FA Cup Semi Final - Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United

Thanks to a good friend who happened to have the Wembley debenture, I was able to attend the FA Cup Semi final, in the Bobby Moore club area with my 10 year old son. As City fans, given our recent form against United it is fair to say, I approached with a degree of trepidation. My wife dropped us off by Brent Town hall at 4pm and we commenced the walk to Wembley. As we walked down, we saw a huge group of United flats "celebrating" on a green outside some flats. They were in high spirits, drinking lager, letting off flares, singing obscene songs about City and how they were going to stuff them as usual. Then past the pub at the top of the Wembley approach. Again not a City fan in sight. Matt asked "Do you think any City fans are coming?" I reassurred him "Yes, we'll have just as many in the stadium". Again more celebration.

As we walked up Wembley way to the stadium, the City fans started to appear. To me, nothing is better than the feeling of approaching the stadium. The smells of the burger vans, the tense energy, the banter. Wembley has one of the best approaches in the world, it looms large over you. Again the United fans were celebratory, the City fans discernably tenser. The noise from inside the stadium again rose as we approached. One young lad, possibly 12 years old, broke away from the United fans (walking on the left) to abuse a young city fan the same age on the right. The City fan responded with "Piss off you chav" and the United lad disappeared back into the red mob.

We arrived at the Bobby Moore Club entrance. Unlike the rest of the stadium, the Bobby Moore club is a "Neutral Zone" - no team shirts. As such a rather odd atmosphere pervaded. The odd scarf, logo'd T-shirt. I had a pint of Carlsberg, Matt had a medium coke and we shared 10 mini donuts. That set us back £10.80. I really object to the way fans are fleeced at such events. It is truly obscene to blatently rip people off.

Having savoured them in the lounge, we made our way to our seats. We were at the very top of the Bobby Moore club area, back row. Above us was the corporate area. As I looked up, I couldn't believe my eyes, standing right behind me were City legends Gary Owen and Tony Book. I instinctively waved to Gary, who immediately came over and started chatting. Not only was he one of the best footballers of his generation, Gary is a true footballing man and a die hard City fan. When I told him that it was Matt's first derby, he said "Well today you are going to see City beat United at Wembley. You are our lucky mascot". Gary told us that he thought the idea that the fans in the Bobby Moore area were neutral was crazy. He said "how can you be neutral when City play United". Gary, like me clearly couldn't relax. He predicted "This is the day that we beat them and we move on to the next phase at this club".  Suddenly the mystery of where all the City fans were, became clear.Rather than standing in pubs or on grass verges quaffing lager by the gallon, they'd got to the ground early to soak up the atmosphere. Maybe the United fans are jaded by their success, but the party atmosphere in the ground in the City end (flags, inflatable bananas, celebratory songs) marked a huge contrast. Matt commented that the City fans certainly seemed to know how to enjoy themselves.

As the game started, United dominated the early exchanges. Joe Hart saved City when Berbatov was clean through. Ten seconds later, Berbatov, put it over the bar from two yards out. I said to Matt "I think it might be our day". After about 30 minutes, Zabaletta put a great tackle in. That seemed to lift City and they started to play. Barry hit the side netting, Balotelli forced a great save from Van Der Sar. The half ended with City on top.

At half time, Gary Owen, who couldn't sit still came over for another chat. I said "I think we'll do it, possibly two/nil" Gary responded "No, one goal will do it, I think we'll score at around the hour" (proof, if ever it was needed that Gary Owen knows more about football than Rog T). The half started, City came out and started to boss the game. The players had the belief that was lacking in the first half hour. United players were being hassled and harried. On 52  minutes the pressure paid off. Yaya Toure capitalised on a Carrick mistake. Beating Vidic, he put the ball through Van Der Sar's legs. City suddenly seemed to be playing as if they had an extra man. United were hassled and harried and hardly got a look in. The only real scare came when the hassling got  a bit too exhuberant. Nani took a fantastic free kick. Joe Hart showed why he's undisputedly England No 1, tipping the ball onto the post.

On 73 minutes, United went down to 10 men , when a rash Scholes tackle on Zabaleta earned him a red card. I suspect Scholes new the game was up and didn't fancy hanging around till the end. Normally when United are down, the last 10 minutes is  a surge of attacks, wave upon wave. They seemed strangely muted.  When the ref announced 5 mins of extra time, there was a cheer from the Red end, but in truth they'd already started heading for the exit.

When the whistle blew, the City end erupted. Gary Owen vaulted over the barrier from the corporate area to be closer to the real City fans. Passing, we shook hands and he said "See you at the final". We sang Blue Moon and joined in to a Slade track on the PA. The City fans applauded the Team. The Team applauded the fans. I said to Matt "Enjoy this, these moments don't come along too often".

Then we left the Stadium, as we descended the walkway towards Wembley park, a group of middle aged United fans (probably about six people) ran towards the City fans and started fighting. The City fans by and large didn't react, other than to defend themselves. People shouted "Where's the Police" and others shouted "We've won, they can't take it". Suddenly a group of police stormed up. Given that the United fans were not wearing any colours, I've no idea if they got caught. It all seemed rather pathetic. Many City fans had children, and one guy said to me "You''d think at their age they'd know better". Sadly I think some people never will.

As we walked back to the 302 bus stop at Blackbird Hill, we walked past the spot where the United fans had been celebrating earlier, letting off flares. All that remained was a sea of plastic bags, beer cans and other detritus. It seemed to sum up their day. Looking at the forlorn mess, Matt commented to me "Now I know why you don't like Man United fans" - Indeed.