ESPN FC's Mark Ogden and Man City correspondent Jonathan Smith assess City's chances of finishing the Premier League season unbeaten.
MANCHESTER -- Manchester City showed their strength of character in the style they beat United in the Manchester derby, according to midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Second-placed United, who now trail Pep Guardiola's team by 11 points at the top of the Premier League, had not been beaten at a home for a club-record 40 games stretching back 15 months to the last Manchester derby in the league.
City bookended United's run with a 2-1 win after enjoying 65 percent possession as they became the first team to win 14 successive English top-flight games in a single season.
"It's definitely not easy to come here, to play the way we've played and especially to win that game," Gundogan told reporters. "It was about a lot of mentality, about a lot of heart and bravery to do these kind of things.
"We just felt like we are the deserved winners of this game and that's why we were so happy after the final whistle. Obviously it was a special game as well, it was not just a game."
City completed 606 passes -- nearly twice as many as United's 329 -- and with a better success rate of 83 percent.
Manchester City players celebrate after scoring a goal against Man United on Sunday.
"We know that this is completely the right way and we know if we do it well, we have all chances to win every game," the Germany international added.
"Especially first half, it felt like more domination in the way of having possession. Although we had second half maybe the bigger chances, but, especially after our second goal, United had nothing to lose anymore.
"Of course they were pressing high with a lot of players, with a lot of aggression. It was not so easy anymore -- or it was much, much harder to play our game in these kind of situations.
"But when we were able to do that, we created again some chances and we did it well and. As I said, we didn't concede much chances against us, so of course we are very happy."
United boss Jose Mourinho admitted it will now be difficult for his team to win the title after Sunday's defeat although Pep Guardiola believes the league can't be over with so many points to play for.
Gundogan, who was a half-time substitute at Old Trafford, says City can't afford to get ahead of themselves even though they have such a huge advantage.
"It feels like we gained three very important points -- not more, not less," he said. "Of course we are very happy about the way we played.
"We knew that it is going to be difficult because they have very quick players up front, strong players, so we expected a lot of long balls.
"But the way we defended, especially our back four defending these kind of balls, was amazing. We were brave enough to play or to play our game. In my opinion, I think I can speak for the whole team, it is a fully-deserved win."
Jonathan is ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @jonnysmiffy.
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Source: espn.co.uk