Old Trafford classic

Despite the Premier League’s reputation for being the most exciting league in the world matches like Sunday’s Manchester derby don’t come around too often.

I am supporter of neither team but I couldn’t help but be caught up in the breathless drama of it all. Local tussles such as this can often degenerate into passionate but scrappy affairs, with the fear of defeating leading to a drab draw.

But Wayne Rooney’s early strike on Sunday appeared to unleash a spring that had been wound up tighter and tighter during the build up to this encounter, with managers, players and fans all trading verbal blows. It became a derby match full of everything a spectator would hope to see. Great goals, great saves, great tackles; passion, drama and excitement - A true advert for the Premier League.

There was also plenty of controversy to add into the mix. Owen’s goal in the 96th minute will no doubt have infuriated Mark Hughes, who had just seen Bellamy seemingly rescue a point for his determined outfit.

Speaking of Bellamy, the Welshman scored two fantastic goals but then blotted his copybook with a needless cuff on a pitch invading supporter. The game summed up Bellamy really, he has bags of skill and talent but also struggles to keep his temper in order - there was no need to wander over to the supporter, who was being held by down two stewards, and hit him in the face. Just concentrate on what he is good at.

Though the following week at work will be hard to take for City fans to take, when the dust settles on this extraordinary game they will take heart from the fact they pushed their neighbours so far. United needed to be at their best to beat City on Sunday, something they haven’t needed to be in previous years. I get the feeling it won’t be long before the blue half of Manchester comes out on top in these local tussles.

For the rest of us we can just sit back and enjoy the spectacle, which will go down as one of the greatest games in Premier League history.