City SMashes United in Manchester’s derby
Thumbnail Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Manchester City got rid of Manchester United with a convincing 4-1 at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, restoring a six-points gap at the top of the Premier League.
The premise for what revealed to be a nightmarish afternoon for the Red Devils was represented by Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-minute forfeit.
A hip flexor injury that had already troubled CR7 in the past resurfaced just a couple of days before the derby, and, even with the commendable and unique dedication typical of Ronaldo, nothing could be done to see him on the pitch.
Manchester City made the best out of the situation, waiting no more than five minutes to open the scoring, with Kevin De Bruyne capitalizing on an illuminating cutback by Bernardo Silva.
Jadon Sancho partially reopened the match fifteen minutes later, concluding a swift counterattack cutting through his right foot and gently laying the ball behind Ederson’s back.
However, it took very little for the hosts to retake the lead. After a confused and clumsy defensive action, Kevin De Bruyne was the quickest to pounce on a vacant ball inside United’s penalty area and hurl it into the goal.
The goal opened up for a City’s solo throughout the rest of the match.
De Bruyne again propitiated the third goal, assisting Ryhad Mahrez with a corner kick that the Algerian forward smashed home.
Mahrez scored his brace just a few minutes before the end of the game. A goal that was initially flagged as offside and later corrected by VAR.
City maintains the edge of the League, with Liverpool occupying the second spot six points late and a game in hand.