United’s noisy neighbours are silenced as run grinds to a halt
City stumble in derby after 21 wins in a row
THE Premier League title may still be beyond them but Manchester United reminded the noisy neighbours they won’t go quietly.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer masterminded his third win on the spin at the Etihad to end Manchester City’s run of 21 successive victories and 28 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Victory for United may only have reduced City’s lead over them to 11 points but it provided a timely reminder of their enduring quality, despite frustrating inconsistency.
For United boss Solskjaer, it was a vindication of his tactics and approach, after three straight goalless draws had raised legitimate questions about the perceived progress made under him this season.
And the United gaffer was just delighted to see Anthony Martial – who was fouled for the penalty which led to Bruno Fernandes’ early opener – back to his sensational best.
Luke Shaw sealed the win after the break despite being an injury doubt.
But Solskjaer said: “Anthony was man of the match and he was an even bigger doubt than Luke (Shaw). That was the Anthony we know, strong positive and taking players on. Delighted for him.
“When you come away with a 2-0 win and another clean sheet and a display like this then you are delighted.”
On catching City, he said: “No, we just take one game time. They are too far ahead to think we’ll catch them.”
For City, the big question now is how this defeat will impact the rest of their season and their hopes of pulling off an unprecedented Quadruple haul of trophies.
The title is still destined for the Etihad but it remains to be seen how this setback affects their confidence.
United made the perfect start, awarded a penalty after 34 seconds following a clumsy challenge from Gabriel Jesus on Martial just inside the area.
Although keeper Ederson got a hand to the ball, there was too much power in the spot-kick from Fernandes.
It was the first time in 20 league games City had fallen behind.
Despite that early setback, City settled into their familiar pattern of possession, with United forced to sit back and
SUPER SUNDAY adopt a policy of containment, hoping to hit their opponents on the counter. Yet although Pep Guardiola’s men created promising openings, they lacked their usual clinical edge. Just before the break, Riyad Mahrez slalomed his way past a trio of red shirts, before Ilkay Gundogan picked up the loose ball, only to shoot tamely at Dean Henderson. City hit the bar within two minutes of the restart, Rodri striking it after clever build-up play involving Mahrez and Jesus. It proved a costly miss, with United doubling their lead three minutes later. Henderson’s quick-thinking saw his throw find Shaw, the full-back taking the ball past first Joao Cancelo, then Kevin De Bruyne. Shaw surged into the box and, after exchanging passes with Marcus Rashford, steered a low shot through Rodri’s legs and beyond Ederson. City boss Guardiola said: “We will be the news because we lost. But the news is 21 victories in a row. There are still 30 points to play and we’ll just start again.”