It started as if a lighted match had been thrown into a firework factory, but petered out like a damp squib on a wet November evening.
It was not so much this latest Manchester derby at Old Trafford, but the effectiveness of the expensive United attack.
City came with a plan to frustrate their richer neighbours and, after some dramatic early scares, it worked to perfection.
As the multi-millionaire forwards piled forward for the Red Devils, the far less expensive Blues backbone of Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin stood like mighty flood defences keeping out the weakening tide.
To add to United's frustration, Alan Smith was sent off by referee Graham Poll in the last minute. After going through Paul Bosvelt to earn a 59th minute booking, Smith clattered into Dunne and was rightly sent off.
United's opening salvo's almost blew City apart. In the fourth minute, Paul Scholes' superb throughball found Louis Saha racing into the City box.
The United striker beat goalkeeper David James, but his mis-hit ten-yard shot was bundled off the line by City youngster Stephen Jordan.
United had a good shout for a penalty turned down seconds later when Saha seemed to be held down by Antoine Sibierski at the far post when he went for Cristiano Ronaldo's deep corner.
City escaped then and enjoyed another close shave a minute later.
Ronaldo's cross from the left saw Smith produce an acrobatic ten-yard effort which was hacked off the line by Danny Mills.
Gabriel Heinze's low 30-yard shot was easily taken by James soon after and City had one of only two chances in the ninth minute.
Sibierski's cross from the left picked out Nicolas Anelka coming in behind Mikael Silvestre on the far side of the United penalty area, but the Frenchman headed tamely wide from 12 yards.
United continued to enjoy the bulk of possession, but City's well-organised defence and midfield left them frustrated.
Saha and Smith had half-chances and City had some luck in the 38th minute.
Another pinpoint Scholes pass found Ronaldo on the right and he rolled the ball inside for Smith, whose shot from inside the City box was saved by James with his heel as he went the wrong way.
United brought on Ryan Giggs for the ineffective Liam Miller at the start of the second half and James had one of those uncertain moments when he almost made a hash of taking a Saha cross.
City were rescued by a spectacular goal-line clearance from Steve McManaman after 63 minutes.
Giggs and Ronaldo created an opening for Smith, whose goalbound shot from 12 yards was cleared off the City line by the former England winger.
United were to squander another gilt-edged opportunity six minutes later.
Saha's beautifully measured pass found Giggs free inside the City box, but he fired wide with only James to beat.
United brought on Wayne Rooney for Scholes in the 77th minute, and it was City who could have snatched a dramatic victory three minutes from time.
Shaun Wright-Phillips found McManaman free on the right side of the United box, but he blasted his shot well over the bar when he at least should have put the effort on target.