Rejoicing in joy of the real English derby

Y’SEE?! Y’SEE?! Now you can understand why I always pour so much pre-hype into these encounters.

Never mind yer Glasgows (too sectarian), Liverpools (too incestuous) or Milans (too poncey): when all the combustible ingredients are properly mixed, there’s nothing like Manchester aflame anywhere on planet football.

I previewed Sunday last week as ‘the first Manchester derby in memory that the whole world wants to see’ and I am parochially thrilled that our city collectively produced such absurdly dramatic entertainment.