Big-spending Manchester City made one major statement on Sunday afternoon with their 6-1 thumping of champions Manchester United in the English Premier League.
But what does it mean?
Roberto Mancini tactically outplayed his counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson. David Silva dazzled United’s defence, while Mario Balotelli showed his quality.
However, United were down to 10 men for the majority of the second-half after Jonny Evans’ red card. When he was sent off the scoreline was 1-0.
And it was still only 3-1 in the 88th minute before the Sky Blues’ late trio of goals. When Darren Fletcher pulled one back in the 80th minute to make it 3-1, there was a sense they could pull it back in typical United fashion. So yes, in the end, the scoreline somewhat flattered City and we shouldn’t get carried away, but they were without doubt the dominant side.
That’s the key point whichever way you want to paint it. United had a very strong line-up out there, including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, while the Sky Blues did too, and the latter were far too good.
A statement it was. A definitive moment in the title race? Only hindsight will tell us that, but it’s unlikely to be the case.
Manchester United could be rattled by this result and there has been some fallout, with Ferguson labelling it as “the worst ever day” in his time at the club. That’s some call for someone in the job for some 25 years.
“It’s the worst result in my history, ever,” he said. “Even as a player I don’t think I ever lost 6-1. I can’t believe the scoreline.” However Ferguson promised “there will be a response”. Indeed, that’s always the case with a Ferguson-led United team. You can guarantee that. After all, yes it was a massive scoreline and an emphatic win, but it was only one game.
“We’ll come back,” Ferguson said. “We usually get the show on the road in the second half of the season and that will have to be the case.
“We’ve played all the teams around us and they all have to play each other so the second half of the season is important to us now.
“We will react, no question about that. It’s a perfect result for us to react to because there is a lot of embarrassment in the dressing room and that will make an impact.”
Indeed, City’s manager Mancini reflected that sentiment, which is the right attitude to have, when carrying on about the win would be so easy and enjoyable in the short-term.
“I think there are four or five teams that can win the title in the end. The season is too long, it is very difficult every game, every three days we play,” Mancini said.
“I think against Tottenham we played very well, and against Bolton, but this is different - we played against a strong team like United. But in the end there are three points - finished. We don’t take six points for this game.”
It’s fair to say, both camps have made the right noises after this game. However, where it counts, on the pitch, more than anything, City will have made everyone stand up and take notice.
The balance of power hasn’t changed. United remain title favourites, but City are genuine title contenders.