New York City 1 LA Galaxy 0: Frank Lampard wins bragging rights over Steven Gerrard in star-studded MLS clash
David Villa gets the goal as City take the spoils in the battle of the MLS Galacticos
NEW YORK CITY won bragging rights in the battle of the MLS Galacticos.
And it was former Barcelona star David Villa who popped up with the winning goal at the Yankee Stadium.
With Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo on one side, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole the other, the match promised to be a cultured affair, if not a speedy one.
But that didn't stop the game bursting into life from the off.
Just six minutes Villa showed his killer instinct by burying a close-range chance after full-back Ronald Matarrita's shot was half-saved by the keeper.
The marauding Matarrita caused problems again after 15 minutes, controlling Pirlo's pass and forcing a save from Clement Diop.
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Former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong came close for Galaxy and Jelle Van Damme met Gerrard's cross but skied it to keep the visitors behind.
Villa almost added to his strike on a number of occasions in the first half but dogged defending kept him out.
Galaxy came close to an equaliser with Gerrard pulling the strings. The Liverpool legend teed up Diovani dos Santos twice but the ex-Tottenham ace could not hit the target.
After the break Lampard upped his game and almost provided an assist for Jack Harrison, but the winger fired his 66th-minute shot over the bar.
With 20 minutes to go Robbie Keane sprung into life and headed just wide from close range.
City sat deep and absorbed the pressure to ensure they took three points, leaving them top of the Eastern Conference above Toronto FC.
Galaxy are third in the Western division behind FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids.