The derby between Manchester City and Manchester United is decidedly in favor of the Citizens† The Premier League leaders won 4-1 in front of their own audience; Kevin De Bruyne and Ryad Mahrez each scored twice. The win gives Manchester City a six-point lead over Liverpool, who still have one game to go. Manchester United lost again in the Premier League for the first time since January 3 and are in danger of losing the coveted fourth place from sight. The gap to Arsenal is only one point, but the competitor has played three games less.
Manchester City could not have the injured Nathan Ake and Rúben Dias; At Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo was missing due to a hip injury, while Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane were absent due to a corona infection and Edinson Cavani was not fully fit. Due to the problems in the vanguard, Manchester United ostensibly played with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes as striker duo. Manchester City got off to a flying start, opening the scoring in the fifth minute. Jack Grealish was guarded at the back line by two men, but nevertheless found the space for a low cross, which Kevin De Bruyne valued just before the goal: 0-1.
A beautiful goal from Jadon Sancho brought Manchester United alongside halfway through the first half. The attacker was launched into the transition by a through ball from Paul Pogba, pulled past the box, showed Kyle Walker and Rodri his heels and fired flawlessly into the right corner. However, Manchester City took the lead again not much later. Losing the ball from Manchester United resulted in an opportunity for Phil Foden, who flipped the ball beautifully over Victor Lindelöf and took it out. David de Gea returned his bet, but Manchester United couldn’t get the ball out of the box and De Bruyne eventually pulled the trigger, signing for the halftime score.
It was therefore an attractive first half, in which Manchester City had most of the ball, but had to watch out for the counterattack. The most dangerous attempt not to score in the first half was a header by Foden against the crossbar at a 1-1 tie. After 34 minutes, the game was interrupted for a few minutes due to medical treatment for one of the supporters present in the away section. In the second half the danger of goal was more limited, but after 67 minutes Manchester City decided the derby in his favor. De Bruyne decided to deliver the ball directly to Riyad Mahrez from a corner, who was ready at the edge of the penalty area to find the left corner by means of a drop kick. De Gea prevented João Cancelo from making it 4-1 from a half bicycle kick, but Mahrez did so in stoppage time. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but was ultimately valid.
Goal Mahrez!! †
Splendor of a hit in one go and 3-1 City! Man United against the ropes ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #MCIMUN #MOTD pic.twitter.com/OXLiLrs4D7
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 6, 2022