The Premier League offered us this Sunday, the highly anticipated Manchester derby between City (5th) and United (13th). Ejected from the top 4 after Nottingham Forest’s victory on Saturday, the Cityzens had the opportunity to pass in front of the Reds and even to join Arsenal (3rd), if successful. Opposite, the Red Devils wanted to return to victory in the championship, after two consecutive defeats. For this shock at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola chose to start, for the first time this season, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden together. Rúben Amorim had decided to do without Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
After a quarter of play, Mount had to leave his place due to injury, replaced by Mainoo. The first strike of this meeting came in the 21st minute of play, with this recovery from Foden, off target. If the Sky Blues had the ball, but they struggled to create real chances. But it was nevertheless they who opened the scoring. After a cross from De Bruyne blocked by Diallo, Josko Gvardiol catapulted the ball with his head into the back of Onana’s net to free City (36th, 1-0). Foden was close to doubling the lead for the locals, after playing Ugarte, but his attempt was blocked by Maguire (45th + 4).
Amad Diallo and United overthrow City
In the second half, United came back with more confidence. On a good cross from Fernandes, Amad Diallo forced Ederson to push the ball away for a corner (62nd). Well launched by Højlund, Fernandes saw his ball pass very close to the right post of the City goalkeeper (74th). The efforts of Red Devils finally paid off, in the 85th minute. After intercepting a pass from Nuñes, Diallo was brought down by the Portuguese in the penalty area. Bruno Fernandes took Ederson perfectly on the wrong foot from the penalty spot for the equalizer (88th, 1-1). But United wanted more…
Receiving a sublime ball from Martinez behind the defense of the CityzensDiallo played Ederson with a shot of the sombrero, before finishing with a volley into the empty goal (90th, 1-2). In two minutes, United managed to overthrow City. With this victory, Ruben Amorim’s men move to 12th place in the Premier League standings. For Guardiola and City, the crisis continues. They remain 5th, at the foot of the podium.
