Manchester United's advantage on the left flank kept growing, while Manchester City's counterattacks became increasingly dangerous.
After the scoreline shifted, the tactical duel between O'Neill and Ferguson intensified, turning the clash between the Red Devils and the Blues into a fierce, high-stakes battle.
In the forty-third minute of the first half, Giggs whipped in a cross from the left. Yorke moved into position for the strike, but his shot was intercepted by Stanković deep in defense. Without hesitation, the Serbian launched a counterattack with a precise through ball to the sprinting Lampard.
Lampard took one touch, then sent a perfectly timed pass to Ronaldo. With the outside of his boot, Ronaldo flicked the ball diagonally toward Ronaldinho, who was cutting in from the left. The Brazilian maestro controlled it effortlessly, lifted his head, and slid a delicate pass through the gap between United's defensive lines toward the right.
