The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

United on top for first time in five months; City falter again on the road as Swansea claim spoils

United on top for first time in five months; City falter again on the road as Swansea claim spoils
12 March 2012
Jamie Jubon
Avatar
Jamie Jubon
12 March 2012

Manchester United leapfrogged Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier League on what could prove to be a pivotal day in the title race.

With the two rivals both kicking off simultaneously on Sunday afternoon, the pressure was palpable on both sides of Manchester as they attempted to recover from midweek Europa League fixtures.

United entertained West Brom at Old Trafford, whilst City were faced with the more daunting task in the shape of a trip to South Wales to face a dangerous Swansea side.

The Swans have been imperious at home all season, playing a brand of football scarcely seen in the Premier League by any team, let alone that of a newly-promoted one.

Their win yesterday though, secured by Luke Moore’s 83rd minute strike, must rank above all of their many notable achievements this season.

It also cast fresh doubts over Roberto Mancini’s side, and their ability to last the distance in their inaugural Premier League title chase.

The Welsh club’s win wasn’t undeserved, indeed had Scott Sinclair not had a first-half penalty saved by Joe Hart, the margin of victory may have been even greater.

The Citizens’ misery was compounded by United’s comfortable victory over West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies were the only team to avoid defeat at Old Trafford in the Premier League last season, when under the guidance of new Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, but were easily overcome this time.

Two goals from Wayne Rooney, the second from the penalty spot, ensured the Red Devils finished a Barclays Premier League weekend in pole position for the first time since early October.

Even for the most hardened of City followers, relinquishing top spot with just two months of the season remaining, and to a team so savvy at the business end of campaigns, points to ominous signs.

If United do maintain their current form and claim an unprecedented 20th league title, the blue half of Manchester will only have themselves to blame.

A poor sequence of results away from home has seen a five-point advantage be dismantled and become a one-point deficit. Just two victories in their previous eight away trips contradicts entirely with a 100 percent winning ratio at Eastlands and that may ultimately prove their downfall.

However, all hope is certainly not lost for City, and they have an opportunity to claim a league double over United when the two clubs meet at the Etihad Stadium on April 30th. In the words of Roberto Mancini, that is “the day the Championship will be decided.”

Jamie Jubon

Related Items

More in Uncategorised

The Terminal List

★★★★★
Matthew McMillan
Read More

Baymax!

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Parisian bar Little Red Door to take over Adam Handling’s Eve Bar on 7 July

Food Desk
Read More

Netflix Walking Tour

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Chelsea Flower Show 2022: Greenery and wellbeing

Rebekah Absalom
Read More

Africa Fashion at the V&A

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More

Minions: The Rise of Gru

★★★★★
Sarah Bradbury
Read More

The Baby

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Nitram

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Ed Sheeran at Wembley Stadium
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Eagles bring a nostalgia-laden evening to the BST Festival in Hyde Park
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Africa Fashion at the V&A
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • “He used to spit at the audience, roll on the ground, he did, in fact, hump that plastic dog – he was the original punk rocker”: Baz Luhrman, Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge and Alton Mason on Elvis
    Cinema & Tv
  • Tigers
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Terminal List
    ★★★★★
    amazon
  • Baymax!
    ★★★★★
    disney
  • Parisian bar Little Red Door to take over Adam Handling’s Eve Bar on 7 July
    Food & Drinks
  • Netflix Walking Tour
    ★★★★★
    Cinema & Tv
  • Chelsea Flower Show 2022: Greenery and wellbeing
    Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Netflix Walking Tour
    ★★★★★
    Cinema & Tv
  • Africa Fashion at the V&A
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Minions: The Rise of Gru
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Rollings Stones give Glasto a run for its money at BST Festival in Hyde Park
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • “He used to spit at the audience, roll on the ground, he did, in fact, hump that plastic dog – he was the original punk rocker”: Baz Luhrman, Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge and Alton Mason on Elvis
    Cinema & Tv
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Tottenham continue to stutter; Chelsea make it two wins from two under Di Matteo
Rugby: England triumphant in Paris; battling performance shows RFU chiefs Lancaster is man for the job