Martial strikes a blow to City’s title defence
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial struck in the first half as Manchester United dealt Manchester City’s title hopes another blow in a thrilling, but at times ugly derby.
Nicolas Otamendi pulled one back for the champions, but United held on to win at the Etihad Stadium, leaving City 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who will be thrilled with the result, despite the victory for their arch rivals.
There was controversy in the second half as a supporter appeared to make a monkey gesture towards a United player, an incident which is understood that both clubs have since been made aware of.
That occurred during a fiery period as tempers boiled over in the stands, with further reports of missiles being thrown.
Those incidents took the shine off what had otherwise been a compelling encounter which began at an electrifying pace.
City started with their usual high tempo, but United, trailing their rivals by 11 points coming into the game, were determined to give as good as they got.
The visitors were rapid and dangerous on the counter-attack, repeatedly exposing the continuing vulnerabilities in City’s midfield and defence.
Daniel James was the first to draw a save from Ederson, before Jesse Lingard and Martial tested City’s Brazilian goalkeeper.
At the other end, David Silva had a shot blocked and City had the first of two first-half penalty appeals turned down after the ball struck Victor Lindelof’s manchester city:
Ederson 7; Walker 7, Stones 6 (Otamendi 59, 7), Fernandinho 7, Angelino 6; De Bruyne 7, Rodri 7 (Gundogan 86, 6), David Silva 6; Bernardo Silva 6 (Mahrez 65, 7), Jesus 6, Sterling 7. Unused subs – Bravo, Cancelo, Mendy, Foden. manchester united:
De Gea 7; Bissaka 8, Lindelof 7 Maguire 7, Shaw 7 (Young 89, 5); Mctominay 8, Fred 7, James 7, Lingard 6 (Tuanzebe 89, 5); Rashford 8, Martial 8 (Pereira 74, 6). Unused subs – Romero, Williams, Mata, Greenwood.
hand at close range. United were awarded a spot-kick after Bernardo Silva clumsily took down Rashford. Referee Anthony Taylor failed to spot the offence, but VAR overturned his decision and City could have no complaints as Rashford slotted home with 23 minutes gone.
United should quickly have doubled their lead as they broke again through Lingard and James, but Rashford put a great chance wide. Rashford then hit the bar as City struggled to limit United’s lightning raids.
United did make their dominance count after 29 minutes as Martial turned and squeezed a low shot under Ederson and in at the near post.
City were stunned, but finally mustered an effort on target when David Silva shot at David De Gea from long range.
The champions spurned another chance to pull one back when Kevin De Bruyne picked out Gabriel Jesus with a brilliant cross, but the Brazilian headed wide.