United remembered the Busby Babes but, perhaps overcome by the occasion, they were unable to emulate the glorious team lost in the Munich air disaster 50 years ago.

City, who observed the minute's silence with admirable respect, then proceeded to win 2-1 at Old Trafford for the first time since Denis Law backheeled United to relegation in 1974.

Now, places in City folklore beckon for Darius Vassell and Benjani Mwaruwari as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side completed an unlikely double over their neighbours.

Alex Ferguson had thought City were the worst possible visitors to Old Trafford on such an emotional occasion.

So they proved, but for very different reasons.

Eriksson excelled with his game plan, as did his players in their execution of it.

Richard Dunne and Micah Richards were defiance personified at the heart of their defence, while Dietmar Hamann performed the anchor midfielder's duties with typical intelligence.

Martin Petrov provided them with the cutting edge United lacked.

The players emerged to the sound of a solitary man on the bagpipes, Ferguson and Eriksson laid wreaths in the centre circle and a minute's silence was observed perfectly and respectfully.

This was United, a club displaying respect.

The sole criticism that could be levelled at City was that, while the players waited in the tunnel, there was a chorus of 'If you hate Man United, clap your hands'.

It was ill-advised but, thankfully, the more objectionable Munich taunts were not aired.

In any case, the City supporters had plenty of other things to sing about.

The first goal came from incisive counter-attacking. Petrov, a threat throughout, directed his pass through the United defence for the on-rushing Stephen Ireland.

Although Edwin van der Sar came out to block, the rebound fell to Vassell. His first shot struck the goalkeeper in the chest, but the second was dispatched into the empty net.

Petrov's wonderful left foot created the second goal, too. His inswinging cross required the merest flick from Benjani to steer it into the far corner.

It presented City's new striker with a debut goal. And, while the African may struggle to stay awake for flights on transfer-deadline day, he had fewer problems adjusting to his new teammates.

'He comes from Zimbabwe, he scores on derby day,' sang City's quick-witted fans.

As a mark of remembrance, United's players wore a special 1950s-style kit, devoid of advertising and harking back to an era before squad numbers.

Carlos Tevez, therefore, forsook his usual No 32 to wear, as the late Tommy Taylor used to, No 9.

The Argentinian swivelled to unleash a volley that Joe Hart parried well, just as City's young goalkeeper tipped over a rising effort from Ryan Giggs earlier on.

Instead, United were left to regret the dive that brought Wayne Rooney his fifth booking of the season at Tottenham last week.

Rooney remains unbeaten in club football this season, but United suffered a fourth Premier League defeat in his absence.

Without him, Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani alternated as the support striker behind Tevez, but none to any great effect.

And, with Ronaldo enduring a rare off-day, his teammates were unable to supply the required inspiration.

Tevez did manage to defeat Hart once, but the offside flag had been raised before the United forward turned in Paul Scholes' deflected shot.

Giggs later whistled a shot across the face of goal and wide.

United remained surprisingly subdued throughout the second half, until Michael Carrick scored an injury-time consolation goal.

So it amounted to an anti-climactic afternoon for United, but not for City, who halted their slide down the table and prevented their local rivals from returning to the summit.

And, if the title ends up at the Emirates Stadium this season, Arsenal will owe City a debt of gratitude.

stsports@sph.com.sg

WHAT TIMING

'When I saw what the fixture was at this time, at the beginning of the season, I said 'who the hell chose that?''
ALEX FERGUSON, before yesterday's match