Slick City sink United in Manchester derby

Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Manchester United in a thrilling derby at the Etihad.

City were more dominant than the final score suggested. They were cruising after early first and second half goals from David Silva and Sergio Aguero, only for a rush of blood from City keeper Ederson to make things interesting.

The Brazilian raced out and brought down substitute Romelu Lukaku, who had only been on for a minute, allowing Anthony Martial to score the resulting spot kick with their first shot on target.

AS IT HAPPENED: Manchester City v Manchester United

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It made for a fascinating last half-hour, yet nothing less than three points, which put City back on top of the table after Liverpool briefly held top spot following their 2-0 win over Fulham earlier in the day, would have been an injustice.

Slow starts have plagued Manchester United this season and they again appeared to be asleep in the first five minutes. They had not touched the ball when Bernardo Silva was allowed the space to shoot from 22 yards, only to see the effort go wide of the post.

City opened up United down the left flank soon after when Fernandinho slid a pass into the feet of David Silva in the left inside channel. The Spaniard cut the ball back for Aguero but the ball was narrowly behind and he failed to connect with the ball.

Then Fernandinho had a drive at goal from distance himself, sending his attempt harmlessly wide of the post.

It was attack versus defence in the early exchanges and United caved in after 12 minutes. Raheem Sterling opened up down the left flank and his cross caused havoc, but referee Anthony Taylor played a good advantage when Chris Smalling held back Aguero. Bernardo Silva retrieved the ball at the far post and turned it back to David Silva, who controlled and blasted into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Sterling was allowed plenty of freedom when Ander Herrera made an error, but after a step over, he failed to find the finish, the England man eventually being crowded out.

United offered little in response, although John Stones felt the full force of a Martial shot which caught him below the belt. With Stones on the floor, Ashley Young floated a cross into the box for Chris Smalling to attack, but he could only guide his effort harmlessly over the bar.

City were content to drop off after bossing the first 20 minutes and United began to get more joy down the left flank via Martial and Luke Shaw, but created very few opportunities.

Bernardo Silva went into the book after an ungainly challenge on Marcus Rashford just after the half-hour, and Shaw was also in the book after blocking off Riyad Mahrez.

City dominated possession but although Fernandinho’s header from a corner was blocked and Aguero hit the side netting just before the break, United keeper David de Gea had little to do other than pick the ball out of the net in the first half.

If De Gea was having an armchair ride, City counterpart Ederson had even less to do – United failed to have a shot on goal throughout the entire first period. It was the third time this season United failed to register a shot on target in the first half and the eighth time they had failed to do so in Jose Mourinho’s reign.

For all their possession, though, Pep Guardiola must have been disappointed that City had not hammered home their advantage in the first half, such was the lack of threat posed by United.

Yet the half-time team talk appeared to spark the home side, as within three minutes of the re-start, City increased their lead.

Fernandinho broke up play, producing a decent tackle with Lingard giving away possession a little too easily and Aguero broke free, played a clever wall pass with Mahrez and, from a tight angle, blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Such was the ferocity of the shot, De Gea barely had a chance to get his arms up, but a keeper of such quality will not be happy to be beaten in such fashion at his near post. It was Aguero’s 11th goal of the season.

City almost made it 3-0 moments later when Fernandinho put a ball over the top of the United defence for Sterling at the back post. However, the winger dwelt on the ball too long without shooting and it allowed the visitors to crowd him out.

Yet the momentum quickly changed just seconds later and if De Gea was at fault for City’s second, Ederson’s 57th minute howler was worse.

Romelu Lukaku, who had been on the pitch for less than a minute after replacing Lingard, ran on to a Martial through ball and the Brazilian keeper inexplicably raced out, only for Lukaku to touch the ball past him. Ederson felled the Belgium striker and United were back in it, with Martial burying the resulting penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way. It was United’s first shot on target.

United rallied from two down to beat City at the Etihad last season, so the home fans naturally grew restless.

But it was City who were more purposeful. De Gea had to get down low to save from Fernandinho after good work by Sane, and after Sterling broke free, City could have wrapped things up, only for Sane to blast over when the England winger slipped him in.

Mourinho attempted to change things, with Alexis Sanchez and Juan Mata replacing Herrera and Rashford with 17 minutes remaining.

Yet City held their nerve and settled things with five minutes remaining. After some neat interchanges and a patient build-up, which involved an incredible 44 passes, the ball was slipped wide and Sterling’s purposeful run was given the finish it deserved as substitute Ikay Gundogan stole in and slid the ball past De Gea.

The result puts City 12 points clear of United after 12 games – and quite simply, at this stage of the season, they look a class apart. The bookmakers appear to feel the same way, with City being cut to 1/4 for the Premier League title with GentingBet and United pushed out to 7/2 to finish in the top four.

What does it mean? United midfield options not good enough

While Nemanja Matic and Marouane Fellaini put in good shifts, the match highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams’ midfield options. Without Pogba United looked devoid of craft in possession, but City – without Kevin De Bruyne – never had such problems.

David Silva shows his class despite United tactics

Mourinho’s set-up appeared to put a lot of emphasis on stopping City’s midfield from playing, yet still David Silva controlled things and looked a cut above, opening the scoring in composed fashion.

Herrera invites pressure

While his combative approach was necessary, on several occasions Herrera cheaply gave possession away in his own half to put United in a spot of bother. He was lucky not to be punished.

What’s next?

After the international break, City are in action away to West Ham in the Premier League, while United host Crystal Palace.