Manchester City were left stunned by a dramatic second-half comeback from Manchester United as the visitors battled to a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win and another Premier League title as Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan sent them into the break 2-0 up.
However, a quick-fire brace from Paul Pogba levelled proceedings 10 minutes after the restart before Chris Smalling clinched the winner.
Here, we analyse Pogba’s performance.
STATISTICS
Goals – 2
Assists – 0
Shots – 3
Shots on target – 3
Touches – 49
Passes – 29
Key passes – 0
Interceptions – 2
Dribbles – 4
Dispossessed – 0
30-SECOND REPORT
Pogba started on the left side of a midfield three but seemed to struggle to impact the game as he spent most of the first half inside his own half. He did show moments of class but was unable to work effectively with what was around him.
The shackles came off in the second period though as he notably took up position ahead of Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic. It paid dividends as he came alive in the final third and put City to the sword.
Paul Pogba
GOT RIGHT
Threat – Even in the first half, Pogba always looked like the player most likely to make something happen for United. He was the chief goal threat at the start of the second period, producing three efforts, all on target with two finding the back of the net.
Drive – Particularly after half-time, the Frenchman seemed to operate further up the pitch and was able to drive forward from there. He followed the move for his first into the box and made an excellent run for his headed goal as well.
GOT WRONG
Held on to possession – Pogba looked like a player with a point to prove and was consumed by that desire in the opening period, trying to do too much. He held on to the ball for too long at times, trying to beat players when options for a quick pass were on.
Defence – The midfielder offered little in terms of defensive contribution. Failure to track Gundogan on one occasion should’ve seen United go further behind. His only tackle in the game saw him earn a yellow card for a foul on Nicolas Otamendi.
KEY MOMENTS
4th minute PASS: Pogba finds Sanchez on the left, whose pass into the middle is intercepted by Kompany, but the Frenchman should’ve spotted Lingard’s run through the middle instead.
20th minute DISPOSSESSED: Sterling steals the ball off him and drives into the box before setting up David Silva whose effort is well off target.
43rd minute DEFENSIVE LAPSE: Pogba allows Gundogan to peel off the back of him and have a free header on goal from Fernandinho’s cross. Fortunately for United, his effort is straight at De Gea.
49th minute SHOT: The visitors work the ball well and it comes out to Pogba on the edge of the box whose curling effort with his left foot is saved comfortably by Ederson.
53rd minute GOAL: Another good move from United. Herrera cleverly chests the ball into Pogba’s path inside the box and he lifts his finish over Ederson with aplomb.
55th minute GOAL: Pogba kicks off the move and bursts into the box. Sanchez finds him with a delicious cross and the Frenchman adjusts his body in mid-air excellently to get enough purchase on his header to beat Ederson.
81st minute BOOKING: With Nicolas Otamendi breaking away, Pogba chased back and caught him with a tackle from behind, halting the move but going into the referee’s book in the process.
Paul Pogba scores his second.
VERDICT
The game looked done and dusted at half-time and the sky blue ribbons were on the trophy. It was Pogba’s coloured streaks that came into the picture again though when he headed in the equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
The Frenchman was impressive in glimpses in the opening period but turned the game on its head with his brace after the break. After all the talk before the game, the 24-year-old wanted to make a statement and he did so emphatically.
RATING: 8/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
