Dunne Double Seals Derby Day Victory

By David Hobbs
February 13 2005

Two own goals from Manchester City defender Richard Dunne handed Manchester United a gritty victory over their Mancunian rivals to keep the pressure on Premiership leaders Chelsea.

Dunne Double Seals Derby Day Victory

Manchester City 0

Manchester United 2
Dunne OG 68, 75

Two own goals from Manchester City defender Richard Dunne handed Manchester United a gritty victory over their Mancunian rivals to keep the pressure on Premiership leaders Chelsea.

The hapless Republic of Ireland international deflected two of Wayne Rooney's teasing crosses past a furious David James in the second half in front of an embarrassed City of Manchester Stadium crowd.

Steve McManaman wasted one of City's few chances to score by blazing wide from a mere three yards out to waste Shaun Wright-Phillips' trickery down the right flank in the first half.

United looked below-par for almost the entire match and knew they had to win following Chelsea's 1-0 triumph over Everton on Saturday afternoon.

Sir Alex Ferguson deemed it sensible to rest wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, replacing the due with Darren Fletcher and Quinton Fortune. There were some tired legs out there on the back mid-week international friendlies.

Gabriel Heinze had the tough task of keeping Shaun Wright Phillips, fresh from his first international start for England, at bay down the right wing. However, Wright-Phillips exploited the defence in the first half to tee up Steve McManaman, who scuffed wide from three yards to waste City's best chance of the match, much to the fury of Kevin Keegan.

John O'Shea had to be taken off just past the half hour mark following a clash with Sylvain Distin, forcing Sir Alex Ferguson to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo.

After the break, Sir Alex Ferguson urged his side to push forward in search of a much-needed goal.

The Scotsman wouldn't have cared how it went in considering his side's weak performance, and got his wish via Richard Dunne 68 minutes in. Gary Neville whipped in a cross from the right for Rooney to flick onto Dunne's leg and past David James' goal.

Dunne then tried to whisk away Rooney's fizzing cross, but misfired past James... again.

Robbie Folwer had the chance to bag a consolation late on in the game, but things weren't going his or City's way and missed completely.

Kiki Musampa, on loan from Atletico Madrid, tested Roy Carroll's reflections soon after and the Ulsterman came out on top.

Substitute Ryan Giggs rattled the post with just seconds to go until Steve Bennett drew an end to the game.

Final Score: Manchester City 0 - 2 Manchester United
Att: 47,111

Manchester City: James, Mills (Bradley Wright-Phillips 83), Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Barton (Macken 68), Sibierski, McManaman, Musampa, Fowler

Manchester United: Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Heinze, O'Shea (Ronaldo 33), Keane, Fortune, Fletcher (Giggs 64), Rooney, Scholes (Phil Neville 84)

Refereed By: S Bennett