And Manchester United sensationalized it, coming from behind to seal a late 2-1 win over defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, a result that leaves Pep Guardiola’s side with a single victory in their last 11 outings in all competitions.
It was a tight derby with very little between the sides in the first phase of play, that saw United lose Mason Mount to injury, and City’s Phil Foden drag a volley wide inside the first 20 minutes. The breakthrough finally came after 35 minutes when Joško Gvardiol headed home from a deflected Kevin De Bruyne corner to expose United’s ongoing struggles with set-pieces.
Ruben Amorin’s men never had any attacking coherence and failed to muster a single shot on target before halftime. Amad Diallo was the only bright spark amongst the visitors as he managed to test Ederson with a headed effort and lead United’s attack. Sub Rasmus Højlund should have equalized in the 74th minute but fluffed a one-on-one chance. But the turning point came late as Amad capitalised on a poor backpass to win a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes in the 87th minute. The winner came shortly after, as Lisandro Martinez’s inch-perfect pass sent Amad rounding Ederson to score the winner and set off wild celebrations.
That would lift United’s morale while leaving City nine points adrift in the title race.
