Hi °C | Lo °C TOM Cruise witnessed the 'Battle of Manchester' as City's bid to retain their Premier League crown become almost mission impossible.
The Hollywood star travelled to the Etihad Stadium to watch the crunch match between champions City and the current leaders of the Premier League, Manchester United -- the local rivals -- yesterday
Excited
Always a maverick, the American actor said he had been watching English football since the 1980s but admitted: "This is the first game that I've seen in England.
"I've been following it since the '80s, so I'm just excited that I'm able to be here."
The Jerry Maguire actor is friends with David Beckham and he revealed the former England captain had sent him a message ahead of the game.
"I got an email from him, he's jealous that I'm here," Cruise added.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has apologised to Rio Ferdinand after he was hit above the left eye by a two-pence coin thrown from the crowd near the end of the heated derby clash.
The club said it "unreservedly condemns" the incident which took place as the defender celebrated his team's last-gasp winner in their 3-2 victory.
Blood
With blood pouring down his face there was more controversy when a City supporter ran on to the pitch to confront Ferdinand.
The fan slipped and fell as he approached the player and then England and City keeper Joe Hart stepped in to separate the pair and restrain the pitch invader, who was eventually arrested.
Police are scouring CCTV footage at the stadium in a bid to trace the coin-throwing culprit as the Football Association (FA) said it had launched its own inquiry.
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