Manchester: In a city that's more used to a sea of red during title celebrations, it was blue confetti that fell over the streets of Manchester on Monday.
About 100,000 fans packed the streets as Manchester City paraded the Premier League trophy through the city to celebrate their first English title in 44 years. Blue and white ticker-tape and streamers rained down on the team bus as City players showed off the trophy they had wrestled away from crosstown rivals Manchester United in nailbiting fashion a day earlier.
Supporters climbed lamp posts, jostled for position on roof tops and walls, and fathers held children on their shoulders to catch a glimpse of the City players aboard an open-top bus.
"Days like this are why we came to City and it's just fantastic," said City midfielder Gareth Barry, one of many high-priced players who joined the team in the last few years after it was bought up by wealthy Abu Dhabi owners. "Our fans have always been amazing and they're showing it here today. I've got memories I'll treasure for the rest of my career."
While the celebrations were in full force in Manchester's main square, United's dejected players were arriving at an end-of-season dinner that had an unusually solemn mood — two contrasting images that showed just how much the football landscape has changed in the northwestern city.
How close, though, United came to being the team celebrating.
When the match clock hit 90 minutes at City on Sunday, it appeared United would be retaining the Premier League trophy. United were leading 1-0 at Sunderland and City, who only had to match United's result to win, were losing 2-1 to Queens Park Rangers.
It all changed in two, breathtaking minutes in stoppage time at City. Edin Dzeko headed in City's equalizer in the second additional minute and then, after United's game had just finished at Sunderland and the podium was being prepared for the trophy presentation, Sergio Aguero produced a title-winning goal for City.
"One moment you think you've won the title," United striker Wayne Rooney said on Monday night at the club's awards' dinner. "It's heartbreaking for all."
Not for fans in the blue half of Manchester, who have spent most of their lives in the shadow of their more illustrious neighbours, but now finally have reason to hope for their own dynasty.
"It's been an emotional roller-coaster," City fan John Wilkinson said. "My son was upset yesterday because he thought we lost and he would have go into school and face the United fans. I have followed City since the early 90s so when it went 2-1 I was really down and thought we had blown it. I can't put into words what this means."
And there's no reason to think City's successes will end here.
After enduring relegations and financial chaos while United won 12 of the last 19 English titles, the "noisy neighbours" derided by Ferguson have used their new-found wealth to overtake United as the country's top club.
An unprecedented $1 billion has been spent by Abu Dhabi's Sheik Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan overhauling the City squad since he bought the club three years ago.
Meanwhile, a more frugal approach exists at Old Trafford, where United's moneymaking might is not always reflected in the cash spent strengthening the squad.
That's unlikely to change even after this setback, as Ferguson insists he doesn't have to spend millions improving the team.
"We know City will spend fortunes, stupid money and pay silly salaries and all that," Ferguson said. "We will look at we can do and attract players here for the right reasons."
City still have a long way to go to match the overall success of United, who missed out on a 20th English title on Sunday as City collected their third.
"The history of our club stands us aside," Ferguson said. "We don't need to worry about that. I think we have a rich history, better than anyone and it'll take them a century to get to our level of history."
But the City trophy cabinet could start filling quickly in the coming years, the club likely to target the Champions League title next season as well.
"I hope City will become a great club in the world," midfielder Yaya Toure said.
It remains to be seen whether Carlos Tevez will be part of the team's future, however, as the Argentina striker spent much of the season away from the team after falling out with manager Roberto Mancini. He was eventually welcomed back and helped the club erase an eight-point deficit to United in the standings over the final months.
Tevez has been an extra source of bitterness between the two clubs after he left United in 2009, unhappy with the playing time that Ferguson was giving him.
When it was his turn to celebrate on Monday, he couldn't help but cause a bit of extra controversy as well.
As City's bus rolled through the city, Tevez was caught on camera raising a placard which read, "R.I.P. Fergie," taunting his former manager with a clear message that he thinks Ferguson's successful era is now over.
City did not appreciate that gesture, however, and issued a public apology to Ferguson, saying "Carlos has made a significant error of judgment."
The 70-year-old Ferguson, meanwhile, said he has no plans to surrender quietly to City.
"They know I'm not going away," he said.
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