberto Mancini’s side still waiting for their first major trophy since 1976.
Yaya Touré intercepted Michael Carrick’s pass, powered towards goal and beat Edwin van der Sar to secure a 1-0 win. City subsequently beat Stoke in the final and 35 years of waiting were over.
3. Haaland and Foden run riot – 2022
Erling Haaland’s first Manchester derby wasn’t bad. He and Phil Foden both scored hat-tricks as City thrashed United 6-3 at the Etihad, having led 4-0 at half-time.
Haaland’s treble was also his third in successive Premier League home games – something nobody had previously managed.
2. ‘Why always me?’ – 2011
The scoreline alone would have guaranteed this one’s place. City went to Old Trafford in October 2011 and won 6-1.
Mario Balotelli scored twice, Sergio Agüero and David Silva added one apiece, and Edin Džeko struck twice late on. But one image became immortal when Balotelli lifted his shirt after opening the scoring to reveal the message: “Why always me?”
You can probably picture it now.
1. Captain Kompany takes control – 2012
There could only really be one winner. City welcomed United to the Etihad in April 2012 knowing victory would put them back on top of the Premier League with two matches remaining.
Just before half-time, Vincent Kompany rose above Chris Smalling and powered David Silva’s corner beyond David de Gea. It was the only goal of the game and put City top on goal difference.
Two extraordinary weeks later, Sergio Agüero did the rest.
We’ve already looked at why Sunday’s trip to United could be Maresca’s biggest City test yet. Maybe another moment worthy of this list awaits on Sunday.
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