The Manchester derby
Manchester City knew before kick off that Liverpool had won, extending their advantage over them to 14 points. Only a win could do and their fans gave them a reception onto the pitch to try and inspire their side to victory. Manchester United, though, had other ideas.
City were expected to dominate possession and they did but United were much better at using the counter attack than City could with the ball. The pace of United's attacking trio was frightening and City couldn't live with it. The first attack saw Daniel James shoot straight at Ederson but the press and intensity from United was already apparent.
United were able to slice City open easily on the counter as City were not as deadly. The start was frantic and it did seem like this sort of match suited Manchester City better. United were hungrier than their counter parts and outworked them when without the ball.
Rashford was United's key man and he was involved for the first goal. He dribbled his way into the box and was clearly fouled by Bernardo Silva. It was a stonewall penalty but Anthony Taylor waved play on only for VAR to intervene and award in favour of Rashford. A stuttering run up, Rashford sent Ederson the wrong way and silenced the City fans.
Manchester United continued to play with a swagger reminiscent of when Solskjaer first came in. Rashford put a great opportunity just wide and smacked an effort off the bar. City seemed powerless to prevent the United threat and were punished again as Anthony Martial squeezed an effort past Ederson to double their lead. Nobody expected this.
The first half was the all Manchester City. Always dominating the ball, they began to move the United defence more but never created a clear cut chance. De Bruyne and David Silva had decent tries from free kicks but that was was United were limiting City to. A tight penalty call for handball was not given against Fred and the boos rang around the stadium at half time as the City fans felt there was an injustice. No injustice, for me.
The second half was largely similar to the first with City controlling the ball only United had more defending to do. Again, City were really unable to threaten David de Gea in goal apart from a testing Rodri effort. John Stones hobbled off injured - adding to Pep Guardiola's defensive problems - and Manchester City grew frustrated as time passed and they hadn't scored.
Fred was struck by an object thrown by City fans as they shared their players' frustration. Scenes like that are not wanted but also a sign of how much City needed to win. They were that angry.
City have issues in defence but it would be a defender who would bring them back into it. Nicolas Otamendi, who replaced Stones, headed in from a corner to set up a nervy finish. Riyad Mahrez went close straight afterwards but United held on to win.
Fourteen points adrift, Manchester City are now out of the title race. It is simply too big a deficit to make up. They have lost a match they should be winning and not only that, it was against their city rivals supposedly having an awful season.
As Pep likes to say, congratulations Liverpool.
Comments
Post a Comment