From Derby to Travesty

Sundays Manchester Derby highlights a lot of what aggravates me about football. Allow me to explain.

This was a game worth waking up for. Man U have a long history and are attempting to capture yet another championship under Sir Alex Ferguson. Man City are a recently wealthy team who have been acquiring great players and working their way towards the top four. Naturally, as rivals from the same city, you could imagine how much this game meant to both sides.

But of course, the entire match became a spectacle. It must be said though, that this began weeks ago when the managers of both teams began exchanging barbs. Sir Alex, as we've all come to expect, began maligning City prior to the match, calling them a small team with a small team mentality. Hughes responded in kind, although I am of the opinion that Sir Alex opens his mouth too frequently and deserves rebuke. This set the stage for further tension prior to the game, though you might get the feeling that this is more of a personal issue for the managers and for some of the players. I find all this quite immature. There is really no reason for it to become so personal unless you are a supporter. Even after the match, Sir Alex called Carlos Tevez' performance at United into question. There is no place for someone as accomplished as Sir Alex to act in such a fashion.

On the pitch as well, things bordered on parody. There were fouls that indicated a level of frustration for both sides. City felt the usual pressure any team faces while at Old Trafford. United was confronted with a much more impressive City than they had anticipated.

Then there was the bizarre incident of a supporter rushing the pitch and having an altercation with perennial complainer/winger and West Ham reject Craig "I have No Neck" Bellamy. I do not need to explain how stupid this is, although I must admit I did not see the incident while watching the match.

Finally, there is the curious case of the seven minute injury time. Why so much was added I cannot say - there were no major injuries during the second half, and even the substitutions cannot account for this lengthy addition. Mark Hughes claims that the fourth official added time for their celebration following their 90th minute equalizer. However, the time added was all that was needed for Man U to again take the lead and ultimately win.

All in all, it was an exciting game. Nevertheless, every part of this ridiculous tale illustrates some of footballs most annoying issues - silly fans, sillier players, childish managers with big mouths, and questionable officiating. I dislike both of these teams, but what should have been an enjoyable match quickly became a complete fiasco.