Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay secured derby day bragging rights for Manchester United – and reinvigorated their top four hopes.
Martial's goal appeared to be the determining factor in the game as United completed the league double over their so-called noisy neighbours – with McTominay's 96th minute strike confirming it.
It was two uncharacteristic error from Man City goalkeeper Ederson which helped decide the game.
A well-worked free-kick saw Bruno Fernandes dink the ball over the top of the back line, allowing Martial to have a clean shot at goal.
It was powerful enough and on target – and enough to slip under a limp hand of Ederson for the opening goal.
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City surged in the second half but a disciplined defensive performance saw the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men stay tight – and they got their rewards in stoppage time.
Scott McTominay pounced on a woeful Ederson throw to curl the ball home from distance and secure a two-goal win.
Here are five talking points from the match…
1. Ederson has a day to forget
Ederson has been one of the Premier League's most reliable goalkeepers over recent years – but this was an afternoon to forget.
The Brazilian has dropped very few clangers in the Premier League, but at Old Trafford he was lucky that only one error was costly.
Martial's opening goal slipped through his hands at the near post. It was the sort of effort that you would be disappointed if an Evo-Stik League goalkeeper didn't save.
In the second half, the technically-able stopper let the ball slip over his foot – and so nearly gave Anthony Martial an open goal tap-in.
For the first time since moving to England, Ederson looked wobbly and it was compounded in stoppage time.
Trying to rush the ball forward, he overcooked his throw and put it into the path of McTominay, who expertly curled the ball home from distance for the second goal.
2. Bruno Fernandes making a real difference
The Portuguese playmaker oozes confidence and demands the ball in most situations.
His delicate and creative lob through to Martial for United’s opener highlighted just how much intelligence and flair he brings to the team.
Can you imagine United coming up with something as inventive during the Louis van Gaal era?!
Fernandes is one of those players who improves everyone around him purely by being so assured on the field, no matter who the opponent is. Not even Manchester City could get near him.
3. Fred diving? No chance…
If Roy Keane calls it a “blatant” penalty, you know the referee has missed one. But why did VAR not intervene?
Fred jinked his way into the City box before the break, and despite a clear trip from Nicolas Otamendi, Mike Dean booked the Brazilian for diving.
Replays showed it clearly was not a case of simulation, and Keane blasted in the Sky Sports studio: “He takes him out!
"He exaggerates the dive, of course he does, that is what they all do. But it is a foul, surely."
4. Foden's inexperience showed on derby day
Phil Foden has been receiving hype of monumental proportions over the past week following his sensational performance in the Carabao Cup final.
But there was a reminder of his inexperience, and perhaps his consistency issues, at Old Trafford.
It was the first time that the boyhood City fan had started a competitive Manchester derby and, unfortunately for him, he was nowhere to be seen.
City found it hard to get Foden on the ball in a wide position and when he did get hold of it, he couldn't produce the same magic he was last week.
Foden is clearly an exceptional talent but it's important to remember not to get ahead of ourselves with how far along he is before he goes.
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5. Solskjaer's gameplan worked to perfection
Even without the pace of Marcus Rashford and the strength of Paul Pogba, Solskjaer’s game-plan was perfect.
You can argue that City would dominate possession anyway but Solskjaer was happy for Pep Guardiola’s side to come onto his own, knowing that he could hit them on the counter-attack.
Anthony Martial had two opportunities in the first half before scoring and United’s defence held firm throughout.
That’s three times this season that United have beaten City now and Solskjaer’s side have utilised their pace in every one.
- Premier League
- Manchester United FC
- Manchester City FC
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