Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United: 5 talking points

In what was a very well fought Manchester derby, Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0, and were aided a lot in their pursuit by Chris Smalling, who got sent off for committing 2 fairly foolish infringements. Although United did come back very well in the second half, Sergio Aguero’s 10th league goal of the season was enough for the home team. City also had a few debatable penalty shouts turned down during the game as they looked to pin United back. Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 City indebted to Aguero and Kompany

Playing against 10 men for the entire second half against a make-shift defence should have made for a comfortable game for the home side. But the reigning Premier League champions had to count on Sergio Aguero to provide a moment of brilliance to even get the lead. And once they had it, you would have thought they would go on and pick United apart, like they had done in the past few derbies.

Instead, City had to rely on their captain Vincent Kompany to hoof balls into the opposing area, win vital headers and put players under pressure to ensure their first win since the middle of October.

#2 Penalty shouts aplenty but none given

Refereeing a Manchester derby which had so much riding on it was always going to be a difficult task. In the early part of the game, referee Michael Oliver showed great understanding of the magnitude of the match by trying to keep the play flowing instead of brandishing yellow cards left, right and centre. But the initial goodwill was quickly erased thanks to his decision to not award the home side, not one but two penalties, which were both clear cut.

And while he will certainly be criticised for that, his positioning on both occasions left a lot to be desired. And there were claims for a third penalty for City and another for United, it was more a case of the player looking for it rather than it being a legitimate claim for a penalty.

#3 United\'s away day blues continues

Louis van Gaal's side came into this game looking for their first away win of the season. Although spirits were high in the United camp, a victory at the Etihad, where City had won 21 of their last 23 League games was always going to be a difficult task. And it was made even more difficult after Smalling's red card and injury to Marcos Rojo which left the visitors with two midfielders and two 19-year-old's in defence.

Arsenal and Southampton are the two next away trips for the Red Devils. With mounting injuries in defence, it already looks as though they might have to wait until mid-December for their first away win of the season.

#4 City almost give it away again

After letting a 2-0 lead slip against CSKA Moscow and losing back-to-back games in the League and the Capital One Cup, confidence wasn't exactly sky high at the Etihad and it showed in the early parts of the game. But after Smalling's red card, it looked as though things were going to be a lot easier for City.

After Aguero's goal, many would have expected the home side to keep going, but complacency kicked in yet again and in the end, the home side were lucky to get away with their manager's negative tactics. If City are to have any chance of catching Chelsea, they have to go for the kill and not take their foot off the pedal. For although they got away with it this time, the same might not happen next time.

#5 Stupid Smalling spoils Van Gaal\'s tactics

Before the game, Van Gaal spoke at length about how his players had to keep their heads and not let the intensity of the derby get the better of them. And up until Smalling's moment of madness, the visitors were the better team and created some decent chances. But the centre back's red card spoiled the Dutchman's game plan and made the task of getting something from the game all the more difficult.

If blocking a goalkeeper kicking the ball and getting a yellow card was bad, then lunging into a tackle when you are already on a yellow is downright stupid. But to be fair to United, they didn't let that bother them and even with 10-men, the visitors took the game to City and on another day, could have even won, given the chances they created. But, in the end, it wasn't enough and Smalling will rightly shoulder much of the blame for the defeat.