Heading into this game it seemed like there was only one team capable of coming away with all three points, with the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City putting on great performance after great performance week after week. While this wasn’t their best showing of the season by any stretch of the imagination, they were still a class above bitter rivals Manchester United at the Etihad earlier today as they ran out 3-1 winners to widen the gap between themselves as Jose Mourinho’s men to 12 points.
Positive start
City had a string of great chances in the early stages in the game and their attacking mindset paid off with David Silva finishing off a nice move to put them ahead. Throughout the course of the first half, from that point on, it seemed like both teams were just going through the motions, although some will argue that United did well to keep their rivals out.
Alas, it didn’t really matter all that much as Sergio Aguero smashed the ball home not long after the restart – confirming that it was a smart decision on behalf of Pep Guardiola to include him in the starting XI. As the minutes ticked by it seemed as if City were going to ease towards victory, before Romelu Lukaku was taken down shortly after coming on as a substitute with Anthony Martial continuing his strong run of form by slotting home from the penalty spot.
Looking ahead
Despite pulling one back it never really seemed like the visitors were close to securing the equaliser, though, and following one of the best passages of play this season, Ilkay Gundogan finished the game off from close range with a simple finish that confirmed something that we all already knew: Manchester is blue.
City’s next game after the international break will see them travel to East London in order to face West Ham United, whereas United will host Crystal Palace.
Match Report
Manchester City: Ederson (6), Walker (7), Stones (6.5), Laporte (7), Mendy (7), Bernardo Silva (6.5), Fernandinho (6.5), Silva (7.5), Mahrez (6.5), Aguero (7), Sterling (7), Foden (N/A), Sane (6.5), Gundogan (7)
Manchester United: De Gea (6), Young (5.5), Smalling (6), Lindelof (5.5), Shaw (5.5), Herrera (6), Fellaini (6), Matic (6.5), Lingard (5.5), Rashford (6), Martial (7), Mata (N/A), Lukaku (6.5), Sanchez (N/A)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Goals: Silva, Aguero, Gundogan :: Martial pen
Yellow Cards: Bernardo Silva, Shaw
Red Cards: N/A
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