Manchester City locked horns with their derby rivals Manchester United at the Old Trafford knowing that nothing less than three points would suffice. That is precisely what they earned as they secured a comfortable 2-0 victory in the end.
United started off well as they looked far better from their weekend’s debacle against Everton. However, after 20 minutes, City got back into the game and controlled the tie from there onwards. Raheem Sterling had the best chance of the first half but he failed to come up with a powerful shot to beat De Gea, and United went in level at half time.
City got their goal early in the second half as Luke Shaw allowed Bernardo Silva too much space as he caught De Gea out on the near post. The second goal for City came on the counter-attack, but the Spanish goalkeeper should have kept out Leroy Sane’s attempt. The Citizens then killed the game and saw out the cleansheet which puts them back on top of the table with three games to go.
Here is how Guardiola’s men fared.
Ederson 7
United just had one shot on target, and the Brazilian was untested. His distribution was once again on point. Came off his line brilliantly to deny Rashford in the first half.
Vincent Kompany 6
Looked nervy on occasions but got the job done in the end by keeping a cleansheet. Shame from United’s point of view as Rashford wasn’t able to test him much after the early parts where Kompany looked a little bit on the backfoot.
Aymeric Laporte 7
The Frenchman was in control of everything at the back as nothing went past him and he had an easy game at the back.
Kyle Walker 6
Made some lung-bursting runs and provided some good out balls for his side down the right. Defensively was alright.
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5
Was troubled defensively on occasions and got himself booked. Was a bit wayward with his link-up play as well.
Fernandinho 8
The Brazilian was brilliant for the time he was on the pitch. Made some crucial blocks and challenges. Was substituted for Sane when the scores were level.
David Silva 7
Andreas Pereira engaged with him in a battle in midfield. Orchestrated quiet a few attacks from midfield and controlled the game well.
Ilkay Gundogan 7
Started slow but grew as the game went on. Was shifted to play in a deeper role in the second half and did his job well.
Bernardo Silva 8
Took one thunderous attempt in the first half. Always looked threatening down the right and scored the crucial opener.
Raheem Sterling 7
Got a big chance in the first half as he wriggled his way past United defence from close quarters but failed to muster up a powerful shot. Picked the right ball for the second goal as Leroy Sane was in acres of space. A decent game for the Englishman.
Sergio Aguero 6.5
Surprisingly the Argentine forward who has a terrific record against the Red Devils had a quiet game in terms of getting chances. He linked up play well with his team-mates. Came close once as he hit the outside of the post.
Substitute.
Leroy Sane 8
Cameos like these often make one wonder why the German doesn’t start from the beginning. Maybe Guardiola wants to keep him as an impact substitute and what an impact he made. His pace and directness caused a lot of trouble down the left. Got the goal which put the game to bed.
Danilo N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Gabriel Jesus N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating
