It was a game of two halves for Ralf Rangnick and his side as they travelled to the Etihad. A brace from Kevin De Bruyne, punctuated but a curling strike from Jadon Sancho meant the away side went into half time a goal down, but with reason for optimism.
Although City were the better side in the first half, with a clear focus on attacking United’s right, the team in red could take some positives, and some hope, into the second half. They were well structured, and they were winning the ball back well in midfield. An equalising goal didn’t seem on the cards, and despite going being early on they were still in the game.
That soon changed, however. Guardiola’s side upped the tempo in the second half, right from the off, and United struggled to keep up. When the visitors pressed, it was easy for City to play through them, and the second half quickly settled into a regular rhythm. City passed the ball around in their own half. United came forward to press them, and City played through them.
With David De Gea’s inability to pass to a teammate only adding to the away side’s woes, it felt like only a matter of time before the hosts would dispatch with their visitors. City’s third came from a corner, with Mahrez finding space on the edge of the area to guide the ball home, after his teammate’s crowded the six yard area to leave him with space.
His shot deflected off Harry Maguire who, like many of his teammates, had a game he’ll quickly want to forget. City kept coming, and at no point did they feel like they weren’t in control. They played at walking pace and the game felt done with twenty minutes to go.
Mahrez made it four at the death, firing the ball at David De Gea to add injury to insult, as it hit him before landing in the back of the net. In truth, they had plenty of time to score their fourth before then, with multiple chances to really punish their visitors spurned.
Mahrez made it four at the death, firing the ball at David De Gea to add injury to insult, as it hit him before landing in the back of the net. In truth, they had plenty of time to score their fourth before then, with multiple chances to really punish their visitors spurned.
It’s a good day for City, who remain six points clear of Liverpool, albeit having played a game more. For Manchester United, the campaign has a bleaker outlook. They have played three games more than Arsenal and Tottenham. Arsenal are a point ahead of them, and have better goal difference, while Tottenham are only five points behind them. West ham have played as many games as United and are only two points off Rangnick’s side, with the Red Devils also having a worse goal difference than the Hammers.
By Will Savage
