Chief football writer at Eastlands
Manchester City and Manchester United fought out a dour derby that failed to live up to expectations at Eastlands.
United were the more composed side as they extended their unbeaten Premier League start to 12 games - but the failure to capitalise on a greater share of possession meant Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table to four points, courtesy of their win against Fulham.
Roberto Mancini's Manchester City lacked craft and guile, failing to seriously trouble United's defence, although the tireless Carlos Tevez brought a fine first-half save from Edwin van der Sar with a 20-yard free-kick.
United's best chances came when Patrice Evra burst into the area only to shoot straight at Joe Hart, while Dimitar Berbatov also tested the City keeper with an overhead kick after the break.
Sir Alex Ferguson, without Ryan Giggs in a Manchester derby for the first time in 19 years, will be satisfied with United's overall display, but may regard it as a opportunity lost given his side's superiority on the ball.
City, for their part, could never exert any authority, despite the hard running of Tevez, although the late - arguably too late - introduction of Adam Johnson almost created a winner for Pablo Zabaleta, who wasted a presentable opening. more
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