JOLEON LESCOTT knows the exact day when the balance of power in Manchester finally started to shift.
The former England defender played in some huge derbies during his successful five-year stint at the Etihad.
Joleon Lescott can see just when the balance of power in Manchester started shiftingCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Who can forget the 6-1 at Old Trafford in October 2011, or the Vincent Kompany winner six months later which put City on the brink of the title?
Lescott also recalls a Community Shield at Wembley at the start of the same season when his team got a wake-up call they needed as they let a 2-0 half-time lead slip.
But the key one that sticks in his mind above all is the FA Cup semi-final almost ten years ago when Yaya Toure scored the second-half winner.
City proved that day they were more than just United’s ‘Noisy Neighbours’ — and were a genuine threat to the Red Devils.
They have capitalised on it, too, winning 11 major domestic trophies since and — crucially for their fans who suffered for so long — have finished above United for the last seven Premier League seasons.
Ahead of tomorrow’s latest derby, Lescott believes it is United who need that kind of pivotal day if they are to re-establish themselves as the top dogs in the town.
He said: “It’s City at the moment in Manchester. It’s been six or seven years for United’s decline, if you want to call it that.
“City have been on the rise for longer obviously, the dominant force in domestic competitions for ten years. No one can say otherwise.
Almost ten years ago Yaya Toure was the matchwinner as City beat United in an FA Cup semi-final
“The progression at City had to coincide with United’s decline because you can’t have two teams who are the best, can you?”
Lescott and his team-mates snatched the Premier League title off United on the final day of an epic race in May 2012.
But he feels the standout moment in the battle for local bragging rights came 13 months before that.
The former Everton centre-back said: “Everyone remembers the one Vinny scored the goal in, the one we needed to win to get control at the top of the table.
“Personally I’d say just as important for different reasons were a couple of other games against United.
“One was that FA Cup semi-final. That was a real shift in belief as a club — for us as players and the fans, but also for them.
“I think they realised then we weren’t just the ‘noisy neighbours’, we were a real threat.
“United’s record in semi-finals at the time was top. So I think that was a real turning point. And it really propelled us.”
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It is hard to believe given what has happened since but United fans used to have a banner in the Stretford End which showed how many years it was since City last won a trophy.
Much to the frustration of the blue side of town it had reached 35.
Positive change was happening at their club following the Abu Dhabi takeover but new signings were being accused of only coming to the Etihad for money.
However, their Wembley success proved pivotal.
TV pundit Lescott, 38, recalled: “That day was a just a massive moment and turning point for this club. The 35 years of no trophies, the way we did it.
“We beat Stoke in the final but beating United on the way to that and getting over the hurdle of winning that trophy was huge for us as a group of players.
“At that time we were still deemed as not being there to compete for trophies, everyone said it was all money-motivated.
“Winning that trophy kiboshed that theory, so it was huge for us and the club.
“As much as people said that and probably believed that at the time, it has been diluted tenfold since because of the success the club has had.”
Paul Pogba’s agent has said his player is ‘done’ at UnitedCredit: Reuters
How different things are these days.
Pep Guardiola’s men have won six major trophies in the last three seasons, plus two Community Shields.
In that same period United have won none at all.
Lescott says winning at Old Trafford tomorrow could potentially be a huge moment for United and their under-fire boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian needs a victory to lift the spirits after their disastrous Champions League exit in midweek.
But for City, it would just be another three points — and Lescott makes them big favourites to get them.
Manchester City will be big favourites against bitter rivals UnitedCredit: EPA
He said: “In the current situation, with the greatest respect, it would be more of a surprise if United win.
“It would potentially do more for them to win this game than it would for City, in terms of where they see themselves.
“I don’t want to sound disrespectful or complacent but with City being favourites and expected to win, it’s only a reward in the short term.
“I think United, with the pressure on the manager, would see it as a different sort of victory than we would.
“For a few years now, going into most derbies, City have been the favourites and rightly so. I don’t see it any different this weekend.
“It’s a local derby but with the way City have galvanised their form, unbeaten in the last few games, I’d have to back them.
“The confidence levels should be at opposite ends of the scale after this week.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
