? ? Sports Man U's poor start continues as City win derby (Reuters) Updated: 2007-08-2 ? ? Sports Man U's poor start continues as City win derby (Reuters) Updated: 2007-08-20 11:27 LONDON - Manchester United's stuttering start to the defence of the Premier League title became a full-blown slump on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City. Manchester United's Carlos Tevez reacts after a missed opportunity against Manchester City during their English Premier League soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Aug. 19, 2007.[Reuters]? The win, courtesy of Geovanni's 31st minute shot, left Sven-Goran Eriksson's City top of the league with a maximum nine points and looking down on their rivals who languish just above the bottom three with two points. It is United's worst start to a Premier League season since 1992 when they managed only one point from their opening three matches. It is also the worst start by any defending champions. The only good news for United was that all their chief title rivals dropped points. Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield, Frank Lampard's harshly-awarded penalty cancelling out Fernando Torres' first goal for Liverpool, while Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers. "We really should have sewn the game up even before they'd crossed the halfway line. We've only got ourselves to blame -- let's make no mistake about that," United manager Alex Ferguson told the club's Web site (www.manutd.com). An untidy Manchester derby at Eastlands was settled after 31 minutes by Geovanni, one of the numerous foreign signings made by former England boss Eriksson since taking charge last month. The Brazilian midfielder delivered a low swerving shot that skimmed off the shin of United defender Nemanja Vidic before nestling inside the post. It was one of the few City attacks in a match dominated by a United side missing the injured Wayne Rooney and suspended Cristiano Ronaldo but including Owen Hargreaves in midfield for the first time since signing from Bayern Munich. United wasted numerous chances with Nani failing to beat City keeper Kasper Schmeichel, son of United great Peter, in the opening minutes. Patrice Evra and Carlos Tevez squandered opportunities and Vidic also headed against the crossbar for the champions. Eriksson, enjoying a dream start to his return to English football, praised his defenders for a resolute performance. "Today we defended very well, our back line and goalkeeper were fantastic," the Swede told the BBC. "I'm very happy, nine points and three clean sheets. "We'll enjoy the night but the season is very long ... today we had a bit of luck." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez described the decision of referee Rob Styles to award Chelsea a penalty as "unbelievable" after watching his side pegged back. ?? ?? 1?? 2?? ?? ?? ?? 1?? 2?? ?? Top Sport News ? * Brazil break duck with Robinho hat-trick * China coach tries to save job in Asian Cup * NFL hopes its game doesn't get lost in translation in China * Late starters face uphill task in China * LA Galaxy to present Beckham on July 13 Today's Top News ? * 'Slim' hopes of survival for 181 trapped miners * Sepat sweeps NW after killing 19 * Unsafe sex major cause of HIV infection * Poll: Family ties key to youth happiness * 15 killed as Sepat wreaks havoc Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours 20071125 http://www.hellomandarin.net 0 11:27 LONDON - Manchester United's stuttering start to the defence of the Premier League title became a full-blown slump on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City. Manchester United's Carlos Tevez reacts after a missed opportunity against Manchester City during their English Premier League soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Aug. 19, 2007.[Reuters]? The win, courtesy of Geovanni's 31st minute shot, left Sven-Goran Eriksson's City top of the league with a maximum nine points and looking down on their rivals who languish just above the bottom three with two points. It is United's worst start to a Premier League season since 1992 when they managed only one point from their opening three matches. It is also the worst start by any defending champions. The only good news for United was that all their chief title rivals dropped points. Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield, Frank Lampard's harshly-awarded penalty cancelling out Fernando Torres' first goal for Liverpool, while Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers. "We really should have sewn the game up even before they'd crossed the halfway line. We've only got ourselves to blame -- let's make no mistake about that," United manager Alex Ferguson told the club's Web site (www.manutd.com). An untidy Manchester derby at Eastlands was settled after 31 minutes by Geovanni, one of the numerous foreign signings made by former England boss Eriksson since taking charge last month. The Brazilian midfielder delivered a low swerving shot that skimmed off the shin of United defender Nemanja Vidic before nestling inside the post. It was one of the few City attacks in a match dominated by a United side missing the injured Wayne Rooney and suspended Cristiano Ronaldo but including Owen Hargreaves in midfield for the first time since signing from Bayern Munich. United wasted numerous chances with Nani failing to beat City keeper Kasper Schmeichel, son of United great Peter, in the opening minutes. Patrice Evra and Carlos Tevez squandered opportunities and Vidic also headed against the crossbar for the champions. Eriksson, enjoying a dream start to his return to English football, praised his defenders for a resolute performance. "Today we defended very well, our back line and goalkeeper were fantastic," the Swede told the BBC. "I'm very happy, nine points and three clean sheets. "We'll enjoy the night but the season is very long ... today we had a bit of luck." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez described the decision of referee Rob Styles to award Chelsea a penalty as "unbelievable" after watching his side pegged back. ?? ?? 1?? 2?? ?? ?? ?? 1?? 2?? ?? Top Sport News ? * Brazil break duck with Robinho hat-trick * China coach tries to save job in Asian Cup * NFL hopes its game doesn't get lost in translation in China * Late starters face uphill task in China * LA Galaxy to present Beckham on July 13 Today's Top News ? * 'Slim' hopes of survival for 181 trapped miners * Sepat sweeps NW after killing 19 * Unsafe sex major cause of HIV infection * Poll: Family ties key to youth happiness * 15 killed as Sepat wreaks havoc Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours 20071125 http://www.hellomandarin.net