QUAD STILL ON!
Forget the derby, we can still win the lot, says Zinchenko
ALEKS Zinchenko has vowed City will bounce back stronger following their derby loss to United.
The Blues saw their 21-game winning run come to a sudden halt as they were beaten 2-0 at the Etihad.
It was also quadruple-chasing City’s first defeat in 29 games in all competitions stretching back to November.
The result may only prove a blip in their apparent charge to the title, given they retain an 11-point lead over United at the top, and Zinchenko expects a response in tomorrow’s home clash with Southampton.
The left-back said: “We have to win the next game, we have to be more focused. We are not allowed to go back. We have to go forwards. We are still playing in all competitions. We want to win everything this season and I hope we can do this.
“We are still alive and we can (afford) mistakes but we are going to come back stronger, I am pretty sure of that.”
City were on the back foot from the outset as United won a penalty with just 34 seconds on the clock. Bruno Fernandes converted and the visitors went close again through Luke Shaw in a bright start.
Zinchenko tested Dean Henderson with a fierce strike and Rodri hit the woodwork as City responded, but United took a firm grip when Shaw doubled the lead after 50 minutes. It could even have got worse for City but Ederson produced a fine save to deny Anthony Martial one-on-one.
“It is all about how we started the game,” said Zinchenko.
“To concede in the first minute is not easy to come back from.
“Afterwards I think we played much better than the opponent.
“We controlled the game, we created enough chances but we didn’t score. In this kind of big game if you want to win you have to score. United are also one of the best teams in the world, they have unbelievable players and they organise well defensively.
“It is not easy, but still we have to learn a bit more how to come back in the game after these kind of situations.”