A former derby foe had the final say in what will go down as one of the most highly-entertaining Manchester derbies of all-time as Manchester United edged City 4-3 at Old Trafford.
Many people thought that it would have been Carlos Tevez that would have his say in the outcome against his former employers, but it was a player from the real United derby who took all the plaudits.
In the seventh minute of injury time, former Liverpool legend, Michael Owen, slipped in behind the City back four to poke the ball home deep into stoppage time in front of the Stretford End to give United a deserved derby day victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson looks to have come up trumps again with the signing of another controversial player.
Many pundits have called this managerial gamble for the Scot, by signing the often-injured English international, but like many times before, he has always had an eye for that special player.
In reality Owen has been a proven goal scorer at the highest levels of football for years, and will be used at Ferguson's leisure, and with no real pressure to succeed, the confidence of the most successful manager in English football, he has no way not to excel.
Follies
United looked to be cruising another derby victory after Wayne Rooney gave them the lead in the 2nd minute, but they were pegged back by what can only be called an inexcusable error by Ben Foster.
That mistake not only let City back into the match, but it also took the wind out of the United sails.
The goalkeeper was hesitant in dealing with a loose ball, and United paid the ultimate price as Carlos Tevez gathered the loose ball and found an unmarked Gareth Barry to slide the ball into an empty net.
Foster has to be also questioned for his decision to come out against for City's third goal as he was easily beaten by Craig Bellamy's dribbler at the near post.
United looked to have solved their goalkeeping carousel with Edwin van der Sar, but it looks like the search for an eventual replacement will go round and round again.
Since van der Sar has been out with a broken hand, Ferguson has made Foster his first-choice 'keeper, but with numerous calamities in both his ability to deal with crosses, positioning and lack of kicking questions are being raised about him being United's No. 1.
United fans will not be completely surprised if they see Tomasz Kuszczak get a run out in the next United fixture against Wolverhampton in the Carling Cup.
Torment
The former United player was booed every time he touched the ball, but he had typical display and was a menace for the United backline.
Tevez turned provider for City's first goal, was booked for a cynical challenge on Rio Ferdinand, hit the post in the first half, but in the second half he went missing for periods and showed that he is lacking match-fitness.
Who
City were being rocked by United during a long spell in the second half, and Mark Hughes had no repost in how to deal with the United pressure.
Both Craig Bellamy and Tevez insisted to their manager to put Steven Ireland back in the middle to provide coverage for the back four, and Hughes listened.
Hughes came out in the media and stated that City were the inform team, and United have not played well this season. He said that United have failed to recover from the departures of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez, and could he have been more wrong.
Top
United were on top for most of the game, and could have settled the match midway through the second half if it wasn't for some goalkeeping heroics by Shea Given.
If it were not for defensive errors and mental breakdowns, this match could have a more definitive outcome and City would have been left blue in the face. City were gifted two goals - the previously mentioned errors by Foster, mental let down by Ferdinand, but thankfully for United the sum of the parts are greater than the individuals.
Most teams would have easily succumbed to the pressure of the derby, but with the guidance and self-belief that is bestowed upon on the United players by Sir Alex, there was no question that they were going to fight until the final whistle!
City may have money to invest in top players now to compete for honors, but they still have a long way to go to prove that they are in United's class!
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