Published 1/8/2012 12:58:50 PM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul

Wasn't a mouthwatering Manchester Derby enough for the fourth round of the FA Cup?  Certainly just the matchup itself was enough.  Throw in a major referee decision that changed the whole game and you got a real cracker today.

The top two teams in the English Premier League squared off and we got exactly what everyone expected a thriller.  United came out on the front foot and had a deserved lead in the 10th minute of play when Wayne Rooney headed home a Valencia cross.  Typical Rooney with a crashing header.

Shortly after the controversial moment arrived.  Nani was skipping along with the ball and City's Vincent Kompany raced in for the tackle.  Two footed, cleats exposed.  Kompany won the ball cleanly though and Nani hopped over the tackle.  Practically no contact at all.  The referee raced over and showed Kompany red forcing City to play almost 80 minutes with 10 men.  A tough call to say the least.

Manchester United would be on their way from there as City slumped through the remainder of the opening 45 clearly affected by the sending off.  On the half hour United made it 2-0 as Danny Welbeck fired home a beauty.  Just before halftime the final dagger came.  Welbeck was brought down in the penalty area by Kolarov giving Rooney a chance from the spot.  Rooney fired, but had it saved.  The City players were frozen as Rooney nods the rebound into the net.  2-0 United at the half and surely the match is over.

Not so fast though.  Man City emerged from the break with a renewed purpose and only minutes in had a goal back as Kolarov curled home a freekick.  Suddenly Manchester City had life.  Despite being down a man they pushed.  In the 65th United gifted them a second.

Paul Scholes gave a ball away out wide and James Milner pounced sending a perfect cross that Sergio Aguero turned on goal.  Lindegaard made the initial save but let the ball roll away for Aguero to easily tuck home.  The lead was only 3-2 and City were coming hard.

Manchester United showed their mettle though as the defending champions were able to see the match out and advance into the 5th round of the FA Cup.  Surely the questionable red card greatly changed the game, but all credit to City for the fightback.  It should be a wonderful spring as these two fight it out for the EPL title.

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