Ninety minutes later, Manchester City ran out 4-1 winners, ending Villa’s unbeaten record in style, Balotelli scoring an excellent instinctive bicycle kick and with United dropping points at Liverpool, the Blues are solely on top of the English Premiership. At least for a week! Carlos Tevez must be wishing he had come onto the pitch in Munich a few weeks back!

But it’s not the results that are pulling people toward Manchester City these days. It’s the ease as to how they’re getting them. No one can deny that they have had huge financial backing from their owners. But, at this point last year, their wins were grinded 1-0’s with Mancini at the end of loads of criticism. Nowadays, there’s a lot of praise toward the way he has harmonized his team. They look more ‘united’ than they used to.

They still seem to be learning the ropes in Europe, with Villareal’s visit Wednesday night being a new test to this hungry squad, but they seem to be eager for success. The performance against Villa was another example with goals from Mario Balotelli (who is called Super Mario at times), Adam Johnson, Vincent Kompany and a wonderful James Milner strike.

The match of the day was at Anfield for the Liverpool vs. Man United game, and it didn’t fail to offer excitement. A first half that had its chances gave way to a second half that was packed. Liverpool were the most threatening and drew first blood via a Steven Gerrard free kick. Sub Hernandez equalized with a header 7 minutes from time after Ferguson brought him & Rooney on to try and salvage anything from the game.

As expected, the match had its share of hot tempered clashes with United captain Patrice Evra and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez squaring off. Evra has since accused Suarez of racially abusing him while the Uruguayan has denied doing anything of the sort. Liverpool players have asked for Evra to be banned if the inquiry proves to be untrue. We’ll have to wait and see.