The Football Faithful
·19 January 2026
Premier League Awards: Carrick celebrates derby delight

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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·19 January 2026

The biggest story of the weekend was in Manchester, as caretaker coach Michael Carrick had a dream derby debut. Carrick’s second reign as interim coach began with the Manchester Derby, but few expected the events that unfolded. United were the better team from start to finish, with Manchester City overwhelmed at Old Trafford.
Casemiro rolled back the years in midfield, aided brilliantly by the returning Kobbie Mainoo. How Ruben Amorim continued to overlook the latter, we’ll never know…
Elsewhere, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire held Erling Haaland goalless, and Bruno Fernandes was, well, Bruno Fernandes. The talisman again.
Carrick cannot get carried away by this result or performance, but it’s certainly a start. The challenge is to ensure it’s not another false dawn.
An honourable mention must go to West Ham’s late show at Spurs.
Callum Wilson has spent the past week seeing his name linked with leaving London, after West Ham spent £50m on two new forwards.
Instead, the veteran showed exactly what he can still provide, snatching a last-gap goal after his stoppage-time introduction. Wilson now has five league goals in just 811 minutes of football. There’s a place for him in Nuno’s plans across the run-in.
Right place, right time, repeatedly. Casemiro was the foundation of Manchester United’s derby day win, with the Brazilian everywhere to shut down Manchester City.
The football has not left the five-time Champions League winner just yet…
Brian Brobbey is growing into his role as Sunderland’s outlet. The Dutch forward made it two goals in three league games with a brilliant outside-of-the-boot finish against Crystal Palace this weekend.
The strength and improvisation were superb. The man’s a handful.
Morgan Rogers has watched efforts like this fly into the top corner several times this season. Not, however, this time. An excellent stop from England’s number one, as a full-length Jordan Pickford save denied his Three Lions teammate.
Eddie Howe admitted Newcastle lacked quality in the final third during a drab draw at Wolves.
The stats certainly backed up that assessment. Newcastle had 67% of the ball at Molineux but did not register a shot on target until the 85th minute.









































