Fans Excited About The Future
RvP Strikes To Snatch A Late Win
We enjoyed two Manchester derbies during the 2012/13 season, with the rivals ending on one win each. The first game was played at the Etihad Stadium in early December, with the visitors laying down a marker, winning by the odd goal in five.
In an end-to-end affair, United raced into a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes following an early double from Wayne Rooney, including the opener on 16 minutes. It looked like the Red Devils were home and hosed in that game, but City fought back with strikes from Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.
City leveled on 86 minutes to snatch a point, but there was late drama, with Robin van Persie netting minutes before the final whistle. It was the kind of unpredictable game we’ve come to expect from the Manchester rivals, and that set the pace for the second and last game of the season.
Aguero Returns The Favor
The second Manchester derby of the season was played at Old Trafford on Monday, 8th April 2013. With United moving in on a 20th league title, they were favorites to win at home and do the double over their rivals. But this fixture rarely follows the script, and it didn’t that day, Man City leaving the Theatre of Dreams with all three points.
James Milner finally broke the deadlock in a tense affair, scoring the opener in 51 minutes as United was caught napping after halftime. The hosts weren’t about to roll over and accept defeat, and they got level after Vincent Kompany bundled the ball into his net under pressure. It was a rare mistake from the City captain.
Just like the previous meeting across the city, there was late drama at Old Trafford when Sergio Aguero struck what proved to be the winner in 78 minutes. United threatened to return but lacked the cutting edge to turn chances into goals.
2012/2013 Premier League Recap
Ferguson’s team finished on top with stats showing 28 wins, five draws, and five defeats, scoring 86 and conceding 43. The champions ended 11 points clear of nearest rivals Man City who had 23 wins, nine draws, and six losses.
That unpredictability encourages players and teams to try, and makes for a compelling spectacle, along with plenty of surprises. Even at the top level, good teams sometimes lose and that’s one of the main reasons that soccer, and the World Cup, has reached its current level of global popularity.