Manchester City 3 Manchester United 0: Manchester City return to winning ways in style in the Manchester derby | OneFootball

Manchester City 3 (Phil Foden 18′, Erling Haaland 52′, 68′)

Manchester United 0

Today’s Manchester derby has ended with Manchester City picking up a comfortable 3-nil win. Pep Guardiola’s side picked up a crucial three points and did look to have turned a corner after successive defeats before the international break.

When the starting lineups were announced, there was a Manchester City debut for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Pep Guardiola made five changes to the starting lineup that lost to Brighton last time out. There was a youthful look to City’s starting lineup. The scene was set for the Manchester derby ahead of kick-off with the Etihad Stadium crowd in full voice.

First half

Before the game kicked off, a touching tribute was observed for Ricky Hatton. The boxing legend tragically passed away in the lead-up to today’s match. Thoughts and condolences are with Ricky Hatton’s family and friends at this time.

Once the game kicked off, Erling Haaland fired a shot inches wide in the opening 20 seconds. Some neat play from Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden on the edge of Manchester United’s penalty area set up Haaland. The Norwegian fired his shot from a tight angle, inches wide of the far post, with Manchester United keeper Altay Bayindir scrambling.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made his first save in the Premier League in the fourth minute. Benjamin Sesko fired a shot on the turn from outside the box after a challenge from Nico O’Reilly fell into his path. Donnarumma made a comfortable save diving to his right to deny the United striker.

After an entertaining beginning to the game in the opening 10 minutes, it must be said that Manchester United had made a bright start to the game. Ruben Amorim’s side had settled quicker than Pep Guardiola’s side. But there were signs that City could grow into the game.

PHIL FODEN GIVES MANCHESTER CITY THE LEAD!!!!

In the 18th minute, Manchester City would take the lead. A well-worked City move found Jeremy Doku on the edge of the United penalty area. The Belgian international weaved his way into the penalty area with some neat footwork, and he befuddled Luke Shaw to get free. He got himself into a good crossing position, but his initial cross was blocked. The ball fell back to Doku, who dinked in a quality ball to Phil Foden, who headed past Altay Bayindir to send the Etihad delirious with joy.

Tijjani Reijnders nearly doubled City’s lead in the 24th minute. Jeremy Doku played in a ball from the left wing, which picked out Reijnders. But the Dutch international’s shot was fired straight at United keeper Altay Bayindir, who made a fortunate save. Pep Guardiola’s side began dominating the game after taking the lead.

After Manchester City’s burst after taking the lead, the game entered a holding pattern. Manchester United had spells of possession with no end product. City’s high defensive line caught the United attackers offside on several occasions. City had their moments, but nothing of significance up until the 40th minute.

A spell of Manchester United set pieces from good positions ended the first half. Manchester City would take a 1-nil lead into the interval. Pep Guardiola’s side had their moments, but United’s pressing of Rodri in midfield did stand out. Several times, Manchester City’s midfield general was caught in possession when dwelling on the ball. But City deserved their halftime lead based on the balance of play.

Second half

Manchester United made a bright start to the second half. They had a corner and delivered some quality crosses into the City penalty area. But Erling Haaland made four quality defensive clearances to snuff out any United threat on Donnarumma’s goal.

Erling Haaland doubles Manchester City’s lead!!!!!

Erling Haaland would double Manchester City’s lead in the 52nd minute. Manchester City had a throw-in where Nico O’Reilly found Phil Foden. The pair combined with some neat interplay to get out of a tight space. Jeremy Doku received possession from Foden, and he held off a Manchester United defender to play in Haaland from the left-hand side of the United penalty area. Haaland chipped the oncoming Altay Bayindir to double City’s lead. It was a beautiful goal from Pep Guardiola’s side.

Erling Haaland almost made it 3-nil three minutes later. Some fine pressing from Pep Guardiola’s side saw Manchester United give away possession deep in their own half. Jeremy Doku played in Haaland who attempted to round Altay Bayindir. Bayindir did get a touch that did put off Haaland. Haaland’s subsequent finish hit the far post and stayed out. Bernardo Silva played in a good ball after the goal mouth scramble but there was no City player on hand for a tap in.

Gianluigi Donnarumma would make a superb save in the 61st minute to deny Bryan Mbuemo. A cross from Patrick Dorgu from the left-hand side picked out Mbuemo in space on the right of City’s penalty area. The Cameroon international struck a sharp left-footed volley which Donnarumma kept out with a sharp save low down to his right. It was exactly the type of save City brought Donnarumma in to make. The reaction of his teammates showed the importance of the save from the Italian international.

That man Erling Haaland makes it 3-nil to City.

Erling Haaland would make it 3-nil in the 68th minute. Manchester City would press United into a mistake on the halfway line. Bernardo Silva would play a simple ball over the top for Haaland, who did well to remain in his own half to stay onside. Once City’s number-nine was played in there was no doubt that he’d score. He beat Altay Bayindir with ease to effectively put the game to bed.

Tijjani Reijnders almost made it 4-nil in the 75th minute. The Dutch international was played in by Erling Haaland. Reijnders burst free and only had the oncoming Altay Bayindir in United’s goal to beat. Reijnders’ did that but his chip went wide of the far post.

After the Tijjani Reijnders chance, Manchester United had several chances to grab a consolation goal. But some poor finishing from the United players preserved Manchester City’s clean sheet.

The final whistle was greeted with a thunderous roar from the Manchester City faithful. Pep Guardiola’s side had dispatched their arch-rivals and the victory lays the foundation for the week ahead.

First thoughts from the match.

Today’s victory was much-needed for Manchester City. They played well over the full 90 minutes and deserved their victory. The combination play between Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden was superb. All three players were the difference between the two teams. In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma was superb in his City debut. He made one terrific save and added a presence in goal for his team.

Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders did struggle in midfield, especially in the first half. But they grew into the game and will need time to gel. Also, Rodri needs time to regain his touch and match fitness.

All told, it was a superb victory for Manchester City in today’s Manchester derby. They needed to pick up all three points and they did just that.