English champions Manchester City once again proved too much for Erik Ten Hag’s Red Devils to handle, as they won Sunday’s derby comfortably. Erling Haaland was too good for the Manchester United defence to contain as he scored a brace before setting up another. If you missed the Premier League derby, here are the major updates as Manchester City humbled Manchester United at the theatre of dreams:
- Just 8 minutes into the game, Manchester City’s right wing-back Kyle Walker fed a ball into the box that was met by a first-time header by Phil Foden. To the great relief of the home fans, Andre Onana managed to find the ball on its course to the top-left corner. The ball was still in play and just before Haaland could pounce on it from close range, Harry Maguire managed to help his goalkeeper out.
- Erling Haaland converted from the spot after United forward Rasmus Hojlund wrapped his arm around Rodri. The VAR wanted the match referee to have a look and the decision went City’s way. Haaland put the ball in the bottom right corner of the net in the 26th minute, sending Onana the wrong way.
- Minutes before the first-half whistle, Manchester United custodian made a "flying save" to deny Erling Haaland a double. Onana made a full-fledged dive towards his left as Haaland, left unmarked in the box, unleashed a point-blank header towards his post. The crucial save was appreciated by the roaring fans all around the stadium. 1-0!
- Manchester United’s best chance in the first-half came in injury time when Scott McTominay let a right-foot fly towards the middle of the City post. However, Ederson was in the position to push the mighty half-volley off away.
- Manchester United started the second period by replacing Sofyan Amrabat with Mason Mount. Amrabat and Mason Mount were booked 42 minutes into the game after they locked horns before the referee following a foul.
- Just four minutes after the game resumed, Haaland found himself on the receiving end of another tempting cross — similar to that he got but failed to convert in the first-half. Bernardo Silva fed him the perfect ball into the box and the striker made no mistake this time — making the scoreline 2-0. Onana overcommitted and found himself far from home when Haaland’s header came knocking. 2-0!
- 68 minutes into the game, Marcus Rashford had an opportunity to pull one back for his team. He did everything right after getting a long ball inside the City box. A sublime first touch helped him bring the ball down, before making a purposeful second-long delay to see off his marker Walker. He had Ederson beaten as well, but the shot was not on target.
- 10 minutes left on the clock, a long-ranger from outside the box fell kindly to Haaland after being stopped by the United goalkeeper. The Norwegian fed it to Phil Foden who tapped it in amidst two defenders. 3-0!
- The victory took Manchester City to third in the point table — two points behind leaders Tottenham. Arsenal remain second on goal difference although they are square with the champions in points. The two sides got 24 points each after 10 rounds. ETH’s United are eighth in the league with 15 points.
