UNITED PAINT THE TOWN RED
CITY’S INCREDIBLE RUN ENDS AS OLE’S MEN ENJOY DERBY WIN OVER LEAGUE LEADERS
BRUNO FERNANDES and Luke Shaw struck early in each half as Manchester United ended Manchester City’s 21-match winning run with a superb 2-0 derby victory.
Fernandes scored a penalty after just two minutes at the Etihad Stadium and Shaw added the second on 50 minutes as United inflicted a first defeat on their rivals since November.
The result cut City’s lead over United at the top of the Premier League to 11 points and, while it seems a stretch to suggest the title race has been reignited, it has slowed what was looking like a procession.
It could certainly rejuvenate United, who might have feared being dragged into a battle just to make sure of a top-four place after an indifferent series of performances.
The only downside for the visitors was the loss of the inspirational Marcus Rashford through injury in the second half.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team raced out of the blocks and Anthony Martial was clumsily clipped by Gabriel Jesus after just 34 seconds.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot for what was the 92nd penalty of this Premier League season, equalling the number awarded in the entirety of the 2019-20 campaign. Fernandes thumped home his tenth spot-kick of the season despite Ederson getting a hand to it.
City were almost punished again moments later when Joao Cancelo failed to dribble out of his own area. Shaw seized possession but shot straight at Ederson.
With Kevin De Bruyne below his usual skyhigh standards, City took time to settle but they felt they should have had a penalty themselves after Raheem Sterling was challenged by Fred.
Nothing was given but Oleksandr Zinchenko drew a good save from Dean Henderson, continuing in place of the absent David De Gea.
Riyad Mahrez went close in the final moments of the first half and Rodri hit the woodwork from a Jesus lay-off after the restart.
Those near-misses were to prove costly for City as Shaw doubled United’s lead on 50 minutes. Henderson launched an attack with a quick throw and Rashford burst into the area to find Shaw.
The left-back had three defenders in front of him but he caught them and the unsighted Ederson by surprise with an angled low shot which flew inside the far post.
City were fortunate not to go 3-0 down after a ricochet saw the ball break to Martial in their area. The