Paul Hayward in Telegraph:
‘Sir Alex Ferguson's men came here to continue their rise from the rock bottom of Moss Side. Nov 9, 2002: United are indolent and timid and lose 3-1 at Maine Road. Feb 9, 2003: Arsenal's great rivals have won six League games in a row and are pinning City against the backboard with a sometimes orchestral attacking display.
But then comes the break and United seem to want to play the second half back at Maine Road, their theatre of screams. The goat gets fed and City go back to the sky-blue half of town with their self-esteem vastly enhanced.
Goater's header beat Jamie Cureton's record of 13 seconds. In added time he had the ball in Roy Carroll's net a second time. This time, though, Alan Wiley spotted a handball by Nicolas Anelka before Goater had pounced. Less commendable was the referee's failure to award David Beckham a penalty when the England captain was tripped by David Sommeil moments after Ruud van Nistelrooy had put United ahead.
These Manchester derbies can be vile, but this one was a festival of good football which reflected the passions and philosophies of the managers. Pity so many City fans chanted over a tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster, who perished 45 years ago.’