'A Manchester derby of blood and sweat from City held only tears for United at Old Trafford yesterday. City's commitment was unstinting; their outstanding young left-back, Stephen Jordan, even insisted on staying pitchside to have six stitches inserted in a gaping wound rather than retreat to the dressing room. As the doctor laced his eyebrow together, Jordan waited impatiently to be allowed to return to the fray.
Such desire to prove a point of local pride to United, and make a Premiership point, flowed through City. Even Nicolas Anelka, the loneliest of lone front-runners in Kevin Keegan's successful 4-5-1 approach, would sprint back to assist a resistance movement being led by Jordan, the exceptional Richard Dunne, Sylvain Distin, Paul Bosvelt and Willo Flood.
This was the fifth time Sir Alex Ferguson's side had failed to find the target in 12 league games this season. The only thing Ruud van Nistelrooy was finishing off yesterday was his suspension, the Dutchman watching from the stands as Alan Smith, Louis Saha and eventually Wayne Rooney failed to break through the thick blue line of City's defence. Chelsea, the new Premiership pacesetters, are now 11 points ahead and may take some catching.
Flashes of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo apart, United's midfield was painfully lacking in creativity, the problem exacerbated by Paul Scholes again struggling to shake off his strange stupor.
How Ferguson must rue the failure to sign Ronaldinho last year. United's game cried out for a playmaker prepared to take control as the Brazilian is doing so brilliantly for Barcelona.
United enjoyed the ball's company for an astonishing 67 per cent of this derby but possession is nothing without penetration. Chances came and went. Scarcely had two minutes elapsed when Jordan was hooking a Saha effort off the line.
Lady Luck smiled on Keegan's visitors at times, notably when Saha was clearly pulled over by Antoine Sibierski but referee Graham Poll waved play on. The offence was blatant and Poll's indifference incensed Ferguson, who almost went into meltdown later when Ryan Giggs's cross hit Jordan's right arm, although it looked more ball to hand.
Dunne was giving one of his best displays in a City shirt. Since addressing his refuelling problems, the Irish centre-half has improved markedly. Far more athletic and mobile now, Dunne leapt up high to intercept a Ronaldo cross. Saha rose as well but not with the determination of Dunne.
Still United came, Giggs and Ronaldo setting up Smith, whose overhead kick was cleared off the line by Steve McManaman. Then came the moment Old Trafford believed would herald the breakthrough; Roy Keane and Saha cleverly released Giggs through the middle, the Welshman arrowing towards David James's goal. As the keeper advanced, Giggs bent the ball around him but without enough fade to bring it back into the net. It was a bad miss by Giggs.'