- 2018-11-11 18:52:58
- Football
Man City dominate rivals in derby win
Manchester City were too good for rivals Manchester United as they won 3-1 in Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium.
City dominated the early stages and took the lead through David Silva from eight yards (12), before Sergio Aguero's fine strike from an acute angle (48) put them two up and seemingly in control.
Anthony Martial then pulled one back from the spot (58), but the champions regained their two-goal advantage with four minutes remaining as sub Ilkay Gundogan controlled brilliantly and slotted home from close range after United fell asleep at the back.
The result means City go back to the top of the Premier League, two points above Liverpool and now four above Chelsea following their draw with Everton, while United are in eighth, seven points off the top four.
City made most of the early running as Bernardo Silva flashed a 20-yard effort just wide, and thoroughly deserved their opener on 12 minutes.
Raheem Sterling's fine cross to the back post was kept alive by Bernardo Silva, Aguero looked to be hauled to the ground by Chris Smalling, but as referee Anthony Taylor let play go on, Silva squeezed home right-footed from eight yards.
It felt like the floodgates would open, but United restricted City to few chances before the break, even if their defensive efforts restricted any attacking bite.
The second did come, just three minutes into the second half, as United lost the ball in midfield and allowed Aguero a run at Victor Lindelof. After a lovely one-two with Riyad Mahrez, Aguero thundered one over David De Gea from a tight angle to the right of goal.
Paul Pogba was missing from Manchester United’s matchday squad. The Frenchman did not travel after missing training on Friday with a strain. Marouane Fellaini started in his absence while Marcus Rashford replaced Alexis Sanchez in United’s other change. Pep Guardiola made two changes after City’s midweek demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk as Sergio Aguero and Benjamin Mendy returned.
United's comeback from 2-0 down here in April would have still been fresh in many City's players' minds, and they halved the deficit as half-time sub Romelu Lukaku was brought down by Ederson, allowing Martial to slot home a penalty, his sixth goal in seven.
The visitors struggled to create much thereafter, and City wrapped it up in the 86th minute as Bernardo Silva's cross caught United napping, allowing Gundogan to take the ball down and turn past David de Gea following a 44-pass move, the most in the Premier League since September 2015.
What's next?
Manchester City now go to West Ham after the international break on Saturday, November 24 at 3pm, while United host Crystal Palace at the same time in the Premier League.