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Manchester United's worrying start to the defence of their Premiership title turned into a crisis when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City this morning (NZ time).
The result left Sven-Goran Eriksson's City top of the league with a maximum nine points and looking down on their rivals
who languish just outside the bottom three with two points.
It is United's worst start to a Premier League season since 1992 when they managed just one point from their opening three matches. It is also the worst start by any defending champions.
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 broke into space and 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 should have taken the lead in the opening minutes when Carlos Tevez and Paul Scholes combined to release Nani but his finish lacked conviction and was smothered by City keeper Kasper Schmeichel, son of United great Peter.
Patrice Evra wasted another chance for United after a Nani back heel as United dominated the early exchanges, only to be stunned by Geovanni's opener in City's first attack.
After the break Tevez glanced a close range shot just wide from a Ryan Giggs cross, Vidic headed against the crossbar and Tevez missed another late chance to grab his first United goal since joining from West Ham.
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 sesson is very long... today we had a bit of luck."
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Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann continued his nightmare start to the season with a second-half error to gift Blackburn's David Dunn an equaliser in a stormy 1-1 draw.
Lehmann, whose mistake allowed Fulham to score at the Emirates last weekend, let Dunn's long-range strike to slip through his grasp and cancel out Robin van Persie's first-half opener.
The game also saw Rovers' New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen sent off (for a second yellow-card offence) and no fewer than nine yellow cards issued.
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And England star Frank Lampard salvaged a point for Chelsea after Fernando Torres scored his first goal for Liverpool in a tempestuous 1-all clash at Anfield.
Lampard equalised for Chelsea with a penalty won by Florent Malouda, who was fouled by Steve Finnan.
That decision was contested by the Reds in a pulsating but niggly match that also saw a plethora - eight - of yellow cards handed out.
- REUTERS
