Pablo Zabaleta is leaving the derby day revelling to the fans as the Manchester City squad face a crucial Champions League clash in midweek.
Manchester was blue yesterday after City defeated United 1-0 at The Etihad with Sergio Aguero grabbing the vital winner.
It was their first clean sheet in five games and right back Zabaleta was delighted to claim bragging rights over their arch rivals.
He told the BBC: “That’s the game everybody wants to win. We will let our fans enjoy it but we need to keep our feet on the ground and I think we can still improve.
“In the last three games we have not performed well enough. Winning today has got our confidence back.”
City headed into the game nine points adrift of league leaders Chelsea, who defeated QPR 2-1 in a close fought encounter at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Manchester derby got off to a slow start but two yellow cards for United’s Chris Smalling saw him dismissed shortly before half-time.
Aguero scored the only goal after Yaya Toure brilliantly found Gael Clichy, whose cross was met exquisitely by the Argentinian striker.
There were arguably three penalty decisions that could have gone to the home side but referee Michael Oliver waved away the appeals.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “It’s important to have a clean sheet and yes, we had three penalty appeals that were turned down.
“But I don’t want to talk about the decisions that weren’t given because referee’s have a difficult enough job as it is.”
Man of the match Toure was equally forgiving of the referee in a game in which teammate Aguero became the league’s top scorer.
Toure told Sky Sports: “I think in the first half mine (penalty appeal) is definitely a penalty, but it’s tough for the ref to judge and anyone can make a mistake.”
CSKA Moscow head to the Etihad on Wednesday in the Champions League and City must win to keep their hopes of qualifying from Group E alive.
Pellegrini’s men are desperate to juggle their European dream with defending the title but must now rely on Chelsea dropping points.
Pellegrini added: “We have 28 games more to play, which is a lot of points. Nobody can know what will happen.
“I said last week we were in a similar position to last year. Nobody knows how it will finish but we will continue to try and retain our title.”
Image courtesy of MCFCtv via YouTube, with thanks.
