Reds Win Thrilling Manchester Derby

Premier League: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United

It was a thrilling Manchester Derby on Saturday and it was the red half of Manchester that went home happy as goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial sealed a 2-1 win for Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Going into the game many predicted that Manchester United would have to execute their counter attacks perfectly to get a result and they duly delivered with a fine display.   

Manchester City looked comfortable on the ball and they seemed to dominate possession but they rarely created any clear cut chances.  

The game was marred by allegations of racist abuse towards United midfielder Fred in the second half, while there were also reports of objects being thrown at him from the stands.  

United had a great chance early on has Daniel James was put in after a swift break but he could only direct his shot straight at Ederson who saved well. Then Kevin De Bruyne looked to be about to put City 1-0 up but Lindelof blocked his effort superbly.   

United were ahead after Bernardo Silva hacked down Rashford in the penalty area for the referee to not award the penalty but after a break in play VAR awarded the penalty with the correct decision. Rashford stepped up and sent Ederson the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.   

United threatened again as Jesse Lingard was allowed into the box but his effort was saved well again by Ederson. Then in the 29th minute, United doubled their lead as Martial hit a shot to Ederson’s near corner which went in off the post to plunge City’s home section into silence at the Etihad Stadium.  

City seemed lethargic as they struggled to create any chances through the middle of the pitch and had to resort to crosses which Gabriel Jesus struggled to get on the end of.   

Just before the break, there was a call for a penalty as Fred seemed to handle the ball as he blocked a cross but the referee and VAR waved away to protests.   

In the second-half City dominated proceedings as they forced the play whilst trying to give mind to Manchester United’s countering ability.   

Nicholas Otamendi headed in a Riad Mahrez corner in the 85th minute to set up a tense finish and David De Gea saved superbly from Mahrez to keep the score level but United came away with a deserved three points.   

For City, they are now 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool after their fourth defeat of the season and United are up to fifth.