Bernardo Silva believes City’s derby win may have ended United’s title bid

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva reckons a derby win over Manchester United has dealt a huge blow to their local rivals’ title hopes, saying Jose Mourinho’s men would need to be “almost perfect” between now and the end of the season if they were to win the Premier League.

City, the reigning English champions and Premier League leaders, opened up a 12-point lead over United with a 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Goals early in each half from David Silva and Sergio Aguero put City in command at 2-0 up before United pulled one back through an Anthony Martial penalty just before the hour mark.

City, however, sealed victory four minutes from time when Ilkay Gundogan crowned a 44pass move to slot home from close range.

This was United’s fourth defeat in 12 games and left them eighth in the table.

Before kick-off City manager Pep Guardiola had insisted United would remain title contenders even if they lost, but Silva was not so sure.

“It won’t be easy. Not only Man City -- (they are) 10 points from Liverpool, a lot of points from the other ones as well,” Silva said.

“They need to be almost perfect and wait for the other ones to lose a lot of points. I think it won’t be easy,” the Portugal international added.

Silva, who provided the final cross from which Gundogan scored, was proud of the way City responded after Martial gave United hope of a comeback.

“After their goal we knew they would have confidence to try to come for a second but I think our performance was amazing. We didn’t concede one chance -- only the penalty.

“I think the team was very concentrated, very focused on what we had to do,” Silva added.

City have dropped just four points so far this season, scoring 36 goals in 12 Premier League games and conceding a mere five. - AFP