For twenty minutes it looked as if Mancini had once again marched across Manchester only to have the great gates slammed in his face by Sir Alex Ferguson's Imperial Guard.
Young, direct, stung first in his lightning war with Richards, only for the City born and bred full back to be named Man of the Match for his unnerved efforts.
United drew little blood - but their enemy stared aghast at the mighty battlements, Ferdinand, Smalling. With their first offensive, they breached the castle wall.
'Why always me?' he asked - Balotelli coolly finished Milner's pull-back leaving De Gea with no chance. Jonny Evans saw red for preventing a second. Milner supplied it, Balotelli tap in - 'Why always me?'
2-0 against ten men, champions don't lose from here - Evans and Hernandez introduced to steady the ship. 3-0. Aguero finishes with aplomb - another astonishing move.
Fletcher scores a goal worthy to be a winner - Dzeko knocks one in with his knee. That's right, Balotelli and Aguero off, Nasri and Dzeko on! 4-1 City and a picture paints a thousand words.
United are whimpering, their fans are leaving, their manager is chewing relentlessly. Mancini, the young pretender senses the formality of conquest. He became an Emperor on this day - he gave no conditions for surrender.
Silva, his most masterful asset claimed the 5th - a nutmeg finish after Dzeko turned provider. Exquisite pass - Dzeko turns finisher - but finisher of what? Certainly not just Silva's slide-rule pass.
One battle does not win a war - but win a few big ones and you're on the right track. City's only barriers are psychological. They've won a trophy, they've won in Europe, they've won at Old Trafford.
6-1 is bragging rights - it's also false economy. The sending off changed it all and City finished everything they touched. However, this much is true - Manchester United can no longer beat Manchester City unless they play well. Furthermore, they might even need to play very well.
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