As United struggled to deal with the absence of Van Persie, City were quickly into their stride, sweeping forward time after time, thrilling their fans with the quality of their football. Pellegrini's side attacked through the middle and down the flanks, showing far more width than under Roberto Mancini.
Jesus Navas, so quick he who once broke a running-machine, tore down the right while the more subtle Nasri, looking really up for this Derby, shone down the left. And so City stormed into United from the off. Aguero was buzzing about, linking with Toure, teeing up Aleksandar Kolarov, whose cross was headed clear by Nemanja Vidic. From Nasri's corner, David De Gea punched out. The pressure intensified.
Missing Van Persie, deprived of the ball, Rooney's fuse briefly began to burn. He checked Fernandinho, fouled Aguero, and then turned and belted the ball at Aguero. Rooney held his hands up in apology, indicating the accidental nature of his clearance.
Aguero showed few ill-effects moments later when City counter-attacked brilliantly. Nasri had already been to the fore, showing far more commitment than in the last Derby. He held up the ball before placing it into the path of the speeding Kolarov. Valencia had failed to follow him, allowing the City left-back to race on and cut the ball back from the goal-line. Aguero's response to the incoming ball captured all his qualities of anticipation, positioning, athleticism and technique. The ball was hooked unerringly and at speed past De Gea.
City were as sharp as United were sluggish. Nasri volleyed over. The high tempo was seen in the way Alvaro Negredo hungrily closed down United's defenders. Toure then outmuscled Valencia. United's frustration was simmering within Rooney, who was struggling to find space between Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany. His head-band briefly came off, revealing the bandage covering that cut. Rooney, niggling away, was eventually cautioned under the totting-up process by Howard Webb. But Rooney calmed down and focused on a vainful attempt to rescue United.
United moved up a gear briefly, Rooney trying to pick out Valencia with cross-field passes, but then City resumed control. Negredo, who clearly enjoys shooting from range, had a shot deflected off Rio Ferdinand.
Just before the break, it began to get really painful for United. Negredo was allowed to head a corner goalwards and there was Toure turning the ball in with his knee. United's marking was shocking.
Ferdinand and Vidic rarely play three games in a week and they looked drained here. City charged through them again, twice in five minutes at the start of the second half. Nasri was having one of his finest games for City. He again combined with Kolarov, who worked the ball Negredo. Vidic was turned far too easily for United's liking, allowing Negredo the yard of space to cross for the unmarked Aguero to make it 3-0.
Three minutes later, City made it four, triggering a mass Poznan. Navas took off like a greyhound, speeding down the right before playing the ball across for Nasri to gain deserved reward for his industry and influence. Moyes made a change but sending on Tom Cleverley was rather like despatching a man with a small bucket to a large fire.
There was little that United could do. City were too strong, too good. United's supporters were defiant in the mocking face of adversity. They kept chanting and clapping. Rooney kept trying. United's full-backs, Smalling and Evra, pushed up more, trying to provide some service. Too little, too late.
Welbeck had an effort that deflected for a corner off Matija Nastasic but City were still too quick, too determined. Kompany slid in ahead of Valencia. Pablo Zabaleta stifled Fellaini. Kompany nipped in ahead of Fellaini. Welbeck shot over. Fellaini went closer, unleashing a left-footed shot that Joe Hart tipped over.
United screamed for a penalty when Valencia tangled with Kolarov, who was tugging his shirt. The offence certainly began outside the box but Webb was not listening to United's loud appeals. He even booked Valencia for dissent while Moyes gestured
The Etihad was dissolving into cackles, the City fans chanting "there's only one David Moyes''. They applauded loudly as the hard-working Negredo came off with Edin Dzeko running on, reflecting their strength in depth. Dzeko almost scored with a 20-yard shot but De Gea stopped the ball which then spun backwards, forcing the United keeper to make a hurried second stop.
Only Rooney truly impressed for United, lifting in a corner with 12 minutes remaining that Evra headed against the post. Hart, reminding everyone why he is England's No 1, then blocked a shot from Rooney with his legs. Rooney had his consolation, a wonderful free-kick, but this was a mere consolation. City had the points and the bragging rights.
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