EPL: United claim deserved Manchester derby win

Manchester United completed the Premier League double over derby rivals Manchester City for the first time in a decade as Anthony Martial’s first-half goal and an injury time strike from Scott McTominay gave them victory at Old Trafford.

This thunderous encounter was a personal nightmare for Manchester City’s normally reliable Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, who gifted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side both goals in sharply contrasting fashion.

He allowed Martial’s routine shot to squirm under his body from a quick Bruno Fernandes free-kick on the half-hour and then, with seconds left, threw a clearance straight to McTominay, who showed great technique to send a long-range finish, struck first time, into the net in front of a delirious Stretford End.

It is a win that leaves Liverpool – who now have a 25-point lead at the top of the table – requiring only two more wins to secure their first league title for 30 years and Manchester United only three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, after their first derby league double since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

City hotly contested the free-kick, given by referee Mike Dean for a foul by Ilkay Gundogan on Fernandes, that led to Martial’s goal – although United also felt they were denied a penalty when Fred was booked for diving after tangling with Nicolas Otamendi.

Sergio Aguero had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR and even though City enjoyed the greater share of possession, United sealed a crucial win with McTominay’s strike to take their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.

Solskjaer sensing top-four finish

The jubilant scenes and the sound of his name echoing around Old Trafford at the final whistle will have been music to the ears of Manchester United manager Solskjaer.

Solskjaer, still to convince many of his suitability for the giant task of turning Manchester United’s fortunes around, has now enjoyed three wins over Pep Guardiola and Manchester City this season – and this was surely the most satisfying day of the season at ‘The Theatre Of Dreams’.

United may still be light years away from the glory days of old but victories such as this sustain hope, and the atmosphere inside Old Trafford as Solskjaer’s side first held on to their advantage and then sealed the win was reminiscent of days gone by.

Manchester City may have enjoyed the greater share of possession but United showed great resilience and always carried a threat on the break.

Fernandes once again confirmed what a shrewd piece of business his signing was from Sporting Lisbon – although why wait so late in the window to sign him? – and why he is already a hero to United’s fans.

The Portuguese has that touch of class and creativity while United had another outstanding performer in defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who won his battle with Raheem Sterling as he hounded the England star for 90 minutes and beyond.

Manchester United, who have looked off the top four for so much of the time this season, are now right in the fight and credit must be given to the manager who has helped fashion this impressive run.

Ederson’s day to forget

Manchester City’s defeat is hardly damaging in the context of their Premier League title defence – that was lost to Liverpool a long time ago.

Guardiola’s concern, and admittedly he was without his star player Kevin de Bruyne, will be that once again his side had plenty of possession but did not create enough, not showing enough urgency until it was too late.

And he will be concerned by the performance of goalkeeper Ederson, who was over-confident throughout and paid a heavy price.

Ederson was not only badly at fault for both goals but almost gave away another when he allowed a routine pass to roll under his foot at the Stretford End, resulting in a desperate tackle on Martial almost on the goalline to spare his embarrassment.

Guardiola will be additionally unhappy about this defeat, not least because it was City’s seventh defeat of the Premier League campaign, making 2019-20 the season in which he has lost the most league games in his managerial career.

It is also the first time he has suffered three defeats against a single opponent in a season.

City now face home games against Arsenal and Burnley to get themselves in shape for the Champions League last-16 second leg meeting with Real Madrid, in which they hold a precious 2-1 advantage from the first leg in the Bernabeu.

Guardiola will hope Ederson has got this carelessness and over-confidence out of his system.

Man of the match – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Man Utd)