Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
It was another weekend of big scores in the Premier League – with Chelsea and Aston Villa notching four without reply against Burnley and Southampton, respectively, and Ivan Toney landing a hat-trick as Brentford beat Norwich City 3-1. However, on Sunday, bragging rights were at stake as well as points on the board – as the Etihad hosted the Manchester Derby.
Those betting with Paddy Power will be quite hard pressed to suggest anyone other than Manchester City winning the Premier League title for a second season in a row – given their six-point cushion, and despite Liverpool's game in hand. After the annihilation that took place, Manchester is most definitely blue – so let's see where this one was won and lost and the permutations on the rest of the campaign.
It was effectively game over on 68 minutes when Riyad Mahrez added City's third goal – and later added to his individual tally in stoppage time to round up the scoring. But as soon as that third goal went in, United looked defeated – and the hosts completely dominated.
The stats don't lie – but make grim reading for the Red Devils. Not only did Ralph Rangnick's side fail to have a single shot on target in the second period, their stats for the final 20 minutes or so showed that they were completely off-the-pace. It was a masterclass from Pep Guardiola's men, who dominated possession (84%), out-passed their opponents, and also landed six shots on target from the 65 minute mark.
While this was only defeat number two in the league under the interim Rangnick, it's the manner of the defeat that will take some getting over. United host Tottenham Hotspur next, and will need to up their game, should they want a top four finish...
While this was Manchester United's first defeat in nine matches, they'll be looking both ahead and over their shoulder – with Arsenal (in fourth) and Tottenham (seventh) each boasting multiple games in hand – in what could prove an exciting battle for fourth position. As mentioned, it's Tottenham up next for United, and dropping further points could hand their rivals the advantage, with fate in their hands.
Not only that, but United then face Liverpool the following week – at Anfield – and Jurgen Klopp's side undoubtedly, will be looking to make ground on City at the top of the table. Rangnick's side also travel to the Emirates in April, and host Chelsea in the penultimate game of the season – by which point, their final position may have already been decided. There are several crunch fixtures left in the season – and they won't want to crumble in the same vein they did at the weekend.
Once again, the Belgian reinforced the notion that he can score important goals in big games – having previously scored against Chelsea and away to Liverpool. Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute, before adding to his tally around the half hour mark as City retook the lead. It wasn't just goals that De Bruyne contributed – he also set up Mahrez for his first goal (City's third) and completely bossed the midfield.
While he was substituted in the 80th minute – Ilkay Gundogan, his replacement – the star man received a standing ovation from the Etihad faithful. Not only did he bag a brace, but also trebled his return of goals in the Manchester Derby.
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