5). Darren Fletcher - Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City - In the grand scheme of things, it meant nothing, nada, zilch. We all know what happened in that incredible 90 minutes, how the balance of power is looking to have shifted over to the blue side of Manchester. It was the only excuse United fans had to lift an eyebrow all afternoon, and to be fair to the Scot - it was a marvelous, technical finish. After taking control of a lose ball half way into City's half he played a quick ball into Javier Hernandez's feet who had his back to goal around 25 yards out. 'Little Pea' using his first touch, set the ball into Fletcher's path, who has buried his fair share of peaches of his United career, superbly used his instep to curl the ball into the top corner, it was United's only moment of quality all game. In all it emphasised City's dominance the fact that a beautiful goal like this would not get a single back page mention.
4). Bryan Ruiz - Fulham 1-3 - Typically, as a few days ago i featured an article about this lad not reaching his full potential, he really stepped to the plate and shut me up on Sunday. At the time Fulham were 1 down, and had bought on their mid-drought Costa Rican forward to bolster their front line in the search for an equaliser. The front 3 of Fulham combined well in the end for Ruiz's finish, Andy Johnson's surged towards Everton's goal before picking out American Clint Dempsey inside the 'D', Dempsey sprayed it left to Ruiz, who had just entered the left side of the area, seemingly in a position to curl in a cross to one of the aforementioned. To the whole of Craven Cottage's surprise though, with a little look up he dinked a beautiful little chip agonizingly over Tim Howards's grasp. A delightful way to bag your first goal in English football - and a great way to silence those wannabe writers who had been writing your performances thus far off! (Take it all back Bryan!)
3). Edin Dzeko - Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City - The second goal of this week's top 5 from the Manchester derby - and not the last! This, the 6th and final goal of Fergie's and all United supporters nightmares was all about the assist, in fact the assist propelled it into our list, that was the extent of sheer quality shown. Yes, you've guessed correctly, it was that little magician David Silva I refer to, he's had a fabulous, fabulous season in all honesty, he really is stepping up his game and is many pundits undisputed 'best Premier League player' at this precise moment. This outrageous assist, would not have harmed those claims. After using a lovely touch to bring an aerial Chris Smalling header under his control , he used his second touch (still without the ball hitting the turf!) to volley an absolutely perfect ball right into the Bosnian front-mans path, exquisite accuracy, the just right weight. It was a gobsmacking moment, Dzeko finished it well, but with was all about the little Spaniard - pure brilliance.
2). Yohan Cabaye - Newcastle 1-0 Wigan - After having a nightmare myself pointing out Bryan Ruiz's lack of performance and goals since his summer move, I feel a tad relieved to mention a certain French Newcastle midfielder I praised in the same very article who bagged his first goal the weekend - and what a strike it was!
Much has been made of Newcastle's fantastic early season form, which has seen them lie in 4th place heading towards the end of October, they faced a tough time Saturday though, at home to a stubborn Wigan side determined not to flop to their sixth straight Premier League defeat. The Geordies were frustrated all day, well, up to 81 minutes that is - as Cabaye added the only thing that has been missing from his brilliant performances since his move, a goal. A decent Ryan Taylor cross from the Newcastle left saw fellow summer signing Sylvain Marveaux take the ball down elegantly before laying it into his compatriots path, much like Fletcher above him, the Frenchmen used his instep to guide his effort beautifully into the top corner, a great, great goal of technical brilliance. It sparked wild scenes at St James's Park as clearly a new cult hero has been born.
1). Mario Balotelli - Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City - This goal for me epitomized Manchester City's rise to dominance, particularly their sheer control of this game. It wasn't a cracker from 30 yards, it was a superb team goal, full of individual class and it really portrayed City's power all over the squad. David Silva the genius was the architecht at the heart of the superb flowing move again, his one touch ball out to the right by-line was met by Micah Richards, who inturn knocked a one-touch ball down the line for fellow Englishman James Milner, who along with Silva, provided a masterclass performance Sunday. Milner's prodded first time ball into Silva's penalty area burst was quality, as Nani managed to hold him up, Milner continued his run and seemingly without lifting his head to spot the former Villa man, Silva played a beautiful, telepathic reverse ball to set Milner in wide of the goal, although his task seemed simple now the England international still picked out a perfect square ball for man of the moment 'Super' Mario Balotelli, who added yet more 'fireworks' to his weekend by finishing with a confident side footed volley past De Gea for his second. The move was full of class, individually and team-wise - To see a team giving a Manchester United side the run around like this was strange, and painted a very strong portrait to the rest of the League on how to win at Old Trafford - In style!
This weeks winner was Mario Balotelli's second goal at Old Trafford, a superb, flowing team effort!
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