Manchester City powered back to the top of the Premier League with a vital 2-0 victory at the home of their Manchester rivals, United.
City looked weary early on as a fired-up United flew out of the traps and put pressure on the visiting defence. City’s players took a while to wake up but when they did, they combined to devastating effect.
They took the lead nine minutes into the second half when Bernardo Silva wasn’t shut down and dragged his shot inside David De Gea’s near post. While the United goalkeeper didn’t really deserve much blame for that one, he was severely culpable for the second.
City broke and Raheem Sterling fed Leroy Sane, who fired in via De Gea’s shin, again at his near post.
The second proved a dagger to United’s heart as Pep Guardiola’s domestic treble-chasers comfortably saw out the contest.
Here’s our the men in blue rated:
Making Blue hearts sing! 💙 pic.twitter.com/SFaj8RNoOx
— Manchester City (@ManCity) 24 April 2019
MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3)
Ederson 6: Out quick to pick Rashford’s pocket, fine goalkeeping. Despite United’s bright start, was untroubled in the second half.
Kyle Walker 6: Didn’t put a foot wrong but didn’t have much to do either. Fairly untroubled in defence and kept things simple. Three clearances jointly led City.
Vincent Kompany 4: Got away with an early tug on Rashford, but not a second. Booked inside 10 minutes. Looked all at sea when he was brought in for his nouse and experience.
Aymeric Laporte 6: As City struggled early on, he nevertheless enjoyed a quiet evening, while Kompany crumbled. Passing was imperious.
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5: Had trouble dealing with the marauding Rashford down his channel early on, saw yellow for catching Young. Grew in stature and looked solid. Four tackles and interceptions led City.
David Silva 7: Went about his business largely anonymously, but belied recent poor form with four key passes. Enduring class cannot be overstated.
Fernandinho 7: Cut out Young’s devilish free-kick and was typically committed yet composed in heat of midfield battle. Pivotal tackle on Pogba led to him going off.
Ilkay Gundogan 6: Endured a difficult start as United’s energy in the middle troubled the champions. Pushed more centrally following Fernandinho’s exit, started the move that led to Silva’s goal.
Bernardo Silva 8: City’s attackers were stymied early on but when they tuned in, he was the conductor. Fine season continued with opening goal. After that, danced about the final third with intent. Five dribbles.
Sergio Aguero 6: Grew into the game. Typical penache after City took lead, curling effort struck base of post. United defence could never rest.
Raheem Sterling 7: Slow to get going but always a threat. Magical feet almost produced a fine solo goal. Increasingly influential, five dribbles key to that, playing in Sane for number two.
SUBS:
Leroy Sane 7: Young would not have been happy to see him come on, and he exposed United’s deteriorating defending as he thrashed in second.
Gabriel Jesus N/A: Fresh legs to see out an eventually routine win.
Danilo N/A: Can’t even remember him coming on.
