MANCHESTER CITY EXTENDED their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford, with Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi’s second-half volley putting city-rivals Man United to the sword.
Jose Mourinho’s side stood the closest contender for this season’s title before kick-off, however now sit closer to Leicester City in eighth spot than to the league leaders following their first home defeat of the campaign.
Following a humdrum opening 40 minutes the game exploded into life just before the break with a pair of goals at either end which set up a grand-stand second interval.
David Silva capitalised on a poor Romelu Lukaku clearance following a corner to nudge a clever finish beyond David De Gea to storm the visitors ahead just before the break, only for Mourinho’s side to level moments later.
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All three of Sunday’s goals were made possible thanks to calamitious defensive errors and after Otamendi misjudged Ashley Young’s cross, striker Marcus Rashford had his side level with a deft finish beyond Ederson in first-half stoppage time.
Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
City enjoyed 78% possession in the opening 45 minutes and looked to restore their lead right from the off after the break.
They did not have to wait too long, however, with Otamendi making up for his earlier error by pouncing on another terribly mis-judged Lukaku clearance inside his own box to volley a low effort past De Gea and restore City’s lead after 54 minutes.
Mourinho sprung both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata from his bench to try and wrestle a point.
Mata came closest inbetween some decent chances from Marcus Rashford along the right wing, but a pair of saves from Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson kept the hosts at bay towards the later stages.
First, a low left-footed effort from Lukaku was beaten away, before a follow-up chance from Mata produced a second stunning save from the City shot-stopper.
It succeeded in earning City their eighth away win of the season, with Guardiola’s table-toppers extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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Brilliant Otamendi volley extends Manchester City's lead to 11 points in derby win
MANCHESTER CITY EXTENDED their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford, with Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi’s second-half volley putting city-rivals Man United to the sword.
Jose Mourinho’s side stood the closest contender for this season’s title before kick-off, however now sit closer to Leicester City in eighth spot than to the league leaders following their first home defeat of the campaign.
Following a humdrum opening 40 minutes the game exploded into life just before the break with a pair of goals at either end which set up a grand-stand second interval.
David Silva capitalised on a poor Romelu Lukaku clearance following a corner to nudge a clever finish beyond David De Gea to storm the visitors ahead just before the break, only for Mourinho’s side to level moments later.
All three of Sunday’s goals were made possible thanks to calamitious defensive errors and after Otamendi misjudged Ashley Young’s cross, striker Marcus Rashford had his side level with a deft finish beyond Ederson in first-half stoppage time.
City enjoyed 78% possession in the opening 45 minutes and looked to restore their lead right from the off after the break.
They did not have to wait too long, however, with Otamendi making up for his earlier error by pouncing on another terribly mis-judged Lukaku clearance inside his own box to volley a low effort past De Gea and restore City’s lead after 54 minutes.
Mourinho sprung both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata from his bench to try and wrestle a point.
Mata came closest inbetween some decent chances from Marcus Rashford along the right wing, but a pair of saves from Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson kept the hosts at bay towards the later stages.
First, a low left-footed effort from Lukaku was beaten away, before a follow-up chance from Mata produced a second stunning save from the City shot-stopper.
It succeeded in earning City their eighth away win of the season, with Guardiola’s table-toppers extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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