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Manchester City hosted Manchester United in the 185th derby match. The pressure is on United to win this match because City is coasting at the top of the table already and seeing that Leicester City already won their game earlier, it was important for United to win this if they want to reduce the deficit between them and City while also going back to the second place.
It didn't take Manchester United too long to register their intent when Gabriel Jesus fouled returning Anthony Martial in the box. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and converted from the spot-kick in the 2nd minute to put his side ahead by 1-0. Emerson hasn't saved his last 13 penalty kicks but he was close to this but the speed and accuracy of the ball made it difficult for him.
Mahrez found Gundogan at the edge of the box and his right-footed shot was easily gathered in the 9th minute by Henderson. City gave the ball away due to good pressing from United in the 17th minute. Fred found Rashford who decided to have a shot rather than draw others in and he passed up that wonderful chance to extend the lead.
Zinchenko struck a lovely shot in the 25th minute which took the effort of Henderson to save it. Cancelo also had another effort shortly after but it deflected for a corner kick. City throwing everything to get back into the game but United kept sniffling their chances.
Gundogan also had his chance in the 38th minute right at the edge of the box but he couldn't quite get the power he needed on the ball and Henderson easily saved it. United defended resolutely and kept hitting City on the counter-attack.
De Bruyne had a freekick at the edge of the box in the 43rd minute but his brilliant effort was tipped over for a corner kick. Bruno's wayward pass in the 45th minute snuffed out an attack that James started. He found Rashford who laid it for Bruno but he gave a terrible pass. Shortly after, Mahrez found space at the side of the box and drifted in. He tried to find the other end of the post but couldn't. Gabriel Jesus was just a little bit late to connect with the ball and it went out for a goal kick.
The half time ended with United ahead but City dominated as United resorted to counter-attacks. This is the first time in 106 days that City would be trailing in the League. Manchester United are also unbeaten in their last 102 Premier League games when leading at half time. City has won their last 21 games in the league and it is expected for the second half to be more interesting as their winning run is about to be snapped.
Rodri struck the edge of the post when Gabriel Jesus laid a pass for him much to the disappointment of Guardiola on the sideline. In the 49th minute, Luke Shaw broke free through a long throw from Henderson and ran the length of the field. He found Rashford at the edge of the box and Rashford gave it back to him and with a composed effort, Luke Shaw found the back of the net with a low drive to make it 2-0. Great start for United again.
Martial brilliantly held off his marker and ran into City's box. He found James in the 55th minute but his shot was blocked for a corner by Zinchenko. Martial didn't get enough power on his header through a deflected pass from Fernandes in the 58th minute.
Martial wasted a wonderful chance in the 68th minute when McTominay's effort somehow found him and while being one on one with Ederson, he shot straight at the goalkeeper instead of finding the other end of the post.
In the 79th minute, Sterling wasted a golden chance when he failed to sort out his legs and he miskicked when the empty net was staring at him in the face. United dominated earlier and City is now getting more into the game, hoping to get something out of the game. John Stones also missed his chance when a corner kick was flicked by Gundogan but he was unable to get to the ball.
Manchester United held on and won City on their turf by 2-0. They have cut the lead at the top of the table to 11 points. Manchester is now red. Bagging rights claimed for this game even though Manchester City are still in charge of the title.
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