After a rough week for Pep Guardiola and his Citizens, this is a chapter they should be putting behind and now focus on their next set of challenges. After losing in the always-contested Manchester Derby not only bragging rights were lost but also their fifth Premiership championship celebrations put aside.
As Eithad Stadium in its galas and looking forward to an afternoon of partying and commemorations on the eve of their fifth Premiership title after enduring a one of a kind and dominating campaign.
With another edition of the Manchester Derby, Pep and company were ready to bury their midweek stumble against league foe Liverpool in the Champions League; a win today would uplift this squad momentum and restoring their confidence back.
Still the foe the Citizens had in front of them not considered a weak one or an easy to beat that easily.
The Red Devils already out of the title race and now fighting for its permanency in second place and ready to put in this edition a fierce contest, after all, they came ready to put on a show of might as well to play the hated role of spoiler.
In this match after the initial whistle the Citizens coming with the label of favorites and looking forward to seal the deal, today they started playing their trademark game of pressing defensively as well offensively.
Whenever the United crew anytime they took the ball the Citizens defenders did not allowed any liberties to their cross-town foes, showing an all-around dominance in the first half for 45 minutes not letting the Red Devils get comfortable offensively.
However, for the local Sky Blues initial eleven their determination of putting this match away seen ever since the get go and not stopping them in their quest of causing havoc on the posts defended brilliantly and heroically by United goalkeeper David De Gea.
With several arrivals in the course of the match by the locals and the visitors, keeper rising to the occasion with astounding saves denying the Citizens. In the 25, minute the combination of Leroy Sane and with a well-placed Vincent Kompany shaking off his defender Chris Smalling for their first goal.
No later than five minutes passed when a nice interception by Leroy Sane in the midfield with a nice triangulation passing to Raheem Sterling who found a well-placed and opportune Ilkay Gundohan who a half turn shooting to beat the likes of visitors keeper.
A beautiful and one of a kind goal that sent the whole of Etihad into frenzy for the joy of the Citizens followers, with this goal the match was 2-0 in the 30-minute and going into intermission with a two goal lead.
At halftime, maybe in the visitors, dressing room maybe Jose Mourinho scolded his side and prompting them for an all-around revival to get the share of points as a win was out of reach, but the afternoon was to be for Pogba.
Yes the £ 89 million man who after many setbacks in the campaign and harsh criticism, today he proved everyone wrong and delivered when it count the most and showing off how important his presence is for Manu.
With a nice screen and play started by Alexis Sanchez who never stopped today contributing for his new squad cause and doing a superb job, when he took the Citizens defense and passing to Ander Herrera in the area and the Spaniard chested the ball for Pogba’s finish.
As the game clock showing off minute 53, no later than two minutes passed by when another one two combination from Sanchez to Paul Pogba heading the second goal and even the score at 2 in the 55 minute.
By seeing, a total awakening by the Frenchman Jose Mourinho was seeing a prolific afternoon performed by his midfielder who rallies his troops and now the outlook of the match was showing a total dominance by the Portuguese side.
Not being over the winning goal came in the 69 as Alexis Sanchez once again delivering his magic touch and despite not doing he does best scoring, he delivered a joyous afternoon for his new team and with a brilliant pass in the 69 minute to Chris Smalling, they seal the deal.
Still with a lot of time in the game clock Pep tried to rally his eleven in the field and with some moves he desperately tried for a comeback after the 70 minute by incorporating Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne.
At the end he and his Citizens had to endure another heartbreaking loss in back to back matches in the course of this week, as the match continue there was a challenge inside the United area of Ashely Young over Sergio Aguero and the ref did not awarded a penalty.
Very well, a series of arrivals by the Citizens that made the likes of United keeper David De Gea as the game hero and making important and opportune saves.
Give this Derby to Jose Mourinho and company and dividing wins in this competition in the campaign, give Manu credit for the spoils today across Manchester with a great come back from behind win and with champagne left uncorked by the Citizens.
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