City joy as United stay winless

Even the normally ice-cool Swede allowed himself an extra smile of satisfaction at the result of a perfect smash-and-grab raid which maintained City's 100% start.

Brazilian import Geovanni was the Blues' matchwinner, his rasping 31st-minute effort flying in off Nemanja Vidic. But City's real hero was teenage England defender Micah Richards, who barely put a foot wrong, producing a string of fine tackles and interceptions which emphasised just why he is regarded as the number one young player in the country.

In the entire first 45 minutes there was virtually nothing to worry Ferguson as he looked to emphasise his managerial superiority over a man with whom he clashed so often during Eriksson's five-and-a-half years with England.

Carlos Tevez was a constant threat, with Richards requiring all his lauded speed and agility to get City out of trouble. Twice Richards brushed Tevez aside in a one-on-one foot race for possession and it was his tackle which launched the move which eventually saw City seize the initiative.

As Ferguson is only too aware, a failure to make superiority count can prove very costly indeed, and his heart must have sank as his defenders stood off Geovanni when the Brazilian collected a short pass from fellow countryman Elano 30 yards out.

Nemanja Vidic made a belated attempt to close the midfielder down but turned his back on the shot, which flicked off his legs and flew past Edwin van der Sar.

After the break Richards' continued to deny United. Ryan Giggs drilled in a low cross from the left and either Paul Scholes or Tevez seemed certain to score, yet the teenager somehow muscled his way between them and cleared magnificently.

It was turning into the most one-sided defeat imaginable, with City pressed almost exclusively into their own half, Chris Eagles' introduction for Nani only increasing United's attacking momentum.

There was just one last chance at salvation as John O'Shea swung over an injury-time corner. A yard out, on his own at the far post, Tevez seemed destined to score. Ferguson was already celebrating when the striker's header went wide. It was that type of afternoon for United.