The England full-back had perhaps his best game for City as he caused havoc down the right-hand flank – but only after getting to grips with Reds’ winger Ashley Young.
“Yeah it was an amazing day and I was up against Ashley,” said Micah. “He got around me a few times in the first five minutes and I knew I was in for a battle.
“He’s not the fastest player, but he’s intelligent and good with the ball. He’s got a low centre of gravity and feigns to go one way and then goes the other. After those five minutes, I thought ‘I’m not having this. You shall not pass!’ and I probably got the better of him after that.”
Micah was voted man-of-the-match by several pundits despite not being among the scorers, but he believes the star of the game was actually Mario Balotelli.
“I thought Mario was outstanding,” he said. “ Just when you want your striker to score, he scored and took the pressure of us at the right time.
“To score two in a derby is amazing, it just shows his quality. In the game coming up we need to take our chances at the right time, too.”
Roberto Mancini has been pictured reacting angrily to missed City chances in recent games – even when the Blues have been comfortably ahead – Micah understands the reasons behind the manager’s frustration.
“I think you’ve seen the manager in the last few games going mad when we haven’t scored some easy chances, but that’s because he knows it could go down to goal difference,” he said..
We have to finish our chances. If it does come down to goal difference an easy chance could be the difference between winning the title - or losing it
...Micah Richards
“I think that’s why he gets so agitated when we do miss them, but having said that, I think the strikers have done very well this season.
“Sergio Aguero has been outstanding and I think he should have got PFA Young Player of the Year. Even though Kyle Walker’s had his breakthrough season and has got into the England squad, he’s actually a good mate of mine and I’m happy for him - even though we’re competing for the same position.
“I think Sergio has been outstanding. Sometimes it’s hard for a striker to come in and do well right away, but he’s got over 20 goals – you can’t ask for more than that and he will be vital for us on Monday night.”
