Red vs Blue: Which Manchester Will Take the Derby

Week Five in the Premier League

By Chris Battiloro

Week five of the season is here with the always-anticipated battle of Manchester. It is still extremely early in the year, but this game is a huge statement game. The winner comes away with early bragging rights and an edge over their opponent with the league still wide-open.

Greig Cowie / AP

It was all Man. City from the start. The Red Devils just did not seem to have the same

collective desire that City possessed. Sergio Aguero started things off in the 15th minute by stretching to place in a splendid volley. Yaya Toure wrecked havoc on the Man U defense. He essentially shut down Maurice Fellani in the midfield and earned himself goal at the close of the first half. 

The second half was over as soon as it started. Aguero put away his second goal in the 47th minute only to be followed by a beautiful volley from Samir Nasri in the 50th. Wayne Rooney was a bright spot for coach David Moyes as he looked dominate, posing as most of the Man U offense. 

Rooney broke City keeper Joe Hart’s clean sheet in the 87th minute by bending a spectacular free kick into the upper right corner. However, there was no celebration as the goal posed little meaning in the game. Man City left Man U with something to remember for their next meeting later on in the season. Losing 4-1 to their inner city rivals is not going to invite any endearing headlines for Moyes in the morning.

In other news this week Liverpool suffered a shocking upset from Southhampton, who scored off a 54th minute corner. 

Defender Dejan Lovren squeezed a header into the far corner past Steven Gerard, who was marking the post. This marks Liverpool’s first loss of the season and flip-flops them in the table with Chelsea, who beat Fulham 2-0. Goals were scored by Oscar, who cleaned up scrap in front of the net in the 52nd minute, and John Obie Mikel put an impressive scissor kick volley in from a John Terry header in the 84th. In the battle of the bottom of the league table West Brom dominated Sunderland in a 3-0 match. 

Sunderland is still winless and currently residing at the bottom of the table. Arsenal put in an impressive performance against Stoke City, winning 3-1 with standout play from Mesut Ozil. 

The Spurs walked off the pitch winners thanks to Paulinho’s cheeky back heel in extra time against Cardiff City. The final score was 1-0, a nice win to keep Tottenham in second place.