Yesterday was a day of delight for City boss Manuel Pellegrini as he watched his squad obliterate Manchester United and stake a claim to the Premier league title.
Sergio Aguero and YayaToure gave City a commanding half-time lead and any hopes of United making a comeback was snuffed out by further goals from Aguero and Samir Nasri within the first five minutes of the second half.
A late free-kick from Wayne Rooney offered some consolation for United on a day of embarrassment that will sit alongside City’s 6-1 win at Old Trafford two seasons ago.
Robin Van Persie did not feature in the game due to a groin injury he picked up during training but his absence didn’t make up for the way United were outclassed by a flying City team.
Pelligirini described the encounter as a ‘must win’ game and win they did, giving us a glimpse of how he wants his team to play this season.
City had control of the game from the get go and the first goal came in the 16th minute. Nasri linked with Kolarov whose cross was volleyed home by Aguero.
Rooney got growingly frustrated with the amount of attention he was having from the City defence and he vented his frustration on City captain Vincent Kompany which led to a yellow card.
City got their second goal when an unmarked Toure at the far post turned in Alvaro Negredo’s touch from Nasri’s corner at the stroke of half-time.
Moyes’ hopes of a United resurgence was shattered in the 47th minute when Kolarov and Negredo combined and Aguero was on hand for a simple side-footed finish.
The fourth goal came three minutes later from a Jesus Nava cross from the right hand side which was expertly met by Nasri with a scintillating volley.
Rooney converted a superb free kick at the death of the half, the goal made him the highest goal scorer in Manchester derbies with 11 goals.