Bernardo Silva helps Manchester City return to the top of the Premier League with victory in the Manchester derby
Manchester City regained control in the Premier League title race by beating fierce rivals Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the second half, before Leroy Sane wrapped up the win with a shot that once again left question marks hanging over David de Gea’s form.
And the result saw Pep Guardiola’s leapfrog their Merseyside rivals Liverpool to lead the top flight by one point with three games remaining.
City came into the game knowing that this match would be crucial in their continued fight for the Premier League title and that nothing but a win would be good enough for the blue half of Manchester.
But Guardiola’s side had to be patient, as they found themselves unable to get their fluent, free flowing, attacking game going in the first half.
As you might expect, there was a raucous atmosphere inside the ground with both sets of supporters certainly up for the game, and it was City who had the best chance of the opening 15 minutes when Raheem Sterling’s tame effort was deflected by Chris Smalling and almost wrong-footed his goalkeeper De Gea.
Jesse Lingard had a shot moments later that just looped the wrong side of the far post before David Silva struck a fierce long range strike straight at compatriot De Gea.
Neat build-up play from Sergio Aguero and David Silva inside the United penalty area ended with Sterling tip-toeing his way into a shooting position, but he could only squeeze a tame shot at the keeper.
AS IT HAPPENED: Tottenham v Brighton
AS IT HAPPENED: Wolves v Arsenal
City certainly looked as though they were growing into the game, and after the break they eventually found the opening goal.
İlkay Gündoğan sprayed the ball wide to Bernardo who drifted inside onto his left foot and his shot contrived to find its way into the net.
The visitors were in full flow now. Aguero clipped the outside of the post just moments later, coming just inches from doubling City’s advantage.
Lingard then spurned United’s best opportunity of the match when he found himself unmarked at the back post but somehow managed to miss the ball.
And that was that. City doubled their lead when Sterling burst forward on the counter and found substitute Leory Sane, whose fierce shot straight at De Gea somehow hit the back of the net.
The result means the Red Devils’ chances of making the top four - and securing Champions League football next season - are looking unlikely while their neighbours are in pole position for another league triumph.
Featured from our writers:
