After twenty-eight days, Manchester City is more than ever in control of the Premier League. And it’s not neighbor Manchester United, battered and beaten 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday afternoon, who will now challenge the superiority of the Citizens this season. In the standings, City’s only rival is Liverpool, 2nd at six points, with a game late, however. For their part, the teammates of Paul Pogba, 5th, are sailing some 22 points behind the Citizens…
The Reds Devils showed up this Sunday without Cristiano Ronaldo, injured in a hip, or Raphaël Varane, tested positive for Covid. But with Paul Pogba, replaced by Rashford shortly after the hour mark (65th).
At the Etihad, victory was quick to choose sides. After five minutes, De Bruyne, at the top of his game this Sunday, deceived De Gea with a tense left-footed recovery, taking over a cross from the left of Silva (1-0, 5th). For a time, the Red Devils regained hope, after Sancho equalized in a good way, with a curled shot from the right foot (1-1, 22nd). However, De Bruyne showered the opposing inclinations, signing the double by exploiting with the right foot a ball pushed back by the United defense (2-1, 28th).
Until the break and a little after, the Skyblues accumulated offensive situations without succeeding in the break until Mahrez went there with his double in turn. First with a rebound with the left foot following a corner from De Bruyne (3-1, 68th), then with a powerful cross shot from the left on a skilful serve from Gündogan (4-1, 90th + 2).
Before their often very tense derby, the two Manchester clubs displayed their unity this time by entering the field. City, which has one of three Ukrainian Premier League players, defender Oleksandr Zinchenko (left on the bench on Sunday), sporting white t-shirts with the Ukrainian flag and the slogan “No War”, which appeared also on the black t-shirts that Manchester United wore.
During the minute of applause in support of Ukraine and its people, a large banner with the same call for an end to hostilities was unfurled in one of the corners of the stadium.
Next outing for City, Wednesday evening in the Champions League. De Bruyne and co will host Sporting Portugal in the round of 16 second leg, at the same time as Real Madrid will host PSG. But without the attraction of the Mancunian derby, after the 5-0 passed to the Portuguese in the first leg.
