Both sides of the city will now have to slum-it in the Europa League which I’m sure raised a smirk or two from Arsene Wenger on Wednesday night.

At least City were braced to go out of the Champions League after struggling in their early matches.

But United seemed to assume it was their divine right to sail through to the knock-out stages.

Unfortunately those pesky Swiss hadn’t read the script and had the temerity to not only compete, but actually beat, the Red Devils.

It was all too much for ITV’s ludicrously partisan commentators who were still burbling about the chances of “another stunning United comeback” as the referee blew the final whistle.

Sir Alex looked bemused as his gum chewing went into overdrive at the thought of Thursday night football on Channel 5.

At least United can now concentrate on the league where they’ll need their traditional post-Christmas push to overhaul City at the top.

They may just have enough this time round but the balance of power is drifting and City’s cash will see them in the ascendancy for a while to come.

Mancini’s men travel to a revitalised Chelsea this week where the players and manager seem to have settled on a system which suits them both.

Their instant revival may have caught the bookies napping again because Chelsea are available at 6/4 in Monday’s big match against Man City.

It’s not often you see the Blues that big at home so we’ll dive in and bank on Villas Boas sticking with his tactical changes and toughing out a tight win against the visitors.

Didier Drogba is on fire at the moment and he makes a bit of appeal at 6/1 against a back four that could struggle with the Ivorian’s raw power.

It was back to earth with a bump with West Ham on Saturday who had a great chance to go top of the league.

Of course we blew it and surrendered a lead to Burnley to limp-off losing 2-1.

The only saving grace was the fact I’d blagged a ticket in the Chairman’s Suite so at least I suffered in style.

Now I love the old days of the terraces and all that but  you can’t beat a nice meal, a glass or two of something decent and most important – padded seats.

I should have known the result was written when the Hammers chairman David Sullivan told us how confident he was of a win.

With tips like that he could get a job on Betting Spy.

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