The Mancs might seem imposing, and they certainly hammered on the Dawgs’ door in an at-times desperate attacking performance, but the visitors walked away from the Singapore derby with the stronger aura. Williams buried an early shot and Conte’s men focused on defence from there, with Alba in particular doing fine work. Allegri’s side flashed and thundered but never came especially close to overturning it. The Dawgs may yet have a say in the race for second.

By Jim Weikum, Mayor of Biwabik, MN