In the nick of time: Paul Scholes heads United's winning goal with just 17 seconds left on the clockThe crushing sense of disappointment and shattered hopes were almost too much to bear as the Manchester derby reached its 92nd minute and 43rd second.
Just 17 seconds of added time were remaining when Paul Scholes, the 35-year-old veteran of these affairs, rose to meet a cross from Patrice Evra.
Shamefully neglected by his opposing midfielders, the little Englishman spun his header goalwards, towards the bottom corner of Shay Given's goal.
Around the sky-blue decked City of Manchester Stadium, where passionate, hopeful voices had been raised in anticipation of a defining, changing moment in the relationship between these famous clubs, a ghastly silence descended. It was quickly broken by the confined, ecstatic roars from outnumbered United fans as they caught sight of the net billowing in front of them.
They have been here before, of course, those ever-patient City fans, with that Michael Owen goal in the sixth minute of added time at Old Trafford which sealed United's 4-3 win earlier in the season. Somehow, though, this was especially painful, even given the litany of failures inflicted on them over the years.
Perhaps it was because the unusual sunshine had inflated the optimism, or maybe it was because they were at home and the collective sense of anguish among 46,000 souls is almost palpable. More likely, though, it is because, for the first time in decades, such a defeat could be potentially decisive in something more important than mere local bragging rights.
'I'm angry and disappointed because we didn't deserve to lose,' said Roberto Mancini, the City manager. 'I'm disappointed for the players, who played well, for the fans.' And for himself, no doubt.
Old pals act: Former United star Carlos Tevez fails to get the better of close friend Patrice Evra at EastlandsMancini's own future in the Premier League is likely to depend on obtaining fourth place at the end of the season. Certainly, City's own desire to close the gap with their neighbours will be delayed another year if they cannot obtain that goal.
Another summer scouring the transfer B list for players willing to perform outside of the Champions League would beckon.
Conversely, the joy for United was unrestrained, quite literally in the case of Gary Neville, who planted a kiss on the lips of Scholes.
Sir Alex Ferguson leapt from the bench and into the arms of his assistant, Mike Phelan, as the players held Scholes aloft in triumph in front of that collection of United fans.
'That is the quality of this club,' said Ferguson, reflecting on the succession of late goals which have marked his United career. 'It's part of our history and it's a fantastic thing to have.'
It may, of course, mean little at the end of the season but they remain in the title race and they have put City back in their box. For now. That the gap is narrowing is undeniable.
United were unremarkable, and it was hard not to contrast the frenetic energy of Carlos Tevez with, when he finally came on with 15 minutes remaining, the languid, relaxed style of Dimitar Berbatov.
Close control: Wayne Bridge returned to action but his comeback failed to coincide with three points for the hostsThe financial demands may have been excessive but United are a weaker outfit without the Argentine and City a much stronger one.
Still, this was not City at their best and though Tevez's ninth-minute free-kick was superbly saved by Edwin van der Sar, thereafter they wasted the limited chances that came their way. When Tevez fed Craig Bellamy on 58 minutes, the Welshman fumbled with his first touch and then, rather than returning the ball to Tevez in space, shot into the side-netting.
Similarly, Gareth Barry was too slow to shoot when played in by Emmanuel Adebayor on 73 minutes then collapsed when Neville appeared to kick his shin. It was a marginal penalty claim and Martin Atkinson emphatically waved it away.
Look Roo's back: England striker Wayne Rooney was back for United and he frequently troubled City centre-half Vincent KompnayUnited had their own earlier opportunities, when the returning Wayne Rooney was the fulcrum of the side, though his anatomy continues to worry all England fans. On 25 minutes, he stayed down after a heavy challenge by Vincent Kompany, nursing his injured ankle and making no attempt to rejoin the game.
He was less sympathetically received when he collapsed on 55 minutes after Kompany delivered another kick. Only when the Belgian had received his deserved yellow card did Rooney spring back to life, to the wrath of the crowd.
Rooney did miss one of the few clear chances of the opening half on 41 minutes, which he scuffed wide after he had befuddled Kolo Toure.
Sheer delight: Sir Alex Ferguson rejoices after Scholes' winner as City boss Roberto Mancini cuts a dejected figure at the final whistleGiggs then spurned a similarly simple chance on half-time, turning Antonio Valencia's cross into the hands of Given. United, though, are nothing if not resilient.
Through the turgid second half, they rarely looked like buckling and when Van der Sar failed to collect a late corner and was stranded away from his goal, a line of red shirts appeared on the line, led by Nemanja Vidic, frantically hacking the ball away from Nedum Onuoha and Tevez.
Yet United's durability is not confined to defensive ardour as City were to discover.
source :dailymail
