• New York Red Bulls earn impressive 3-1 Major League Soccer victory against New York City FC 
• Tommy McNamara gave his side an early lead with a sixth minute strike
• Bradley Wright-Phillips pulled Red Bulls level with a brilliant finish just after half-time
• Chris Duvall completes Red Bulls comeback just minutes after Wright-Phillips’ leveller 
• Matt Miazga scored his first career goal to hand Red Bulls a commanding 3-1 lead 
• Chelsea legend Frank Lampard was in attendance ahead of his first game for New York City 
• New York City target Andrea Pirlo’s pitchside appearance all but confirmed his move from Juventus  
• Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was also in the crowd as the Welshman enjoys a holiday in New York  

By

Steve Brenner For Mailonline

Published:
22:55 GMT, 28 June 2015

|
Updated:
23:41 GMT, 28 June 2015

Penny for your thoughts, Frank?

Frank Lampard took his place at Yankee Stadium on Sunday ahead of his first training session with New York City FC this week yet would have left with more questions than answers.

He will join up with his new team-mates on Wednesday and surely find them still in a state of shock following this derby thumping. 

New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard joined the club’s director of football Claudio Reyna on the pitch before kick-off

Andrea Pirlo all but confirmed his move to New York City with a pitchside appearance before kick-off at the Yankee Stadium

Pirlo looks on ahead of a proposed move to New York City FC while Manchester City youth coach Patrick Vieira (front left) enjoys the game

The Chelsea legend , who sat next to Juventus star Andrea Pirlo whose move to the Big Apple should be confirmed within the next 48 hours, would certainly have enjoyed the start which saw City’s Thomas McNamara fire the home side into a six minute lead.

What happened after half-time however will leave Lampard knowing this will be anything but a glorious, lucrative American swansong.

The Red Bulls struck three times in a crazy second-half , the first coming from Bradley Wright-Phillips on 47 minutes which served to open the floodgates and ensure his side have a 100 per cent record in the derby following their inaugural triumph back in May.

Gareth Bale was also here, soaking in the action with some friends. It’s fair to say the Welshman would have left unimpressed with Lampard’s new side who buckled horrendously to end an encouraging run of three wins on the spin.

Naturally, with the former England international and the evergreen Pirlo both watching on, there was a lot for the ever burgeoning City faithful to look forward to.

Yet what unfolded on the pitch brutally illustrated the job coach Jason Kreis has on his hands. Designated players in MLS are rarely top class defenders yet that’s exactly what City need.

Whether a new look midfield duo with a combined age of 73 is the answer remains to be seen.

For the bean counters, interest abounds no matter what the initial, poor displays may show.

An impressive 48,000 were here for this second Hudson River derby clash and, as during the first fiery installment at Red Bull Arena in May, this felt like a proper occasion.

The two incoming stars would have liked what was on offer in the stands. Less said, however, about the display of their new friends in Blue on the dodgy looking Yankees pitch. 

Tommy McNamara celebrates his strike after giving his side an early 1-0 lead as the hosts started brightly inside the Yankee Stadium

Spanish striker David Villa (right) looks to get the better of Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga during the early stages

English striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is shackled by City’s RJ Allen during the first ever clash between the two New York teams 

City’s wage bill will creep towards the $20million mark as a result ensuring it’s one of the biggest in MLS history. The Abu Dhabi moneymen are throwing stars into the mix to get interest soaring.

The Red Bulls, however, are ceding caution. Big hitters Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill weren’t replaced following their exits last year. Coach Jesse Marsch wants a functional team of hard workers.

They did him proud on Sunday night.

New York though is a city which demands top performers to entertain the masses royally.

Villa is that man – from the first moment he ran at the visitors defence , they looked panicked. It didn’t last yet what a start.

From the resulting corner, City were ahead. It was a superlative strike too. Mix Diskerud’s center was headed down and into the path of McNamara whose finish arrowed into the corner.

The healthy Red Bulls contingent were stunned. Since beating City , they’ve endured a shocking run of just one win in six. That turgid sequence looked like continuing if the first 15 minutes here was anything to go by. 

Chris Wingert, who was forced off with an injury during the first half, knocks the ball away from Anatole Abang

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale arrives at the Yankees Stadium ahead of kick-off to take in some MLS action while on holiday

Lampard and Pirlo look set to form a midfield partnership in New York this season – should the Italian seal a deal from Juventus

Red Bulls came flying out of the block in the second half before Wright-Phillips pulled his side level with a neat finish

Wright-Phillips had a goal rightly chalked off for off-side on 17 minutes yet it was Villa’s boys in Blue who looked more dominant.

It wasn’t long before Lampard, and his new friend Pirlo, were flashed up on the huge screens here, just moments after rap legend LL Cool J flexed for the cameras.

Big game, big names.

Seeing the veteran midfield duo though certainly had the home fans jumping and this cavernous arena almost exploded on 33 minutes. Villa tore into the box once again yet , this time, Luis Robles was on hand to keep the Spaniard out with his legs before opposite number Josh Saunders produced a smart dive and fist to avert a curling Wright-Phillips center.

Two minutes before the break the home keeper pushed away a Sacha Kljestan cross yet it was hard to argue City weren’t decent value for their slender lead. 

The 30-year-old forward jumps for joy after sparking Red Bulls into life and making the score 1-1 at the Yankee Stadium

The Red Bulls players celebrate after American defender Chris Duvall handed Jesse Marsch’s side a 2-1 advantage

The 25-year-old forward was greeted by Reyna at the suite level of the Yankee Stadium before watching the MLS clash   

Bale poses with New York City chief executive Ferran Soriano (left) while holding a signed shirt 

Wright-Phillips however, winner of last season’s golden boot, wasted no time in pulling his side level just moments after the re-start. Kljestan’s perseverance on the edge of the box brilliantly paid dividends, his battling ensuring the ball fell to the former Southampton and Charlton striker who rocketed a shot past Saunders.

Just four minutes later, the Red Bulls were ahead. This time it was defender Duval smashing into the roof of the net from Anatole Abang’s knock-down. Cue mayhem in the stands and the visitors dug-out.

It was terribly naïve and hesitant defending from City. Yet taking nothing away from the finish or the resolve shown by the Red Bulls who almost made it three soon after when Wright-Phillips clipped the post. The English forward had the opportunity to make amends on 64 minutes only to be kept out once again only this time, he really should have scored.

Nonetheless, it was one hell of a turnaround.

City were being totally overrun. How they needed Lampard and Pirlo on the pitch rather than in the posh seats.

Matt Miazga’s third on 73 minutes simply added salt into coach Kreis’ gaping wound.

He needs his stars more than ever.

Frank, it’s over to you.

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